The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-07-20
THE STORY or 4 DRUMMER nor.
He Heads n Foriorn Hope aud Captures n
Baucry-Congrcs- Gives Him n Medal
lie IL Made n Second Murder
I'm the Heat of Passion His Pardon.

From ne Nc,rlII idrfTtser
Through the long continued and well directed
efforts of OK Governor Ward, the remainder OF the
sentence Of " William MaSec. tie famous drummsr hoy
Of Newark who about year a-o was sentenced to
prison for Eve years, has been RENTED and the gal
liant young hero has by this time probably stepued
forth from his prison doors into the Tree air to take
up MS walk assn 1n1s 10 eaS eap.e snG "i ms
lantly honorable and useful iu the futu.e as In the
past The story OF William Magee is so much Ike a
ment that II would hardly be believed were II not
atested by the published histories Of the and the
Official docuneh narratirr the action OF the various
branches Of the Government In lis honor.
The son OF widow living In Beaver street In this
city, William Masee, when mere lad Of ifteen, en-
REGIMENT. II was not long before his daring ex-
poits IL The presence OF Tue enemy attracted me at
fall Of 1894. with an army of 4o,0O men, held Gen.
Thom.s inorisoned In Nash'ilie, Gen. ailroy, with
the rail road at Murneesboro thirty miles away.
Thi. post was soon surrounded, and isolated and be-
leaRuered the lost all hope OF escape. But was
dsternined TO strike one blow for deiiveranee and
"forlorn hope" OF single regiment was or
gsnized.
Van Cleye, but the command OF the forlorn hore
was committed to him. lie sailed forth, and dashed
upon rebel battery on the nearest eminence. The
hoyish commanders charge VAS gallant one but
the Gre Of the enemy was ressiless, and his column
crushed by temporary mishap, nor was his supe-
riors' confidence in him shaken. Selecting new
regiment le again rushed upon the foe, again met
tury AT las. was his. II ordinary victory, but
the tirninE point OF the cri.is, and the signal for
that series OF quickly succeeding battles which na-
" drove Hood from Tennessee.
Amid the commentators " all the leading officers
of the Department, the Newark boy OF eighteen was
decorated with a medal OF honor from Congress,
transmitted through the War Department Upon
the close OF the war tile Young hero was appointed
Second Lieutenant In the Twentieth United states
Infantry, hut, on examination, II was found that he
WAS deficient IN several studies having enjoyed
educational advantages. Through the aid OF Gov
Ward ho secured an extension OF tine, and. apply
ing hin self to his books with the same intelligence
and Indomitsble pluck that had marked his conduct
in the field he soon ready TO appear again before
the examining board, and mis- time passed triumph
Rntly At the age Ct nineteen the Newark drummer
boy donned the uniform Of an ofcer in the regular
service. .
his extraordinary Willie with his regiment
which was lying at Baton Rouge, La, he was
charged by the Assistant SURGEON OF tie regiment
WITH ne,ling hi, watch; nsSse s sS iet the
been cast upon his honor. In moment Of anger
he vis.-i the quarters Of the surgeon and demand
| ed relraction. This being refused; Lieut.; hagee
| struck bis defaner vita a cowhide which he had
brought for the purpose. The Surgeon started for
his pistol, which was lying near, when Magee drew
| his own weapon and fired. Tue shot was fatal
Magee was tried for manslauRhter b. civil court
| and acquitted. Then tho friends Of the surgeon
procured Magees arraignment before general court
martial ut Washington, and by this tribunal being
found guilty Of conduct preJudeia 10 the discipline
of III. army he was sentenced 10 be dismissed from
| the service and imprisoned i've years in the state
Prison at saltwater, Minnesota One year aud three
| months OF this term have elapsed, during which
| Macee has conducted himself In such manner 10
gain the warm interest IN MS behalf OF the Governor
OF the State and all the prison nuthoriiies Mean
while his early and scadast friend, Gov. Ward, has
| been actively worknv at Washington, and the result
is seen in the pardon which has Just leen transmit
| ted To Saltwater. However Just, the sentence and
| condgn the punishment. all will rejoice that tLc
Young man IL now free to be in over again career
| In which he has displayed such remarkable talents