The Syracuse Journal, Volume 5, Number 11, Syracuse, Kosciusko County, 11 July 1912 — Page 2

The Syracuse Journal GEO. O. SNYDER, Publisher. Syracuse, . . - Indiana PROPER TRAINING FOR YOUTH Some Really Pertinent Suggestions by « One Who Is an Expert on the Subject. The New York papers were full a few days ago with the case of a shopkeeper arrested for beating a boy tormentor. The court declared that he would like to hear the opinions of a number of people as to the proper punishment for the man, and Immediately hundreds of letters began to pour in upon editors. A great many of the letters showed far more sympathy with the man than with the boy, declaring that bad boys “pestered” the very life out of some people, and that some of them ought to be “boiled in oil.” These cheerful proposals are answered by James P. Munroe, the well-known educator of Boston, whose latest book, . New Denaands in Education, has just been published. In one of the most interesting chapters, entitled The Donning of Long Trousers, Mr. Munroe outlines some of the peculiarities of the hobbledehoy just coming into manhood. , “As to those extremely disagreeable & qualities in youth,” he says, “his selfassertiveness, his arrogance, his scorn of his teacher and of everybody else, cantankerousness. These sharp cor-ner-stones of his character which we builders would so like to reject may be made, on the contrary, the very head of the corner in the boy’s education. For it is these qualities which will most quickly respond to any moral appeal. If that appeal be wrongly made, these qualities will all rise up in rebellion against it; if it be rightly made, every one. will be a stout ally to make the work of the teacher fruitful and enduring. If the, boy show the self-assertion which he calls manliness, then let him prove himself a man by cultivating really manly qualities. If he love argument, argue with him, but in the Socratic manner, so that he may prove out of his own mouth the truth. If he would be masterful, overbearing, pugnacious, put him in charge of weaker or smaller boys, making him responsible for their safety and right doing. Unknown to him thfise wards of his will protect him far more than be will them." Sound Dramatic Sense. Among the stories told by Arnold Bennett during his American tour was one about a . young actress. “Two men, just before her debut, were discussing this young actress’ future,” Mr. Bennett said. “The first man remarked thoughtfully: “ T believe her stage career will be extraordinary. She has a most remarkable dramatic sense.’ j “‘Yes?’ said the other man. ‘And 'how does sense display i itself?’ “ ‘Well,’ replied the other, ‘it displays itself best, perhaps, in a series of dinners, at $4 a plate, that she has been giving week by week to all thedramatic critics .and theatrical correspondents.’ * Japanese Persistence. Q Wakao Ippel, the wealthiest man in the province of Yamanashi, Japan, did not learn to read until he was sixty years of age, nor had he up to that time begun to accumulate his present great fortune. At the age of ten he started to make his own way in the /world. At one time he was a ragpicker. His first real business venture was the purchase of crystal balls, which sold at a good profit. As he grew in wealth he entered the silk field, In which most of his money was made. After reaching the age of sixty he engaged a tutor in Chinese classics, which study he pursued until his ninetieth year.—Argonaut. Fossil Camels. '• The first fossil camels ever found Intact in America are being set up in the Carnegie museum in Pittsburg, and curious little animals they are, being not touch larger than greyhounds, ywitb slender legs and long necks. > These skeletons were clothed with -flesh ages ago and existed in the Nlo-> ibrara valley in western Nebraska, ■where Profesor O. A. Peterson of the *Camegie museum and Dr. F. B. Loomis of Yale university found them. These fossil camels are said to be the remote ancestors of the modern camels and dromedaries of Arabia and Africa and of the American llama. Not of the Earth. Douglas Fairbanks of the “Officer <566” company was watching a grand opera rehearsal conducted by his r friend, Signor Toscanini, when a wellknown prima donna reported nearly an hour late. Signor Toscanini rebuked the songstress who spiritedly replied that she was a star and would report whenever she pleased. “Madame,” replied the conductor, “there are no stars except in heaven.” —lndianapolis News. Conversational Singing. Two of the churches in Wellington are located close together and recently while someone was passing between the two churches on prayer meeting night he heard this spirited dialogue in song: The congregation of one church was singing: “Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown, when at even the sun goeth down?" And the congregation of the other church, apparently answering the question, were singing: “No, not one; no, not one.”—Kansas City Star. • Starting In Business. Pretty Miss —Is this the license bureau, please? Clerk —Yes, ma’am. Pretty Miss —Well, I’ve just finished jay first book of poems and I want to take out a poetic license.—how much will it be?—Judge. The Peaceful sabbath. Huband —Has your morning paper eome yet? Wife—l think so. There’s a noise tm the piazza that sounds like a Sun- • day supplement.—Herpes’s Bazar.

