Lord sent rain that night. The gunboats did not help us in the battle, but were as disastrous to the Union as to Confederate forces.”

Gen. Prentiss commented in a general way about the disaster of that great battle, and said few can have any conception of the awful carnage.

He was cordial in conversation with the writer, and said: “One funny incident I must tell you. On the way to Corinth as a prisoner I had seen groups of stragglers, and asked the guard to indulge me. When buttoning my overcoat I dashed up to several hundred and said: "If you don't hurry up the yankees will be on you in a few minutes."

Gen. D. C. Buell, one of the park commissioners, all of whom were present, was the most eagerly sought of all the generals at the reunion. He appears much like Joseph E. Johnston did. His speech was brief, but comprehensive. He said:

This is a very different sort of reunion, fellow soldiers, North and South, from that which we held on this plateau thirty-three years ago, with the marshaling of hostile hosts, the roar of musketry and cannon, the mingling of the blood of twentythree thousand killed and wounded, of friend and foe What, then, is the meaning of this joyous assemblage, in which the simple garb of the citizen has taken the place of the blue and the gray, and the gentle presence of woman hallows the occasion, as it does always? It means that one flag, with cordial acclaim, floats over our re-united country; and that peace has taken the place of fratricidal war, which had this merit-that from its ashes has sprung, I fervently believe, a broader patriotism than our country ever knew before.

But our meeting has an object as well as a meaning. It is to pay homage to the memory of men who died bravely; to re-visit the scenes where Greek met Greek-where American valor grappled, fiercely if you will, with American valor,-where a regiment of the North and a regiment of the South battled for the mastery, sometimes the one and sometimes the other winning; and where Sidney Johnston and W. H. L. Wallace, over yonder toward the river, and many other typical heroes on either side all along the hostile lines laid down their lives; and incidentally to outline, in a manner, the Memorial Park, which Congress has established to perpetuate heroic action, and remind future generations, continually, of the throes in which the unity of our country was more firmly cemented, and perhaps the substance, as well as the name of civil liberty preserved.

Is this all that has brought us here? No, not The ties of comradeship have had not a little to do with our coming, that mystic sympathy which draws men together who have shared the chances of battle, and the light and shadow of the camp and the march. And as we glance at our thinned ranks, and scan one another's features, we need not count the years to be reminded, that Time has been busy with his scycle in some fields, and with the ripening of the grain in others. Of those that remain who were middle aged then, the hair has whitened. and the limbs have lost just a little of their elacity, while even the youngest, yet in the vigor of manhood, may perchance bear upon their

brows some of the rude pencilings of time. But for each survivor, whether old or middle aged, there will still be some worthy object to desire, still some duty to perform, a higher aspiration for the destiny of our country, and the thrilling recollection of tempests passed, which more than gentle gales, bind the marinor with a vivid interest to the voyage that has ended.

And in reviewing a little fondly the episodes of war in which you took part, you will treasure all the more warmly the advent and essence of peace; not merely the peace that signifies the cessation of armed strife, but the peace of charity and good will the peace that blesses the home and sanctifies

the heart.

have rendered this spot historic and sacred? Of the Shall I speak separately of the armies whose deeds. splendid onset from these hills of the Army of the Mississippi? Of the splendid resistance of the Army of the Tennessee? and of the coming of the Army of the Ohio, or Cumberland, as it as it is called, which I have loved as if it were my offspring? No! To-day I banish these distinctions, and take each individual to my heart as my fellowcountrymen, whose valor on this field shed luster upon the name of American?

A large floral offering of two flags to a single staff was upon the grandstand. One was the stars and stripes in full display and the other was the stars and bars-limp, and bordered with delicate black crepe. The gift was from Chas. Lofland of Paducah, Ky. It was inscribed: "In memory of the heroic dead who sleep on the gory field of Shiloh, from one who shed his blood in that mighty battle."

Additional reports will be given hereafter.

