Year: 1869

iionnsres but the physique bearing bravery ana ad
muahle conduct they showed Ia ught aud trying
places, every man OF them vying with the other 70
maintain the honor OF the First Rhode Island regi
ment made 1t just such regiment as say-0ne OF
the oest IN the service. That is the reason why
feel annoyed with Sprague. have had no quarrel
with him before. never had any nor want one with
any man; but these charges are too much against
poor fellows that perilled all while he perlled none
and looked at the light from afar.


OoRRESP0SDEST-But, General, didn't he fight Ike


GENERAL-Yes he fought like scared hon, rae
ing out ut tremendous speed on horse to the line OF
fire, then as suddenly wheeling round and racing
back TO get drink then racing out to another point
and racing back just as last 10 get another drink.
who came to see the light thous6t he mus, have haS
command OF the forces. Alter the last drink he
took on the held | suppose he thought things were
beginning to look Olue so he slipped or for Centre
vile and got there long before u.s. He says 1t was
his example tnat kept the Rhode Island battery
cool. II such example were followed the battery
would have had lively time and might have drawn
some OF che enemy into an ambush.


CoRREsP0NDENT-Wha military experience has
Sprague had. Generals


GENERAL-Why no more than q man that never
saw a musket. He had no command at Bull run,
and that was his first and last battle. Ii wasn't
much OF that for our troops were all raw men a.
far as the experience OF war was concerned. Tue
men OF the First Rhode Island were the last to quit
the field, and mysef was the last colonel Of brigade
that crossed Cub rHn-a fact not generally known.
Lieutenant Richards. Arnolds battery, Major sykes
regulars and my own brigade formed the rear
guard. Yet, though he wa, Tar ahead OF us nying to
Washington IN an ambulance, he seeks to criticise
WHAT he never saw, ana nau ne been ON the ground
would probably not nave stayed long TO see either
III troops had had only the least Xperence Bull
run would never have been what 1t was. We
wanted acquaintance One regiment was ignorant
of the next. One might be brave enough Co 20 any
where, but 1t couldn't make II the other would
follow. IL different the rebel side. The mass
OF the men were on their own State soil and under
stood each others capacity for hgnt.


CORREsPONDENT-DO you think this course OF
Sprague's has injured his potica! prospects much


GENERAL-Well, indeed l can't say. 1 suppose
1t necessarily must. don't really care to say any
thing outside OF what bears upon his charges against
the First Rhode Island and myself What Mr..
Sprague may do or what may become OF his pOliti-
cal fortunes IL Is not for me 10 predlc. am with
out interest In the matter. only know that he has
to forget them; further than that am Indifferent.


Observing his evident unwilllngness to take up
any other chips OF Sprague we talked about the pc
culiar construction Of his house, which Is unique
dwelling indeed. 1t ls built corner, street
being level and the transverse on an incline. You
can walk straight or the sidewalk into the base
ment, the first and the second noOr and yet.the
entrances TO the last two are directly over each
other while all on the one side OF the street.
The architect 1ngeniOusly made round tower Of the
corner, that you slip around lnsen5lbly on gang
way Om the level street to the second OOr entrance
and ina yourself above the first 0Or without having
ascended any steps.


The General has stables and, believe several very
capable teams Of trOtters. He seems to have little
care on his mind has good appetite and fares sump-
tuOusly every day. He Is married. but has no chill
dren. In the course OF next tall he Will start to
engage in his old railroad business at the West. He
Is beloved In Providence, and l really cannot see
why he should not be.