_■ ■ - .. — ■ ... . — — — Reformed Bandit is A Office

T six-shooter and black mask to briefs, motions I and pleadings. Such Is —, the record of "Al” Jennings. erstwhile bandit, soldier of fortune and ” Ww terror of the. express companies in the Oklahoma territorial days. Jennings made amends to society long ago. He was captured by the man hunters and sentenoed to life imprisonment in the Federal prison at Columbus, O. President Roosevelt pardoned him after Jennings had served two years. Then Jennings came back to Oklahoma and began the practice of law in Oklahoma City. Now he is making a brilliant campaign for the Democratic nomination for county attorney of his home county. In announclnig his candidacy he issues a remarkable statement in which he acknowledges the sins of his past and tells of his hopes for the future.

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Twenty years ago Jennings was the leader of a band of desperadoes who looted trains in broad daylight and eluded posses and United States marshals with ease. In October, 1897, he robbed his last train, a Rock Island passenger, near Mince, Okla. He was betrayed by a comrade, hunted across the state; doubling and turning like a fox, beating off his prusuers in desperate conflicts, he wes finally captured and sent to Federal prison. He has had a remarkable career. Born in Virginia, he was educated for the bar at West Virginia university, later emigrating to the Indian Territory. The murder of a younger brother under peculiarly fiendish circum-. stances made him an enemy of all society. He turned outlaw, robbed banks, trains and express offices. For years he was a thorn in the flesh of the territorial authorities. “Beau Brummel” of the outlaws was the* nickname given him because of his unfailing courtesy while holding his victims helpless under the muzzles of a pair of six-shooters. He was such a bandit as Robin Hood, giving away today what his band had risked their lives for yesterday. His cunning and shrewdness saved his followers from death and capture on many occasions. On a hot July day In the nineties Jennings was leading his outlaws in a dash for safety through the Osage reservation. They were eating dinner at a ranch house when the rancher ran into the room speechless with fright. He whispered to Jennings that a posse of heavily armed marshals were outside demanding dinner. They were at the gate, hardly 100 feet away from the door. There was not a tree in a mile. If the officers came in a bloody fight would ensue. Jennings was afraid of a stampede and a running conflict The rancher was afraid his wife and children might be killed. The outlaw leader sat quietly at the table. “Pass the soup, please," said Jennings in a matter-of-fact tone. The tension was broken. His men slipped back into their ’seats, keeping their hands on their guns. Jennings got up, looked out at the Impatient officers and said to the rancher: “Go out and tell those boys that they can’t get any dinner here today. Tell them so they will understand it” - “Those boys” understood. Ths rancher made it very plain to them that Jennings’ band was inside and every man in the posse was covered by a gun. They rode on. As soon as they were out of sight the outlaws slipped into the corn fields and continued their flight. They knew the officers, were close behind. Early in the afternoon they crossed the Arkansas river into Pawnee coun-