D. K. Collins, Bryson City, N. C,: I have a small Testament that I took from a dead Federal soldier's

pocket at Kemstown, in the Valley of Virginia, Aug, 4, 64, which bears now his name only, J. I. Worry. I should be very glad to deliver the book to any of his friends. It is bound in morocco, and has the dead soldier's blood on it. When I procured it, there was in addition to his name that of the donor, his State and regiment, all of which I tore out, to avoid the abuse that I feared if it should be found on my person after I was captured at Cedar Creek, on the 18th of October. Afterward my guard abused me because I had a knapsack that bore the name and regiment of an Ohio soldier. I think the soldier was from Pennsylvania, and the book was presented by his sister; the name (J. I. The soldier Worry) is in a lady's handwriting. was a young man of light complexion, had but little beard, if any, and bore the brand of a Second Sergeant on his sleeve.

Correction is due a statement in the article on Washington, in the February VETERAN, Concerning the assertion that "Washington was in love with Mary Bland, who afterwards became the wife of 'Light Horse' Harry Lee and the mother of Robert E. Lee." It should have been that she was the mother of "Light Horse" Harry, and the grandmother of Robert E. Lee.

It may be truthfully said of this regiment that it did more plundering, burning, robbing, and running and less fighting, than any regiment in the Federal army, Fifth Tennessee Federal Cavalry only excepted.

On one of Forrest's campaigns, from Mississippi into West Tennnssee, and soon after leaving Corinth, he learned that H. and his regiment had evacuated Purdy, and that before leaving they had laid in ashes the homes of absent Confederate soldiers, also those of a number of citizens who were known to be in sympathy with the South.

Wilson's Sixteenth Regiment, of our command, and Newsom's, also, were composed of men from McNairy and adjoining counties, and Forrest knew that unless timely steps were taken to prevent it there would be trouble when he reached Purdy.

When within a few miles of that place he directed me to take a sergeant and five men from his escort, dash on into Purdy, and place a guard around the residence of Col. H.

On entering the town, blackened walls, lone chimneys, and charred remains of buildings gave abundant evidence of H's. cowardly vandalism. Learning from a citizen that his residence was in the suburbs, and directly on our line of march to Jackson, we were soon at its front. Dismounting and entering the portico of his dwelling, I tapped lightly on the door with the hilt of my saber. moment or so it was opened by a lady, when I asked, "Is this Mrs. Col. H.?" She tremblingly

answered, "Yes, sir."

In a

I noticed her agitation, also that on opening the door her countenance quickly changed, manifesting on the instant both surprise and alarm.

Hastening to relieve her apprehensions, I said, "We are not here to harm you, but have been sent for your protection. Although Gen. Forrest has not reached Purdy, he is aware of the ruin and devastation caused by your husband's regiment, and has sent me in advance of his troops to place a guard around your house. This guard is from his own escort, and will remain with you until all of our command has passed, and I assure you that neither your family or anything about your premises will be disturbed or molested."

Giving the officer of the guard instructions, I turned to her, and was in the act of raising my cap before mounting my horse, when, brushing away tears she could no longer repress, she said, "Please, sir, say to Gen. Forrest, for me, that this (referring to the guard) is more than I had any right to expect of him, and that I thank him from

my heart for this unexpected ki gratefully remember it and shall him to be as generous as he is brav

Returning to the town, I rejoine he was entering the public square, and was soon surrounded by citizer among them the venerable father Wisdom, of our command, whos General, the marks of Col. H's. 1 town, and you are also aware that of our citizens are Union peopl greatly alarmed for fear of retaliat of your command."

Forrest's reply was characteristic his habitual way of emphasizing not blame my men for being exas pecially those whose homes have b for desiring to revenge such cowar I have placed a guard around the h others need feel no uneasiness. O issued to my command that no Uni town must be insulted, much less h order was accompanied by my pers it be obeyed to the letter, and I am of my command will disobey the or the other. Of one thing, howe friends of H. and his cowardly reg see renegades may rely upon. If fortunate as to find them just on will wipe them off the face of the a disgrace to the Federal army and to humanity."

