The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1903-07-03
Nth KY. VOLUNTEER.
J. P. Coleman, Cos. B. & A.,
Writes From California to
HIS Old Comrades.

Of whom have heard from him for
nearly forty years. He is one of
the editors OF the "NazArone Mes
senger," religious publication:
ED. BIG SANDY News =
] am in receipt of two copies OF
your paper sent to me by my cs-
teemed friend, Rev. l. b. Hutchin-
son, at one time resident OF your
town, but now OF Catlettsburg.
What flood OF memories were
called up, and how many familiar
forms seemed to pass In review as
in thought | travelled hack over
the interval of nearly forty years
| read the papers ever carefully
and then examined the advertise
ments in search Of familiar names,
but there were none l could recall
distinctly. | was greatly interest
ed in reading the articles giving an
account of the early life OF Col. Bill
Smith. | have a vivid recollection
of forming his acquaintance one
evening IN the early part OF April,
1865, in Cassvillc, w. Va. In those
days he had rather an unceremon-
ious way OF introducing himself,
but 1t was usually eifectual and
produced lasting Impression
provided you lived to rcmem Der it.
think an account OF the later
years OF his eventful life would af-
ford entertaining reading, not only
to the immediate participants of
those stirring days, but to many
others besides. | was sorry 10
learn that the old Col. had closed
his earthly career. | should like
very much 10 have met him and
talked over old times. 1t is only
known to him and myself how near
the verge OF eternity each Of us
was on that eventful evening in
April near the close of the war
the motion Of a hand would have
ended the lie OF one or both OF us.
l recall my first trip to Cassville
and Louisa in the early part OF the
war, when under the leadership OF
that bold and fearless scout, Jack
Meadows, member OF the 9th w
| Va. We marched all night from
| Catlettsburg, reaching Cassvillt
just at day break. Through ar
unfortunate mistake company O
the 9th W, Va, from Ceredo, ar
rived at the same time and coming
up onto the ridge to the rear o.
town, fired into us and shot two O
our men.
So many things crowd in upor
me ] find it difficult to write con
nectedly. | presume that Their,
have been great changes as well Al
important improvements In you
vicinity IN the past 80 years. |
we,who have been absent since tn,
! close of the war, should be permit
ted to return again, probably W,
would hardly recognize the place
We would be looking for form
F.. and faces we then knew, many o
whom have since gone to the spiri
: world, while Others have removed
to distant parts OF the country t
begin life anew.
= How many OF my old comrade,
OF the l4th Ky. have since ther
crossed the dark river and rest il
the shade OF the trees. After thu
long interval Of years, memory
fails to recall many of their names
yet | remember what true and 10y
al fellows they were. Being theT
beardless boy and stranger Il
the regiment, there being but one
man whom / had ever met pre-
, viously, Lieut.. Johnson, OF your
. town, they seemed to take friend
ly interest in any welfare, often
fav0rlng Inc in many hard places
The recollection OF their kindness
is one OF The green spots ia mem
DRY, which l trust may never fade
away.
| recall the many months spent
in and around Louisa both during
the war and subsequently,. 1t was
there | WAS mustered into the ser.
vice of the United States, and from
there | went to Louisville to be dis
charg, d. In Nov. 1865 / united
with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in the old brick building
and was converted In March fol-
lowing. From there | started out
MS Methodist itinerant preacher,
travelling 10 miles on foot into the
mountains OF w. Va, TO reach my
appointment. After several years
OF labor there and on the prairl, 8
of Iowa, my health failed and
was compelled to give up the reg
ular work. From Ia, l came to
Oregon, thence to Los Angles, Cal,
where l am now engaged In city
mission work, independent OF the
I 4. ~