The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-20
TALES OF THE CIVIL WAR
RELATED BY ANDREW JACKSON
GRAYSON, OF MADISON.
A Citizen of Southern Indiana Who
Had Some Experiences Worth
Remembering.

Andrew Jackson Grayson, known to
everybody, old and young alike, in his
home town of Madison as bud" Grayson.
has been in the city for a week past at
tending the G.. A. r. encampment and Wis
iting relatives. Mr.. Grayson is a veteran
newspaper writer. whose pen name of
"Phelix Adair'' is as we'll known as a
household word in the southern part of In
diana. He has done the greater part of his
writing for the Madison Courier, with
which paper he was connected for over
thirty years A good deal of his copy"
has found its way into the larger metro
politan dailies and no little amount into
magazines
In a chat with a Journal man last night
Mr. Grayson grew reminiscent of war times
in the beautiful city that sits deep down
In the valley of the Ohio river, about mid
way between Cincinnati and Louisville.
'One of the funniest incidents that ever
came under my notice. said he. happened
in Madison during the progress of the war,
while I was myself mixed up in the con-
fiict. My father told me of the occurrence
afterwards. Colonel Abe Hendricks was
killed at the battle of Pea Ridge and they
brought his body home to Madison to bury
1t with military honors. Colonel Sam Ser
ing, as we Madsonians always called him,
accompanied the funeral escort, which was
part of the Ninth Indiana Legion. AS the
colonel rode through the streets of our city,
mounted on fine-looking horse, richly
caparisoned, he looked and felt uncommon
ly proud of his position at the head of such
an imposing procession. When the cortege
neared the mouth of the narrow. sloping
street which leads down to the gate of the
cemetery he beckoned to a ragged street
urchin who was following the parade after
the manner of boys. When the little fellow
drew near Colonel Sering handed him sill
yer quarter and said Take this money,
boy, and go to Mr.. Grayson and tell him
TO have the bier ready when we get to the
cemetery gate The gamin dashed off at
top speed down the little billy street, and,
rushing up to my father said, breathlessly:
That big man back there said for you to
get bucket and have the beer ready when
he gets here. Accompanying his words, the
boy thrust the coin into my fathers hands
and darted away before father could stop
him and ask for further particulars. 1t
was natural, though very ludicrous,
blunder for the boy. to make, when you
consider that Madison has two big brew
cries and beer is as common there, almost,
as water is in other places. Father kept
the piece of money for many years as
souvenir of the occasion"
ly drifted on to the subject of addressing
audiences, suggested by the many camp
fires and banquets of the past week. II am
not much of a speaker" remarked Mr..
Grayson although 1 can manage to make
some sort of a stagger at an address If /
get caught where L can't make my escape.
i remember time, though, when 1 out
witted banqueting party who thought
they had me foul and that / would be
forced TO make a speech. 1t was a dinner
given by the Odd Fellows and my wife and
/ were invited and decided to go just for
the pleasure we might get out of it. had
not the slightest idea that I would be called
upon for any remarks. However, the toast
dress the assembled guests. Here is what
/ said: ARENAS Ward was with General
Grant at the surrender of Richmond and,
desiring to get into the city, asked the gen.
eral for a pass. He secured one which
would allow him perfect freedom of the cap
tured city. Arrived inside of the place,
Ward began to look around for an eating
house. since he was exceedingly hungry. In
his wanderings in search of hostelry of
some sort he ran across mournful, de-
jected-looking citizen, of whom he inquired
If he could direct him to a restaurant or
other place where he might satisfy the
gloat over the wretched condition of a
downtrodden people? angrily replied the
Southerner, who was in want of food him
self and did not know where to procure
il. No. said Ward, came here for
hash
And" continued Mr.. Grayson, with
that remark i sat down. The people around
the banqueting board saw the point and
permitted me to finish my eating in peace