Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-02-17

RUM AND Ruin.
n ARcmfniscence of the War.
BY WIN. C. TAFT.
BY WIN. c. TAFT.
wr;,ten FOR the Ncsrnxns TnrBuNE.

During the tall OF 1864, secured an
appointment as government detective,
with orders to report to Gen. Steadman,
at Chattanooga, Tenn, where in due time
put i'm an appearance, and was admit
ted to the august presence of the old "War
Horse as the boys loved to call their
commander. The General introduced
me to Capt. Ma Chicago detective,
who, he informed me, would ascertain
my qualifications and assign me to duty
accordingly. then gave Capt. NJ a
brief history of my brilliant career, who,
when had finished my modest estimate
of my own abilities, gave it as his opin-
ion that was afflicted with a complaint
very prevalent among army officers,
known as osteo porosis in common par
Hence, 'sbig head"
However, as he had specific for the
disease, he would appoint me to duty at
Headquarters, where would be under
his immediate supervision, and if l sur
yiyed his heroic treatment for one month
1 would in all probability become n
bright and shining light to the profess
sion, 1t is needless for me to say that
Capt. Ms specific was copious
draughts of government tangle-foot,
sometimes called "Red Eye" and known
to the vulgar as a double distilled extract
Of family disturbance.
At the expiration of flour weeks the
Chief Commissary informed Capt. M
that the supply of his specific was grow
ing small, and beautifully less, that he
must of had very bad case under treat
ment. Capt M said something
about water on ducks back, or rat
hole, which, of course, had no reference
to the writer.
The Capt. informed me that the tilpe
had come for me to do something to mer-
1t the confidence of the government
that had been selected to take trip 10
Louisville, KY, by the rebeD under
ground railroad. which they had a good
reason to believe was in good running
order. That should stop ut all the Of
fees and return their names TO Capt. Fed
Ter, acting Provost Marshal, Lebanon,
KY, as the government wished to recon-
pense them for their disinterested kind
ness. That | should make the aequaint-
ance of one Of the Confederate prisoners,
gain his confidence and plan an escape.
and with his assistance take passage on
the grapevine route.
All things being in readiness. dOnned
the ..gray." With an old slouched hat
was not bad representative of our brave
but misguided brothers of the Sunny
South. 1 was then, according to previous
arrangements, picked up and thrown in
to one of Lincoln's bastileS.
There | was greeted with the we'll
known welcome of Fresh Fish" by my
fellow prisoners, who were all anxious
to learn something of the outside world.
After satisfying them that l was simon
pure, was voted by all hands bully
boy, save one man, whose noble bearing
bespoke for him higher degree of iu-
telligence than the motley crowd by
whom he was surrounded. There was
something that attracted me to him, al
though he seemed to avoid the advances
/ made to form his acquaintance. How
ever, the fates We're prOpitiOus. for as
was without blanket, and had no place
syhereunto to lay my head, his kindness
got the better OF his discretiOn-he invit-
ed me to share his pallet, and we became
fast friends.
There was sad, melancholy expires
sion about his features which satisfied
me that he was undergoing great mental
suffering. l undertook to draw him out
but he seemed to divine my motive, and
acting those windows of the soul on NE
he would seem to read my very thoughts.
Then, with peculiar smile indicative OF
pity and scOrn, he would adroitly change
the subject By quoting few lines from
Emerson or some favorite author, anC
leave me to my own refle ctiOns. Tina
they were not of a nature to produce tina
solemnity of mind incident to the per
Torrance of a benevolent act to their fvl
low man, can assure you.
| loathed myself for the deceptive
part 1 was playing towards one who, al
though a stranger and an enemy. coult
not help but respect, and made up m,
mind. however matters might eliminate
l would not harm a hair OF his head.
Finding my diplomacy at fault,
changed tactics, and informed my irien,
that | had friends high in office VIII
were working for my release and that
he wanted to escape an indefinite i'm
prisonment, he had better accOmpan.
me, as had good authority that all per
sons would be detained without trial I'm
til peace was declared.
This had the desired effect. He scenes
Sns1 ,1t .,..t
ed was a fair trial; he had no fear TO
the result.
After letting him into the secret Of no,
we could escape, he finally consented I
accompany me if it would not endan
ger in any way my own safety. On tn
following day we were brought out fo
examination, and detained in a sma
room in the rear of the Marshal's oific,
from which we made our escape.
We crossed the river one mile abov,
and struck on a bee line for Sand Noun
rain. after which we pursued the eve
tenor of our way, having the good forum
to find one OF the railroad officials, VIII
was only too happy to conduct us owe
his division. thereby contributing h
mite towards the liberation OF his coui
try. from those northern vandals.
we were getting along finely III
til we reached the vicinity OF oparl
Tenn. where my companion was take
ill of fever, and sank rapidly. being VIII
out proper medical attention. All ina
love and affection could do, was faithIu
ly rendered by our kind-hearted hoste'
and daughter, who were continually
his side anticipating his every want.
Having some knowledge of medlcln
1t was evident to nc that Marvins ttn
name he gave me,) earthly coniiic'
would soon he over and deemed II In
duty TO inform him of his apprOachln