The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-12-27
The Anti-Monopolist.


to be shot, and the sentence was sent to
Gen. Jeff c. Davis to be approved. And
then poor Mason was imprisoned on bread
and water, with a ball and chain to each
foot"
did General Davis approve the SEN
tence!"
Eyes, he approved it."
but how did Mason escape being
shot!"
well, the next day, before the approx
ed sentence arrived, came the battle OF
Mission Ridge, and our regiment WAS or
dered forward. Mason. OF course was in
the rear under guard with ball chained
to his ankles. We heard the rebel can
non in front all the forenoon. We knew
there was big battle on, and we needed
all our men, so l rode over to the guard
house and told Mason that we would have
to leave him behind with his BALI and
chain until the battle was over.
"sLet me go with the boys,
| Colonelr pleaded Mason. I don't
want to see the boys in fight without
me-
But you might escape, Mason. You
know there is a sentence hanging over
you
ssBy heavens, Colonel you amt going
to let the boys 60 into this fight with
out me9' and the tears came into his
eyes.
"'Got to, Mason" l said I can't
trust you.
"Then." continued the narrator, the
order came from Gen. Davis for our regi
ment to move up and charged Rebel re-
doubt, and the boys dashed forward. 1t
was an awful fight. Twice they enfiladed
us, and the Rebel bullets moved down
our men by dozens, while the Rebel flag
still waved on the redoLbt.
"s Colonel, you must capture that re-
Doubt! was the order that came from
Gen. Davis.
"Our men were now badly tired out,
and the dead and wounded lay all
around US; but l got our men together,
and made the final charge. Gods. what
a charge. My horse was killed under me.
| The men went forward in a shower Of
bullets. | thought they were going
straight for the FLAG; then all at once they
wavered. The bullets flew like rain, and
the advance men were ali shot down.
There was no one to lead, and | thought
| all was lost. Just then | saw man come
rushing up from the rear. He grabbed
dead soldiers repeating pushed
right through the dead and dying reached
the head and pushed up the redoubt.
the BOYS saw him, took courage, and fol-
lowed. In moment | saw the brave
fellow swinging his rifle around him on
| Al, 80 l,a Inf ha tiarf
staff and break it off, while the boys
struggled up the side and emptied their
guns into the retreating Rebels.
"The day was ours. AS | came up |
shouted.
".Who took the flag, boys?'
..It was Masonn said the boys, and,
looking down, saw broken chain and
a shackle still Oh his ankle
| Then the narrator's voice choked him,
and the tears came into his eyes.
II couldn't help it, Colonel said
Mason. I couldn't see the boys fighting
alone: so | got the Ak and pounded of
the ball and chain, and now, Colonel. III
90 back and put EN- on again.
'..Go back and put them on again"
almost cried. No sir. Mason, I'll put
them on myself first Then" said the
fColonel, Il reflected that this wasn't mil
itary, and l told the brave fellow to stay
with two Of the boys.
THAT night" continued the Colonel
Il wrote over to Gen. Davis about Mason /
bravery; how he captured the Rebel flag
and led the regiment to victory; in fact
saved the battle: and begged him, if he
had not approved Mason's sentence Of
death 10 send it back to the Court unap
proved. Ia an hour the messenger came
back with the papers. The sentence hao
been approved before the battle, but Gen
Davis took his pen and wrote across the
bottom
1.-The findings of the Court disap
proved. Private Thomas Mason. for dis
tineuished bravery in capturing a Rebe
flag, promoted to a Second Lieuten
antcy.'"
"What did Mason say when you tolt
him about his promotion2" asked
Well" said the Colonel, Il read hin
the death sentence and its approval first
Mason sank down his face fell on HI:
arm. and | heard deep groan. Then m
said as his eyes filed with tears:
Well. Colonel. it is hard, but car
stand it If any one can.
But here is another clause. Mason.
! SAID. ON account of your splendid BRAY
erv Yesterday you have been promoted Il
a Second Lieutenancy.'
~.What, me Colonel, me.
Ives. Lieut.. Mason, you
Thank Cod burst out and the braV
; est man in theNorthern army stepped In
to his tent to send streak OF sunlight I
: cheer up his broken-hearted mother VI
in Egypt.
= Whisky Bill into his wagon
: Yes, sil, that's the man,and he's brav
enough II do anything, from putin
;. down a Rebel flag 10 leading drunke
J conrade out of saloon.
4 little more than hundred years ag'
: the inn of an English village was note
= for possessing "a character" IN the perso
of -Old Boofs.- His work was TO clea
!, hoofs. but it was not that which gave hil
r l.. -for faa