Memoirs of a Veteran Who Served as a Private in the 60's in the War Between the States: Personal Incidents, Experiences and ObservationsHermann, I. (Isaac)
History
Memoirs of a Veteran Who Served as a Private in the 60's in the War Between the States: Personal Incidents, Experiences and Observations
Hermann, I. (Isaac)
Confederate States of America. Army. Georgia Artillery. Howell's Battery; Confederate States of America. Army. Georgia Artillery. Martin's Battery; Confederate States of America. Army. Georgia Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861-1862); United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
rested there these forty six years.
On the eighth of May we were ordered to Mississippi. We went by the way
of Columbus, Ga., arriving there about three o'clock P. M. The ladies
had prepared a fine spread for us at the depot. The men were hungry.
Capt. F. G. Wilkins being mayor of the City, Mayor Wilkins was Captain
of the Columbus Guards, Company B, First Regiment, Georgia Volunteers,
and on his return home, after his severe experience of one year's
military service, he preferred civil service as more congenial to his
feelings. He was a brave and fearless soldier. At Carricks Ford, he and
twelve of his men got mixed in with the Yankees, who at that time wore
also grey uniforms. They were Ohio troops. Captain Wilkins on seeing
his dilemma, formed his men into line, then into column making them go
through evolutions, and manual of arms, and marched them to the rear,
and out of the Yankee columns without being suspicioned or receiving a
scratch. Such coolness is not often exhibited on a danger line, and
Captain Wilkins reached Monterey long before any of the Regiment did,
and saved himself and his men a great deal of hardship.
When alighting from the train and seeing all those good things prepared
for us, I at once took my position. A lady remarked, "Help yourself." I
took hold of a piece of fowl, and as I was about to take a bite, someone
struck me on the arm with such force that the piece of fowl dropped out
of my hand, and someone said, "Those things are not for you." It was
Mayor Wilkins. He was glad to see me, and said, "I have something better
for you, boys. How many of the First Georgia are here? Get them all
together and follow me." We were about a dozen of the old Washington
Rifles. He conducted us to a room where we met a committee of gentlemen.
After the usual shaking hands and introductions, we passed into another
chamber. I never beheld a more bountiful and artistically prepared
spread. Provisions arranged on a revolving table, shelved to a pyramid,
and loaded with delicious wines. In a corner of the room was a table
covered with case liquors of every description, and some fine cigars. I
was astonished, I had no idea such delicacies could have been gotten in
the whole Confederacy. We surely did enjoy the hospitality of that
Committee. Mayor Wilkins introduced me to a Mr. Rothschild, saying, "I
want you to take good care of him, he is a splendid fellow." Turning to
me he said, "Hermann, I want you to stay all night with this gentleman,
he will treat you all right." I said, "Captain Wilkins, I can't leave
camps without a permit, and myself and Captain Howell are not on such
terms as for me to ask him for any favors." "Well, I'll arrange that,
you come along." Captain Wilkins said to Howell, "I want Ike to go home
with my friend here," designating Mr. Rothschild. Captain Howell said,
"You'll have to be here by seven o'clock, A. M. The train will leave at
that time." Mr. Rothschild spoke up, saying, "I'll have him here on
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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