The Washington weekly post., 1899-05-30
F0RERUNNER OF REUNION.
First Confederate to Aid in Decorating
Union Graves.
From the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald
Gen. Joseph Wheelers visit to Boston.
10 take part in the exercises of Memorial
Day, draws attention to the man who is
said to have been the first Confederate
veteran to assist in decorating the graves
OF Union soldiers.
The man, now in Boston. is Col. Lee
Crandall OF Globe, Ariz. He is stopping
at HOung's Hotel. where a Herald re-
porter saw him yesterday afternoon. This
distinction, claimed in behalf OF Col.
Crandall, had its origin AMI its scene in
Boston about tWenty-four years ago
Col. Crandal was then on the staff of
the New York Daily Graphic. In ls75 he
was sent TO Philadelphia TO represent that
paper at the Centennial exposition, and
while there was introduced, through Gen.
{. h. Norton, 10 Capt. Nathan Appleton,
of Boston. Soon atterWard ne was order
ed 10 Boston. and at the Parker House
again met Capt. Appleton. The Captain
inquired if il would be agreeable TO him 10
participate with Edward w. Kingsley
Post in decorating the graves. Col. Gran
dali replied that he was agreeable If the
post was. Thus the pleasant deal was
made, and Col. Crandall took part IN the
ceremonies.
Speaking OF the Santiago campaign,
Col. Crandall said that, as an observer, il
Gen. Wheeler's tact, ability, and staying
qualities, Gen. Shafter would nave re-
treated, and there would have been defeat
fer the American army instead Of victory
He believes that Drawer regiment never
entered the field than the Rough Riders"
He took keen interest in this body, Tor
the reason that Arizona, where he now
makes his home, raised the flrst battalion
for the regiment. the first organized for
the war. The senior Captain, William ..
o Neil. was recently buried in the mill
tary CemJery at Arlington, near Wash
ington,
Col. Crandan entered the Confederate
army from Alexander. La, as a Captain.
He was al The battle OF Manassas, and
when Gen. Jackson and Gen. EwellS
commands were combined he was de-
tailed from Captain OF infantry for spec
iSl service with Gen. Jackson, and was in
The advance in the Valley OF Virginia in
the operations against Gen. Banks, He
was with the army when, on its retreat
up the valley, IL was attacked by FIRE.
mont, and he was also in the hight at
Cross Keys, and at Port Republic in the
battle with Shields. There he was wound
"a and went on fuTlOugh. Afterward he
was captured, but made his escape. On
recommendation OF StOnewall jackson he
was promoted TO be Major Of cavalry,
and was Sfterward elected Colonel OF a
regiment Of cavalry, serving with Gen.
Price until he was captured IN October,
o. in Kansas Until June. 81, he Was
imprisoned on JOhnsonS Island
Col. Craudall did net meet Gen. Wheeler
during the war. but became acquainted
with him later in New Orleans Gen.
Wheeler, he says. VAS the youngest Lieu
tenant General in the Confederate army.
ard he ranked as a cavalry officer with
Stewart and Forrest. He was then well
known for his dash and bravery. He mar
Ti~d in Lawrence County, Ala, while Col
CTandzll found his wife In Morgan COun-
~. adjoining.
Cal CrandSl WAS the founder. ana for
many years published IN Washington the
National View, a paper devoted 10 mat
tiers connected with political economy.