The leader., 1901-04-17
HARRISOBNURG AND SOME 9TH
Err THINGS.

We had quite a pleasant trip to
this old historic town via jackson and
vicksburg. We stopped off at Cham
pion Hill and took a solemn stroll
over the battle ground of Bakers
Creek, where Pembertons and Grants
armies clashed swords in '63, promi-
uent among whom we we're one of
which. While some changes have tax
en- place, yet to stand on the summit
of Champion Hill, one can locate the
position of both armies, and those
old moss-covered, battle-scarred oaks,
which served as witnesses TO the fall
ing of many Southern hero, still
stand as sentinels testifying to the
righteousness of the cause for which
Southern blood was so freely split.
But, well,-through the kindness of
the widow Champion, whose husband
was a gallant Confederate Colonel,
commanding a regiment of cavalry,
we we're transported to Edwards,
where we boarded the train for Ray
vile, La, where we took the south end
of the New Orleans & North Western
Railroad to Florence. On boarding the
train at Edwards, we saw two very ia
maliar faces which seemed to be turn
ed toward sunset. One of those ia
ces was being borne about by our cley
er friend, Squire r. r. Albritton, and
one by Mrs. Julia Moak. We knew
that Mrs M. was widow and that Mr..
A. was not widower, and both being
we'll and familiarly known in Bogue
Chitto circles, we demanded an expla-
nation, which was satisfactorily given,
when we were informed that they were
cousins, on their way West to visit
long absent relatives. 1t being Mrs.
Moak's first trip abroad, she saw
much to excite her curiosity, especial
ly the pillow running without man or
horse. She will take pleasure in ex-
planning the working of this wonderful
continuance. At Rayville we had a
20 hours stop over and met with Rev.
John A. Snyder, an old college mate.
(Of course, you'd neversuspicion we'd
been to college if we didn't tell it,
John is devoting his time to telling
Louisiana sinners how to get to Heav-
en-. In travelling over the n. d n. w.
one is always glad of the privilege of
hac hnan ranant
ly bought in by the Gould system and
will soon be put in good trim.
Arriving at Florence, we were
transported twelve miles, through the
country, over a rough road, to Harri-
sonburg, our point of destination.
With double team, Mr.. Miller, the
clever liveryman and the Jehu driver
of Louisiana, landed us at Harrison
burg in 80 minutes. Harrisonburg is
the court house town of Catahoula
parish, situated on the margin of the
Ouachita river, with high range of
hills on the north. On the summit of
this hill is Fort Beauregard, built by
Gen. Beauregard during the war,
where battery of field pieces was
placed for the defense of Harrisonburg
and to entertain the Federal gun
boats flying in Ouachita river. AS is
reasonable to suppose, we undertook
the difficult task of ascending that hill
in a straight line. After much pa
thence and perseverance we stood on the
top of the old Fort, from which one
can see for miles around. There are
the breastworks and the old magazine,
which was blown up by the Confeder
ates when "Linkum soldiers came.
We were informed by the old citizens
that Gen. Beauregard commanded a
force of 300 men, but when the Fed
eral fleet steamed up the river and a
heavy land force was approaching
from another direction, the Confeder-
ate forces were compelled to skedad-
die. Viewing the old fort, the breast
works, the magazine, and contrasting
the present with those bloody days of
the COS, we could but thank God with
our whole heart that peace and good
will are again restored.
We met and were shown no little
kindness by many eX-Mississippians
in and around Harrisonburg promi-
nent among whom were Dr. 81. Thomp-
son and wife. who were born and rear
ed in the free State of Pike. DR.. Thomp.
son an uncle of our popular young
DR.. Felix Thompson, of Bogue Chitto.
We also met, Unexpectedly, Esau Bass,
an old war comrade, whom we had not
seen since the war. There being no
Baptist church in Harrisonburg,
through the kindness of the Metho-
dist people, we were permitted to
preach to an appreciative audience in
their church on Sunday night. We
had pleasant stay at the Kirby Hotel
with Mr. Kirby and his accomplished
family. We will never forget their
kindness. 81 was a stranger and ye
took me in," often occurred to orr
mind during our stay with them. Our
object in visiting Harrisonburg was to
rid Mr.. Kirby of cancer trouble, which
we will do beyond doubt.
j. A. S.
Governor Longino has refused to
interfere in the case of William La
nier who is to be hanged at Aberdeen