xt7bvq2s517c https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7bvq2s517c/data/mets.xml Austin, J. P. 1899  books b92-163-30098291 English Franklin Printing and Publishing Co., : Atlanta, Ga. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Personal      narratives, Confederate. Blue and the gray  : sketches of a portion of the unwritten history of the great American Civil War, a truthful narrative of adventure, with thrilling reminiscences of the great struggle on land and sea / by J.P. Austin. text Blue and the gray  : sketches of a portion of the unwritten history of the great American Civil War, a truthful narrative of adventure, with thrilling reminiscences of the great struggle on land and sea / by J.P. Austin. 1899 2002 true xt7bvq2s517c section xt7bvq2s517c 


















TINN

 



THE BLUE AND THE GRAY


  SKETCHES OF A PORTION OF THE
        UNWRITTEN HISTORY


                 OF TarE



 GREAT AMERICAN CIVIL WTAR



A TRUTHFUL NARRATIVE OF ADVENTURE
WITH THRILLING REMINISCENCES OF
       THE GREAT STRUGGLE


               ON"r


        LAND AND SEA



     By J. P. AUSTIN,
Of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, C. S. A.





       ATLANTA, GA.:
-The Franklin Printing and Publishing Co.
          I899.

 




































Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1899, by-
                   J. P. AUSTIN,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

 






















              TO THE

     SONS AND DAUGHTERS

              OF THE

UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES

  THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY
            INSCRIBED

                    BY THE AUTHOR.

 This page in the original text is blank.

 

PREFACE.



  The author of this little volume, having served in
the Confederate army from the inception of the war
till its close, covering the area from the Rio Grande
to the Atlantic, and from the Gulf to Virginia's
southern line, is in possession of many facts and
reminiscences which have escaped the notice of for-
mer writers when making up their pen-pictures of
the great Civil War, and which will furnish impor-
tant and interesting data for the future historian,
when a true and impartial record of the gigantic
struggle shall be written.
  At the earnest solicitation of many friends the
writer has been induced to present these sketches in
book form. In doing so, he has tried to avoid any-
thing sectional.  That feeling has long since or
should have passed away. Whatever tinge of bitter-
ness may have existed between the soldiers of either
army has all been forgotten and forgiven by them.
The old soldiers of both contendng forces meet,
mix and mingle at their annual reunions, and there
exchange friendly greetings.  Once a year they
gather, "the Blue" and "the Gray," around the
sacred mounds of their heroic dead, and, with bowed
heads and hands clasped in brotherly friendship,

 



spread garlands on the graves of their departed com-
rades.
  This book is not written by a General, to cover up
his blunders or underrate his rivals; it is simply a
plain, unvarnished statement of facts as they occurred
under the immediate observation of the writer, dur-
ing the four long and bloody years of "The War
Between the Slates."
  The author has avoided minute details of great
battles ill which he took a part, simply giving the
forces employed and the results.
  In launching this little bark upon the broad ocean
of literature no attempt at literary merit is claimed,
fully confident that a generous public will pass over
its defects, and, if the time occupied in its perusal
should prove interesting and profitable to the reader,
the author will feel amply compensated for the time
spent in its preparation.
                              J. P. AusTIN,
                  9th Kentucky Cavalry, C. S. A.



PREFACE.



VI


 


                     INDEX.



                   CHAPTER I.

Character of the Settlers of the Colonies. North and
  South-Presidents and Issues up to 1861-The North-
  ern People the Original Dis-Unionists-What Led to
  the " War Between the States."..  .....................  I

                   CHAPTER II.

Texas Secedes-On to the Rio Grande-Fort Brown-
  Federal Troops Evacuate-Authorship of "John
  Brown's Body Lies Moldering in the Ground"-My
  First Experience in War ..............................  7

                  CHAPTER III.

Life at Brownsville-An old Friend-A Mexican Beauty
-Federals Leave-An Affair of Honor-We Leave
Brownsville.......... ............................... 16,

                   CHAPTER IV.

Return to Galveston-Capture of Captain Chubb and
his Crew-Their Trial and Death Sentence-Mr. Davis
Gives Mr. Lincoln Notice and Prepares for Retalia-
tion-Chubb and His Men Released-Recruiting-Car-
ter's Brigade ......................................... 25.

                   CHAPTER V.

