The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-12
Fun and Pathos In The War.

never, never allow yourself to fancy for "a
moment that the North can ever whlp
the great Southern Confoderacy.
Gen. Shernian's Recollection..
"Ono OF the most magnificent speci-
mems or manhood l ever saw was soldier
who was constantly laughing at the poor
fellows who became fatigued by long
marches or who sank under seemingly
trifing wounds. His courage. health ma
strength seemed invincible. One day "a
heavy projectle from thu enemys cannon
what we call spent ball-came roihng
along. The temptation 70 put OUT one
foot TO stop such ball was almost ire
sistihle. The soldier l have mentioned
yielded 10 IL. With a merry smile ho put
out his leg, and iu an instant.his foot was
cut off, aud he sank TO the ground a
manned, shattered cripple for life, weeping
like child at his awful misfortune
Il think the funniest incidents OBJ
served during the civil war were some OF
those that occurred among tho coloreu
people during the march from Atlanta 10
the sea- Many of the negroes hailed tho
coming of the Yankees. bringing tho free
dom OF the colored people with them, as n
certain indication of tho Immediate ap-
proach Of the judgment day, and tho end
of the world. Consequently, thcro WAS
great religious cxcitement among tho
protragted or revival meetings were held.
Tho incidents that occurred at some or
these meetings beggar description. re-
memter on one occasion tho preacher
tried his utmost TO induce one big buck
negro To- come To the mourners s Dencn,
but without avail AT length, losing all
patience he exclaimed, BY de Holy Apos-
tie. de wohd OBJ dc Lohd shall done smite
dat man.. and suiting the action 70 the
word. he felled the buck To tho ground
senseless by powerful blow ON the head,
dealt with ponderous volume OF the
Scriptures.
Told by Gen. Joe Johnston.
"Perhaps the most touching incident
arising i'm connection with the war that
can recall came TO my notice on a railway
train which also bore as passenger tne
very pretty young wife OF n brave young
soldier. who by daring gallantry mad
secured promotion from the ranks 10
Confederate captaincy. The wife was q
Pennsylvania girl whom ho had met while
visiting in the North and whom he had
married and taken To his Southern home
just before the breaking out of the war.
He was one of the first to enlist In the
Confederate army, and In order to devote
himself wholly TO the cause he sent nls
wife, at the first boom Of the guns at Fort
Sumter, back to her parents in Pennsyl'
vania TO remain there till the great
struggle was ended. Now, in 1866, after
five years separation, she was on her
way South 10 rejoIn her husband, and
place.in his arms their 4-year-old daugh-
ter, whom he had never seen. It was not
long before all the passengers on our car
knew the romantic story Of the pretty lit
tie woman and her beautiful child, and
there was not n man among us who ala
not feel n tender, protecting interest In
both There never was woman whose
heart was more full of love and joy. She
could do nothing but talk OF the captain,
and wonder II he had changed so that she
could not recognise him, or If he would
not be able to recopnize her. Then she
would fall To wondering IL he would know
his little daughter by her resem blapce 10
himself II he met her In the street which,
as he had nevor set eyes OH her, scarcely
seemed probable Throughout that long
davis ride we all entered most heartily
| into that dear little woman's hopes,
fears, doubts and joys and shared them "a
such an extent, that we were quite
as anxious to see tho captain as
she WAS. We reached our journeys end
and before tho train fairly stopped tall,
elegantly proportionod fellow cf % came
bounding into our car. Tho little woman
gave such n scro0m OF joy as shall never
! forget and I'm less timo than i can tell II
was standing In the car aisle clasped In
! the Young soldiers manly arms. aud tears
Of Joy unutterablo coursed down two
beautiful young faces as their lips met.
| For my own part icy eyes were SO full of
binding moisture that l could see moth
| ing when the proud and happy young
mother led her husband for the first time
to tho place where their little child lny
! slccping.
"In one of the early battles OF tho war,
| in the hottest part Of tho acUion, | felt
my coat t-taIls pulled by "A Young fellow
whom recognized as having been en-
gagged in tobacco factory prior TO his en-
listmont. Why are you not lighting in
your place. l asked anRrilv Well,
Just wanted TO tell you that II you don Z
mind, l think I'll take my time off to-
day.
Good Ones From Sheridan.
"Two soldiers OF tho opposing armies
engaged in hand to-hBnd struggle dur
inc n nhnrDa amId smnke SO thick TINT