FLORIDA'S CONFEDERATE HOME.

In the northwestern part of Jacksonville, Fla., fanned by the breezes of the St. John's River," is ten acres of land, purchased for a Confederate Soldiers' Home. It has a neat but small building. The view from the piazza at the front of the house is charming. Comrade S. B. Flinn, who was in many of the hard-fought battles, is in charge of the Home.

FLORIDA CONFEDERATE HOME.

The Florida Home, as may be seen, is a very unpretentious structure, but through the great-hearted benefactions of Col. George W. Scott in a gift of $2,500 the Home has been freed from debt. Col. Scott was the Democratic candidate for Governor of Florida in 1868, but Florida was still under "carpet bag" rule and he was defeated. He resides in Atlanta now.

In the war Col. Scott was in command of the Military Sub District of Florida. During the latter part of the civil war he commanded the Military District of Florida. Col. Scott owns extensive phosphate interests in Florida, and is generous in proportion to his prosperity.

The Florida Home was established in 1892, with the following named trustees: Maj. A. J. Russell, President; Ex-Governor F. P. Fleming, Gen. Wm. Bayn, Capt. D. E. Maxwell and Col. W. R. Moore -the latter from Wellborn.

There is much need of help to the Institution. A larger building is necessary, and the State appropriation of $8 per month for the inmates that are there is not enough to sustain it. However, the management falters not. Ladies of Pensacola furnished $100 some time since to be used in improvements. The Florida Daughters of the Confederacy will do, whenever fully aroused to whatsoever is found necessary. They should lobby, if any of its people ought, with the State Legislature. The names of those who inaugurated the Home movement in preference to a monument are Col. W. D. Ballantine, Fernandina; A. C. Martin, of Sanford; T. W. Givens, of Tampa; R. B. Hargis, M. D., of Pensacola; Gen. J. J. Dickinson, of Ocala; and J. L. Inglis, of Madison.

CHICAGO MONUMENT SOUVENIR.

Gen. John C. Underwood of Chicago has in preparation an official report of the erection and dedication of the Confederate Monument in Oakwood Cemetery, Chicago, together with the ceremonies and entertainments incident thereto. It will contain the speeches made at the complimentary banquet given by Chicago citizens to the Southern guests, the dedicatory services in the Cemetery, "with a full and complete description of all the ceremonies around the monument and during the occasion," and an account subsequently of the Cincinnati, Ohio, and Fort Thomas, Ky., ceremonies. The work contains sixty or more elegant engravings of distinguished people, mainly Southerners. Owing to its elab rate character and the great expense, souvenir cop, bound in gray and gold, with name of purchase. stamped in gold on front cover, will be sold by prepaid subscription only, as such "souvenir edition" will be limited to the number of copies actually ordered.

To assist in meeting the expense of publishing such an elaborate and intrinsic work of art, it will be expressed in white and gilt paper boxes, carefully wrapped, on subscription order and payment as follows:

"The casket has a silver plate, upon which is the single inscription, 'Jefferson Davis, at Rest.' Full of grief-laden years, he has passed to his tomb:

But see! as its portals unfold,
Immortality's lamp shines bright 'mid the gloom,
And memory as sentinel watches his tomb,
And the laurel beside it bursts forth into bloom,
And Peace breathes "At Rest" to his soul.
At rest from the battle-field's fearful array,
Where he bled for the Union he loved;
At dread Buena Vista, and fierce Monterey,
His genius and prowess won for us the day,
And wreathed round his temples a chaplet of bay,
His slanderings ne'er have removed.

At rest from the Cabinet's council of State,

Where he faithfully served thro' the strife
In the Halls of the Nation, where heated debate,
And partisan rancor, and sectional hate,

Drove the Southron to arm for the Rights of his State,
And Liberty, dearer than life.

When the cloud-burst of battle overwhelmed our land,
With unfaltering devotion to right.
Our chieftain pledged all to our patriot band,
And after defeat, in the dungeon enchained,
He patiently suffered at Power's fell hand,
A victim to fate, and to might.