Join the Army of Tennessee-What I Saw-Concentra-
ting at Corinth-Assigned to Duty-Battle of Shiloh-
SidneyJohnston Killed-The Retreat-What it Cost.. 30.
                       (vi')

 




                  CHAPTER VI.

Join Morgan-Raid into Tennessee-Capture of Pulaski
-Made a Prisoner at Lebanon-Camp Chase-John-
son's Island-Incidents of Prison Life-Exchanged-
Horrors of the Trip Back to Dixie .................... 34

                  CHAPTER VII.

Land in Vicksburg-Forlorn Condition-My Faithful
Servant Meets and Consoles Me-Go to Jackson-Mor-
gan Gone to Kentucky-Efforts to Join Him-Form
Part of an Interesting and Pleasant Party-Colonel
Hundley's Diary-Bragg's Retreat-Bushwhackers-
Midnight Fight-Breaking up an Outlaw Band-Back
to Knoxville-Meet Morgan at Black's Shop ......... 45

                 CHAPTER VIII.

Back at Knoxville-Col. St. Ledger (;ranfel-Morale of
  Bragg's Army-Both Armies Preparing for Battle-
  Ninth Kentucky Cavalry Organized--Morgan's Mar-
  riage-Those  Pants-Into  Kentucky-Capture  at
  Bardstown-At M3uldrough's Hill-At Cynthiana-
  That Telegraph Operator .   .................... 61

                   CHAPTER IX.

At Mc3Iinnville-On Bragg's Flank-Morgan's Plan for
  Carrying on the War-Morgan as a Spy-Capture on
  the Lebanon Pike-" The Pathfinder "-His Heartrend-
  ing Story-Ordered to Bragg's Headquarters-Go to
  Chattanooga-My Friend, the Federal Officer, a
  Wounded Prisoner-I Minister to Him-His Exchange 69

                   CHAPTER X.

Capture and Escape-On Bragg's Flanks-Fourth Ohio
  Cavalry-Trading-Morgan a Good Spy-Lion-Catcher
  Caught-Poor Champ Ferguson-Our Women ........ 82



v Ill



INDEX.Y

 




                  CHAPTER XI.

Bragg at Chattanooga-Morale of the Army--Morgan
in Ohio-His Capture and Escape-Raid Into Ten-
nessee-Morgan Betrayed and Killed-Duke in Coin-
mand-"Cerro Gordo " Williams Sent into Tennessee-
Fight at Salt-Works-Our First Introduction to the
"Brother in Black" as a Soldier... ............  94

                  CHAPTER XII.

At Chattanooga-Letters-One from Mexico- Mail
Couriers-Rosecrans' Attempt to Flank Bragg-
He Evacuates Chattanooga-Battle of Chickamauga-
Missionary Ridge-The Retreat-Battle of Ringgold
Gap-In Winter Quarters-Thoughts on the Conditions
North and  South ......102.. ............... ... .  102

                  CHAPTER XIII.

Bragg Relieved-Johnston Succeeds Him-Rejoicing
among the Troops-Improvement in the Army-Condi-
tion of the Countty.     ................ ..... 118

                  CHAPTER XIV.

Suffering of the Soldiers-Attack on Tunnel Hill-On
Mill Creek Gap-Yanks Try to Catch the Old Weasel
Asleep, but Fail-Repulsed at Dug Gap-Also at
Snake Creek Gap-Johnston Evacuates Dalton and
Occupies Resaca-Fight at Resaca-At Farmer's
Ferry-Johnston at Cassville-Newv Hope Church-
Kennesaw-Death of General Polk-Atlanta-John-
ston Relieved-Sad Farewvell ........ .....   ......... 121

                  CHAPTER XV.

Hood Takes the Offensive-Attacks Sherman-Is Re-
pulsed-Pandemonium Reigns in Atlanta-Battle of
July 22d-Raid on Macon-Stoneman Captured-A
Regiment Escapes-Their Capture-Athens-A Grand
Ovation-A Ragged Private Our Orator ............... 131



INDEX .



IX

 

INDEX.



                  CHAPTER XVI.

Hood's Countermarch-Turns His Back on Sherman and
Moves on Tennessee-Sherman's Desolating March-
In Savannah-How We Subsisted- Wheeler's Last
Order-Defense of the Confederate Cavalry-Hood's
Disasters.............................. .............. 137

                 CHAPTER XVII.

