Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 30.djvu/258

 250 Southern Historical Society Papers.

side who, like Field and Govan and many others, witnessed a good fight in behalf of the flag of the South and in the struggle for con- stitutional liberty.

Well may America, reunited, rejoice in this common heritage. No true citizen can look upon such exemplifications of heroism and fail to feel a thrill of satisfaction that they in common illustrated American valor.

[Prom the Richmond, Va., Dispatch, September 22, 1902.]

TALKS WITH GENERAL J. A. EARLY.

Valley Campaign and Movement on Washington.

SOME THRILLING INCIDENTS.

An Interesting Paper by Dr. Win. B. Conway, of Company C, 4th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry Excitement in Federal Capital.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:

General Early's Shenandoah yalley campaigns of 1864 were most remarkable in many respects, and many unsatisfactory reports come to us through Confederate histories concerning these campaigns.

I have read a few of these magazine articles from Federal officers giving their side of the question, and at times at variance with many things that came under my own observation, as well as what I have heard from General Early's own lips.

During the latter years of his life the general spent most of his summers at the Yellow Sulphur Springs, in Montgomery county, Va., and he was frequently accompanied by General Beauregard, the hero of the first battle of Manassas. The old general was very fond of recounting to others his campaigns and battles. I remember of meeting him on several occasions at the Yellow Sulphur, and would sit for hours listening, while he discussed with General Beauregard and other visitors at the Springs the plans and manoeuvres of his many battles, especially those about his valley campaigns. It was there that I met for the first and last time that accomplished daughter of the Confederacy, Miss Winnie Davis. The general turned to me