For our "Lost Cause" he suffered, and so will his name,
Embalmed in our memories dwell;

And his tomb prove a Mecca, at whose holy fane,
The sons of the South inspiration will gain,
And History write of his glorious fame,
Of all he hath done, "It is well."
1en, Ala.

SALLIE JONES.

THRILLING STORY BY A UNION VETERAN.

W. B. Lowell, Boston, Mass.: Of the battle of Newton, N. C., March, 1862, I saw a thrilling account a few days ago in which it was stated that a young Confederate artillery officer, Captain Mayo, was killed by the explosion of his magazine after our capture of the Confederate position. I wish to say such was not the case, as our regiment, the 11th Connetticut, captured him. But there is so much. heroism in the incident that goes to the credit of the American soldier, I beg to relate it for your Journal for the benefit of posterity; and just here as one of the "Boys in Blue," I want to congratulate you on your efforts to perpetuate the individual acts of bravery and self-denial on the part of our "Brothers who wore the Grey."

After we had carried the breast works on that cold, dark, rainy day, I was moving up with a detachment in rear of one of the forts that had been and was still actively engaging our gunboats and when within a few rods of it a mostly unearthly explosion took place that made us think a volcano had suddenly burst forth, hurling heavy timbers so high, they looked like walking-canes whirling in the air, and came crashing down around us with a rain of bursting shells. Not knowing what other kinds of infernal traps we were about to run into on that river, we beat a hasty retreat towards the railroad, taking up wounded prisoners who had been left by the burning of the Trent River bridge by the Confederates as they crossed. About night in going through some thick brush we found, lying on the ground on an old army blanket in which his men had dragged him from the field, this young man; his uniform torn in shreds, both legs broken, his face, neck and hands burned black and badly torn, his eyes seemed burned out, and blood trickling from his whole body which was swollen-in fact, he was the worst looking object to be alive I ever saw. Really I could not realize that he was alive until I asked his men (there were three of his men standing over him who told us they had come back to look for him after the explosion). I asked: "Who is this?" "Capt. Mayo." "How was he killed?" The Captain then spoke: "I am not quite dead." "How did you get hurt so?" "Blowing up my magazine." "Why did you do it?" "It was an order, and a soldier knows nothing but obedience." "You must be in great pain; can I do anything for you?" "A little water, if you please, if you have it; you will have to pour it into my mouth, as I can't see nor use my hands." I did as he requested, which seemed to revive him, and he thanked me. He then told me he would not let any of his men go to the river after water for him, fearing that they might be seen, and that after nightfall he wanted to try to swim the Trent (the river was at least 1,000 feet wide and the weather cold) with his men and escape.

"Then you were the cause of that terrific crash that came so near killing my squad, in rear of the fort that fought our gunboats so pluckily to-day?" "I suppose so; I saw you coming." "How much powder and shells did you have left?" "Some 3,000 pounds of powder and about 500 loaded shells." "Could you not have laid a longer train and got out

of the way?" "That all could have been done had I anticipated defeat; besides, you were too close; I had just sent my men out, and knew the explosion would stop you, thereby enabling my men to get safely away." "Then you sacrificed yourself for your command?" "It was an order from a superior officer, the execution of which entailed great risk. I chose to do it. I didn't have a man but would have done it had I ordered him. But tell me, how came you to defeat us, and what part did you play in the drama to-day?" I told him we had turned the Confederates' right flank by the railroad, and that our regiment had charged with the 27th Massachusetts, and were among the first over the breast works. "Well, somebody is to blame; we ought to have whipped you; we had the advantage in position, which should have overmatched your superior numbers, which I suppose you had. If my rear had been protected, I think I would have whipped your gunboats."

When I first found him I had sent two men to the Ambulance Corps for a stretcher, and this conversation occurred while w ewaited. We lifted him tenderly to the stretcher when four men took him to our headquarters which were the 2nd North Carolina Cavalry Camp. On the way I told him I was sorry to see such as he suffering in a war the cause for which was due to the leaders such as Jefferson Davis. His reply was characteristic: "Give yourself no uncasiness on that score; the people of the South are the leaders, and were Mr. Davis less loyal to the Southern Cause he would not be President a day."

