Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-03-23
SOLDIERS STORIES.
ENTERTAINING "REMINISCENCES
OF THE WAR.
Graphic Account of Stirring Scenes
Witnessed on the Battlefield and in
Camp-Vetersr- 81 the Rebellion Re-
cite Experiences of Thrilling Nature.

cite Experiences of Thrilling Nature.
1t is an interesting story that is told
of the conversion OF Gen. Braxton
Bragg. the famous Confederate soldier.
by Rev. DIR. Charles Todd Quintard,
Episcopal bishop Of Tennessee. 1t was
just before the battle of MurfreesborS,
or Stones River, and the Confederate
army In and about MurfreeSborO,
Tenn. was gradually thawing out OF
winter quarters. The bishop was ex-
erting 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. Hndering the possibili-
ties of bringing yet others into the
class before that day. suddenly real
lied that he had never spoken a word
10 Gen. Bragg about his soul. And
yet TO ask such Il question of this man,
Of whom all ranks stood in awe, was
no easy matter. In the solitude OF his
own quarters Bishop Qulntard nerved
himself for the toughest task of his
clerical experience, and when he be
lieyed that his courage was screwed TO
the sticking place he FASTENED TO head
quarters.
Never before had headquarters
seemed In such hustle of hurrying
aids, Fastening couriers and officers
importing Information, receiving orders
or awaiting consultation with the chief.
Certainly 1t 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 l never felt 80 like running
away in my life as when / stood he
fore the general said Bishop Quin-
tard, on the one or two occasions when
be told the stoby. 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 comtenanCe, with
stern. cold eyes, held me under spell.
was speechless.
Well, sir = the general flung at me,
| curly, what can | 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 dlctations, 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 10 de
part. ! 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
cit was too late to retreat, and ~ /
managed 10 blurt out Il request for a
private interview. The general stared
as though dulnfounded by my audac-
ity, and the others as though they
could scarce credit their own ears
anticipated no less than a curt dis
missal, but, as much 10 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,
sirT
~ very much prefer not To do that.
general | replied And yet ii is, TO
me. so urgent that ! beg you not to
refuse When | have named the sub
ject, you may cut me as short as you
like
Again he hesltated then, turning to
the others requested them TO await
his summons In the ante-roOm Invit
ing me 10 GHalf ana AdliHR HiIlSFII,
he again asked me TO name my mis-
sion. | had mapped out a tactful plan
for my delicate task, but this was now
gone from my head, and ] blurted out
with know not to this day what
exhortatlon. save that | called 10 his
mind how all his men looked 10 him
as the head and front, whether IN vic
tory or defeat, and how he seemed not
to lock Mt all to the one who holds
us all In the hollow Of His hand, and
/ begged him. finally. 10 be present aud
receive the communion with his col
diers next Sunday. I don't know what
the thought was was going 10 say. but
certainly 1t was not what ! did gay,
"He sat as though petrltied, and at
first | feared my prcciptancy had Of
Tended him Then my heart leaped
and sung for | saw great tears pour
ing down his bronzed checks. He sank
his face in his hands, and with quiz
ering voice cried