The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1899-03-16
BLUE AND THE GRAY
BRAVE MEN WHO MET ON TIE
FIELD OF BATTLE.
Thrilling Stories Of the Rebellion
Old Soldiers aud Sailors Relate ReHis
niscences Of Life in Camp and On
the Field Incidents of the War.

niscences Of Life in Camp and on
the Field incidents of the War.
The Rev. DR.. Henry Van Dyke tells
two stories that are illustrative of what
is sometimes called the ''chivalrous SEN
timent" of the Southern people.
when ! was a child" said he, my
father took me with him on Il trip to
Charleston, s. C.. 1t happened to be
period of intense eXcitement-early In
1861. The State authorities had recent
ly passed the ordinance of secession.
the citizens of Charleston were
| wrought up to a high pitch, and Major
Anderson had been shut up In Fort
Sumter. remember my experiences
at that time as vlvidly as If | had
passed through them yesterday. One
of them was in connection with the
historic incident Of Major Anderson's
defense Of the fort against the Southern
guns.
"The Federal troops were almost des-
titute of provisions, and it was ques-
ton as to how long they could bold out.
1t was we'll understood IN Charleston
that any attempt on the part Of the
United States to reprovision the garri-
son would be resisted by force. There
stood Anderson with his HANDFUL or
men. under the stars and stripes, rae
iAg starvation or surrender-possibiy
annihilation. Around the old brick
{,{n 20 hnsnrr1 of
the sea, were ranged the batteries that
were ready at signal to give the coup
de grace. Matters were In this critical
juncture when l had the privilege Of
witnessing a marvellous act OF chival-
rous and tender sentiment.
Il observed one day that number
OF small boats were putting of from
the docks and making for Fort Sumter,
where lay the beleaguered Federal
troops. My astonishment was redou-
bled when learned that the women Of
Chareston had laden these boats with
provisions of all sorts and luxuries, and
were actually sending them to the sol
diers whom their brothers and fathers
were trying to subdue by starvation or
by shot and shell. l afterward learn
ed that Maj. Anderson was very much
liked by the women. and, indeed, by all
the people Of Charleston; but 1t struck
me as quite remarkable that even the
near approach Of war and the neces-
sity felt by all, of the capture Of Fort
Sumter from the Federals. were not
sufficient to suppress the chivalry and
hospitality of these people.
"As the boats were pulling out look
ed into them to see what kind Of food
the ladies were sending to their enemy.
There was every delicacy that could
be found IN the market, and l can re-
member now how nice thought the
dainties looked, how l should have
liked to taste some Of them, and how
l wondered what an impression such
circumstances would make upon Maj.
Anderson and his men.
Shortly after the sending Of these
provisions to the beleaguered fort by
the women Of Charleston the men Of
Charleston, from their batteries on
Norris Island, fired upon the Star of
the West, which was engaged upon a
similar mission. Charleston would not
have allowed the Federal Major and
his garrison to starve, but 1t was equal
ly determined not TO permit the United
States Government to provision the
fort. The distinction was clear enough,
and the presence of war itself could
not hold in allegiance the obligations Of
hospitality.
Il remember just as vividly another
experience in the South. Shortly after
the war l was In Virginia with my
father, and he took me to see Gen.
Robert E. Lee, who was then at Wash
ington and Lee University. l don't
think that l have ever seen a man
whose great personality impressed me
more. Gen. Lee was one Of the few
men 1 have seen who seemed to me to
bear upon their brow the unmistaka-
bly, stamp of greatness. He was ex-
ceedingly courteous and kind. 1t oc-
CURED to him at once that l, who was
boy at the time, might enjoy a ride
on his war steed. So Traveller was
brought out and the General placed me
in the saddle; and for a few moments
sat upon the horse that his COM
panionship in march and in battle had
made famous. New York Times.