Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-03-29
SOLDIERS STORIES
sN OBTAINING "Reminiscences
OF THE WAR.
aph'c Account of Stirring Scenes
Witnessed On the Battlefield and in
Samp-Veterans of the Rebellion Pc
cite experiences of Thrilling Nature.

INC battlefield and in
veterans of the Rebellion Re-
cite Experiences of Thrilling Nature.
1t is an interesting story that is told
INC conversion of Gen. Braxton
ID "ss' the famous Confederate soldier.
~ heV. DR.. Charles Todd Quintard,
episcopal bishop of Tennessee. It was
just before the battle of Murfreeshore
Vi stone S River, and the Confederate
army IN and about Murfreesboro,
Gill; was gradually thawing out Of
winter quarters. The bishop was ex-
eftlhS himself to the utmost for the
spiritual welfare of the army, and his
united Bible and confirmation class
was growing into the hundreds.
confirmation Sunday was also the
sunday before the great battle, and
the bishop, bordering the possibili-
Ties OF bringing yet others into the
class before that day, suddenly real
lzed that he had never spoken a word
10 Gen. Bragg about his soul. And
yet TO ask such a question of this man,
or whom all ranks stood in awe, was
no easy matter. In the solitude of his
own quarters Bishop Quintard neryed
himself for the toughest task Of his
CLERICAL experience, and when he be-
lleyed that his courage was screwed to
the sticking place he fastened to head
quarters.
= Never before had headquarters
seemed in such a hustle of hurrying
aids, Fastening couriers and officers
importing information, receiving orders
or awaiting consultat ton with the chief.
Certainly it seemed that no hour could
have been more ill-chosen for a priest
ly mission, but the bishop stubbornly
refused his legs permission to bear him
away, no matter how ardently they so
desired.
And [ never felt so like running
away in my life as when l stood be-
fore the general said Bishop Quin-
tard, on the one or two occasions when
he told the stOSy. Il have knelt by
the dying when bullets sung and shells
shrieked, and felt no fear, for my every
thought was with the poor fellows and
their last pitiful messages to loved
ones; but that grim countenance, with
stern, cold eyes, held me under spell.
I was speechless.
"'Well, sir y the general flung at me,
CURLY, what can 1 do for you? Kindly
be quick. My time is very valuable,
sir!
HE was standing, and made no mo-
ton toward seating himself or me.
Secretaries were busily transcribing
his dictations, and their pens seemed
as though ploughing across my brain.
Two aids stood near, one travel
splashed, as though just arrived; the
other evidently awaiting orders to de-
part I could not open my subject
amid such surroundings of haste and
battle and bloodshed, and with each
member of the little gathering frown-
ing at me as though anything but
blessing me for my inopportune inter
ference.
"Well, sir! Well, sir!' exclaimed
the general, impatiently. I have much
to do, and you will oblige me by stat
ing your errand at once!
1T was too late to retreat, and so
managed to blurt out a request for q
private interview. The general stared
as though dumfounded by my audac-
ity. and the others as though they
could scarce credit their own ears. |
anticipated no less than a curt dis
nissal, but, as much to the surprise
Of the officers as myself, he hesitated
"a private interview? he asked,
with decided establishment in his voice.
Would you mind indicating it's object,
sir?
"T very much prefer not to do that,
general I replied. And yet it is, to
me. so urgent that l beg you not to
refuse. When l have named the sub
ject, you may cut me as short as you
like
again he hesitated; then, turning to
the O1OeTS, lANAA ~
his summons in the ante-room. lnvit-
ing me to a chair and seating himself,
he again asked me to name my mis-
sion. | had mapped out tactful plan
for nv delicate task, but this was now
gone from my head, and 1 blurted out
with-I know not to this day what
oxhortation. save that | called to his
mind how all his men looked to him
as the head and front, whether in VIC
tory or defeat, and how he seemed not
70 look at all to the One who holds
ne all in the hollow of His hand, and
begged him, finally, to be present and
receive the communion with his sol
diers next Sunday. l don't know what
the thought was I was going to say, but
oor+ainlv it was not what l did say.
HE sat as though petri1ed, and at
first | feared my preciptancy had Of
fonded him. Then my heart leaped
and sung, for saw great tears pour
ING down his bronzed cheeks. He sank
b,s face in his hands, and with quiv
ering voice, cried:
"tOh Ouintard. How often-how