Waterbury Democrat., 1901-11-12
CAPTAIN NEATHERRY HERB.
Made the Recipient of Watch Upon
 Visiting the Watch Factory.

Visiting the Watch Factory. An incident of the war of the re- bellion affecting a captain in Con- necticut regiment and an officer of the same rank in South Carolina regi- ment is to be ''closed' at Meriden this evening when the southerner is to visit his northern comrade and restore to him his sword taken in battle. The story of it is interesting and in de- gree romantic.
 On August .. 1862, Reuben Water man enlisted at South Meriden in Com pany P, Fifteenth regiment, c. V. He was mustered in as q first lieutenant and was promoted to be captain on March l, 1863. The Fifteenth was in five battles, beginning at Fredericks- burg, Va, December 13. 1862, and end ing at Kingston, North Carolina, March s, 1865. On the latter date the entire regiment together with the Twenty-seyenth Massachusetts was captured, sent to Libby prison and pa roled on the 26th of the same month.
 When the members of the regiment were made prisoners Captain Water man was called upon to deliver up his sword to Captain Neatherry of the vic torious confederates This he was much averse to and so expressed him. self to the southern captain. The lat ter proved a magnanimous foe, telling Captain Waterman that he appreciated his feelings in the matter, but that he (Neatherry) had no option in the mat ter. He must take the sword. How ever, he said that after the war closed he would try and locate his Yankee prisoner and, if possible, restore the sword. Thirty-six years and more have passed and not until recently has the eX-rebel had an opportunity to make good his word. although he has retained the sword during all these years.
 A short time ago salesman for q Waterbury hardware firm was ill Co., lumbia, $. C.. on q regular business trip. During that visit he met q man who, when he learned that the sales man was from Connecticut, inquired for a Captain Waterman, who served in a Connecticut regiment in the civil war, saying that he had sword which he wished to return to him. This southerner proved to be Captain Neath- erry. The salesman wrote to Grand Army friends in Waterbury stating the case, and Captain Waterman was soon located in Meriden.
 Correspondence was opened be- tween the blue and the gray ill which Identification was fully established. Captain Neatherry was invited by Cap tain Waterman and friends of Merriam p of 10 north and bring the sword with him, the northerners to pay his travelling expenses in view of his being their guest The invitation was accepted and the eX-confederate officer came to Waterbury, having the old sword safe " in his keeping.
 The weapon will be restored to it's original owner at Grand Army hall, Meriden, headquarters of Merriam post, this evening, with appropriate ex- ercises. Many friends of the post and of Captain Waterman have been in vited and the man from the southland will be given practical illustration of the warmth of northern friendship and of the obliteration of the Mason and Dixon line.
 The captain reached Waterbury yes terday and was given royal welcome by members of the I. o. O. F. At the New England watch factory he was made the recipient of beautiful watch. Attached to the watch are a leather guard and silver fob, on which is inscribed: Wise River. 1865, and Meriden, November. 1901.'' The captain was rendered banquet last night by Townsend lodge, I. o. O.. F., in Odd Fellows hall. Past Grand Master John Blair presided. Members of the grand lodge present were Dis trict Deputy F. K. Woolworth of this city; Grand Warden Upson of South ington, and Grand Patriarch D. M. Da- wis of Waterbury. The program con- sisted of a wire act by Wilson Tessier: impersonation of Dutch comedians by Woodland brothers ;body eontortions by Joe Rivers; tumbling by Joe Darling and Master MOntambault; buck and wing dancing by Montambault; Dutch monologue by Al Hinty; impersona- ton of Irish comedians. Dunn and Doll, the never fail to please'' team; three round bout between Dunn and Doll.
 SSnOft addresses were made, includ- ing a few remarks from the distin- guished visitor. who thanked the local Odd Fellows for the reception ten dered to, him and exhibited the time piece given him at the watch factory. referring to it as something which shall ever be one of his most treas ured souvenirs. Captain Neatherry left today for Mnridan D,1,inrc 1,ie stay here he was the guest of A. H. Osborne of Cooke street.