Greeley County, Nebraska
Civil War Prisoners Meet In Portland
For First Time Since Year 1865

Tears of joy streamed down the faces of two veterans who met in front of Liberty Temple Wednesday for the first time since they parted at the gates of the Confederate prison at Cahaba, Ala., in 1865. Unashamed of their emotion and delighted beyond power of words to describe, they were the center of interest for scores of veterans who had met them and aided in the quest for each other during Monday and Tuesday.

A. J. Jelly, of Scotia, Neb., served in Company G, 35th Iowa, and William McCune, of Carthage, M., served in Company I, 114th Illinois. The regiments were brigaded together and fought their way through the western battles in the clearing of the Mississippi Valley, covering the campaigns in Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee.

At the Battle of Guntown, Miss., both were wounded and captured. They were removed to the hospital for Union wounded at Mobile, Ala., and when able to change were transferred to the Confederate prison at Montgomery and later to Cahaba. It was in this last named prison that they became close friends. After the war they maintained a desultory correspondence, but never found opportunity to meet. Recently they exchanged letters and agreed that they would come to Portland to attend another campfire together.

In order that his old comrade might identify him on sight, Veteran McCune carried a banner bearing the name of his company and regiment until finally found by his old friend.

(Oregonia, Portland, Oregon, Published August 25, 1918)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson

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