The National tribune., 1899-09-07

sight. The General was somewhat famous
for gathering up"
Soon after these events Lee surrendered
at Appomattox to Gen. Grant. We re-
ceived the news from Fort Monroe. also
from Washington. There was sub
marine telegraph from Washington, down
the Potomac and up the Chesapeake to Fort
Monroe, then to Portsmouth, coming out
at the wharf some 20 or 30 feet in the rear
of our storehouse.
GEN. B. F. BUTLER.
Now a word about Gen. B. F. Butler
He was man of the times-the right man
in the right place. He was fair with those
who were fair with him, and he was prop
erly generous, as 1 will show. After he
occupied Portsmouth, he ordered that
| rations should be distributed to the poor
of the town, black and white, and actually
supplied the families of those whose hus-
| bands and brothers were in the Confederate
| army. When l reached Portsmouth this
order was in full force and 1, with my own
hands, served out rations to families whose
husbands were in the Confederate army
Surely a "bad man" would not have done
such an act. 1t would not do, however
to project" with the General, or try to de
ceive him.
| When was in New York wrote to Gen
Butler at Fort Monroe in the interest of one
Sam Cohen, of Richmond, who had beer
captured near the York River with block
ade goods. He was about to have San
shot, when Miss Caroline Pike, of Balti
more, wrote asking me to intercede fol
Sam, she being friend of his. Miss
Caroline also testified for Sam before
Gen. Butler at Fort Monroe, hence my
letter to Gen. Butler.
Some weeks or so after Sam put his
hand on my shoulder in the Office o.
French's Hotel in New York. Sam
who knew me well, was profuse in hif
thanks for my efforts in his behalf, ant
we went to see his friend Meyers, wht
kept large cloak establishment on Broad
way. We also went to Masonic lodge ir
Brooklyn near Brooklyn Hights; and
met Sam in Richmond after the war.
have no doubt but that l assisted mucf
in saving Sam FROM the wrath of Gen
Butler.
/ remember how we draped thu
Government buildings in sable after thu
assassination Of the good President Lin
coin. Soon after these events proceeded
to Richmond. Two boats were running
Our boat ran aground slightly while cross
ing the flats on the James, and we won tn,
race, too. We were racing at the time
The Instructions had been partially re
moved at Drewry's Bluff, and we passed
through slowly, and at Rockets Wharf
shook hands with many old friends on tn,
dock.
/ called at the jewelry store Of my OLE
friend Hamet Pierce. AS he shook m,
hand he said: "Well, it has ended lust a.
you always said it would" And it hae
indeed. My friend Mr.. William Taylo
walked towards me, and we met in tn,
middle Of the street and grasped hands
Mr.. Taylor was a charming gentlema,
and sound Union man, and heard will
pleasure short time ago that he had bee,
recently elected Mayor Of Richmond. 81,
will do honor to the city.
Il After hearing all about the capture O
the city, the great fire, ETC., left on tn,
} cars for Staunton, where soon took m,
son Charlie in my arms, and he said, "
know it's my papa; he has big whiskers,
, in answer to my inquiry if he knew me
: He is now living in Baltimore, Md. hap
PLY married, and has four children, VIII
all love their grandpapa "a whole heap"
4 Soon after, being invited by Superin
, tendent Turkey to act as Commissioner O
the Freedman's Bureau, just established a
Staunton, accepted, and was also ap
pointed clerk to the Bureau, as there wa
: no salary attached to the Commissioner
} ship. Gov. Pierpont, on application, ais
gave me commission as notary public
l did not remain in the Bureau long, Their
being too much "Copperheadism" connected
with its operations, both in Washingto,
and Staunton. l remember ordering {
Union man named Taylor. who had beer
in the Federal army,-and badly wounded
too,-out Of Jail to be examined at once, hs