Franklin County: "Complimentary," by Unknown, January 1, 1915
Summary: In 1915, Kauffman's Progressive reprinted this article--originally published in 1862--written by some of the volunteer militia men who were called to Pennsylvania to protect against invasion, which describes the good deeds citizens of Greencastle performed for the volunteers.
Among the many fine things said by our contemporaries, in regard to the hospitality extended by our people to the volunteer Militia-who rushed to arms so promptly to defend our border-we find the following elegant compliment in the Western Star, published at Beaver, Pa. The entire sketch of the campaign, written by the editor-O. S. Long-is so interesting that we are sorry we have not the space to publish it entire:
"But, before leaving Greencastle, it is fitting that we speak of the kindness of the people manifested to us in various ways, every where we were welcomed and treated with much courtesy and respect.
"Numerous instances of grateful benevolence came under our observation and there was scarcely a man in our company, at least, who was not the recipient of some mark of favor from the inhabitants during our stay in the vicinity of Greencastle.
One or two examples I will mention. On Sunday night, after, our weary march from Hagerstown, six tired and hungry soldiers went to the town, hoping to he able to purchase at one of the taverns, a supper something better than could be had in camp. They went together from one tavern to another, receiving everywhere the declaration that nothing to eat could be obtained. Dispirited and almost sick, they were about to return disappointed to the camp, when as a last resort, they entered the back yard of a private dwelling and stated their wants to a lady whom they found there. With true womanly kindness she ministered to their necessities and soon prepared for them a supper such as, in the estimation of the soldiers, a monarch might have envied. We ascertained that the name of the noble lady to whom we were indebted for supper that night, is Miss _____ Fatzinger, and though the act of charity was in itself a small one, yet, it indicated the right kind of a spirit. It is now long past, but by neither of the six soldiers will it be forgotten, and we now publicly renew to her expressions of thanks.
"To Mr. Allison, a substantial farmer living about a mile from Greencastle, we are also under many obligations. He and his estimable and accomplished wife gave us food and shelter for the night, and to him we are indebted for a visit to the battle-field of Antietam. We might enumerate many other instances of kindness bestowed upon us by the the citizen of Greencastle and vicinity but these must suffice. Our duty as historian would be but imperfectly discharged, however, did we fail to mention the effect which "a little brief authority" had upon our Brigadier Gen. Kneass of Philadelphia. On Wednesday morning before we left Greencastle, a number of us went to a hotel for breakfast. When the bell rang we crowded into the dining room, and took seats at the table. Gen Kneass, with some of his staff had already taken seats and were eating when we came in, where upon he became highly indignant that Privates should be permitted to eat at the same table with his highness, and, when the landlord remarked that he "donsidered one man as good as another," for the heresy, the Gerneral promptly ordered him under arrest."
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: "Complimentary," Kauffman's Progressive, January 1, 1915; originally printed in the "Greencastle Pilot" Volume 3, No. 43, Nov. 13, 1862; edited by James W. M'Crory