Sherman's Proposal to Hill-Lincoln and the Commis-
sioners-Sherman Begins His March from Savannah-
Our Cook's Idea of Hong-Kong Goose and Rice . ..... 145

                 CHAPTER XVIII.

Sherman's Devastating March-Ruin in South Caro-
lina-Columbia Evacuated-The Wounded Tennes-
seean-Ladies in Distress-How I Aided Them-Colum-
bia a Mundane Hell-A Night of Horrors-My Federal
Friend Cares for My Lady Friend and the Wounded
Soldier ... ........................................... 152

                  CHAPTER XIX.

Evacuation of Charleston-The City an Indescribable
Wreck-Its Inhabitants in the Most Abject Destitu-
tion-Johnston Again in Command-His Army but a
Skirmish Line-Bentonville-The Surrender-Lincoln's
Death ................1................8.........   164

                  CHAPTER XX.

Visit to My Federal Friend-He Tells of Columbia-Mr.
Davis and Cabinet-That Specie Train-The Last
Cabinet Meeting-Mr. Davis Captured-Reflections.. 170

                 CHAPTER XXI.

Blockade Running-What Led to It-" Seminole" Chases
the "Susanna"-A Graphic Account-Captain Austin-
That Confederate Cotton .      .................... 178



,X

 




                 CHAPTER XXII.

,Captain Austin Captures the U. S. Transport " Fox"-
  The Rami "Manassas "-She Attacks the Blockading
  Squadron-Is Purchased by the Confederate Govern-
  nient ................................................ 188

                 CHAPTER XXIII.

Sketch of the Life of Captain Austin-His Escape from
  Fort Taylor-His Death............            195

                 CHAPTER XXIV.

Reconstruction-Carpet-Baggers and Scalawags-Their
  Infamy-Soldiers Good Citizens-Condition of the
  South-The Negro During the War .. ................ .201

                 CHAPTER XXV.

The " Bloody Shirt "-Who Built It and How-Not the
Soldiers Who Had Been in the Front-Longstreet-
Moralizings.......................................... 209

                 CHAPTER XXVI.

In New Orleans-The Mexican Beauty-My Federal
Friend-The Columbian Lady-The Wounded Tennes-
seean Left in Columbia-Truth Stranger than Fic-
tion-Marriage      ............ 215

                CHAPTER XXVII.

Destitution of the Confederates-Carpet-Bag Rule-
The Courts a Travesty on Justice-The Cotton Tax-
Its Effect-Recuperation under Trying Circumstances
-Lincoln's Warning-Shylock for Gold-Intrigues of
the Money Kings-National Banks-Breakers Ahead.. 222



INDEX.



Xi

 


                     Appendix


Jack Wills's Petition to Congress for Amnesty ...... ... 233
Conquered Banner .................................... 236
All Quiet Along the Potomac To-night .................. 237
Ninth of April, 1865 ................................. 238
The Bivouac of the Dead ............................... 240
Morgan's War Song .................................... 242
A Relic of the War Returned ........................ 243


 

    THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



               CHAPTER I.

CHARACTER OF SETTLERS OF THE COLONIES,
NORTH AND SOUTH-PRESIDENTS AND ISSUES
UP TO 1861-THE NORTHERN PEOPLE THE ORIGI-
NAL DIS-UNIONISTS-WHAT LED TO THE WAR
BETWEEN THE STATES.

  New England was settled by the Puritans, who
effected the revolution of 1620, and decapitated
Charles I.
  On the contrary the Southern Colonies were occu-
pied by a more loyal class. To the noble family of
Baltimore was granted, by royal charter, the province
of Maryland. To other staunch adherents of the
crowvn were ceded grants and privileges in Virginia,
North and South Carolina, and Georgia.
  George Washington was the first Federal magis-
trate. During his term the people divided into two
hostile parties, each striving for office, through the
profession of opposite principles.
  The New England States, led by John Adams,
advlocated the power of the Federal Government,
even to the straining of the Constitution. This was
the Federal party. The Southern States, led by
Thomas Jefferson, maintained the rights of the States.
against the Federal encroachments. This was the
Democratic party.
  In 1797 John Adams, of Massachusetts, was

