Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-04-26
Remarkable Performance Of q
Missouri Sergeant.

Sergeant G. w. Redman, of Company
H., Missouri Volunteers, has been guilty
of an outrage in st. Louis, which proves
him to be one of the most impudent wis
aims on record. On Thursday morning
he went to Benton Barracks No. 60, and
informed a Wisconsin Captain, named !
Southworth, that General Halleck had
sent him for detail of eight men, to be
Immediately placed in his command, for
the execution of business of great moment.
He gave his name as Reed, but presented
no written document to the Captain, who
very thoughtlessly complied with his de-
mand.
Sergeant Greed and squad moved !
with military dignity down Grand Avenue,
Morgan street and Broadway, to the bank.
ing house of G.. S. Hammer & Co., No.
33l on the east side Of Broadway, be-
tween Cherry and Wash streets. The
officer placed several of his men at the
door to prevent the intrusion of outsiders,
and entered with the others. Only Mr..
Hammer was in the store, and he was en-.
gagged in counting some fifteen thousand
dollars which he had in piles around him
behind the counter. Greed" promptly
told the banker that he had Gen. Halleck's
order for his immediate arrest Mr.. II.
asked for what I but Reed replied that he
did not know, he had simply to take him
in custody, and no doubt wrong would not
be done him. Mr.. II. said he would place
the money in the safe and go at once, but
the officer told him he must leave the
money as it was. Mr.. H. hastily seized
a bag containing $1,000 in gold, and also
snatchcd pile of bills, hurriedly threw
them into a small vault in the interior OF
his large safe, and shut the door. This
locked the door of the vault. He then
attempted to close the remaining doors of
the safe, but bayonet was inserted be-
tween them, and he was collared lie at
once resigned the key, and was then al
lowed to shut and fasten the doors. Reed
gave him in charge of his men, and bid
them to take him to Broadway Garden, to
be guarded by the soldiers there till fur
ther orders. The party proceeded up
Broadway on a car, and Reed, with sin.
gle sentinel at ,he door, attempted to un.
lock the safe. In this he failed, but in,
dignantiy despatched messenger tc
, Broadway Garden with an order that the
prisoner be brought back again.
, At the Garden, Hammer was received
by the commanding officer without a sus
picion that he was not properly in military
9 custody, and in the full belief that hi
commitment was fully authorized. Th'
requisition for his return was obeyed will
slacrity. In half an hour after his arri
Z val, he left the Garden, again guarded b.
the six soldiers, and was taken in street
car down Broadway. In the store he wa
- compelled to take the key and unlock tn
safe. Ia his eagerness the robber sergean
failed to notice the interior vault, an
hence it remained closed. Greed" mex
ordered the seven men to escort the cap
o tive back again, and saw them safely off.
n Leaving the door locked and the sent
mel standing outside, he proceeded to tn
Restaurant, No. 347 Broadway, and 500
, after returned in citizens clothes. II
then entered and dismissed the sentinel
who OF course, obcyed orders and move
- of. A party of curious gazers on tn
sidewalk could look directly through th
windows into the store ond observe all th
a seargant's movements. He took sever.
= piles of bills from the safe ard the reo
g of the counter, and large quantity {
gold and silver. A bankers tray stacke
- with half dollars, piled full of them, b
= covered with some sheets of paper, an
leisurely placed under his arm. Lade
= with his booty, he passed to the doc
~ locked 1t in sight of the crowd, and wall
ed off with the dignity and speed of
- smart man of business engaged in a
:, everyday transactionl
"a Of course the spectators were impresse
with the idea that Messrs. Hammer & Co
- had been violating some law and were bt
ing summarily dealt with in consequence
The amount taken was S22S9 10, i
a United States Treasury notes. Illinois cul
10 rency, and gold and silver,
Mr.. Hammers partner, Aho was absen
!" on hearing of his arrest, made inquire
Of the military officials, and soon foun
d that there was mistake somewhere. A
It Investigation took place, and Redman