Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-07-28
How Colonel Tevis Regulated the scccsl..
FROM DOM pIATT's BALTIMORE LETTERS IN THE
CINCINNATI COMMERCIAL.

| FROM DoNN PIATT's BALTIMORE LETTERS IN THE
CINCINNATI COMMERCIAL.
| One OF the queerest military ducks it was ever
my fortune to meet with turned up in Baltimore
under the title and name OF Colonel Tevis. He
was handsome fellow. Take him all in all he
was one Of the handsomest of men, Nature
| seemed to have exerted herself in setting Car
rol Ieyls on end as a fair sample of what could
| De done IN that line. He was q graduate
| of West Point. He resigned shortly after grad
uatng: went to Europe; took part in the Grim
can war on the part of the Allies: received no
end of orders for gallant conduct, and returned
IN time to consider the merits of the quarrel be-
tween the South and the Government. and
| after due deliberation, accepted the position OF
CoIonel OF the Second Maryland Cavalry.
Inc Second Maryland was made up principal
~ OF biafylanders born in ireland, Germany, and
.ne unknown islands of the ocean. They had
been educated in various public institutions, not
or charitable sort. Some three hundred were
taken from the Delaware prison for confede-
rates, whs claimed to have been forced into the
confederate service against their wishes, while
the other powers that had not yet recognized
the Confederacy. The officers were Gorgeous
creatures The colonel had q taste for dress
he had a genius for dress-and the Second
tailors in Baltimore.
They were gallant fellows in the field. but
whne organizing and stationed near Baltimore
they were terror to the natives. II was GUS
tomary to cripple or kill one Of the men every
twenty-four hours, while howls of anguish went
up from the neighborhood night and day, over
the fearful depredations of hog pens and hen
roosts.
My liveliest recollection of his band of braves
is connected with the first election held in Mary-
land after We took command. This regiment
was used to keep order at the polls We sent
Ieyis to the Eastern Shore, with instructions
elaborately written for him to follow There
was one difficulty. however, He never read
lh1 la IoJ L..
called upon the prominent Union men, and get
ting from them q list of the leading Democrats
and candidates on the opposition ticket, proceed
ed to issue a coup detdt of the largest PROPOSE
tlons. AT midnight, without any warming what
ever, those prescribed were routed out Of bed,
gwen five minutes to dress and bid farewell to
their weeping and frightened families then sent
on board the steamer, and forwarded to head
quarters Baltimore.
Gen. Schenck was in rage. That lot of
solemn old pumps-Reverdy johnson, Tom
Swami and Governor Bradford-went into a per-
petnal state Of indignation meeting, telegraphing
every fifteen minutes. The patriots were
not only released, but returned to their afflicted
families, with permission to vote early and often,
in accordance with strict Democratic precedent
and Colonel Tevis was ordered under arrest
made out the order, and wishing to soften
the severity, l wrote private note marked con-
idential, in which | very freely expressed nv
opinion of men and events.
lewis took the arrest very hard think the
loss OF hls sword worried him. 1t was mag
nificant. piece of cutlery, encased in wonderful
brass adornments. l sympathized with and ad-
vlsed him to get his paper together, and throw
ing the blame on the Provost Marshal, appeal ID
the Governor. He did 30 with a vengeance. The
first time thereafter that met his Excelllency.
Governor Bradford, he put sixteen more wrin-
kles III his ugly mug, and refused to shake
hands; That night l got hold Of the papers
Ievis had submitted to the Governor, and among
the first was my confidential note beginning
My DEAR TEyIs: You are playing he'll OH
your beat. This old fool Bradford has gone over
to the Copperheads," &c.
Small wonder that the venerable Kangaroo re-
fused me his paw
The last that heard of my friend Teyis he
was recruiting American citizens for the Popes
army believe he is in that service now. Where
ever he may be, he is a gay bird and dangerous
to write confidential letters to.