The Washington herald., 1914-12-29
HISTORY BUILDERS.
The Generous Act of Brave Soldier.
CNritten EXPRESSLY for The Herah)
BY DIR. T.. J. EDWARDS.

NJ AAA~ A1s Ss A@A@ " =
Two or three days before Grant and
Lee met in the little brick Mclean cot
tage at Appomattox some Of the soldiers
who were serving under Gen. Custer cap
tured several officers and some Of the
private soldiers of the Confederate army
The prisoners were taken at the battle
OF Sailors Creek. One Of the prisoners
was the Confederate Gen. Joseph Bre-
ward Kershaw. For bravery and skill
which characterized him at the first bat
tie Of Bull Run he gained a reputation
which was maintained until the close OF
the war. He was promoted for merit
from time to time. and II was he who
repulsed at Fredericksburg two violent
attacks made by the Federal troops on
Marye's Hill.
II was with distinguished courtesy
which conveyed tribute to his high
reputation and to his personal character
that Gen. Kershaw was received by Gen
Custer In their conversation, which was
like that, OF two old friends who had
met after a long separation, Gen. Ker'
shaw said that his son, then a mere boy
and a member Of his stsif, had been cap
tured and he was greatly concerned
thereat, not knowing what would become
OF him. Thereupon Gen. Custer said
General, / will do all l can to find him
for you" And he caused inquiry to be
made all along the line until at last the
boy soldier was discovered and brought
to his father.
The night was chilly. Gen. KershaW
had no personal effects, but his son had
a blanket. Gen. Custer invited Gen. Ker'
shaw 20 share his tent. and the two
generals went to sleep side by side. theiI
covering being the blanket which the
son insisted they should take.
The following morning after breakfast
which Gen Kershaw shared with Gen
Custer, the Union general took his pris'
oner. who was also his guest, TO one
side and said TO him:
General, you and your son will. oi
course, be sent to Fort Warren, at Bos
ton, for you know that military prisoners
who are officers OF rank are sent there
Now, l presume you have some Confed
crate money with you, but you might as
well throw IL away. You can't buy q
thing with 1t in the North. but you viii
need some money"
Having said this. Gen. Custer took Z
wallet from his pocket and drew from
II some bills. He counted the money
and then said: General, l have go
$3.50 here. It's good money. wan
you to take the So; I'll keep the 3
cents"
Gen. Kershaw was overwhelmed with
this revelation OF Gen. Clusters kindness
But he said that he did not feel justi
| fied in accepting the loan for two rea
sons: First. he did not know whether h
would ever be able to repay it. and, sec
| ond, IL was unfair to take practically
every cent Gen. Custer had.
Now, don't worry about that" saiC
Gen Custer. You can pay the none!
back II you ever have a chance. II not
don't bother about II. Don't think o
me. either. because have reserved :
cents for immediate use. / know wher
can borrow money. but you don't know
| any one to turn to for a loan"
! Gen. Custer forced the money into Gen
| Kershaw's hands and then made arrange
ments for the care of his prisoners unit
the time came for him TO be taken 4
| Boston.
| Copyright. 1914. by 2 ] Edwards An rights n
EerTedD
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell ''Wh,
| Senator Summer Was Up All Night"