 
2  THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



elected President. During his term the "alien and
sedition " laws were passed by the Federal Congress.
These enactments were opposed by the statesmen of
the South, since, in their opinions, they invested the
Executive with powers not conferred by the Consti-
tution, inimical to popular rights.
  The creation of a national bank was also a subject
of keen controversy. The public men of the North
sustained it with energy, while those of the South
opposed it as unconstitutional and of doubtful expe-
diency.
  In 1801 Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, was
elected President. During his term the New Eng-
land States showed a bitter animosity toward the
South, which arose, chiefly, from the South's having
put a limit to the slave-trade, in which those States
were profitably engaged. Therefore, when President
Jefferson proposed the purchase of Louisiana from
France, the Eastern States violently resisted, because
it increased the power and territory of the South.
  In 1805 Thomas Jefferson was re-elected to the
Presidency. His second term was troubled by the
war between England and France. The Berlin and
Milan decrees of Napoleon, and the orders in council
of the British Government. equally assailed American
interests. Our vessels, bound either to English or
French ports, incurred the danger of capture and
confiscation. This left but one alternative, either to
abandon our trade with Europe or go to war to pro-
tect it. To escape the latter Mr. Jefferson recom-
mended an " Embargo Act," to put a temporary stop
to all foreign trade. This was vehemently opposed



2

 
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



by the New England States, because their interests,
being chiefly commercial, were seriously damaged.
The "Embargo Act" was passed by Congress in
December, 1807, whereupon the Eastern States
threatened to secede from the Union and form a
Northern Confederacy. It will thus be seen that
they first recognized the right of a State to seede
from the Union and to declare their purpose to carry
it into practical effect.
  In 1809 James Madison, of Virginia, was elected
President. It was during his administration, May,
1812, that Congress declared war against Great
Britain.
  In 1813 James Madison was re-elected President.
During the war the government was supported by
direct taxes and requisitions upon the States. The
New England States refused, for the most part, to
contribute, thus again declaring State sovereignty.
  In 1817 James Monroe, of Virginia, was elected
President.  During his term the interests of the
country prospered; no struggle occurred between
the politicians of New England and those of the
South until 1820, when Missouri applied for admis-
sion into the Union as a slave-state. The Eastern
States opposed it violently, on the ground that it
would be extending slave-territory. The Union was
in danger of dissolution.
  In 1821 James Monroe was re-elected President.
During this term a new conflict arose between New
England and the South, on the subject of the tariff.
New England demanded more protection; the South
opposed it.



3

 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



  In 1825 John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts,
was elected President. During this term a heated
contest was carried on between New England and
the South on the tariff policy.
  In 1829 Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, became
President. During this term the extreme tariff
policy of New England led to violent remonstrance
on the part of South Carolina, whose interests were
seriously injured.
  In 1833 Andrew Jackson was re-elected President.
During this term the national bank question was
the issue.
  In 1837 Martin Van Buren, of New York, was
elected President. During this term great financial
disorder prevailed in the country.
  In 1841 William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, was
elected President. He died about a year after his ac-
cession to office, and the Presidency was then admin-
istered bv the Vice-President, John Tyler, of Vir-
ginia. During his term, a new slave-state, Texas,.
was admitted into the Union.
  In 1845 James K. Polk, of Tennessee, was inaug-
urated President. During this term, the Mexican
war was fought, by which the United States acquired
a large acquisition to her territory.
   In 1849 Zachary Taylor, of Mississippi, became
President, but died and was succeeded by Millard Fil-
more, Vice-President.  During this term, the ac-
quisition of new territory afforded the public men of
both sections, a fertile field for discussion.
   In 1853 Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, be-
came President. During his term, the discussion of



4

 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



the slavery question was renewed. A portion of our
Western territory (Nebraska) was divided into two
territories-one of these Kansas and the other Ne-
braska. The New England Emigrant Aid Society
was organized in 1854, for the purpose of securing
emigrants as settlers in Kansas; these men were all
armed with Sharp's rifles and Colt's revolvers. These
hostile bands and other bands of armed men from
the North and East invaded the territory, forcing the
Federal Government finally to interfere. The lead-
ers of the anti-slavery propaganda, having violated
the Federal prerogative by adopting a constitution
and establishing the machinery of a State govern-
ment, were indicted for treason and obliged to take
flight.
  In 1857, James Buchanan was inaugurated Presi-
dent. The whole of this term was disturbed by a
heated contest between the politicians of the North
and the South, on the subject of slavery in the terri-
tories.
  It is worthy of notice in this connection that
most of them knew but little of slavery and slave-
holders, beyond what they learned from excited, ca-
ressed and tempted fugitives, or from a superficial,
accidental or prejudiced observation. From distorted
facts, gross misrepresentation, and frequently ma-
licious caricatures, they had come to regard Southern
slave-holders as the most unprincipled men and
women in the universe; with no incentive but avarice;
no feeling but selfishness; and no sentiment but
cruelty.
  In October, 1859, an event occurred which amazed



