The Sunday Globe

JUDGE J. J. WRIGHT
Of the Land Office Relates Interesting Experiences.

EARLY ASSOCIATION WITH LOGAN
Remarkable Coincidences—Ante Bellum and War Stories—The Fights in the House and Speakership Contest in which a Rabbi's Prayers Appeared to Have Reached Where the Others Failed to Connect.

Hon. John J. Wright, ex-Member of the House from Tennessee, was the youngest Member of the 34th Congress. He served in the 34th, 35th and 36th Congresses, and until the election of the late Gen. John A. Logan, was the youngest member.

Judge Wright, in speaking of the "Black Eagle of Illinois," to an attache of The Globe, said:

"I knew Logan well. We were fast friends. Both being Democrats, we were together very often. Logan was handsome, brave as a lion, and as true as steel. He was amiable, but always ready to resent an injury. He was an ardent admirer of Stephen A. Douglass. I was also an admirer of Mr. Douglass. On the day of the inauguration of President Lincoln, John A. Logan, Phillip B. Fouke, of Illinois; Wm. T. Avery, of Tennessee, and myself left the capitol together. Congress had adjourned, and we were preparing to go to our homes. We walked down Pennsylvania Avenue until we reached the corner of 6th street, where we stopped and took a parting libation. As we came from the capitol we discussed the situation, each giving a frank opinion. Logan remarked, as we were about to shake hands and part: 'Well, boys, I expect that the next time we meet it may be on the battlefield.' Avery replied: 'If we should meet thus let us agree to treat each other well.' This was heartily assented to by all. True enough, the next time I met Logan and Fouke was on the battlefield of Belmont, Missouri, each of them commanding a regiment under General Grant. I was commanding a regiment of Confederates under General Polk. Although the numbers engaged in that battle were small compared with subsequent ones, yet it was a hard contested battle. My position was on the extreme left of the Confederate line. My orders were to hold my position at all hazards. This I endeavored to do, and did until I was ordered to fall back toward the Mississippi River. I had hardly left my position when it was occupied by the Union troops, under my friend Logan. In the morning, just before the engagement reached my end of the line, I rode out some distance to the front with the surgeon of my regiment. We saw no troops, and were about to return, when the surgeon produced some brandy and asked me to take a drink. We sat on our horses and drank it. On the next day Colonel Logan sent me word by one of our men, whom he met under flag of truce, that he saw me plainly when the brandy was taken, and that his men wanted to fire on me, but he would not allow it. He knew me and did not want to injure me. He also jocularly said that he wished that he could have had some of the brandy.

When I retreated from the field I was on foot, my horse having been fatally wounded and myself injured by the fall. Logan sent me word that he was much surprised to see me run so well.

My regiment moved up the river and took part in the second fight. In this part of the fight the Union troops retreated toward their transports and gunboats.

Another singular coincidence took place. My brother, Marcus J. Wright, who was also in command of a Confederate regiment, saw a Federal officer on horseback in full retreat. The men levelled their guns and were about to shoot, when they were ordered not to fire, because Colonel Wright did not wish to have his position discovered, as he would lie directly under the fire of the gunboats. This officer was Colonel Fouke. He safely landed on the boat, and inquired what troops were immediately on the route over which he had passed. He was told that it was the regiment of Colonel Wright, of Tennessee. He took it to be myself, and attributed it to personal regard for him. If it had been me I would have acted in a similar way. Col. Fouke died with the belief that it was I who saved his life. Though I met him after the war I did not tell him that it was my brother instead of myself who ordered the men not to fire.

The personal relations existing between Gen. Logan and myself were such as to cause me to watch his career with much interest. Taking his life as a whole, it was one of unequalled success. He rose rapidly as a soldier until he was a central figure in all military circles. He was, before the war, an ardent Democrat, but not more ardent than he was a Republican at its close. In the heat and passion existing between political parties, just preceding the war, I remember to have seen him involved in exciting controversies almost amounting to personal conflicts.

"Do you remember any of these conflicts, Judge?"

"Yes. I remember some of them. I saw the affair on the floor of the House which took place between Galusha A. Grow and Lawrence M. Keith. I knew both of these gentlemen, and I have always believed that neither of them expected or desired personal conflict. I do not think that Mr. Keith intended to insult Mr. Grow, but I think Mr. Grow understood that Keith did so intend, and, both being excited, the fight was the result. This produced great excitement on the floor of the House, and resulted in several fights. Indeed, at one time it seemed that the fight might become general. Barksdale, of Mississippi, and Washburne, of Illinois, both men of great physical strength and courage, encountered each other. The former was killed at Gettysburg, and the latter died a few years ago. This Washburne family is a very remarkable one in our country's history, in some respects. At one time during my service in Congress there were three brothers, all representing districts at the same time: Elihu, from Illinois; Israel, from Maine, and Cadwalader, from Missouri. Another exciting occurrence was the fight between Burton Craig, of North Carolina, and Hinton Rowan Helper, of the same State, the author of the celebrated book, 'The Impending Crisis,' which created much comment at that time. Helper came into the House and took a seat by Craig, and inquired of him as to certain statements, alleged to