The National tribune., 1908-07-23
A TRUE WAR STORY.
A Romnace of southern Chivnfry.

by the ConfcderateS in Alabama They
were marched over into Mississippi. and
held as prisoners of war for some time
at Columbus until they could be sent
down to Mobile
The train into which they were load
ed was composed of cattle cars, and the
news of its coming went ahead, so that
at every station they were met by
crowds of the native population. eager
to catch glimpse of the deteSted
''Yanks."
Torrents of abuse poured the indig
nation and enpaity of the Southerners
upon the N6rtherners, and the open
cattle cars were not calculated to soften
the angry voices nor to prevent the
prisoners from seeing the suggestive ac-
tions in which the crowd sought to eX
press the antagonism they felt. 1t was
a kind of fire that the Yankee soldiers
could not return. and they were forced
to submit, tho every shred of self-re-
spect quiyered under the taunts.
Suddenly Gen. Eggleston, whose at
tention had been completely absorbed
in cautioning his men to remain calm
and show no resentment of the ignoble
treatment, noticed that the abusive Ian
guage was being curtailed; that any
observers of their melancholy number
who made faces thru the spaces between
the boards seemed to be pulled vio-
and the insulted officers began to look
about for the cause of the soothing eff
feet.
A tall young officer, Maj. Murray,
whose manly bearing graced the gray
he wore, was out on the platforms al
most before the train came up to the
rude stations 1t was his consideration,
his sense of justice. that made the
progress of the Northern soldiers en-
durable.
Gen. Eggleston heard the quiet tone
with its command to arrest anyone who
dared to mistreat the prisoners by word
or look travel with controlling force
among the crowds who had come to
gloat over their enemies.
Exchange restored the soldiers to
their own army, and war with its dire
effect swept on thru the South and sent
its misery into the North. At last it's
dreadful story closed, but one of its
fearful sequels was the lost health OF
the Northern wife, who with her young
family had followed with such mental
agony the fortunes of her soldier-hus-
band.
Gen. EggIeston, bearing the mark of
his struggle in the reward for bravery
on the field and the scars of battle. re-
turned to see the inroad that anxiety
and care had made, and, with the be-
to know possessed the climate and con-
ditions that would restore his wife,
bought a plantation in Lowndes Coun-
ty, Miss, just about IA miles from the
town, Columbus, where two years be-
fore he had been held a prisoner of
war.
No member of his family came in for
more solicitous interest in the moving
southwark than did Charlie" beauti-
full chestnut-brown Kentucky horse.
Born in the Bluegrass and reared on
the Generals place in southern Ohio,
this horse had carried him thru the
war, and in the prayers and tears of
the heartsick wife and the loving chill
dren had his share during the long.
dark days of uncertainty and waiting.
A year after the change of residence
the one in whose interest it had been
so hopefully undertaken succumbed to
the ills that were too deep-seated to be
healed, and Charlie took his place in
the saddest of all the misfortunes he
had shared with the family. He helped
to draw the body of the dearly loved
wife and mother to its last resting
place; and each morning as the Cen
eral rode over the plantation Charlie
turned of his own accord and bore his
rider to the mound beneath the pine
trees.
On one of the days when Gen. Egg
BleSlOH hdu BOHc iIilO Town ne WAS
greeted by a gentleman whose very
familiar face refused to be matched
with any name his memory held.
For a moment his acquaintance wait
ed for him to recall his name.
H'I see. Gen. Eggleston; you have for
gotten me. Do you remember trip
you took in a cattle car down here ?"
The gentleman paused as he saw the
signs of remembrance come over the
Generals face.
.Forgctteni Remember, 1t was at
once the worst and the best journey I
ever TOOK
Then the Generals face lighted up
with a look that prepared his question
er for pleasant revelations. tho scarce
~ for the eulogy to which he listened.
L-There was an officer in charge Of
us whose manly treatment and consid-
Grafton ] count one OF the finest evil
dences of Southern chivalry ] have
ever seen. He was Maj. Murray"
The gentleman who listened flushed
AT the sincere words. and said. as he
took off his hat:
"Modesty makes me hesitate to asi:
you to look at me closely. General,
but"
Mai Murray" Aud the two shook
hands with fervor.
"And you are at home on a visit -
the General asked. after Maj. Murray
had explained that Columbus had been
his home till after the war.
ION a forced visit, General. My bust
ness demands my attention in Texas.
but am barred out by the quarantine.
No trains are allowed to run
why not ride thru, Maori" was
the practical interruption.
A second flush surged up the Major
face.
You see, sir, 1t would take a very
good horse TO stand the journey. and j
had saved only enough to take me
home by rail. None of my friends are
In a condition financially TO make lend
Ing me the money easy. / have been
buying goods in the East. and have used
all of my available resources
With cordiality that came directly
from his heart, Gen. Eggieston invited
the man whose kindness to him had
been so invaluable in another day to be
his guest. and he added with quiet pur-
pose:
ut vii. be my privilege TO make a
small return for the kindness for which
have not had the opportunity to thank
you"
Two DAYS the Confederate Major and
the Northern General spent together
each seeing larger visions of the pros
perity and peace of the future because
of the cruel lesson of the past. and on
the morning of the third the guest came
down stairs equipped for journey.
well. General, I am as curious as
child about your fairy godfather ar
me on my way rejoicing?" he asked as
1,fu l,<e z% 1.