The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-09-05
A Chapter in Rebel Warfare.

lady, when she is determined, can accomplish
almost anything, and will often surmount diff
ficulties before which many brave man
would stand appalled, and turn back from his
purpose. This lady determined to visit her
two sons, as they could not visit their parent,
and, by some means or other, having obtain
ed passport, she crossed the line, and made
her way to the camp of the confederate gen.
eral under whose banner her sons were serv-
ing. She was entertained at headquarters,
and found that the general and his staff Off
GERS Jared sumptuously, living OH the very
fat of the land But the common soldiers
had only bread and molasses for their fare.
1t so happened that while this lady was
with the confederates, the time for which a
certain Tennessee regiment had enlisted ex-
pired, and the soldiers, anxious to see wives
and little ones once more, began to make pre-
paratioEs to start home. Who can tell the
emotions which must throb in soldiers
heart who has been in the front of the thick
est battle, who has heard the roar and rattle
of the cannon and musketry, and seen his
comrades fall all around him, but who has
been remarkably preserved on the field of
carnage! Who can tell the emotions which
must swell his heart at the near prospect of
being welcomed to his home once more, and
clasping to his arms the dear ones who have
occupied his thoughts day and night? But
it was not to be so.
The brave men ofthis Tennessee regiment,
who had been a whole year in the service,
during which time pne-half the number which
had started with them, flushed with health
and the hopes of victory, had either fallen on
the bloody field, or, still sadder, been pierced
- the arrows of slow and lingering disease,
caused by exposure and hardship, were not
to be allowed the pleasure of visiting their
beloved homes. The general, in making his
daily rounds, and seeing the men of this reg
iment busily engaged in making preparations
for their intended departure, inquired what
it meant; and on being made acquainted
with their determinatien,h he Immediately gave
orders that not single man of them should
leave his encampment. The whole brigade
or division of the army was at orce ordered
under arms cannon and musketry were
brought to bear on this devoted regiment, and
they were told by the general that unless
they took up their arms, which they had
thrown down, within three minutes they
should be fired on. With death thus staring
them in the face, they obeyed the order to
take up their arms, all but eight. 1t was de-
creed that these eight should be court-mar-
tailed and shot.
Before the time came that the military
court was to be held, seven out of the eight
followed the example of their comrades. and
agreed to resume their arms. One soldier
alone remained firm in his purpose; one
soldier alone was willing to brave death ra-
ther than yield to the despotic demands OF a
tyrant.
He pleaded his own cause with all the fer
vor of which soldier is capable. Said he to
his general, 4 have faithfully served cut the
time for which enlisted; have been in ev-
cry battle; have been at all times at the
post Of duty assigned me, in rain and sun
shine, in summer and winter. l have served
and am yet willing to serve my country. But
general, have wife and four small chill
dren at home, who depend on me alone for
support and protection, and who have no one
besides me to look to their interests. Allow
me thirty days, the law allows fnrlcugh Of
sixty days. but allow me half that time to
visit my family, whom l have not seen for a
year, and make some necessary arrangements
for their welfare, and promise to return
within that time and to take my former posi-
tion in my regiment. l can make but just
and reasonable request. 1t is essential to
the welfare Of my family that you grant it.
can not enter the service agaiE till Ihave Wis
tied my family He was sentenced to be
shot. The decree was pronounced on Satur
, day, and was to have been executed the next
day-the Sabbath suitable day for such 6
deed. The soldier and hero-for he was
hero-and by far the bravest man in his reg
iment, asked for little longer time to make
the preparation necessary, in order to entel
: into the presence of his God; and the time
was graciously extended one day, so that tht
, sentence was executed on Monday instead O
the Sabbath.
When the fatal hour arrived, following hi.
6 coffin, which was in full view,he was marched
to the place of execution, and arrived there
the general pointed him to the new mad,
|, grave and commanded him to kneel down up
: on the margin of that grave. The soldie
. and martyr simply replied that he had neve
6 kneeled to any but his Maker, and that h
could not consent to kneel to man now.-
. As he said this the order was given to fire
ard in the act Of making the sign of the eros
on his breast the martyr and soldier was ii
+ eternity. But there were many, unaccustom
, ed to weep, who shed bitter tears on witness
ing this tragedy.
We could wish that the account just give
9 were purely fiction. But it is given to u
: for fact by lady ofthis city, whose standin
y in point of intelligence and respectability n