About midnight, when good old Dr. Whitcomb got around to him to dress his wounds, not a groan or murmur had passed his lips and never did; he asked him if our wounded had been attended to and if the wounded prisoners had been looked after? Upon being assured that they had, says he "take me." The next morning he dictated an affectionate letter I wrotet o his mother, telling her partially of his injuries and bidding her to be cheerful; this was sent through the lines by flag of truce.

A few days after the battle I took his men with me to the scene of the explosion. They showed me where he had fallen when they picked him up; the full imprint of his body was plainly seen. I measured the distance he was thrown and it was over one hundred feet.

Strange to say, in three or four weeks, under the skillful management of Dr. Whitcomb and the other doctors for they all came to see him-he could see, and in about five months he was able to ride in an ambulance and Gen. Burnside sent him and his men through the lines without paroling them, the General having him to dine with him the day before he left.

I hope he lived through the war if he was ever able to go in again and if alive will write me. He will remember me as reading whole books to him and playing the violin for him. While he was mettlesome, we always found him a gentleman and a man of most wonderful nerve.

Attention is called to the partial list of books offered by the VETERAN for clubs and at reduced rates. Whenever the title of the book interests, upon notice to VETERAN office extended data will be furnished.

GOOD BOOKS WITH THE VETERAN.

As an extra inducement for renewals and to aid in circulating Southern literature, the following list of books will be furnished on terms designated.

The Other Side, by Virginia Frazer Boyle. A poem. Will be sent as premium for four subscriptions, or with the VETERAN for $1.75. Price $1.00 This is a remarkable poem, Jefferson Davis being the theme of the gifted author.

Christ in the Camp. 624 pages is illustrated and characteristic of the eminent author, Rev J. William Jones, D.D. Price $2.50. Given as premium for five subscribers.

The American Epic, a Concise Scenic History of the United States and other poems by Drummond Welburn. Cloth, $1.00. Sent with four subscribers, or with one and the VETERAN for $1 50.

Virginia Before and During the War, by H, H. Fariner. Price 25 cents, paper. 102 pages. Sent with two subscriptions, or with VETERAN for $1.12.

A Tribute in Song, from Virginia to Georgia, by Virginia women, edited by Mary Stuart Smith. Price 50 cents. Sent with two subscriptions for the VETERAN.

Rebel Rhymes, and other Poems, by Elizabeth J. Hereford, of Texas, $100. Sent with three subscribers.

Four Years in the Stonewall Brigade, by John O. Casler. Reduced from $2.00 to $1.50, now supplied with the VETERAN for $2.00.

Hancock's Diary, or History of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. A large octavo volume, $2.50. This book can be had for $1.50 if a club of twenty-five can be secured.

The Civil War from a Southern Standpoint, by Mrs. Annie E. Snyder, of Nashville, can be had for three subscribers, or with the VETERAN for $1.50. Price $1 00

Rebel Relics, by Rev. A. T. Goodioe. Price $1.00 .Supplied with the VETERAN for $1.50, or for three subscribers.

The Sponsor Souvenir Album, advertised on back cover page by the Souvenir Co., Houston, Texas will be supplied from the VETERAN office also at the publishers prices.

Memories of Jefferson Davis, by his wife, in two elegant volumes containing 1,640 pages. This most entertaining and valuable book will be furnished by the VETERAN with a years subscription for $5.25.

Campaigns and Battles of the Sixteenth Tennessee Confederate Regiment, from its organization, at Camp Trousdale, through its campaigns in West Virgina, South Caroli na, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. together with sketches of other Tennessee Regiments. by Thomas A. Head. Five hundred octavo pages. Twenty illustrations. Price $1 00.

