The National tribune., 1904-06-23

Harrison, with lipe Of forts stretching
away to the Chickahoniny, and along the
Chickahominy around Richmond, 10 the
river above the city. Ii is probably the
strongest line OF forts ever constructed
in the history Of the world, and cost more
mems lives than any other. We wrestled
with them from June till April before we
hnally got them. and then didn't get them
until Lees army abandoned them Fort
harrison. over there. was taken by as
sault, but we could never take the Others.
The troops that entered RICHMOND went
IN there by Fort Harrisons They were
Gen. WeitzePs men"
They had looked at the man while he
was speaking. and both decided that they
had never seen more splendid looking
one. He was much above medium hight.
strongly built and admirably proportioned.
he had the air of born leader Of men.
though his manner to them was genial
and kindly, but without the slightest trace
of condescension. He was a strong enough
man TO be friendly with interiors. without
fear that they would lose their respect
for him. He had full, fresh face. clean
iy shaven, all but an imperial and
mustach. and his eyes were unusually
bright, quick and alert. He wore a uni
form vest and pantaloons. and a high
crowned black hat. but the day being
warm had on a skeleton sack coat. with
no indication Of rank.
Thank you very much, sir" said Si.
We're from the Western Army, and
are making a little trip to see Richmond
and and the places where the Army of the
fo1omac done Its lighting Much obliged
| for what you've told u.s."
We'll, you are now in the neighbor-
hood of where it did great deal" re-
| turned the officer. Wen come in A lit-
tie while to City Point, which was the
Armys base of supplies during the siege
or petersburg. It's on the right hand
side, and you'll know it by its being the
biggest collection of one-story. unpainted
buildings, you ever saw. That bend in
the river away below is Bermuda Hum
| dred, where, you may remember, Gen.
butier was bottled up. and Wen come to
Dig cut presently, which is the famous
Dutch Gap Canal, which Gen. Rutler
started to dig to avoid the rebel batteries
that prevented our ironclads from coming
up. You may have heard one of our
Army OF the Potomac jokes, that a court
| nartiai sentenced some men To hard labor
for life on Buffers Dutch Gap Canal.
but must rejoin my friends. If there's
any place you want to ask about, come
right up there and see me. I'll prob
ably be back here soon, though"
| Who in the world do you suppose he
IS, Shortly! asked 81, as the officer re-
turned their salutes, and walked away.
He's certainly the nest-looking SOL
l.
ne ought to be at least Colonel"
Hardly. answered Shorty. Army
OF the Potomac Colonels amt so free and
| easy with enlisted men. They seem to
roost about a mile higher than our
Colonies He ought to be a Brigadier-
General. but maybe amt any higher than
an Adjutant. My, but he'd be dandy
Adjutant. if that's his line. Nearly as
good as ours"
why didn't you introduce your
frIendE Aked Maria. Hes the best
looking man, outside of the family, I've
seen since We left Washington"
ltd break the Adjutant's heart to hear
you say that. Maria" said 81.
I've quit Introducing good-looking men
to you. Maria" said Shorty Besides. I
don't know his name. Some highfyer
from one of those swell Army Of the Po-
tomac regiments"
They were nearing City Point, and the
On1cer came back TO them to point il out
and other places of interest The boat
swung in toward the landing.
Bands began playing on Shore and the
heavy guns of a fort over which flew a
United States flag began laundering.
Blanks" said Shorty, recognizing the
three. four. FIVE. six, seven eight. nine
!O, IL. II, ia Major-Generars salute
We must have a Major-General aboard.
Hello: those men out there are presenting
| arms,"
Must be to either you or me, Ser
geant, & said the officer quizzically, to the
Doys They are looking straight at u.s."
The two boys sprang into the position
OF soldier and respectfully saluted.
The General returned their salute and
that of the men on shore. who shouted:
Three cheers for Gen. Hancock"
And they were given with a will and
tiger.
The General recognized the officer in
command Of the troops, and called down
from the deck:
Hello. Wilkins; glad to see you. And
there's Smallwood. and Lanner. and
Bronson. and Nichols. Why, the old
Second Corps is well represented. Glad
TO see you ALL"
Glad to see you. General They
telegraphed from Richmond that you were
coming down on the boat. and we turned
out to see you"
''Thank you all very much. Who is
that firing the salute up in the fort?"
20. that's your old admirer, Dalgetty"
"Dalgetty? It's Pat. is it. 1 thought
| recognized Pats voice. Tell him [
thank him very much. But I'm afraid
he'll get into trouble with the Ordnance
Bureau I'm not down here, officially,
you know
20. that's all right. Pats only burn
ing some captured rebel powder. He's
making use of it TO get his darkies used
to firing big guns. DaIgetty at first
thought il quite a comedown to take a
commission in a colored regiment. But
now he has got over it, and swears by
the holy poker he is going 70 have the
finest battalion in the service. But il
wouldn't matter if he had To pay for
every shot ont of his own pocket. he'd fire
il all the same in honor of his old Com
mander. whom he swears is the greatest
soldier that ever lived. He only regrets
that the Regulations allow you but l3
guns. He'd like to fire 1000"
I'VE all feel that way" yelled the rest
''You deserve it and more
The General bowed his thanks as the
boat swept ont again into the stream.