The National tribune., 1909-08-19

me that he should call my attention to-
unless it should be the regulation pint
tin cup, on which 1 might have scratch
ed my name and regiment with rusty
nail, as the soldiers generally did. After
two or three days of strenuous thinking
in the endeavor to unravil this matter
to a satisfactory conclusion 1 gave it up,
and wrote him that 1 had no recollec-
ton of and didn't think could identify
a rusty old cup. In very few days /
received another letter from Mr.. Todd,
inclosing rough sketch OF this mug.
standing out in bold relief, engraved on
each of the three parts which COM
posed whole, and when closed could
be carried handily in haversack.
recognized 1T in an instant, but it had
gone beyond my recollection entirely.
This pewter mug had been presented to
me by an uncle, who was in business
engraving in Newark, n. j. I seldom
had occasion to use it, because of the
fear of losing it or having it stolen,
and so I slowed it away in my KNAPP
sack, and probably on state occasions,
when we had a banquet of beans or
some other appetizing tidbBt, did 1
bring it forth and flash it in the eyes
of my leSs-favored comrades, who were
drinking from cheap tin cups. My
friend in this second letter went on to
this mug to come into his keeping. His
uncle, James Smith, private soldier.
belonging to the 1st Mass, found it on
or near some battlefield, and sent it to
his home in Boston, 1 think, which was
his residence at that time. Three
months after that he was killed at the
battle of Bull Run, and he is numbered
amongst the many thousands of un-
known obIiterated graves. In this con-
nection, and interviewer with this cups
recovery, / am tempted to relate the
incident that brought about loss of the
relic 1t might be read by those of my
surviving comrades who took part in
that memorable campaign on the PENN
sula, and especially during our march
to the James River. Our division
(Hooker's) fell back from the first to
the second line of rifle pits on the early
morning of June 80, 1862. The right
of the army had two days previously
been forced back from their position at
Gaines's Mill and were swiftly moving
south to gain strong position, where
the victorious foe could be held in
check until the whole army was secure
on the banks of the James. If my
memory has not failed me, 1 think our
brigade of Jerseymen stood in line of
battle in front of the rife pits waiting
for the enemy to follow us up and give
us battle.
Maj. Henry rode up and down the
front of the line. warning us to stand
our ground, which we intended to do if
our cartridges held out We peered
anxiously up that yellow-sanded road
for the columns of gray-clad men, but
there was no sign of a living thing; but
over on our right toward Savage Sta
ton our boys were being attacked with
fierce impetuosity. The artillery roared
savagely, and our great heaps of sup
fA1 tn fIn -.
order to keep them from being captured
by the enemy. We would feel the heat
from that raging, fiery tornado of flame,
which only added to our already un-
comfortable and restless condition. as
the sun beat down on us mercilessly
and we suffered badly for water.
After an hour or more of anxious
waiting we were ordered to march south
while the crash of artillery was still
going on in unison with the cracking
elements of flaming tongues, which
hlled the air in clouds. 1t certainly was
the real tragedy of war, with trimmings
added to give it Zest and flavor. The
boys began to fling away their KNAPP
sacks, as the heat was unbearable
tried desperately to hang on to mine,
but every step I took seemed to add to
the torture / was already enduring
Down on my knees / dropped and off
went the knapsack, which I hastily
proceeded to overhaul. l took out some
underwear, besides two or three other
unnecessary articles, and rammed them
into my haversack, after which quick
action accomplished / rolled up the
ever-reliable blanket, and, crossing il
over my shoulder, gave one long, lin
gering, regretful look at the knapsack
and murmured last good-by. Perhaps
hoped it would do some Johnny as
much good as 1t had done for me If he
oh 90 ht,yI 1t.
pendage during that rushing swift
footed campaign. 1 unfortunately over
looked the mug in my anxiety to hurry
matters. Following our brigade was
the First Brigade, of which Smith was
member. He probably stopped to get
his second wind, and while doing so he
incidentally found my abandoned KNAPP
sack. which he took the liberty to ex-
plore, hoping to find tucked away in its