The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-28

on the field In painful agony and young
southwark. with kindly instinct. carried
him 10 place OF safety and gave him
uOurishmeEt. Then he got him into tho
hospital and that was the last he heard
of the wounded man for many years.
Some years aftcrward. the wounded
man. then entirely recovered, In order "a
ascertain something about his youthful
preserver. inserted n personal notice Ia
the Richmond Times. which caught the
attention Of Mr.. Southwark and CORE
spondence was opened which resulted "a
a meeting OF the two and an exchange o.
war tales.
The following letter was later receives
by Mr. Southwark. which IS most inter
esting reading matter;
THE LETTER.
The Massachusetts, Association OF Ne,
Hampshire Veterans to Mr.. J. W. south
ward. OF Richmond. Na.,-the Drum
mer BOY" OF Deep Mine Run-sendeth
greeting;
Capt A. s. Athorton. now 81 Wakefield
Mass, but late OF the Third Now hamp
shire Volunteers. was present In ou
quarterly meeting. October II. 1870, and
gave 10 the Vets 70 most interesting nsr
ration Of his experience I'm tho Contede
rate prison mo Richmond. with his Pre-
vas severely and as 10 was supposed.
mortally wounded by a bullet througr
tho body. but this Drummer Boy repeat
edly gave him water and carried him
into tho shade NJ the tree. and otherwise
tcndcrly cared FOR him: and an last, he SCI
cured a place Tor him I'm tho ambulance.
Almost by "a miracle. Capt Atherton
survived his wound. For many years he
made Intellectual efforts 10 find out that
noble and gcnorous-hcartcd Drummer
Boy. hut i'm vain AZ last by an adFer.
tisomont I'm a Richmond paper. he found
out that his bov-bonefactor was Mr. J.
w Southwark. now "a resident Or hicn-
mond Capt Atherton lost no time n
speeding away 20 that city
Naturally. they would not recognize
each other. except hv tho facts and cif-
cumstancos. The wounded Captain 'o'i
MS Of the handsome reception hv Tho once
Drummer Boy. and how no dif 500 IN hI.
son tho very likeness ~ tho boy who tan-
derby cared for him. Tie also to'd ms NJ
the pressing hospitalitics of the Richmond
people when they knew who he was ana
learned the story as u was told IN NE
newspapers.
After hearing this most interesting ace
count. IL was suggested and. at tho mo
ton Of Col. Charles r. llapgood. late %
the Firm New Hampshire Volunteers u
was moved that the chaplain. Rov WI
G Wood. late First Lieutenant Eleventh
New Hampshire Volunteers should 10
doputod 10 draw mp and send IN hehaf
Of the "Nets" their heartfelt comrN-
monts 20 the Drummer Boy ~ tho fat-
tlc-deid with the sense ~ their profound
appreciation Of his noble humanity ana
considcratc sympathy and kind7eFs TO
wards our comradc. cant. e. = Afhorton.
This was put 90 vote hv tho president.
Hiram r Nurphio NJ fho same Third
New Hampshire Volunteers. with Capt
Athorton. and received unanimous. hearty
approval Of tho comrades which 10 's the
high pleasure NJ the chaplain 20 convey.
As Colonel Hapcood remarked. War Is
grim business ENOUGH hut 10 has ifs
bright spots" This deed - YOURS we re-
coenize as ono NJ thcm and ny am the
Veterans who heard him as VOL as by
Capt Athort0n. who experienced his
kindness. tho Drummer Roy Will be held
I'm lasting honorable and heartfelt re-
membrane. IT, G. MTRPHGE.
President
BY the CHAPLAIN VIII g. wood
Boston. Mass April l9 1907
You arc no liberty 10 make this as public
ne you please. as am these kind rccollec-
tons are pr0m0tivo Of that reunion ~
orr hearts around our great WASHINGTON,
under the one flag OF our common glory