His Love Was Deep Rooted

Sad Story of the Ferryman Whose Affection Had Been Rejected for a Rival. Ely Moore, Jr., told a story several years ago at a Lecompton old settlers’ reunion. Moore came to Kansas in 1854. He told of crossing the Kaw river near Lecompton on a ferry. His story of the ferryman was very interesting, but his little recount of the ferryman’s love affair was more so. “After reaching a dry spot on the north bank,” said Mr. Moore, “I asked the ferryman my indebtedness. “ ‘Wall,’ he said, as he reached for some ripe mulberries above his head, ‘about the smallest gold shiner in your weasel skin, say two and a half.’ “I gave him >2.50 and was about to mount my horse when he caught me by the arm, saying: ‘Stranger, bide with me for a spell.’ “‘Why?’ I asked. “Tm billing over for a talk; hain’t had a word with rto man for moons.’ i

1111 l \ irSMiwi wrm ifir

FORMER BANDIT’S ANNOUNCEMENT I

“In announcing myself as a candidate for county attorney of Oklahoma county (subject to the Democratic primaries on August 6, 1912) I beg to say that It Is not without mature and serious thought that I have done so. “I have thought over ’ all that might be objectionable. I have raked through the gray ashes of the past. I have taken a retrospective glance Into the dark recess of days that are gone, and I am willing that God's sunlight be turned full upon every act of my past life. “I never wittingly Received anybody; I never betrayed a trust or violated a confidence, and I would

ty, and Jennings’ quick wit alone saved them from annihilation in the river bottoms. The corn was tall enough to shield the bandits who followed a wagon trail through the field. Near the edge of the field Jennings’ quick eye saw a wide mark in the dust of the road. He took it as a friendly warning, and after some argument the band wheeled and rode off through the corn rows to a timbered hill. They hid there until late afternoon. Just about sundown one of the bandits looked off toward the river and exclaimed: “Well, what do you think of that?” There was the posse recrossing the river to the Osage side with the sun glittering on their rifles. Later Jennings learned that the warning mark had kept him from riding straight into an ambuscade where “Bud” Ledbetter, deputy marshal, and a dozen heavily armed possemen were waiting. The first volley would have emptied every outlaw saddle. This was all in a day’s work for the slim young bandit, who long ago gave up outlawry to take up the profession that was then busy hunting him down. He was attorney for the defense in the recent trial of the Craven’s gang at Guthrie. Oklahoma is beginning to forget the train robber and think of Jennings altogether as a lawyer. Jennings went adventuring in South American republics years ago. He met O. Henry, that O: Henry whose real name was Sidney Porter, down in one of the “banana republics.” Jennings was a fugitive at ]the time, but he later went back to his “long riding” to the robbing of banks and trains and his hide-and-seek with the officers. Years afterward he and O. Henry renewed their friendship, and Jennings spent much time in New York with the short-story writer. “Al” Jennings first practiced law

“For more than an hour, as I sat by his side, he rehearsed to me the events of his life. Much of it was pathetic, some jocular in the extreme. The recitation of his love affair with an Indiana girl should be dramatized. To refrain from an outburst of mirt|i when he reached the epoch of his dea) - Mandy’s declination of his name\jnid arms was a struggle indeed! ““‘William,’’ she lisped, “when I said Yes to you uns, I were plum in earnest. But when I say No to you uns I are plummer. William, I are anchored to another feller.” ’ “When this climax was reached In his rehearsal he seemed to live over again the moment of his rejected love. His tears found avenues of escape through the wrinkles in his bronzed and battered cheeks, and articulation failed him for a moment; then, placing his hand in mine and removing his tattered title from his head in deference to his dear Mandy, he exclaimed: ‘Mister, she was the honeyest peach J:

not deny the truth of my past for any office within the gift of the people. “I would rather have my record in its blackest hue than to be pointed out as a public “grafter," official “crook" or embezzler, who had violated his oath and prostituted the trust imposed upon him by the people. “If the people are willing to confide to my care the office of county attorney of Oklahoma county I pledge my word and honor that I will send the merf who have embezzled your money and violated their oaths of office to the penitentiary. AL. J. JENNINGS."