5

 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



the whole country. I allude to the invasion of the
State of Virginia by John Brown at the bead of an
armed force. This man Brown had figured in " Bleed-
iDg Kansas, " as a daring ring-leader of an anti-slav-
ery band that had contested for the mastery there.
When these bloody contests subsided, he was re-
duced to inaction, and be chafed at the loss of the
stern excitement congenial to his fierce nature.
  Whether it was fanaticism or ambition that in-
spired him, no one can say. He conceived the horri-
ble project of setting on foot a servile insurrection.
Followed by a handful of desperate men, he suddenly
entered the State of Virginia, seized the arsenal of
the Federal Government, at Harper's Ferry, to obtain
the arms they needed; and raised the cry of " Free-
dom to Slaves." To his astonishment, no doubt, the
affrighted blacks ran to their masters for protection.
Some were shot while trying to escape. This ne-
farious attempt was quelled by the arrest of Brown
and his confederates; and their subsequent trial and
execution.
  On the 6th of November, 1860, the long agitation
on the slavery question, which began in 1803, ended
with the election of Abraham Lincoln, the represent-
ative of the Abolition, or Republican party, as Presi-
dent. Then the dreadful banquet of slaughter began,
which ended in the destruction of the most magnifi-
cent social fabric the world ever saw.



6


 

CHAPTER II.



TEXAS SECEDES-ON TO THE RIO GRANDE-FORT
BROWN-FEDERAL TROOPS EVACUATE-AUTHOR-
SHIP OF "JOHN BROWN'S BODY LIES MOLDERING
IN THE GROUND "-MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN
WAR.

  When South Carolina went out of the Union I
gave up all hope of any compromise or reconciliation
between the North and the South. At that time I
was a member of the Galveston Artillery, a company
composed of the first young men of the "' Island City."
It was commanded by Captain McCloud, an elegant
gentleman and a trained soldier. He was a gradu-
ate of the Military Academy at West Point.
  Texas, like the rest of the Southern States, on the
inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, in 1861, was thrown
into commotion from center to circumference. Seces-
sion was "rampant."  War was the cry.
  A convention was at once called to meet at the
capital of the State, with a view to taking the State
out of the Union. At the assembling of the conven-
tion the ordinance of secession was passed with but
one vote in opposition to the measure, and that came
from ex-Governor Throgmorton.
  When the tall form of the ex-governor arose and
he had proclaimed his vote a tumultuous explosion of
hisses greeted him from all parts of the lobby and
thronged galleries, where the beauty and chivalry of
the State had gathered to witness the scene of Texas
                      (7)

 
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



severing her connection with the Federal Union, and
assuming her original nationality, under the " Lone
Star," which flag at that time was floating from the
dome of her capitol.
  After the confusion had somewhat subsided the
gallant Texan addressed the chair; and turning with
a withering look in the direction from whence the
hisses came, with his arms extended, he proclaimed
in a voice that could be distinctly heard to the re-
motest corner of the hall: "l When patriot8 weep the
rabble hims." He further stated that since his State
stood isolated and alone, by the action of that con-
vention, as an independent republic, and war was in-
evitable, be asked how many would join him in her
defense 9 The ex-governor, to prove his loyalty to
his State, at once commenced raising a regiment.
A more gallant or heroic soldier never marched be-
neath the " Stars and Bars."
  General Sam Houston, that grand old hero, patriot
and statesman, was governor of Texas at the time
the convention assembled. He refused to ratify the
proceedings of the convention, on the ground that he
failed to see that separate State secession would ac-
complish the object sought; which, after an immense
sacrifice of blood and treasure, alas! proved to be
too true. For this act of supposed disloyalty to
his State, he was deposed as governor. From my
earliest recollections I have entertained an exalted
opinion of General Houston's political views; and,
in justice to the warm friendship that existed be-
tween himself and my family, I deem it just and
proper to define, just here, his position in regard to