Ever after this, whenever it Forrest was on the move, that com on the order of its going. They whenever they confronted Forrest Concludi a long account to settle.

son states: During my service as Gen. Forrest from October, '62, to fought every cavalry commander a infantry of the army of the Cumbe of the Mississippi Generals Kil Mitchell, Wilder, McCook, and Mi Winslow, of the latter, yet for non mer, and Grierson, Hatch, Mowe manders do we cherish the slightes I be disrespect or resentment. disrespect or mony now to the dash, the gallant bearing of these officers, and reg

credit of the State of Tennessee, t and S. cannot be added to the list. it, for we never met them where tl been at the front.

Before the war they were men both of them lawyers of recognized our army was forced out of Ten regiments of cavalry ostensibly Union, yet history and the "Rec of the Rebellion" fail to show thei a single battle of any note, nor in Federal army commanders have I 1 to find one word of commendation Retribution, as marked as 'it follows the cowardly and vindictiv power. Shirking both danger a field, they hounded, plundered,

*

and insulted a helpless and defenseless people, and as a consequence, both have long since sunk into obscurity, despised and execrated by thousands who suffered from their cruel deeds, unrelieved by a single brave or noble act on the battlefield or off of it. FROM ACROSS THE FATHER OF WATERS. W. L. MORRISON, HAMILTON, TEXAS.

While the old soldier's hands are kept busy with labor and care, he, to some extent, puts away thoughts of the past, but when housed up against bad weather, old memories revive and those stormy years, '61 to '65, are vivid above all others. He lives over again his life in the camp, on the infantry march, the exciting cavalry scout or raid within the enemy's lines, and there rises up within him a desire to hear something of his old comrades. I rejoice that at last we have an organ of our own through which we can feel free to express ourselves to one another. Am sorry to see so few items from this side the Father of Waters. From reading the VETERAN, one would almost conclude we had no war west of the Mississippi, while, in proportion to our numbers, we held as many Federals in check, when protecting Texas and western Louisiana, as any portion of the Confederate forces had to contend with. We also had as brave men, as noble women as ever lived on earth.

I will dedicate a small space to three as brave boys as ever wore the gray. In August, 1862, we were returning South from the "Lone Jack raid" during which, two hundred miles within the enemy's lines, we had given them a very genteel thrashing, and captured two fine brass-rifled cannon, which the yankees vowed they would recapture at all hazards. We had stirred up a regular "hornet's nest," and the yanks concentrated upon us from every direction. When a few miles south of the Osage River the Federal advance began to make it rather warm for our rearguard, and our regiment (Hunter's) was ordered to form across the road and give them a check. Our position was on a ridge in open Black Jack timber. Our rearguard fell back through our line, and the pursuing Federals never discovered us until within sixty or seventy yards, when they immediately filed to the left and formed. in our front, and firing commenced hot and heavy. I had just fired my gun, when my mare, becoming excited, reared up and while in that position received a ball between the eyes, and, falling over flat on her side, caught my left foot underneath and pinned me to the ground. I struggled a long time it seemed to me, and at last pulled my foot out badly bruised and minus my boot. By this time our line had begun to give way, and the Federals were advancing, but three brave boys, Jim McAnally, Joe Hunt, and Will Toler, stood by me, giving them "the best they had." About the time I got my foot clear, Jim McAnally's horse threw him, but he still held to the reins and was trying to mount, when a Federal officer, more daring than the rest, who was almost upon him, ordered him to surrender, emphasizing his order with shots from his pistol, two of which pierced Jim's sleeves. Joe Hunt had turned his horse to ride off, when, look

ing around, he saw Jim's peril and, half turning in his saddle, he raised his short Enfield and fired, and as the yank threw up his hands and rolled off his horse, exclaimed, "There, take that!"

Jim then mounted, and Toler said to me as coolly as if he had been in no danger, "Here, Will, get up behind me!" which I did in quick time, and his big iron gray carried us safely out. We had punished the enemy so severely that they never pressed us any more. Brave, handsome Will Toler! he poured out his life's blood for Dixie afterward. Hunt and McAnally both survived the war.

