The National tribune., 1902-08-14
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY H.


was, but the General us and went
West before 1 found the opportunity.
However, we received ffdefs to gather up
everything we possessed; ahd, forming in
line. we abandoned our camp and were
stood around in the rain a4d mud all the
afternoon. while our Uninterrupted tents,
only mile away, were supposed to be in
such dangerous proximity to Beauregard's
victorious army, the advance outposts of
which reached Centerville some time the
next day, that our wise General deemed it
prudent to sacrifice our camp, if neces-
sary, but to save the fort at all hazards.
That was the grandest display of military
sagacity that came under my notice during
the war.
About hundred yards distant from
Fort Corcoran there stood an old barn
from which the weathertboar had been
stripped, but the frame and roof were still
intact. AS the shades of evening began
to gather over the hills of Virginia, the
orphans of the I'd Wis began to gather
beneath the roof of that lowly asylum,
which afforded not standing room for all.
but even a prospect of shelter was some
relief from the pelting rain. 1t did not
seem possible that Gen. Sherman, or who
ever might be in control of affairs, would
keep us standing around there all night.
The strategy of leaving our blankets and
provisions OH the banks of Bull Run was
bad enough. but leaving our comfortable
tents unOccuped, only mile away, while
we stood out in the rain or crowded into
an old, dilapidated barn for shelter the
livelong night, seemed beyond reason.
Therefore, / stood outside with two of
my terminates, without making an attempt
to secure shelter beneath the crowded
roof. until almost dark, hoping that we
would either be marched back to our
camp or order our tents brought up. Fin
ally l said to my comrades: Boys, we
must hunt cover" A few yards from
where we stood the end of an old plank
protruded from the barnyard filth, which
lead we followed and quickly unearthed
not one, but two very dirty, but sound
and substantial, planks, a foot or more
in width and about 16 feet long. To clean
these planks was but the work of n mo-
ment, but to elevate them into the loft
from beam to beam above the heads of
our comrades crowded therein like sai-
dimes in box, was not so easily accom-
plished. With us. however. it was no roost,
no shelter; and after Il vigorous push
we succeeded. Then drawing up our guns,
cartridge boxes and other meager belong
ings. we perched ourselves upon our I'M
provised balcony in the shelter of that old
roof-trce, like birds of paradise in the
green branches, above aud beyond the
reach of the alligators and anacondas of
the Amazon. Perhaps we did not enjoy
that night of peaceful rest, we three who
were above the clouds, so to speak. If
Beauregards army had penetrated our
lines that night and had run up against
us, we were in position to fix them plen-
ty. On the whole. our position, both for
comfort and for defense, in case of an at
tack. was far ahead and greatly more
strategic than it could possibly have been
had we remained in camp.
The next morning our Quartermaster
hustled around and found few boxes of
hardtack and some SwitZer cheeses, upon
which we breakfasted. About 10 o'clock
the rain ceased, and scouting party that
had been sent out to reconDoiter, returned
and reported that our camp had not been
captured by Beauregard during the night, |
but was still standing where we left it. !
Then a party with teams was detailed 10
bring up our tents, and we established |
camp in a position where we could protect |
the fort. After that, we PIT our camp i'll
order and began in earliest, to prepare for
war. 20 y
FIRST GLIMPSE OF LINCOLN.
Two days later, l think, on the 25th Of
July, Abraham Lincoln, in company with |
Secretary of state Seward, visited the |
amy in Virginia, on which occasion / had |
the opportunity Of seeing the President
for the first time. Mr.. Lincoln was then
in the full strength and vig6r of manhood,
and although he was not what peopl, |
woulG call handsome mar there was
stamped on his face a fresh, vigorous,
healthy and courageous look that inspired
confidence. We had Just suffered a Sc
we're and humiliating defeat, and the dis-
fact was beginning to appear
plainly that we had on our hands a great
war that would require every resource of
the Nation to prosecute to successful
issue, and we certainly needed some en-
1t was good to be impressed
with the fact that the President on whose
shoulders rested this mighty burden of
war, with its vast train of results, either
for veal or for woe to the people of q
was not discouraged with the
outlook
Mr.. Seward stood up in the Presidents
carriage and made quite a speech to the
soldiers, in which he gave US plenty of
taffy; but Mr.. Lincoln did not make
speech; he only said in mild, gentle way,
patriotism of the American people and
their volunteer army to meet and over
come every enemy of the Republic, and to
re-establsh the Government and Flag be-
lueathed us by the Fathers in every part
and portion Of our country.
The soldiers gathered around the Pres
dents carriage, all anxious to shake hands
with him, and they kept him handshaking
until he must have been extremely tired.
felt like shaking hands with Mr.. Lincoln
myself, although not given to demOnstra
ions of that kind in a crowd, but on sec
nd thought it seemed best not to assist
IN wearing the poor mans life out, so |
Hid not offer my hand, and never had the
honor Of shaking hands with him.
During the years of war that followed
saw Mr.. Lincoln many times, and every
time 1 noticed that the lines Of care upon
,is kindly face grew deeper, as the burden
If war became heavier from month to
month and from year to year.
Shortly after this visit from the Pres
dent, Gen. Sherman went West, to as
sumo some higher command than a bri-
sade, and l did not see him again until
years after the war. Sherman became n
great commander and strategist before
the war ended, as every man of his old
brigade knew he would from the moment
ne gave us the order to dump our blan-
iets and rations on the banks of Bull Run.
THE LAST SURVIVOR.
1 met Gen. Sherman once after the
war, some time during the early 9O's, at
1 National Encampment of the G. A. X.
leld in the city of Milwaukee, Wis. There
was present at the time a grand gather
ng of people, especially eX-soldiers of the
:ivil war, from all over the country, who
we're holding Reunions galore. There
we're Reunions of armies, of corps, of di
9iSiOns, or brigades, Of reg giments and of