The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-09-01
OVER THE BATTLEFIELDS.
Newberry Veteran Who Was in THICK
of Fight Visits the Fields OF
Carnage.
(By W. G.. Peterson.


to revisit Washington and visit some
of the battlefelds, so took advantage
of the cheap rates on August 16. Our
train left Columbia on the 18th, at 500
D. m. This was 40 minutes ahead of
the regular train on the Southern. The
passengers were mostly from South
Carolina. We neached Charlottesville,
Va, at daylight on the morning of the
18th. At this place were several hos
pitfalls during the Confederate war, and
the ladies of this place were kind in.
desd to the wounded Confederate SOL
dier.
We. soon arrived at Orange Court
House. Here the soldiers who were
wounded at the Wilderness were ship
ped to the different hospitals. The
next stop was at Culpepper East of
this place a few miles distant, the
gallant William Farley lost his life
and, that superb cavalry leader, Gen.
M. C. Butler, lost his leg. We soon
reached Manassas. Here Gen. Nc
Dowell and his army were panic
stricken and rushed into Washington.
Here the last of August, 1862, that
braggart, John Pope, was hurled into
the defences at Washington.
We crossed Bull Run and passed
Fairfax Station, and Falls church, and
we're soon in quaint old Alexandria.
Going up the Potomac to the left we
could see Arlington, the home of Gen.
r. E. Lee. Looking to the front we
saw the Washington monument, reach
ing 555 feet above the level of the Po-
tomac. We We're soon across the Po-
tomac, through the tunnel, and were
at the union station. This station is
built of marble, and I was told that
$4,000 people could be placed in the
station and still there would be some
more room. A friend met us here and
our party were soon at our board
ing house, and after a good breakfast
We were neady to take in the sights.
We first visited the capitol Congress
was in session and we had the pleas
ure of hearing the Hon. Champ Clark
sing out, "The house will be in order"
Had several prominent members Of
congress pointed out to us, Uncle Joe
Cannon, Messrs. Underwood, Long
shore, Payne, etc. Also visited the
senate chamber and saw Vice Presi-
dent Sherman presiding.
Our guide carried us through all
parts Of capitol, subway and the build
ing occupied by the conressmen as
Offices. We also saw the building oc-
cupied by congress after the British
had burned the capitol, also the small
buildings occupied by the cabinet
members at this time. We visited the
national library. This is one of the
most interesting places in Washington.
We also visited the bureau of engrav-
ing, and saw how a S1,000-bill was
made. Congressmen Johnson and
Aiken showed Us a great deal Of kind
ness.
We visited Mt Vernon. Gen. Wash
ington certainly had beautiful home.
On our return we stopped at Alexan-
dria, and visited the Confederate mu-
scum. They have quite a number Of
relics here, among which is the camp
chair Or stool used by Gen. r. E. Lee
during the war. Saw Christ church,
Of which Gen. Washington was a ves-
trynlan. Saw the hotel in which Jack
son killed Col. Ellsworth for pulling
down the Confederate flag. Visited
Arlington, the home of Gen. Lee. Here
are buried $4,000 federal dead. Ar
lington is beautiful place, and there
are some splendid monuments to the
federal dead. Saw Cen. Joe Wheel
er's tomb.
On Sunday We worshipped at the
Calvary Baptist church.
On Monday morning We took the R.
F. & P. railway for Fredericksburg.
On the train was DR.. S. G. Welch and
Mr. Williams Welch. Mr.. I. H. Hunt
met US at the depot in Fredericksburg.
He knew we were coming and had
conveyanceE ready to carry us to the
battlefelds. We were soon at May
ree's house, I had no trouble to go to
the spot where l was wounded On the
18th day of December, 1862. There is
very little change, except the field
Ill co5 l..