As a Missouri ex-Confederate, I appeal to my old comrades to support and write for the VETERAN. Wake up, old boys in gray! we will soon all be gone. The youngest of us, who were mere lads when we buckled on our arms and kissed our dear ones at home good-bye, impelled by the stern sense of duty to follow our dear "Old Pap" (Gen. Price) in defense of our Southern rights, begin to feel the weight of years, and unless we leave record of those eventful years they will sink into oblivion. Dear old comrades, rally to the VETERAN, and may God bless you, and when Gabriel shall sound the last reveille, may we all meet on the Celestial Parade Ground.

Captain Fauquier Co., Va., "Mountain Rangers," April 18, '61; Lieutenant Colonel, McDonald's Legion, June 17, '61; Colonel, Ashby's Cavalry, March 12, 62; Brig. Gen. of Cavalry, May 27, '62.

He was killed near Harrisonburg, Va., in a heavy skirmish while leading his brigade on foot, his horse, only a few minutes before, having been shot under him. Ashby lies buried at Winchester, Va., in the famous Shenandoah Valley.

The Gallatin, Tenn., Examiner tells a story about the capture of a heavy tin medicine chest by Capt. S. R. Simpson, who brought it home at the close of the war, and had given it to the Donelson Bivouac, of which he is a member. It tells, furthermore, that recently the captain, while on a trip to Illinois to bury his sister, learned of the owner, and, upon representing the fact to his Bivouac, had it restored to his possession, and he in turn forwarded it to the family of the surgeon, who did not wait for transportation of his medicines at Chickamauga.

J. L. Lemon writes from Paris, Tenn., his regrets at not being able to do more for the VETERAN because of an injured eye, and adds: It is worthy the efforts of every Confederate veteran.

TEXAS CONFEDERATE HOME.

The report of the board of managers, by Henry E. Shelley, President, Austin, January 1,1895, says: * * * The law now limits the admission of inmates to those who were bona fide citizens of Texas, and who were residents of the State on the first of Would it not be well to amend this January, 1891. so as to require a two-years' residence in the State prior to the date of the application?

We have now 147 inmates, which number fills the Home to its utmost capacity. Of these, 71 served in Infantry, 55 in Cavalry, 5 in the Navy, and 16 in Artillery, from the following States: Texas, 91; Virginia, 6; Alabama, 5; North Carolina, 2; Kentucky, 2; Florida, 1; Georgia, 4; Mississippi, 6; Missouri, 3; Arkansas, 1; South Carolina, 3; Louisiana, 10; Tennessee, 5; and 6 not stated. Five men are completely paralyzed; 4 nearly paralyzed; 3 with one arm; 6 with one leg; 5 totally blind; 3 with cancer, and two in the last stages of consumption. Rheumatism seems to be the prevailing disease with a large majority.

The oldest man is 88 and the youngest 48 years. For the incoming two years it is believed to be necessary to make preparations for the admission of, say, 53 additional inmates, making a total of 200, which will necessitate the building of four new cottages with three rooms each.

The real estate and buildings belonging to the Home are valued at $60,130, and the personal property at about $2,000.

The amount expended for improvements and the support of inmates, including salaries of officers and employees, from the 1st of March, 1893, to the 1st of March, 1894, was $31,071.22, and from the 1st of March, 1894, to Nov. 30, 1894, was $15,630.45. The per capita expenses, including everything, is about $14.47 per month. Twenty-six inmates have died during the past year; 81 since the organization of the Home, all of whom are buried in that part of the State Cemetery set apart for the inmates of the Home; and all except six have a small, neat marble headboard, with name, date of birth and death, with Company, Regiment, and, as far as possible, the Brigade to which each belonged.

Of the 147 inmates, 9 are in the hospital and 10 are on furlough.

The full estimate for the support of the Home for the two years beginning March 1st, 1895, and the estimates for the necessary buildings and improvements are $74,540.

J. E. Brasell, of the Texas Home, writes: "You call me Captain. I was a private in Company D, Sixteenth Alabama. It is probable that the VETERAN will fall into some one of their hands, and I would not like for them to think I had gone to lying in my old age."