in Canadian county, Okla., where he was county attorney for one term. This was in the first years of his life in the southwest. It was after this promising start in the west that he became a bandit. Now that he has entirely given up his old companions and his love for outlawry, he hopes to get back into the harness of the law. OBJECT OF ENVY. A deep sigh of sorrow broke from the lips of little Freddie. “I wish,” he said, plaintively, “1 wish I wuz Billy Smith.” His mother was astonished—shocked. “Why, Freddie?” she asked. “Billy Smith none of the nice things you have. He doesn’t get any pocket money, and he isn’t as big as you, and he’s not nearly so strong. His father never buys him presents or—” “Yes; I know all about that,” said Freddie. “But—” , “And then look what a nice home you have, and nice books, and you never have to go out when it’s cold and wet to carry papers, and—” “Yes, I know that,” said Freddie, irritably, annoyed at his mother’s strange lack of sympathy and understanding. “But Billy kin wiggle his ears, and I can’t.”—Answers. Outside Assistance. Patient (a sportsman who has been badly peppered)—But, hang it all, doctor, since the accident I’ve gained two pounds! Doctor —Ah, but you forget the amount of shot you received in your back. —Tattler. Quite Futile. He never does deceive his trow. And here’s the reason why: She doesn't trust him, anyhow, And there’s no use to try.

that ever blossomed along the Wabash—she were.’” —Kansas City Journal. Extraordinary! “What became of that little kitten you had?” asked a visitor of the small boy. “Why, haven’t you heard?” “No; was it drowned?” “No.” “Lost?” “No.” “Poisoned T‘ “No.” - “Then, whatever did become of it?” said the visitor. “It growed up into a cat,” was thq reply. Women Lawyers In China. Several ladies have asked General Li to establish a woman's law school in order to promote the political education of women as a preliminary step to giving them a voice in the parliament. It is reported that General Li has told them that the time is not yet ripe for women to learn law.— Peking Daily New*. V

