The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-28
AQ[ 0NTHE REVIEWERS TABLE VIZ
Magg8@sszs - 80 ESSsEssE5D@a1Gg1.
81 |sSss.ss,assaS7l sassE5sEhissI W

Instructive anecdotes and experiences.
his thorough appreciation of n good
story and dramatic situation"
David b. Parker enlisted us a mem
Der of the Seventy second New York
Volunteers, Sickles's Brigade. but was
I soon appointed superintendent OF the
mails and dispatch bearers OF the
Army of the Potomac. Il position which
, practically ranked him as a staff OFF,
c,g at the headquarters of Hooker and
Meade and Grant. He was the first
Ia deliver dispatches to President Lin
coin after the battle of the Wilder
ness lie was at Richmond. Va, imme-
diately after its fall, remaining there
during the reconstruction period as
special agent OF the Post once De-
partment and as United states mar
snail. His book contains according Ia
4 His own estimate. some incidents,
! happenings ana "reminiscences from my
army and official life" Colonel Parker
spent the closing years of his career
at his home, 1llicottville, y. " where
! his experiences were written.
! His plan of narration 'lividss his
book naturally into periods, the first
turning on the war through the battle
OF Gettysburg and then from Gcttys-
/ burg to Richmond. Sketches and Incl
| dents In which wartime friends are
presented come next. Then lie turns
4 to his work in reconstruction OF the
/ postal service in Virginia and as
United states marshal Last comes
his description of country life in
Western New York. The illustrations
OF the book begin with picture from
portrait of David Il. Parker, taken
/ in 1876. Many other Federal officers
/ and generals appear on its pages; also
copies from originals of letters, orders
and commissions, and from photo
graphs of distinguished public men.
| Among the photographs is one taken
OF Colonel Parker and Mrs. Parker on
/ their wedding trip His wifH was Vic
toria y. Howe. of jamestown, y. Y,
and their marriage took place in 1856,
| Another picture OF Mrs. Parker shows
hrr standing, and is very attractive.
In his chapter. Gettysburg to Rich,
mond," Colonel Parker writes OF seeing
President Lincoln walking up III,
streets of Richmond after its capture.
accompanied by Judge Campbell, who
rcsigYgd from the United States SUI
preme Court TO become Assistant Sec
rotary OF War in the Cabinet of Prasi-
dent jefferson Davis; by Commodore
also says. in this chapter. that the
house Of Miss Van Lew It'd been the
rendezvous in Richmond for Union
spies. and that whils the Federal army
had been on James River she main
tanned Il farm Just opposite City Point.
whese information was sent and re-
coivcd by an officer OF the provost
marshal generals department. He also
states the circumstances OF the escape
OF II Union officer, Captain Lownsbury.
and tells how he was helped by Miss
Van Lew. This settles tbs question OF
the nature of services rendered by her
to the government at Washington dur
ing the years '6l and 90, question
which has caused much discussion.
Among the wartime friends OF Col
ontl Parker was Lieutenant W. Il.
Gushing. whose destruction of Ole AL
bcmarlc. formidable Con:eder crate
waters, was the occasion of promotion
and an official vote OF thanks FOR Lieu
: tenant Cushing.
In May OF 1857" writes Colonel
Parker Jefferson Davis was ar
ragned in the United States court at
Richmond. on an Indictment for trea-
son. which had been found two years
before. He mentions that Horace
Greedy came from New York TO Sign
Mr. Davis's bond. and says that "as
We pushed our way out, Mr.. Greclsy
inadvertently Went near Mr.. Davis.
was behind Mr. Greeley. and could SEQ
Mr. Davis plainly. When he saw Mr.
Greedy passing so near him, he arose
ana started TO put out his hand, quite
likely to speak to Mr. Greeley and
thank him for signing his bond. For
the first time Mr. Greeley saw his
proximity to Mr. Davis. and turned
away abruptly. When W. reached thu
head of the stairs. Mr. Greeley re-
marked to me: i am not hobnobbing
/ with jefferson llvis. if have signed
his bond" Charles OConnor of New
York, Is mentioned as leading counsa!
/ for Mr. Davis: Richard II. Dana Of
Boston. counsel for the government.
and Mr. Chandler. United States attor-
i ncy FOR Virginia.
| Soon after Richmond was evacuated
Colonel Parker speaks of having "a
room on Franklin Street near Seventh
and General Robert II. Les stayed for
time at DR.. Cabclls house opposite.
General Lee was a iinc-iooking man.
with full gray beard and very digni-
hsd bearing. He wore a very neat
Confederate uniform of gray People
passing treated him With Difference.
but did not see him holding conver-
sat!on with any ono on the street.
Colonel Parker brought his brid, TO
Richmond in 1867 and, his children
were born here H.. was appointed
United states marshal In 1864 bv Pres
ident Grant. and later In 1876. chief
lpcst-oiIice Inspector. with 4 force If
ninety men under him When he was
appointed United states marshal for
virginia, isaac Dav- nport and Robert
Edmond OF iHchmond. signed his bond.
caaptcr here headed. "Rccoilcctions
of Public Men" cmboaics many tbi,,,.
tAat arc we'll worth reading He ro-
signed from the .ad OF Tho nost,I
secret service after holding tho nosi-
'l"h i"f seven years, 10 become one of