The VETERAN does not approve titles where they were not officially earned (?) "Earned" is not the word, for many a private earned honors worthy the highest title-General.

B. R. Parks, Newbern, Tenn.: "You are doing a good work for the Southern cause." Let all who so believe tell it to others.

PREPARING FOR THE REUNION IN TEXAS.

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Lieut.-Gen. W. L. Cabell, U. C. V., sent out his annual circular from Dallas, Texas, Feb. 1st. Adjt.Gen. A. T. Watts signs the circular, also officially. It is very similar in patriotic spirit to his former address, which was published in the VETERAN. He Says: Our old comrades are becoming more and more familiar with the workings of our benevolent, social, and historical association. The death roll has not been as great as we might have expected. The dead have been properly cared for. My old comrades never permit it to be said that one of these brave men who followed the flag of the South at Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Corinth, and a hundred other battlefields, was buried in the potter's field. The living Confederate veterans who are incapacitated by sickness or wounds from making a living have been provided for by the different states in the Trans-Mississippi Department. They have good houses, are amply provided with raiment and shelter, where they can spend their last days in quiet and peace as the honored guests of the great States of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and the Indian Territory and Oklahoma. I, therefore, urge you, my old comrades, to continue the good work; organize camps and join at once the Association of United Confederate Veterans. Noble sons and fair daughters of the greatest women that ever lived in any country, organize, and be ready to take the place of those who will soon cross the River!

Let every camp be represented at Houston by as large a delegation as possible, and let them be fully authorized to represent their respective camps upon all matters. When a delegation cannot attend, see that your respective camps shall appoint proxies, having the same properly signed by the officers of the camp. See that a correct roll of your members in good standing, with your annual fee of ten cents for each member, is sent to General Moorman before the limit allowed for it. The Committee on transportation, composed of good business men, to-wit: Generals H. W. Graber, S. P. Mendez, and H. B. Stoddard, and Cols. T. B. Trotman and B. F. Wathen, will do all in their power to secure reduced rates on all railroads leading to Houston. Local committees can communicate with them.

I would also, my comrades, call your attention to the fact that the noble women of this Department, both old and young, imbued with a spirit that actuated their noble mothers and sisters during the war, are now organizing monument associations in order to erect monuments to the valor, heroism and patriotism of the Confederate soldiers, and our great chieftain, Jefferson Davis. It is only necessary for me to remind you of this, as it will continue in the hands of your Division Commanders. Let us all then work together as one man, and we will yet see the unveiling of a number of monuments, not only in this Department. but throughout the South.

P. K. McMiller, Secretary of Camp Hardee, Birmingham, Ala., writes that he wants to procure a copy of "The Battle of Gettysburg, written by a Capt. Young of the Federal army. Who can give him the address of the publisher?

COMPANY F, 26TH N. C. INFANTRY.

BY CAPT. R. M. TUTTLE, now a minister at Cisco, Tex.

One of the greatest honors ever conferred upon me, in a civic, or military sense, was a Captain's commission from the Confederate government, whereby I became commander of Company F, of the Twenty-sixth Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. I had the honor of leading those gallant men in the battle on the gory field in front of Gettysburg, and its gun-crowned "Cemetery Hill,"

July, 1863.

The Company went into action with eighty-eight men, and three commissioned officers the Captain and two Lieutenants-making in all, ninety-one officers and men. It was indeed a fateful field to us, for every officer and every man of the rank and file, was either killed or wounded. Thirty-one,

more than one third of the number, were killed outright, or died from wounds. There were in the Company three sets of twins, of whom five were killed or mortally wounded, and there were sixteen men of the same family connection, by the name Coffey.

Again, and afterward, at the battle of Bristol Station, the Company went into the engagement with thirty-four (34) men and officers, of whom, in a few brief moments, thirty-two (32) were killed or wounded. Six or seven were left dead in that dreadful carnage.

