The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-01-18

olated land.
And peace has had its victory!
Where the black columns Of smoke
leaped to the sky, marking with fire
the invaders path, stand today great
cities. Where the thunder of battle
rolled deepest, the husbandman pur-
sues his peaceful calling, and the wild
rose fills the long deserted rife pits.
The Titanic struggle that for four
years held a world in awe has al
ready become but tale that is
cold.
For what veteran does not delight
to recount to the younger generation
the scenes and incidents of the '60s3
What manned soldier of Lee, OF Of
Jackson, or of Gordon has not, many
and many time, "shouldered his
crutch and showed how fields were
won"--and lostY
Not very long since, little group,
seated on the shady side of the court
house Va Georgia village, were ex-
changing anecdotes, when the village
brass band marched across the square
to the rattle and roll OF drums.
The eyes of the group followed the
band, and when they had passed from
sight, with the sound Of the drums
still borne upon the breeze the con-
versation somehow drifted TO "the
war"
Three of the party we're mon who
had seen service in the Southern
armie. All three now hold impor-
tant Offices in county, and
4heir names are known throughout
the State.
q The judge was the first to accept
che welcomed cue, when the war had
been mentioned.
Captain" he began, pushing his
spectacles high up on his forehead,
and including all present with sweep
of his eye, "do you remember that
iittle fellow johnson that went out
with us?'
"Should say 1 did, replied the
captain. Nobody could forget him
who was ever with him five min
utes."
"Boys," he continued, "be was one
of these little fellows with chest
that protruded and hump on his
back, and head almost as full Of
original devilment as they make 'em.
wish every one Of ycI could have
known him; he was case sure.
cat the time he enlisted he was
not more than II years old and his
relatives, ~he resided in Alabama,
placed him under the care Of myself
and the Judge. In appearance he
was green, country boy, and his pc
culisr shape caused the soldiers to
call him pigeon Johnson
Brave in battle, he possessed aheart
of rare tenderness, and it was his de.
aight to nurse and minister to the
wounded and the sick. He never
failed to ask to be allowed to do
picket duty in our places, il either Of
his gusrdiOns sd bellum was detailed,
giving % his reason that We we're
men Of family and he was not.
Judge" &c vent On, ::tsii these
young men how johnson secured that
ride on General Toombs.''
4sOur company had been in fight
at Griswoldville," said the Judge and
received orders to march to Savannah.
In those days there was no railroad
Between Albany and Thomasviilo and
the troops we're compelled to march
the distance over hot, sandy roads.
A sandy road was regarded by us as
CLOSE akin to Jordan Sit vas hard
se travel. On the second day of the
march, while the sun was beating
down upon the soldiers with oil its
force, General Toombs and staff
came riding up. The general was
mounted on q splendid gray mare
which bore bis weight in an easy
canter.
G..Johnscn saw the officers coming,
and turning to the men nearest him,
remarked that he thought he would
ride awhile.
"' How are you going, to do it?'
they asked
. Watch me aud see,' was his re-
tgly.
W "As General Toombs came mp,
johnson dropped to the ground,
apparently exhaused and crying
bitterly.
1'The general halted. In his
Srueque manner be demanded to know
che trouble.