The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-07-07
From Federal to Confederate.

The early days after the war between
the States we're flled~in this section
Of the country with experiences
often thrilling and. exciting, and quite
commonly of an unpleasant kind, while
now and then there was a rift in the
clouds. The Federal garrisons in the
more prominent towns were not always
composed of gentlemen, to say the
least of it, and there was frequent oc-
casion to complain of their conduct.
The officers did not invariably set a
good example Of discipline nor would
they restrain the men at all times.
But there were notable exceptions
among he officers in command Of these
troops, nd especially those who had
seen real service through the war
were much inclined to behave consid-
eratcly towards our people. In some
instances, it must be admitted, there
were provocations and exasperating
occurrences that did not tend to soothe
and placate our erstwhile enemy, and
doubtless these incidents had a sour
ing effect upon the officers in charge
Of the troops. Among the soldiers that
came to garrison the upper part of
South Carolina was the Fifteenth
| Maine, and its headquarters were in
the town Of Anderson, which was
the centre of operations for a band of
fearless bushwhackers, led by the in
trepid Manse jolly, a native Of Ander-
son County, whose lieutenants were
Largent and Williams, bold, courage
Gus youths who were not willing to ad-
nit that peace had come, and who be-
lieved that the Yankees were their le-
climate prey.
Among the officers of the Fifteenth
Milne was a handsome young man,
whose social qualities and g%enteel be-
havior soon attracted the goodwill Of
ex Confedcrates, and Adjutant a. A.
johnson was not long in establishing
cordial relations with the citizens of
Anderson. His position in the regi-
ment threw him in contact with the
people every day, and he was instru-
mental in rendering valuable service
to the community when troubles arose
between the races growing out of their
new relations. Adjutant johnson was
not only kindly treated, but he vas
held in high esteem by all who knew
him. After the lapse Of more than
thirty-years we are permitted to renew
the acquaintance with him, by means
of a recent correspondence, which
came about in this way: A mutual
friend in Anderson has been meeting
with Mr.. johnson on occasional visits
at his home in Worcester, Mass, and
not long ago he wrote to the editor Of
the Mountaineer that Mr.. johnson
was DESTROYS Of being introduced to
Gen. John B. Gordoa by some one
who knew hira in Anderson. Gen.
Gordon was to deliver his celebrated
lecture on "The Last Days of the
Confederacy" in the city of Worces-
ter on the 18th of April, and Mr..
Johnson belonged to the committee
on reception, but be wished to have a
direct introduction from one of his
Southern friends.
The letter was promptly sent and
duly presented to Gen. Gordon, and
there lies before US a grateful letter of
thanks from Mr.. johnson, expressing
the delight experienced by the people
of Worcester in hearing the hero Of
Spottsylvania, and abiding in glowing
terms to his own experience in Ander-
son, which place he says has a very
warm niche in his heart. He adds:
IT hope some time to be able to visit
the place where courtesies hardly to
be expected were received from the
Southern people, but they arc appre-
ciated all the more on this account.
I am proud of the South; of her push
and patriotism, and Of the position she
has taken in the nation. l am proud
of her war record, for the length Of the
struggle was the best proof as to the
sort Of men she had" This is the ut
terance of a brave, honorable mai who
fought against the South, and we pity
the narrow, prejud;ced individual who
does not respond to high and holy sen
timents like these coming from a Fed
era! soldier. -,
In the city of Worcester, a memorial
sermon was preached on Decoration
day by the Rev. S. B. Meeser, in
which this language occurs: 1.-The
first grand duty Of patriotism we must
learn from the honored dead is mag,
nanimity. It belongs to the victor to
be magnanimous. You need not fear
to concede that our kinsmen of the
South fought with a good conscience:
You neen not hesitate to believe and
own them a valiant foe. You need not
believe in their principles, and you
may condemn them; but you can honor
the courage of their convictions, their
bravery on the battlefield and their
love Of home. Who cannot honor
these virtues in another cannot truly
himself possess them. The magnet
knows the steel among the dust; the
pig of rough iron knows nothing"
Words fifty spoken, like apples OF gold
in pictures of silver! They do credit
to the head and heart Of an American,
who looks upon his c%ountrymen with
feelings Of comradeship, and is not
stinted in his praises of their virtue
and valor. AS this bit Of reminis-
ccnce is being printed, the survivors
of the Lost Cause are gathered by
thousands in the city of Nashville,
the capital of the volunteer State,
whose sons fought on either side of
the great struggle, and there can be nc
holicr inspiration for the occasion
than comes from the honest expires,
sion of q Federal soldier whose re-
spect and reverence for the Confeder,
ate is sincere and genuine Green
riHc M%ountaineer.