The Washington times., 1902-03-10
FINAL "FAPS" TO Be
SOUNDED FOR VETERAN
Arthur McNelly to Be Laid to
Rest in Arlington.
Preferred War to Learning Printers
Trade-Ran Away and Joined
Cavalry Troop.

The remains of Mr.. Arthur McNelly. a
weil-known resident of this city, will be
laid to rest this afternoon in the Arling-
ton National Cemetery.
Funeral services will be held at the
residence, All Ninth Street southeast, at
o'clock, under the auspices of the B. B.
French Lodge OF Masons, of which he
was a member. The pallbearers viii be
members of the lodge
Mr.. McNelly was born in BaltimG-'e
County, Md, fifty-four years ago. When
but small boy his parents removed to
this city, ani he attended school here.
In his early teens he was apprenticed
to the firm OF McGill & Witherow, print
ers.
AT that time the country was in a state
OF chaos, owing to the outbreak of the
civil war. President Lincoln had issued
calls for volunteers. and men. young and
old. were tlocking to the front to save the
Union. War was the one topic OF the day,
and surrounded By these conditions, Ar
thur McNelly determined to become a SOL
dier. But as he was then only a mere
boy his parents would not hear of his
adopting such a course, so for time the
aspirant soldier was unable to carry out
his plans.
Ran Away to Go to War.
But the boys time was soon to come.
Within a couple Of months another call
for men was issued. The nation needed
soldiers, needed them badly. Men all over
3 ba ha;r
tions and hurrying to the front. Even
mere boys, barely able to carry a gun,
were taken by the recruiting officers. 1t
was then that Arthur McNeIly determined
upon course of action. Only a year Of
his apprenticeship with the firm of print
ers had been served. but the lad was tired
Of 1t. He wanted war. So one day he
ran away from home AID Joined the First
Michigan Cavalry, then stationed near the
Capital
The active service which he had so
longed for soon came. He participated in
some of the fiercest engagements in the
northern area Of the seeding States and
was finally captured in front of Peters
burg and taken to Richmond. After re-
manning there for awhile he was removed
His confinement there was during the
time when the horrors of the notorious
prison were at their height and in later
life he frequently entertained his friends
hour after hour with the recital of the
cold -blooded murders that were perpe-
trated within the walls OF the prison and
the frightful hardships endured by the
men. Finally. while the prisoners were
being removed to another stockade, he
or ofb her 10 bai,-
escape one dark night and struck north
for the Union lines.
Regarding the hardships of that jour
ney. he always stoutly refused to tell but
little, even to his closest friends. His
companions upon the trip were never
again heard from. and he himself once
more fell into the hands of the rebels
while passing through North Carolina
One night while making his way quietly
along from farm to farm, he was sur
rounded by a body of Confederates, and,
after vainly endeavoring to elude them
by hiding in the corner of a fence. was
taken into custody. Owing to his extreme
youth, however, he was soon released
from prison. and was turned over to a
North Carolina family to work as a chors
boy. The members of the family nick
named him the little Yank,'' and among
his other duties he was required to at
tend to the horses.
Reached Washington in Safety.
After couple of months service he Sc
cured the fastest horse in the stable and
one night set out again for the North
This time he reached Washington in
safety. But he did not resume his former
trade, for he soon enlisted again in
Handcock's Drum Corps, and in this and
various other positions served until the
end of the war.
He then returned TO this city and re-
sumed his apprenticeship at the printing
business. He then secured a position in
the Government Printing Office where he
r1nained until his recent fatal illness.
Mr. McNelly was stricken with pneu-
monia during President McKinleys last
inauguration, but apparently recovered
Two weeks ago he contracted a slight
cold. from which he appeared to be rap
idly recovering until last week, when a
sudden chaage for the worse brought
about his death on Thursday.
He was member of the Grand Army
OF the Republic, and was exceedingly fond
OF relating his "reminiscences of the war
of the rebellion TO his comrades and ac-
quaintances.
Altruistic.
Wife-Huhi Been to see the ballet eh 4?
I'd just like TO know why you went there?
Ensha DI-NaraIv N ba