CODIFY ODD TONGUES; I Biloxi and Ofo Languages Now t Scientifically Arranged. ’ t i Bureau of American Ethnology of ( Smithsonian Institute Issues New j Dictionary Accompanied by Texts of Folklore Stories. i l 'Washington.—The bureau of Amer- 1 bwn ethnology of the Smithsonian In- 1 ■tttutlon has issued a dictionary of * the Biloxi and Ofo languages, accom- J panled by texts of a number of stories < ambodying mythology and folklore of 1 the two tribes. This volume is large- 1 ty the result of painstaking investigation and study on the part of the late Rev. J. Owen Dorsey, to which Dr. John R. Swanton of the bureau has added the Ofo material, besides arranging and editing (from the linguistic > point of view) the entire work. The Biloxi formed part of the Siouan ■ group of tribes and the Ofo were ■ imeng the tribes of the same stock, being most closely related linguistically 1 to them. Neither in size nor in the position occupied in history are the Biloxi of importance; yet from many points of view their history has roman- 1 tic interests. The first mention of the Biloxi was by Iberville, in 1699, when he established a permanent settlement in Louisiana, and it was after this tribe that the first capitals of Louisiana were 1 named. Old and New Biloxi. When first known to white men, the Biloxi lived in a small village on the Pascagoula river, several miles to the eastward of Pascagoula bay. In about 1702 or 1703, they were forced to move to a small bayou back of the site of the present New Orleans, but between 1722 and 1730 returned nearer to their former dwelling place. They seem to have been a quiet, unobtrusive people, and have received tittle attention in history, yet it is known that they shifted their abode from time to time. In 1874 they were found west of the Mississippi and gradually became more and more disorganiaed and scattered, until in 1908 only six or eight of the tribe could be located. Like the Biloxi, the Ofo, asually known in history as Offagoula, or Ofogoula, are first mentioned in Iberville’s journal of his expedition to the mouth of the Mississippi in 1699. They were then located on the right bank of the river, about four or five miles from its mouth, in close proximity to five other tribes. Being only a small tribe, the Ofo were forced to move up and down the river until 1758, when Governor De Kerlerec reported them as the remains of a fairly numerous nation, established at Natchez, near the fort to which they lent their united aid in times of strife, although numbering only 15 warriors. In 1784 the remnant of this tribe was reported as having a small village of a dozen warriors located on the west bank of the Mississippi a few miles above Point Coupee. As far as the editor is aware as late as 1908, only one member of this tribe remained, who lived near Marksville, La., with a remnant of the Tunica tribe. It was from this survivor that the Ofo words recorded in the dictionary were obtained. The Biloxi texts form an interesting roll ection of stories some of which are already known from different sources, while others are recognized as pure American from their similarity to old negro superstitions and tales. For example, the story of the rabbit and .the Frenchman is parallel to the familiar story of ‘Brer’ Fox and Breri Rabbit,” ahd their comical doings with the “tar-baby,” by “Uncle Remus.” This story, it is held, was borrowed from rhe negroes by the Indians, modified and eventually adopted by them. There is a little story in regard to the origin of the opossum’s lying and deceitful nature. It seems that at one time an opossum, known as the Ancient of Opossums, who had been the sole possessor of the hunting ground on the shores of a pond, found one morning that some unknown animal had passed along before him and devoured all the crayfish to be found on the shore. After some time he met his rival hunter who turned out to be the Raccoon. Realizing that they both desired the same feeding ground, they Rgreed to see which would rise the sooner and go around the pond securing the spoils for breakfast The Ancient of Opossums, however, overslept and when he arrived at the pond found that the Raccoon had completed the course, eaten all the crayfish and was on his way home to rest. When the Raccoon told of his exploit the Ancient of Opossums said that he also had eaten, and being very tired, was likewise going to rest The Indians say that since that time the opossum has always been a liar and to this day he deceives the hunter by pretending to be dead. HIS MEMORY OF HOBSON. Representative Hobson of Merrysmack, Jap war scare, Chautauqua pint form and other fans, was riding toward Washington the other day, so the story goes, when a stranger accompanied by a small boy, who got on the train at Cleveland, sauhtered over to him and inquired: “You’re Captain Hobson, aren’t you?” “Yes,” admitted Hobson. “W6U,” said the man, “if you have no Objection, I’d like to introduce my boy to you. I think it would help him with his American history to meet a real war hero.” So the Alabama congressman obligingly acquiesced. “And npw,” the fond father asked the* boy, “let’s see if you can remember what it was that Captain Hobson did.” “I know,” asserted the lad. “He's the guy that blowed up the Maine.” PUZZLING TO FOREIGNERS. The mayor of Washington is a composite personage, two civilians and one engineer officer from the army, all appointees of the president of the United States. This arrangement is very plain to the natives, but has frequently proven immensely puzzling to distinguished foreigners to whom the burgomaster is of huge importance. In