The World and How to Take it, by Rev. A. J. Baird, D D., an eminent minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, who was associated with the Confederate Army from the beginning to the close of the war. Prefaced to the work is a sketch of the life of the author, by John M. Gaut. The book is discussed in most attractive style, and illustrates with interesting incidents, most of the practical problems of life. Home, Society. Business, Personal Virtues and Vices, and Life's Closing Scenes are all treated in the author's peculiarly fascinating style. The book contains 400 pages with a fine steel engraving of the author; is printed on fine paper, and beautifully bound in cloth, embossed in coiors and gold; an apppopriate gift book. Price $1.50. Given with the VETERAN for $2.25 or for five subscriptions.

Annals of an Invertebrate, by Laurette Nesbet Boykin. "This book is a marvel." Rev. Dr. Vance, Nashville, Tenn., says: "It is a weird and exquisite poem in pure prose. Dr. A. J. Battle, President of Shorter College, Rome, Ga, mentions it as "the work of a child of genius." Charles J. Bavne, Editor Augusta, Ga. Chronicle, asserts that "George Eliot would have been proud of it." Lilian Whiting, of Boston, writes that "It is a wonderful book-as sympathetic as a human presence." This book is one dollar. It will be furnished with the VETERAN a year for $1.60, and free with four subscriptions.

HOLIDAY EXCURSIONS.-"THE BIG FOUR." Christmas, 1895. New Year, 1896 Big Four Route, one and one-third fare round trip. Tickets will be sold between all points on the Big Four Route. good going December 24, 25 and 31. 1865, and January 1, 1896. good returning until January 2, 1896, inclusive. E. O. McCormick, Gen. Traffic Manager. D. B. Martin, Gen. Pass. & Ticket Agent.

NASHVILLE, CHATTANOOGA & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY.

THE SUPERB THROUGH CAR ROUTE VIA LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.

The equipment, and service of this line is equal to any in the country, and carries the traveler through the most picturesque portion of the South. More than fifty miles of famous battlefields and five National Cemeteries are located on and near this great railway system between Hickman, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga. Take this route to Chattanooga for the famous Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Park.

The Dixie Flyer Through Sleeping Cars run between Nashville and Jacksonville, Fla.. the year round via Chatranooga, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Macon, etc. Solid trains carrying through sleepers between Cincinnati, Louisville and Atlanta, and through sleeping cars between St. Louis and Jacksonville, Fla., during the winter trourist season.

For information with reference to the resources, climate, soil, water power, timber, location for manufactories and for colonies or homes for thrifty settlers, write J. R. Killebrew, Immigration Agent, Nashville, Tenn.

For information as to rates, through car service, etc., write R. C Cowardin, Western Passenger Agent, Railway Exchange Building, St Louis, Mo.; Briard F. Hill, Northern Passenger Agent, 328 Marquette Building, Chicago, Ill.; D J. Mullaney, Eastern Passenger Agent 59 West Fourth Street. Cincinnati, O.; J. H. Latimer, Southeastern Passenger Agent, Atlanta, Ga.; J. L. Edmonson, Southern Passenger Agent, Chattanooga, Tenn. W. L. DANLEY, G. P. & T. A., Nashville, Tenn.

The splendid engravings in the address by Senator Bate at Chickamauga are furnished by this popular and excellent

line.

TEST OF COURAGE FOR A SOLDIER.

W. A. Collier, Esq., Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1895: I recently had the pleasure of meeting Maj. F. A. Dangerfield, one of the bravest of the brave, who often commanded the famous Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, under Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. Our conversation naturally drifted to the war, and he told me of the remarkable exhibition of personal courage by Jim O'Mera.

