The Washington times., 1903-10-15
VETERANS TALK OF DAYS
THAT TRIED MEMS SOULS
Survivors of Union Army
Exchange "reminiscences.
INCIDENTS OF THE REUNION
Events Recalled of Field and Camp, But
More Frequently Stories Snapped
That Brought Laughter to Lips.

Few Of the veterans who came to
Washington yesterday TO attend the I'M
yelling of the statue of General SheT-
man wore their uniforms. and stranger
would never have known that today the
city was to see the greatest event of
the kind i'm it's history. Occasionally a
man was seen wearing the badge Of
one or more of the organizations of
Union soldiers, but TO ordinary observ-
ers that was the only sign that the
veterans were coagregating to do honor
TO one of their most renowned leaders.
When the veterans met the principal
topic of their conversation was of the
brave days of old when the activity of
the Southern leaders kept them on the
jump and every inch of the way to
Richmond had to be bought with blood.
Stories of battle and sudden death were
rehearsed with many dramatic touches,
and even those who served ninety days
in the militia at points which no Con-
federate army could ever reach. had
wonderful tales 10 tell of how the sup
ply of ice cream became exhausted and
how the fried chicken had to give way
TO hamburger steak and roast beef.
They Had Tales to Tell
Interesting studies were afforded by
the visitors About s o'clock last night
there passed up Pennsylvania Avenue
two men of widely different appearance
who could testify from personal expert
ence to the inconvenience of carrying
around with them an ounce or so of
Confederate lead.
One of them was a tall, gaunt man
from New England. whose age and adj
ventures set lightly upon his shoulders,
whose step was still spry. and who still
retained evidence of his military train
ing. He was shot in the side at Gettys-
burg. and It was thought that he was
dead, but he was found by a passing
comrade, who detected signs of life and
had him removed to the hospital 1t
was long fight to restore him to life.
but he is still alive and well today.
owns property in the South, and thinks
the South is right in denying the right
of suffrage to the ignorant negroes
whom he fought so hard to free.
The other man was stout, walked with
q slight limp and bore no outward sign
Of military experience. yet he had been
a dashing cavalry officer in Missouri
and Kansas when guerrillas and lay
hawkers fought back and forth. and
took turns in narrowing the border. His
limp is the result of the accuracy Of aim
on the part Of a guerrilla. who met him
while on the way to get re-enfOrcements
for a small company that was hemmed
in by an overpowering force OF Con-
federates. Despite the wound he reached
the re-enfOrcements. notified the officer
In charge, and woke UP a week later in
hospital
The Funny Side of War
It is a curious thing that as a rule
when veterans have an informal dis
cussion or exchange of anecdotes. un-
less they get into a long-winded argu-
ment about the features Of some partic-
ular battle. they are apt 10 devote the
time TO recounting the funny expert
ences they had while in the army More
tales were heard last night of amusing
mishaps than Of reputation gained al
the lannon's mouth
Accidents 10 Christmas buildings fol
which materials had been carefully
boarded for weeks: elusive hazorbacks
which escaped the devoted attentions OF
a whole regiment; ill-mannered shells
which exploded in the IRE of the com
psny cook and scattered the first good
meal OF many days all over seventeen
acre lot; runaway steeds which carried
their protesting riders straight into tn,
eDemy's lines. were impressed by tn,
enemy and Immediately ran back tC
their original masters with nesy mas
ters; inexperienced teamsters who die
not know that the business end of Z
mule was Of more immediate danger
than the whole Confederate army: corr
liquor that PLAYED havoc with the tyro',
stomach and head, and a hundred othel
memories which bring a laugh now bu
were serious then. were told to the ac
compartment Of chuckles and slapping.
OF the thigh
Lost One Quart of Nectar.
The one-legged man and the mar
with one arm, passing up the stree
with their heads in close conference
were not telling each other how the,
saved the Union or that Abraham Lin
coin was the greatest President anc
Sherman the greatest general. The,
were reminding each other of that Httl.
incident down in Georgia. when a soul
less but thirsty comrade surreptitiously
got away with quart of corn juic,
which they had obtained. after mucF
dickerfng. from an aged negro who
swore IL was the last drop in tn,
county
The two venerable and manned wear
ers OF the Blue were among the armies,
and iegless men who had the front seat,
n the unwilling today. They listened
with rapt attention to the addresses
but both admitted that every now anc
then their thoughts would wonder {,
that corn juice-they never drank and To-
the several thOusandth time they spec
ulated upon who could have eloped witt
the bottle.
The civil war came to an end thirty
eight years ago. but despite the laps,
Of time there is a surprisingly larR,
number OF the veterans who still main
tain their military carriage and defy tn,
encroschments Of age by holding them
selves stiff and erect.
Many OF them. IL is true. have taker
on the looks OF men who have suffered
both in the army and out; some hav,
the lowly and humble bearing Of meI
much married. but there are Thousand
of others about whom the statemen
that they campaigned four years in
war that began in 1861 seems hardly
credible IL the observer does not take
note OF the gray hairs and the tell-tai'
lines leading of from the eyes
1t has been a day OF anecdote, argu
ulent. and tussle for every visitor who's,
entertainment had not been arranged
for In advance. The man who cam,
here unexpectedly TO find plenty OF
rooms In the hotels, seats In abundance