Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-07-07
A QUAKER WHO WOULDN'T FIGHT.

THE following interesting account of a
young Quaker who could not be induced
10 fight in the late war, though conscript-
ed, is from the pen of a prominent citizen
of Tennessee. 1t is faithful narration of
one of the most interesting and curious
events of the war:
have Just read in the Nashville Ban
Rer of the 10Th ult. a fragment of Gov.
Foote's "reminiscences, headed: =" How
QuAxer Refused to Fight" AS l am fa-
miliar with the facts and circumstances
alluded to, and as the case greatly inter
ested me at the time, have thought it
might be of some intesest to your readers
to go into details more than is done in
Gov. Foote'S brief allusion to the case.
The young Quaker alluded to is Tilgham
r. Vestal, who lived near Columbia,
Tenn. When Gen. Bragg's army was at
Shelbyville, Tenn, young Vestal was con-
scripted and sent to that place. He was
assigned to duty in the Fourth Tennessee
regiment, commanded by Col. McMurray,
of Nashville. He reported to the regiment
as required to do, but utterly refused TO per
form military duty of any character or de-
scriptiOn. Neither by threats nor per
suasion could he be induced to alter his
determination. The officers of the regi-
ment were as humane as they were true
and gallant, and, after every effort had
failed TO induce Vestal to perform the
duties of q soldier, they gave the matter
up in despair, and told him to leave and
30 home, which he did. But shortly
thereafter another conscript officer came
along and Vestal was again duly enrolled
as conscript, and ordered TO report at
Bragg's headquarters All alone and on
foot, Vestal went to Chattanooga, and re-
ported at Bragg's headquarters. By a
most singular coincidence, he was again
assigned TO 'the Fourth Tennessee. Col.
McMurray, from his Shelbyville expert
ence, knew he had tough customer to
deal with. He concluded he would try
the force of moral suasion, so one day he
sent for Vestal TO come to his quarters,
and undertook TO convince him from the
Scriptures that he was wholly wrong in
his ideas and position. But the young
Quaker was rather too much for the gal
CANT Colonel in the scripture argument,
and the Colonel sent for his Chaplain 10
talk to Vestal and convince him that he
was altogether wrong in his refusal to
fight or to perform military duty. The
Chaplain came and opened the argument
after this wise: 81 wouldn't give a cent
for a religion that is opposed to my cOun.
try" Said Vestal, II wouldn't give a
cent for country that is opposed to my
religion" The argument lasted for some
time, but left the young Quaker uncon.
Vinced, and determined to do no military
duty of any description. He refused
to police the camp, or do the least thing
that could be tortured or construed into
military duty. At last, Col McMurray
wholly unable to do anything with Vestal
sent him TO brigade headquarters. Here
he was reasoned with, and every effort
made to induce him to go and perform
the duties of soldier, but he was firm
and infiexible as the everlasting hills. He
was told that if he persisted in his course
he would be subjected TO severe punish
ment, and finally would be shot for dis
obedience of orders. He replied that they
had the power to kill him, but neither thu
Federal nor Confederate army possessed
the power to force him to abandon hi
principles, or prove false to his religion
| Everything that could be construed, di
rectly or indirectly, into military duty, Ii,
refused most emphatically to engage in
He was only about eighteen years of age
| soon became satisfied that he acted from
principle, and would go TO the stake
or meet death in any shape IL coul'
assume, rather than swerve one particl
from what he conceived to be his duty,
was the sublimest exhibition of mora
courage had ever witnessed, and il wa
the more remarkable from being found i
a boy of only eighteen, away from hi
family and friends.
asked him one day if he had no sym
pathy i'm the contest-if he had no prefer
ence as to which side should be success
full, 80, yes" lac said, would prefe
to see the South victorious, as live in tn
South and among Southern people"
heard gentleman say to him, " Vestal
did you ever exhibit any emotion abOu
anything in your lifc-did you ever or.
in your lifeY'' 80, yes" he said, :"
nave cried in my life" Well" SAT-
the gentleman, II would like TO know
what were the circumstances that causei