Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-06-26
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
UNIFORM CHANGED HIS LIFE.
Col. sexton Might Have Married An
other Girl Mnt for ThnH

Col. Sexton Might Have Married An
other Girl Hut for That.
"The only bad feature of this thing of
addressing the school children" said
Col. james A. Sexton, the former post
master, sis the fact that they always
want me to wear my regimentals. It's
thing haven't the courage to do, eX-
cept when I'm among uniformed body
of men.
MY aversion to wearing n uniform
about in public dates from my boyhood
days. Upon that aversion is based an
early incident that may have had
good deal to do with the course of nv
subsequent life.
81 enlisted as a private at the out
break of the war, being then n boy of
II; rather mature-lool<ing, however,
for those years. Like all boys of that
age, L was of n romantic turn, but ex-
ceedingly bashful in the presence of
women. The one woman in whose pres
ence was especially shy was dear
girl whom l used to see home from
prayer meeting.
No parting in all that time of part
ing was more affecting than was ours
when my regiment started for the
front. When, year later, was sent
back to Chicago to recover from
wound in the jaw, 1 found myself as
dear to her as ever. And she as dear to
me, it goes without saying. 1 was in
the hospital at Camp Douglas. My
wound healed rapidly. Twas allowed to
go about the city very much as chose,
and prayer meetings, with their escort
privileges. claimed a great part of my
attention.
About that time the Y. NJ. C. A. was
organizing regiment, to be composed
exclusively of men who professed re-
ligion. The scheme naturally attracted
great deal of attention.; the papers
were full of it, 1 was selected to cap
tain one of the new regiments COM
panies. Protest against the selection
was made on account of my age-then
just Is. The matter was carried up to
the adjutant general of the state, who
finally decided in my favor. My age,
the singular character of the case and
the popularity of the regiment caused
such an amount of newspaper gossip
that it seemed as though everybody
must have heard of the matter at least.
All this time l never wore my uniform
outside of camp; the dear girl, there
fore, never saw me except in citizens
clothes.
Its an outrage she said, Just
after we met very youthful-looking
man in captains uniform on one of our
walks, that such young men are
trusted with the responsibilities of
command. Idon't know what the coun-
try is coming to-
For moment was overcome by the
shock. When recovered my breath |
told her that youth did not necessarily
debar man from possession of the
qualities of a commander. She declined
to be convinced and the conversation
became decidedly chilly. Instead of
making my customary call when we
reached her house l stopped at the
front gate.
Laura l Eeid, L must tell you
good-by. My regiment has orders to
leave for the front tomorrow. 1t may
be that we never shall see each other
again.
but we did. All fashionable Chica-
go came to Camp Douglas the next day
to see the final dress parade of the
much-tallSed-of L. NJ. G. A. regiment,
and I could see the dear girl among
the crowd. My new captains uniform
gave me good deal of satisfaction just