8

 
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



the question of secession. He loved the old flag,
and was warmly attached to its associations.  It
was a trying hour to the hero of Sanjacinto (the re-
sult of which battle gave an empire to the South),
to see the banner he loved so well and followed so
successfully during the wvar of 1812, give place to
another. He was not alone in his regrets at parting
with the old standard, for many felt on that sad
occasion that the last cherished hope of perpetuat-
ing the Republic had gone. General Houston was
in favor of calling a convention of all the States,
made up of conservative and patriotic men from both
sections-not of demagogues and politicians-then,
after a full, fair and open presentation of all matters
in dispute, if an amicable adjustment could not be
reached, and war was inevitable, let the South take
the old flag and the Constitution of the United States
and declare for the principles of our fathers. It has
been conceded by some of our most thoughtful and sa-
gacious statesmen that, had such a policy been adopted,
the result would have been far different; but his
voice was not heeded.
  When that venerable statesman saw that a collision
between the North and the South could not be avert-
ed he retired to his plantation, where he remained in
quiet repose until just before the war closed, when he
died. His name will go down in song and story as
one of the most remarkable men, in many respects,
this country ever produced.
  After the proceedings of the convention were
known Texas was all ablaze, and steps were immedi-
ately taken to place her on a war footing.



9

 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



  About that time an expedition was organized at
Galveston with eight hundred State troops, under
command of Gen. E. B. Nichols, of Galveston, des-
tined for Brazos Santiago, to capture Fort Brown
and all the other military posts along the Rio Grande.
The Federal troops were being concentrated at Fort
Brown (Brownsville, Texas), by order of Gen.
Twiggs.
  I was a member of the Galveston artillery at that
time, which company had offered its services to the
State and had been accepted; and on the 16th day of
March, 1861, the command embarked on board the
steamship "General Rusk," of the Morgan line.
  I will here insert an article which appeared in the
Atlanta Constitution several years ago, which was
prompted by an incident which occurred on this
trip, and will explain, without the shadow of a doubt,
the true authorship of the song so popular at the
North during the war, " JOHN BROWN'S BODY LIES
MOLDERING IN THE GROUND ":
  Judge Robert L. Rogers, the efficient and faithful
Secretary of the Fulton County Confederate Vet-
erans' Association, says the Constitution, is daily
acquiring facts that will some day find their way into
the history of the late war.
  The judge was in a reminiscent mood, and among
other things said:
    " You all know that the famous song concerning
'John Brown's body' is generally a familiar air. It
used to be sung with great force by the soldiers in
our Confederate camps. Since the war it has been a
popular song in the South, often sung in theaters by



10

 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



minstrel troops to the cheers of crowded houses.
The origin of the song and the name of the author
or composer of it have recently come to my owv
understanding in a peculiar way.
  "1 A few days ago I met Colonel J. P. Austin, who
related the incidents to me and furnished to me the
verifying matter.  Colonel Austin was a distin-
guislhed soldier in the Confederate service.  He
served in the famous Texas Rangers. He is of that
celebrated family of Austins, who have made a great
name in Texas, where he formerly lived. The city of
Austin, the capital of Texas, bears its name in honor
of the family name. Col. J. P. Austin lives now in
this, Fulton county, about five miles south of At-
lanta. He has been here a good many years, and has
been separated from his regimental comrades ever
since the close of the war.
  " Advertising may often bring good and pleasant
results in other ways besides the special business for
which the advertising may be done. A few weeks
ago a little piece of newspaper used as wrapping for
a small parcel of goods came into the hands of
Colonel Austin.  Casually looking over it his eye
came upon a name which he had not seen nor beard
since the war, and yet it seemed at once to be famil-
iar in memory. The name was Theo Noel, and the
advertisement was of his business in Chicago as
assayer, geologist and metallurgist.  Taking the
address from that, Colonel Austin resolved to write
to him to inquire if he was the same Theo Noel
who soldiered with him during the wvar. He remem-
bered one by such name, but had had no tidings of
him since the war.
  " A few days ago a reply came. With it came a
clipping from the Chicago Tribune. Here are both
the reply of Mr. Noel to Colonel Austin and the
clipping reciting the facts concerning the song of
' John Brown's Body. "'



