The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-06-22
FROM a FORMER FOE.
An EN Union Soldier Pays Ills Tribute
to Col. Hoyt.

The Greenville Mountaineer prints
the following feeling letter from Mr..
Hannibal A. johnson of Worcester,
Masss., in regard to the death of the
late Col. Jas. A. Hoyt.
Mr.. johnson was an officer in the
federal garrison stationed iu Auder-
son Immediately after the Civil war,
and IT was while hero that he met
Col. Hoyt. A warm friendship sprang
up between them, which continued
unbroken until Col. Hoyt's death.
Mr.. Johnson's letter is as follows:
Manager of The Mountaineer:
BY the courtesy Of Dir. j. A. Brock,
of Anderson, l received to-day the sad
news of the death of Col. James A.
Hoyt, of your city aud editor of your
paper, aud lose no time in extend.
ing to you and his family my heart
felt sympathy and profound respect
for this noble man and patriotic citi-
zen, and to all who had the great
privilege of his acquaintance and
friendship.
While | have not boen in close
touch with him as you have, yet to
know him once, even 80 many years
ago, is enough to warrant all the good
things l could say Of him had my &C.
luaintance been as close by constant
association as your own, for to once
know this consistent citizen and brave
and patriotic soldier Of the Lost
Cause is to have that just impression
OF his sterling worth only intensified
by the knowledge from others of his
manly and Christian life for 80 many
useful years. When first met this
pure-minded man it was at time
that all that was human in an ex-Con-
federate soldier should have had oaly
hard and bitter feelings toward any
man wearing the blue Of the United
States government and located "a his
quiet home in 1865 and sc, 20 soon
after the close or the war. But on
the contrary, after brief time,
found in him q warm, hearted and
generous. minded friend, willing to
help in his good way to make my stay
among his people not only bearable,
but very pleasant. A friend in need
is friend indeed, and being rather
human myself l could we'll appreciate
kindness where I expected hostility
and GOODNESS.
| Through Col. Hoyt's recommends
ton, with that Of his father-in law,
Mr.. Webb, I was permitted T. take
my chapter degrees in Masonry while
stationed at Anderson another strong
proof Of his fixed friendship for his
late foe in cause in which we were
both honest in our convictions, and
which made Us no less friends after
the end came than If we both had
been fighting for the same flag.
Since left the pleasant city Of
Anderson and its pure min led people
l have been in occasional eorrespon.
dence with your honored citizen, and
his big heart has in the columns Of
h;s paper several times spoken of me
and my brief stay among you in the
most complimentary terms, which,
whether deserving or not, was like
sweet music to my soul. And when
your 3on. John B. Gordon visited our
city it was an Introductory letter
from Col. Hoyt that made it possible
for me to know this natures noble.
man personally and entertain him at
my home. With your own Hampton,
Gordon and Longstreet you can also
link the name Of Hoyt, for he did his
whole duty as q soldier and citizen
just as fearlessly and patriotically as
they, and deserves just as much
credit, for as far as conditions and