The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-21
SOUTH ANXIOUS 70 FIGHT. !
GEN. GOyAN TALKS OF MEN AND
CONDITIONS THERE
onel 81 the First Missisaippi Reg
inent-stery Of HonoreA Sword
That Changed Hands Twice.


Tuialio. who is now In the city looking
after business connected with his Office. Is
a Soatherner and one OF the thoroughly
genial men OF the word.
Yesterday. in discussing the war situa-
ton. he said:
Il do not know whether most OF US
away oil here in Washington have any
Idea OF the intensity of feeling which has
been aroused throughout the South By the
present war crisis. but 1t is fact that
down In that part OF the country they are
wild for q chance to get at Spain. I am
one OF those who do not believe In bring
ing up at this late day the subject Of the
differences which once divided the North
from the South. We have long been one,
and we are now doubly one IN a common
cause against common enemy. And to
me, man OF the South. # is a sight that
moves me TO emotion, having lived as I
have amidst the scenes Of the civil war.
10 watch those who once wore the gray go
shoulder 20 shoulder into the field TO fight
for their eountFy's flag.
you know that soldiers are no good
without good regimenta. and battalion
commanders. But give the boys the kind
OF officers who will lead wherever they
will follow. and there is HI 10 pay
II have been watching closely the mo-
bslization OF our troops In the South, and
the officers who have been put in COM
mand OF them. and l have only this
to say. that when the army Of invasion
enters Cuba it viii be bloody day for
Spain. OF course, no one doubts for a
moment what the ultimate result must be,
but there is much speculate as to when
1t will be. That 10 not within the prov
ince OF the movable. ] cannot help be-
lievsng. for my part. that when the land
campaign opens 1t Will open TO close quick
ly and decisively.
The movement Of the army OF invasion
toward Cuba holds a particularly close
interest to Gen. Govan. His youngest
brother Is Col George M. Govan. who was
recently appointed colonel of the First
regiment Of Mississippi volunteers, be-
ing raised from the rank Of major, which
he gained by gallant service in the civil
war. The appointment by Gov. McI4aurin
has been widely commended throughout
army circ.es, where Col. Goyan is known
as soldier who proved over and over
again not only his bravery as man. but
his high efficiency as a commander. One
of the most thrilling events in which Col.
Govan took part during the war OF the
rebellion was the memorable retreat OF the
Western army from Tennessee TO Atlanta.
which lasted for ninety days. during
which there was not an hour when the
crash Of musketry and the whirr of shot
could not be heard upon the one side or
the other. Col. Govan was the major of
Waltha,rs old command, having risen TO
that station from a private. He was
secretary Of state for Mississippi for ten
years. and since then was engaged in the
practice OF law at McComb City.
Here are two old war dogs. brothers.
who fought side by side thirty odd years
ago beneath the Stars and Bars, and one
OF them is now a commissioner under the
government on the distant plains Of Wash
a. In IN p
OF East. is called to lead regiment forth
to battle beneath the Stars and Stripes.
There L. an interesting story told by
Gen, Govan OF sword which for a time
swung by his side In the days or the re-
be.lion. The sword originally was owned
and carried by Maj. Sidney Coolidge. OF
Boston, a great-grandson OF Thomas JET
ferson. 1t bore this Inscription: Presented
to Sidney Coolidge. major OF United States
infantry, by his friends OF Philadelphia,
and thereby hangs tale. Ii so Tell out
that Gen. Govan and Maj. Coolidge fought
near each other in that awful and bloody
battle of Chickamauga. Maj. Coolidge
was killed I'm front Of Gen. Govan's COM
mand, and the sword was captured by the
latter officer After the habit the Yanks
and Rebs had OF adding things TO inscrip-
tions found on the enemy's chattels. Gen.
Goyan caused the following inscrip-
tho to be engraved after the one
on the dead officers sword: Captured
at the battle of Chickamsuga by ID. {.
Govan, General c. A. A.. Wen, Gen
Govan wore that sword as long as
he was allowed to. IL was unstrapped
from, his side by an orderly after the sur
render of the Confederate forces at Jones
boro. land" said Gen. Govan, while
fur.ive twinkle puckered up the corner OF
his eve, IT suppose my csptor, Gen. Lang
ley did not forget 20 add his little speech
MADE. i
ssw I, again. but / remember IL was
beauty"
The sword was finally restored 10 Mai.
Coolidge's family at Boston. and their
reading OF the inscription paced upon II
by Gen Govan was the first news they
had OF its owners fate, They thought ne
was languish;ng In Confederate prison.
. ,.,,er from, them 10 Gen Govan brought
the sad news of his death at Chicka-