the division of labor, connected with ( the District government, the army engineer naturally fall* heir to the task of keeping Washington one of tbs most beautiful cities in the world. The regime of the present incumbent, Maj. Voorhees Judson, will always be identified with the changing of the street lights with the result that Paris, in its wonderful Place de la Concorde, nor Berlin and theUnter • den Linden, does not present a more perfect and artistic system. Maj. and Mrs. Judson have been living in Washington but little more than three years, but few have made more friends or have more sincere admirers. They came after a residence of eight years in San Juan, Porto Rico, where the major was in charge of the sanitary operations and the improvement of the harbor in that ancient city. PENSIONS SPOIL MARRIAGES? Representative George Konig of the Third Maryland district, who “is married and lives with his wife,” according to his own biography in the congressional directory, does not believe in May and December weddings. He believes the giddy young wife and the old man of 60 or 80 odd years cannot live happily together. This is one of the reasons why the Honorable George was opposed to the dollar-a-day pension bill “Why, the country should do everything possible to make these old soldiers happy,” said Representative Konig the other day. “It should guard them tenderly and truly. “Now, by giving them a big pension it just makes life miserable for them. It just puts it into the minds of a lot of young women to marry these old men so that they may enjoy their pensions. They marry them. The old men die, the, charming young widows keep on getting the pension and after they die their children get it after them. It is an easy life for them, and the country pays the bill. “Now these spring and winter weddings are not good for the old men. They are never happy. In fact, such marriages are h for old men. Poor, weak things. The women boss these old soldiers, lead them about by a string, and wait day by day for them to die. It is awful. “The country should do nothing to encourage them. Big pensions cause most of these weddings.” BABY WILEY NOT A BIGAMIST. John Harvey Wiley is not to be ' a bigamist That much was settled the other day when Dr. Wiley declined him for an offer of marriage from Miss Ruth May Harrison of Chicago, born May 10, and made through her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry P. Harrison. Dr. Wiley announced the engagement of the “pure food baby,” just one week old, at the graduating exercises of the Columbia School of Nurses. He stated that the formal request for the hand of his son had been made by Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Allen of Lexington, Ky„ in behalf of their infant daughter, Miss Mabel Allen. In declining the proposal from Chicago, Dr. Wiley replied: “Regarding the proposal of marriage made in behalf of Miss Ruth May Harrison, my son wishes me to say for him that he feels honored by the interest the- young lady takes in his future welfare. ( “Unfortunately, however, he requests we to say that the laws of the country are particularly severe on bigamists. Before receiving this very complimentary proposal, the young gentleman had accepted a similar one from a Blue Grass belle of tender years. “He asks me to request that his name be still kept in mind by Miss Ruth in case the Blue Grass belle. Miss Mabel, should develop a degree of fickleness which in later years might result in canceling the engagement” Strike Brought Rabbi to Time. An unusual form of strike has taken place at Sochaczow, a village in Russian Poland. The population is almost exclusively Jewish, and a new rabbi, who found his congregation too frivolously inclined, forbade the holding of dances in the place altogether. A deputation of young women waited on him and demanded that this pro- r hibition should be withdrawn, but the rabbi remained unyielding. All the marriageable girls of the place thereupon held a meeting and resolved unanimously not to wed until dancing was allowed again. For two months there were no marriages in Soehaczow, until at length the rabbi gave way. Silenced a Knocker. A Salvation army officer was taking up a collection on the street. One man was heard to say, as he dropped in a dime, “Here’s ten cents for the grafters.” “You don’t believe there’s any graft in the Salvation army,” qußkly rejoihed the woman. “How do you know?” the man asked her. “Because you would be in the army yourself if you did,’* was the sharp reply. And the man had the grace—and the humor —to laugh-—Youth’s', Companion. Fashionable Gift of the Moment. The fashionable gift of the moment is a homely brown earthenware teapot—one of those shiny ones that make such incomparable tea. Its inexpensiveness is counteracted by the addition of a gold monogram or a silver case. Merit, you see, tells in the long run against beauty and riches. The little ugly brown teapot excels all competitors in gold, silver, and costly china, and probably laughs at the grand gold mcmogram with which pride adorns it Net Used to Real Milk. . An Albany maid once said to her mistress in those past days: “Madam, there’s something radically wrong with this here milk. A very . thick yellow scum has gathered on , the top of it I’m afraid it’s spoiled.” “Where were you brought up? - smiled the mistress, as she regarded i the rich coat z of cream that had form- • ed upon the'milk over-night “In New York,” answered the maid. , “I thought as much,” said the mist tress quietly.

