The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1871-04-06

tails were all arranged. They were
waiting only for orders from the Re-
bel Government 70 strike the fata
bow. Tho birds Of tho air carried
shisperipS Of ,hi. treason to- Io,s|
enrs
| No time was 10 be lost, The msil'
we're then carried seni-monihly By
steamer between New York aud Ban
Fraucisco. The time was then three
to four weeks. There was then no
telegraph, no railroad cveu, vcsto
lbs Missouri river. There was, how
over, a pony express running from
Ssu Francisco TO St Joseph, Mo-, ma.
king tho distance 10 sixteen daJs. By
his express message was insiantly
di.pathcbed, warnug President Lin.
coin of the danger. The message was
duly received, aud q hurried consu',s.
iion was held with two or threo mem
hers OF his cabinet. 1t was decided
iba, Johnston must be superseded BY
a loyal officer. There was such an Que
a, hand, one whose loyalty aud ioteg-
riiy were perfect and unqucsiionable,
q knight without fear and without re:
prosch. 1t was General Sumner.
But how should ho secure tho com.
mand 7 The fortress was elk thou
sand niles away by the Travelled route.
IL the least movement in that dircc-
tion was openly made, feet coursers
would carry the warning over thu
plains. and i,:would bc too la,s. The
utmost secrecy was imperative. There
chauced to DO q government war
steamer in New York harbor. General
Sumner was at once ordered on board
this vessel, and its commander direct
ed u put to sea instantly, with sealed
orders, which were to be opened when
one day out Of port. These orders
directed him to lay open the track OF
he outgoing California mail steamers
look out for the one that was to sail
the next day, Put General Sumner
on board Of her, aud then cruise
southwsrd Tor week before turning
10 port.
These orders were obeyed. The
rebel spies were bailled, and the gall
iaut Sumner, unsupported, was on his
way to assume command Of Alca,raz.
Meanwhile its traitorous commander
and hi. co6fcJ, rates wero impatiently
awaiting their orders from tho rebol
g ,ver men, by this very steamer. In
due time the signal on Telegraph
Hill announced tie mail steamer at
the Golden Gate. Within the city oil
was expectation and excitement. The
eager thousands who tbrongod thr
streets. cypcctant Of thrilb-s ne"'
from thoir form"- "omes 80 lar away,
h-.,,,, noticed the nomcntary pause OF
the steamer when passing Fort Alca-
lraz. nor did they uote the tiny boat
hat shot of from her side toward ths
i.land, Jet that toy boat bore more,
to them, than Caesar aud bis .or--
tunes"
1t bore General Sumner, who 10
few minutes stood before tho traitor
commander, and, ps his superior 10
rank, end under special orders from
the President. assumed command oil
Fort A,eatraz. California was saved
to the Union. It's people. viewing
.iar the carnage and dcsolatiou OF
var. soon came to raze with horror
upon tho dark abyss into which wicked
and unsnrppulous treason you'd have
plunged them. And, With patriotism
awakened BY the inspired eloqusnce
Of Starr King, whose lips seemed
touched With hs'laxsd fre, they re-
newcd their allsgisoOe 10 the Union
IF their fathers. = '-',f /. =.
ThsnScfurth there wss % more 10y
A c,.... 49, N.i;So.c;. = IA. <y~vaaA