11

 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



  The letter from Mr. Noel to Colonel Austin reads:
  " CHICAGO, June 1.-Colonel J. P. Austin, South
Atlanta, Ga.: My Dear Sir and Old Comrade:-
Your letter of the 29th ultimo found its way to my
desk, where, upon an average, only one in a hundred
reach. You have located me aright. I was one of
the Davis Guard, and went from Galveston with you
on the old steamer Rusk, and afterwards served in
your company for six months as a Texas Rauger.
  "I enclose you herewith a letter I wrote to the
Chicago Tribune, which will explain itself, but which
I want you to return to me, for it is the only one
that I have left. This letter was published in many
other papers.
  "I have been away from   Texas for twenty-two
years. My home has been in Chicago. While oper-
ating in the mines of the Northwest I struck V. O.,
and I am no longer a miner. I was in Texas last
February for the first time in eighteen years. The
enclosed will explain all to you on that score, and
show you what I was doing there.
  " In San Antonio I met old colonel 'Rip' Ford,
who looks just as he did when he called us up on
our first parade in old Fort Brown, when, as you
will remember, the Mexican bands were playing
their national tunes on the opposite bank, while we,
poor devils of rebels, were standing under the Lone
Star flag, not even dipping our banners or presenting
arms to the three steamer loads of United States
soldiers passing by to the tune of ' Star-spangled
Banner.' I often recall this scene and think how
the last one of us devils should have been sunk in
the bottom of the ocean for driving from our land
that band of patriots, and trampling on the old flag
our fathers and forefathers made.
  " Well, old comrade, now that we have met, so to
speak, I wish to hear from you again, and shall surely



12

 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



esteem it the greatest pleasure of my life to have
you come and see me here in Chicago, as many of
my old comrades have. I know that we could spend
a week or more recalling our war experiences, as I
also know it would be a great pleasure to us both.
  " When you go to Atlanta again call on my old
friend, Rev. Sam Small, who has often visited me in
Chicago, and with whom I was connected down in
Texas for some years, and who is a personal friend
of mine.   Show him the enclosed letter which I
wrote to the Chicago Tribune, and tell him I want
it reproduced in the Atlanta Con8titution.
  " On the 30th ultimo I received from the ladies of
Texas sixteen boxes and baskets of flowers, which
were scattered over the graves of the 7,000 Confed-
erate soldiers buried at Oakwoods, who died at Camp
Douglass, in this city, and where, with about five or
six ex-Confederates in this city, we have erected a
grand monument.
  " Hoping to hear from you again and often, I am,
sir, yours truly,
                                "' THEO NOEL."
  The clipping from the Chicago Tribune to which
Mr. Noel referred, was:
"JOHN BROWN'S BODY," COMPOSED ORIGINALLY BY
                    A REBEL.
  "CHICAGO, September 21.-Editor Tribune:
  "The lines, 'John Brown's body lies moldering
in the tomi), But his soul goes marching on,' etc.,
were composed, written and sung by Charley Rees,
private in the Davis Guard,, on board the steamer
General Rusk, on the 16th day of March, 1861, be-
tween Galveston and Brazos Santiago. Seven hun-
dred and fifty Texas Rangers, made up in Galveston,
forming a part of General MacLeod's expedition
from Galveston to take the Rio Grande forts and the



13

 
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.



United States troops that had been concentrated at
Fort Brown, Brownsville, Tex., by order of General
Twiggs, were placed on the Harris  Morgan
Steamer, General Risk. While on the way speech-
making was the order of the day, and, if I mistake
not, it was Captain Austin, a descendant of the orig-
inal Texas Austins, who said in substance: ' Yes, it
is true, we have hung the inciter of insurrection, and
his body lies moldering in the ground, but let me
tell you his accursed spirit and soul marches on, and
unless we meet as becomes brave men, the abolition
hordes will,' etc. Whereupon the lines above were
written by Rees.
  " What has become of Rees I know not, but this
I do know, that, after serving with him for six
months at Fort Brown, the day we were mustered
out, September 10, 1861, by Colonel John S. Ford
('Old Rip,' as the Rangers called him), Rees showed
me the John Brown song, sent to him by a relative,
I think in Jersey City, rewritten and paraphrased to
do service in Northern camps, and the words, ' We'll
bang Jeff. Davis,' etc., added. If I am not mistaken
Rees went to Matamoras, Mexico, and from