Near nightfall on the 6th of May, '64, the second day of the fighting in the Wilderness at Spottsylvania, the General (Stuart) desired to ascertain whether or not the line of Federal earthworks in his front had been abandoned. Gen. Stuart sent to Maj. Dangerfield, whose regiment was close by, for a man who would "perform a hazardous duty." Private Jim O'Mera was selected and reported to Gen. Stuart. In reply to his salutation, Gen. Stuart simply said, "You see that line of earthworks; I want to know if it is manned. Ride within seventy yards of it, then turn to the left and gallop parallel with it to the end of the line. If the enemy is there, ride rapidly and they will shoot behind you." Jim simply replied, "All right, Gin'ral, I know it," with an appreciative gesture. Jim rode within seventy yards of the works and started on his run, parallel with the line. The works being The works being well manned, were immediately illuminated by a terrific fusilade. It did not swerve Jim, however. When he had gone half the length of the line a bullet went through his horse's nose midway between the eye and the nostril. Jim then stopped his horse, unslung his carbine, and with as much deliberation as if aiming at a squirrel, he fired upon the enemy. He then spurred his horse and ran parallel with the line to the end; then hurried to Gen. Stuart, who had watched the wonderful feat, saluted and reported: "They'er thar yit, Gin'ral."

Maj. Dangerfield's beautiful and accomplished daughter, Henrietta Henderson Dangerfield, only eleven years of age, wrote the enclosed poem, which, with the story, deserves space in the VETERAN. There is no braver nor more patriotic race than the Irish.

JIM O'MERA'S RIDE.

"Send me a man who is brave and true."
This message the General sent,
And over the roll in quick review
The Captain, in fancy, went.

"No lion's more brave than the Irishman, Aye, brave. nor is steel more true;

Nor fears he loss of life or limb,
Yes, Jim O'Mera 'll do."

His orders received, to horse Jim leapt,
To the General's side he sped,
Then checked his steed and doffed his cap.
"Well, Gin'ral, I'm here," he said.

Sure, never a shell more rough and rude,
Covered a soul more brave and true,

And the General thought, "The Captain's right.
Yes, Jim O'Mera 'll do."

he orders were brief: "Ride parallel To the breastworks of the Yanks

And see if they're manned." O'Mera bowed And smote his good steed's flank.

He galloped amain, till parallel

The piled-up breastworks lay

Fully manned, he saw without thought of fear,
Not seventy yards away.

A cocking of rifles; a sudden flash,
And the forest rang again.

O'Mera escaped, but his horse was hit
And plunged and reared in pain.

Undaunted by the heavy fire,
O'Mera drew his rein,

And coolly fired his trusty gun
And then rode on again.

Ah, he rode for life! The foam on his horse
Was flecked with bloody red.
The breast works passed, the lines regained,
"They're there yit, Gin'ral," he said.

GRAVES OF OUR DEAD AT PERRYVILLE.

S. W. Peeples, Mackville, Ky., Oct. 17: As the graves of the 347 Confederate soldiers who fell at the battle of Perryville have never been enclosed, nor any monument erected to their memory, but are now covered with bushes, briars, etc., a gentleman, whose name I am not at liberty to use, proposes to be one of eight to give $25.00 each to enclose the lot with a stone wall. Mr. H. P. Battoms will give the stone and piece of ground, which will be deeded to the Confederate Veteran Association of Kentucky, and every cent shall go towards erecting the wall or be returned to the donor. Any amount will be gratefully received.

In a personal letter Mr. Peeples writes that the Union soldiers had a reunion there recently and that their dead were cared for in a National Cemetery. He wants to get the Perryville and surrounding country women to fix a day for decorating these graves each year. There are but few Confederate soldiers here, nearly all Federal, and concludes: I was too young to be in the Army, though I had three brothers there with Cheatham. I don't know a single soldier buried here, though I will look over their names the next time I go to Mr. Battom's, he has the names of some of them and the place where they are buried, and cut initials in a shingle and put over them where they buried them. I am an Itinerant Methodist preacher, member of Kentucky Conference. Am doing this as a labor of love. Every cent will be put on the graves. I have a church in one and a half miles of Cemetery. Wish we could put up a monument

Mr. Peeples refers strangers who may be interested, to Rev. John R. Deering, Harrodsburg, Ky.

ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON'S SON.

Griffin Johnston, youngest son of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, died in Los Angeles, Cal., recently, from hemorrhage of the brain, superinduced by a fall which he received a few days before. "He was an estimable and popular young man, and possessed an excellent legal mind." He leaves a widow and child.