AND WAR* FIGHTING AT FORT STEDMAN - - • One of First Regiments to Charge Enemy Was 208th PennsylvaniaStirring Activities. Your description of the battle of: Fort Stedman, March 25,1865, prompts memory of the stirring activities of the early morping hours of that day. I have a letter from a comrade who stated: “After reading the two last - 4 issues of The National Tribune on the Fort Stedman fight one would suppose that our brigade was not in it,” etc. You, of course, could< not cover the many interesting details, and tor this reason I will make some amplification which will probably Interest comrades, writes Miles C. Huyette of Buffalo, N. Y., in the National Tribune. The_2oßth Pennsylvania was on the Bermuda Hundred front—under Butler In the Eighteenth Corps—from late in x August, 1864, until late In October, 7 when we were relieved by a brigade of ■ • j. “Form Your Company.” colored troops from the Ninth Corps, and we crossed to the south side of the Appomattox river, and formed a part of Hartranft's Division, Ninth Corps. Our winter quarters were in a depression a little north of the Avery House, division headquarters. The night tof March 24-25 was foggy and damp. The smoke' of smouldering campfires hung low; all night long the usual crackle of the muskets of the pickets kept up, punctuated with an occasional “hee-haw” of the army mules. We slept fully clothed About 4:30 a. m. I was awakened by an occasional cannon shot, more intense crackle of musketry—nearly volley firing—and the rebel yell. I thought best to get ready for trouble, and, without waking my messmates, ■ I took the three canteens and went to, a low spot 4n the swale, where we had a pork barrel sunk in the mud, and filled the canteens with water. When I returned to the hut a mounted officer or orderly (tn the darkness I could not determine which) galloped by from division headquarters, and as he passed shouted: “Form your company, and double-quick for Fort Stedman. Don’t Walt for anybody.” The company /B) was quickly formed, and we started for the fort. To the left rear of Fort Haskell we ran into the rebel skirmishers. We then lay down and began firing. Our line was nearly at right angle to our main line of works and our left about 100 yards to the rear of Fort Haskell. Mortar shells were dropping, by the ton, at an angle from the left, and shrapnel from the same general direction; minie balls fend, later, canister, from our own cannon, which had been captured at Fort Stedman and turned on us, from the front. Fort Haskell was a rim of fire to the north and west. In the darkness we could not determine if or not the foe was in possession of Fort Haskell. As daylight approached a slight air movement made a rift in the pall of smoke over Fort Haskell, and we could see Old Glory waving from Its ramparts. It looked good, and, oh how we’ did cheer! The starry flag, never before looked so good. It is a matter of official record that the 208th Pennsylvania was the first • egiment to charge the line of the enemy, and cleared the rebels out of our line from Fort Haskell to Fort Stedman, recapturing Batteries 11 and 13 and capturing 350 prisoners. Scott 'ckert (Go. B) was the first man back Fort Stedman, and he was followed by" the right of our regiment. The order to “charge” reached Lleut.-Col. Heintzelman 15 to 20. minutes after we had regained fnll possession of the works. When the order to charge was given I was on my knees, opening a box of ammunition. Many of the men were out of cartridges and were taking from cartridge boxes of the wounded and dead. Your description of the close and deadly fighting does not paint the word-picture as red as conditions justified. It was the first place I saw footprints of men in puddles of human blood. Blood was on my boots when the fighting ended. It was hell! When we gained full possession of the works firing ceased. The muzzles of the guns in Fort Stedman. were not 200 yards distant from their main line of works. W« had a picket line about half distant, and had crowded their picket line into their works. When we gained full possession of the works firing ceased, and the rebels put up a flag of truce, to gathei their wounded from between the lines. As quickly as the smoke lifted we dropped our guns and held up haver' sacks and started for our picket line to “swap rations for tobacco.” Rebel officers standing on their works motioned and shouted: “Go back to your works. We will open fire.” We replied- "Shoot.’ We want Preparatory for the spring campaign all sutlers had been ordered to the rear at City Point, and we were out of tobacco.