Company F had some romance connected with it. In 1862, a young woman, in man's attire, joined its ranks, received the bounty of $50.00, donned the gray uniform, buckled on the regulation accoutrements, and, with gun in hand, drilled and did the duties of a veteran soldier for some time. Finally, to the great merriment of the whole army, she made herself known. Then, after having returned the bounty money, and replaced the suit of Dixie Gray with a woman's gown, she went back in happy mood, and with an enlarged acquaintance, to her mountain home, under the Gian mountain.

The First Colonel of the Twenty-sixth Regiment was the late, and lamented Senator Z. B. Vance, of Buncombe county, N. C. The Brigade commander at Gettysburg, was the Hon. John J. Pettigrew, who surrendered his noble life for the Sunny South at Falling Water on the retreat. His birthplace, I believe, was Charleston, S. C.

I make the brief statements above, because justly merited by the company; and, at this time, because of recent references by the press as to its casualties at Gettysbury, Pa.

They were, indeed, a splendid band of chivalrous men, and with great powers of endurance. They were born and reared, for the most part, in Caldwell county, N. C., and right under and among the Blue Ridge and Grandfather mountains. Multiplied honors would I bestow upon the many of them who sleep, and upon the remnant among the living!

I have now in preparation a sketch of this famous Company, whose record in battle, it is believed, is unparalleled in the annals of war.

The above was sent to the VETERAN as original, but it has been published elsewhere in like manner.]

THAT HAMPTON ROADS' CONFERENCE.

W. H. Brooker writes from San Antonio, March 27, 1895, to the Houston, Texas, Post, sharp denial of the Statement over and over made, and lately embodied by Mr. Henry Watterson in one of his lectures, that Mr. Lincoln said, at the Hampton Roads' Conference, "Write Union at the top of the paper and you can put what you choose besides." Crawfordville, and on that occasion several prominent statesmen of Georgia were there visiting the Sage of Liberty Hall-men who espoused the cause the war to give his views at large. In the conversaof the Confederacy and Mr. Stephens went back to tion he spoke of the warm personal friendship existing between Mr. Lincoln and himself, a friendship that grew strong and mutual during their sittings in the National Halls of Congress, when incidentally the Hampton Roads' Conference was discussed pro and con by several present. In the course of the discussion he, being much younger than the others and perhaps retiring, said to Mr. Stephens, "Mr. Stephens, all know your warm personal friendship towards Mr. Lincoln, and your high estimation of his integrity and ability, why did you not presume on this and urge a dissolution of the war on terms honorable to your section and your people?" "I shall never forget the breathless silence that pervaded the hall, while Mr. Stevens began his reply: While the conference was in session some matters were discussed, but Mr. Lincoln always turned upon unconditional surrender, and he would use his good offices to ameliorate the condition of the South. * After the conference broke I tried to draw Mr. Lincoln into conversation on friendly terms, and when I mentioned the dissolution of the war, he grew restive and said: Nothing but unconditional surrender,' abruptly parted, took his cabin with Mr. Seward on his man-of-war and ordered the Captain to steam back to Washington.'

Mr. Brooker states that in 1872 he was a visitor at

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Captain Albert Gallatin Hudgins, late of the C. S. Navy, died at Richmond, Va., January 4, 1895. Capt. Hudgin's left the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., in 1861, and was commissioned a Lieutenant. He served with Capt. Semmes, and was captured at sea, taken to New York, and imprisoned in The Tombs" for eighteen months. After his release and exchange, an attack of fever confined him to his home for months. When able to report for duty, he was engaged in several expeditions in Virginia waters. He went to sea afterward with Capt Taylor Wood, but was captured after a time, and imprisoned on Island in Charleston Harbor under the fire of our guns. After his exchange from there, he served in the army until the end.

J. M. Arnold, Newport Ky., seeks information: Cleburne's (my) Division's battle flag was a blue field with a white center and was bordered with white, while all other divisions carried the Southern (St. Andrews) cross. If I remember correctly, we were permitted to carry this flag by act of Congress. Can you inform me again what the significance of the flag was? [Who can answer?-Ed. VETERAN.]