Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-05-09
SOLDIERS STORIES.
ENTERTAINING "REMINISCENCES
OF THE WAR.
graphic Account of Stirring Scenes
witnessed on the Battlefield and In
Camp-Veterans of the Rebellion Re-
cite Experiences of Thrilling Nature.

|
Williams, Il met down in Mississippi
colonel Montgomery, now General
Gordon's chief of staff He lives at
EuWardsville, near where our division
crossed the Big Black in May, 1863.
dls daughter married the son of that
nr. champion who owned Champions
dnl' and the old battle field is now
the property Of that daughter This
association with the field of our ope-
raue s, nearly forty years ago, led to
very pleasant acquaintance, and the
Colonei told me a good many stories
ol the Nicksburg and other cam
paigns.
A. the time Grants army was
maneuvering south and east Of Vicks-
burg Montgomery was chief Of the
confederate scouts, and posted his
men at the crossings of the Big Black
River to watch the movements Of the
Union army. On one occasion when
the scouts in blue came up on the op-
poslte side there was brisk firing, but
1t was not effective. After a day or
two Of this sort\of work the Confed-
crates became FESTIVE, fearing they
were being held at that particular
point to serve some purpose Of the
Union commander.
1T seemed, however, that the Yanks
We're as FESTIVE, or as tired Of the
useless firing as the Rebs, for one
rainy day the officer in command of
the Union skirmishers made his way
to the extreme front ana shouted
across the river, Hello, Johnny, who
is In command over thereY Mont
gomery, under cover. replied that he
was, and asked what was wanted. The
Union officer answered that he was
tired Of the durn fool firing; that 1t
was waste of ammunition without
doing any good for either side, and he
proposed that they agree to stop it,
and that there be no more shooting
except one party or the other attempt
ed to cross the river =
Montgomery expressed his willing
ness to discuss the matter, but asked
the Union officer to take the initiative
by standing up and waving his hand
kerchief. The officer did so. and Mont
gomery stood up also. Thereupon the
Yank said, What is the use of shoot
ing? and asked the Confederate to
come over for conference. He ex-
planned that his quarters were in a
house near, where he had abundant
supplies, and If the Johnny would
come over they could refresh the inner
man while they were discussing the
agreement as to shooting.
Montgomery conferred with his
men, and every one of them was
against the adventure. However,
Montgomery decided to accept the in
vitation, and, jumping into a small
boat, rowed across. He was received
hospitality, was taken to the Cap
tain's headquarters, and was given the
best of all that was in the house. AS
the rain still continued, he was per-
suaded to stay all night, and slept In
the same room with his host. He
awoke during the night and wondered
what had happened to him and where
he was. Bewildered, he sat up in bed.
after rubbing his eyes, he recalled
the incidents of the day and wondered
If he had walked into n trap. Just
lAen his host said: Better than sleep
ing out in the rain isn't it? tell you.
Captain, there Is no sense in plugging
away at each other across the river
Both lay down again, and the next
morning Montgomery returned to his
side Of the river, his men viewing his
start toward them with amazement.
He explained the situation, and for a
time the men ON the Big Black stood
guard without shooting.
"This incident was, of course, the
merest trifle when considered In its re-
lation to the battles at Jackson, Cham
pion's Hill, and the Black River Bridge,
or when considered In association
with the great campaign that culmi-
mated in the siege and fall Of Vicks-
burg. In the rush of tremendous
events it was forgotten by the two
participants, who, swept apart by the
high tide of war, never saw or heard
of each other again. Montgomery does
not remember even the name of the
| Union Off1Cer VINO euteftdlueu uAiu Ou
the Big Black, but If that officer
should ever step off the train at Ed
wards Station he would meet with a
royal welcome from at least one old
| Confederate"
..That reminds me-" said Captain
Stone, "of an experience I had, not
long ago, down in Georgia. l was
making the rounds of our old battle
fields and left the train at Allatoona
to look over the fighting ground at
Allatoona Pass, where General Corse
held the fort The station agent eyed
me minute, and, noticing my Grand
Army button, came to me, introduced
himself as Captain McDaniels Of the
| Confederate service, and said he would
be glad to show me over the scene Of
what he regarded as the hottest and
! sharpest battle of the war. If not in
all history. It was in truth fierce
fight and no one can understand why
| It was so until he looks over the
| @HaA (vN