The National tribune., 1899-08-17
A BOY LIEUTENANT.
CONTINUED from frs, page

steamer. The next morning. March 2,
1865, W. went on board the steamer Euterpe
and started for home. Arriving at the bar.
opposite Fort Fisher, the pilot decided that
the water was too low. and we were obliged
to wait "a hours. 1t seemed the longest "a
hours that We had ever waited. We crossed
the bar the next day at noon. Before we
assert his claim and nearly every one was
seasick. The steamer was fairly crammed
with the paroled officers, and many were
unable to get below. | escaped the sea-
sickness and was glad TO remain on deck
away from the seasck crowd. Sanders
obtained place in the cabin. but when
night came on, sought shelter in one of the
ships boats, and was soon fast asleep.
Towards morning l was awakened by
the cold. A northwest wind was blowing,
and | was chilled through and through.
Realizing thatI would freeze TO death If
remained in the boat turned out and
sought the engine room. A draft of hot air
was coming up through the iron grating,
and L sank down upon it. The engineer
came around and said roughly, You can't
stay in here" then taking q second glance
at me said, Il guess you can get warm. and
stay here during my watch" and gave me
an old coat TO put around me. / fell asleep,
fort came over me- When awoke the sun
was shining brightly, and was conscious
that L was covered up warmly. i heard
some one saying in low tone: Poor little
feliowl why, he's nothing but boy; but
guess he has seen some mighty hard times
and suffered more than any of u.s."
Then | found that was wrapped up in a
big soldiers overcoat, and the engineer was
talking with soldier of the 9th Conn. This
veteran soldier had taken off his overcoat to
cover me over, as | lay asleep He was
going home on furiough of 30 days.
granted him for conspicuous bravery" at
the assault on Fort Fisher. Verify, "the
braveSt are the tendereSt"
On the afternoon of March we arrived at
Annapolis. 1t was Sunday; the churches
were just out as we passed through the
streets. The ladies and gentlemen looked
at us smilingly and curiously. A news
paper correspondent took ouE names and
regiments. The clothing dealers of An
napOlis opened their stores and offered us
everything we desired. We could pay for
our things when we received our money,
they said.
Engaging the services of a colored man,
by the promise of a dollar, / soon obtained
from the clothing dealer an entire new stock
of clothing, which my servant carried for
me to bathroom. Here the darky scrub
bed me vigorously, and barber was
brought in, who cut my hair and shampooed
me. Arrayed IN new uniform, every
thing on me clean and new, could hardly
recognize my own self, but kept talking and
asking questions, half afraid that it might
after all be only dream, and that would
awaken, as l had so many times before, and
find myself in prison.
From my old uniform coat took the worn
and weather-beaten shoulder-straps: the
two pieces Of rebel shelter-t tent and a little
wooden spoon, my only feeding utensn for
seven long months, were saved as me-
mentoes OF those prison days.
What shouting and laughter and greet
ings there were among the paroled officers
as they met each other after passing
through the hands Of the barber and
clothier.
Old friends failed to recognize each other;
and some Of our most unkempt and hardest
looking prisoners now appeared as hand
some, stylish officers, veritable dandies.
A few celebrated their release by going on
spree, and one of our most popular officers,
the Major of an Iowa cavalry regiment, died
from the effects Of too much champagne
The next morning there was a mournful
procession through the streets of Annapolis
A boat containing our enlisted men had
arrived q few hours after our steamer. On
board Of it were q number Of dead and dying
prisoners; "a pine collins, loaded in ambu-
lanees. were on their way to the Soldiers
Cemetery. An escort, with the band play
ing the dead march, preceded them
through the streets. It seemed hard that
those men must die when almost within
sight Of their homes T.
(To be continued.j