The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-14
BEN BUTLER's COysUiTy.
How an Actor and n Brooklyn Politician GO,
Into Trouble mt Fortress VI on-oo.

v wonder If Ben Butler would remember
mo. said an ex-army officer. who Is now an
nuach6 Of the Brooklyn Police Department as
he laid down THE Sun containing Gen. Buffers
Fourth Of July speech. Il was his coxswain at
Fortress Monroe. Commodore Goldsboroueh.
who was in command Of the Minnesota pre-
scented Gen. Butler with cutter. and was
made its coxswain and was told to select crew
from the regiment. who would be specially de-
tailed. Well. l picked out regular shoe.wa-
cae-mettcs There was Sam Deering. who had
been long time in the navy, and John RcIl
who was atterward hanged in New York for
killing a police officer another man who Ind
pulled a boat Tor \ long time to Blackwell's
Island, and several more brawny fellows
Deering like all sailors. was handy with his
needle, and he worked three stars which ia the
marx OF homogeneous pennant on piece
on bunting. and rugged 1t at one end Of the cut
ter Butler was fond ~ the water, AMI we
the ,lhpraps, and sAlutes Numbered over our
heads wherever We went.
One night Butler was ordered to Washing
ne slipped away, and | was the only man he
told IN the fort where h. was going Well Ma
CITY Works. had often asked me To- take him out
r9win9 Harry Pearson, the actor. was visiting
Missing. and told him that II he would meet
went away would give him n row Missing is
q Dig fellow AMI dressed IN shining uniform.
ne looked ~ distance like MaJor-Gcn. Ben. He
took Buffers seat Pearson sat along side Of
him aud was steering Well W. started ofi
WITH rennaut flying. but we didn't know IT,
All ot us were IN Jolly mood. and Harry Pear
son was making lots ~ run We pulled along
by the kiprnps. and we heard the sentinel all
out Turn out the guard. but 1t dil.t strike
" thal II wa Tor our benefit We pushed ahead.
and started straight for the Minnesota. We saw
n great hustle on board. and then the noses VI
the guns hogan to run ont of the port holes.
Ny God, std oi sam Doerns. dropping
hls oar They think view. got the MAJOR Cen
eral on board. aud they are going a. hre a
~! utr and with hook Of dl,uay he allel
Ile prnuant'a a flying
We'll. II didn't tear that bit Of hunting down
IN twIInNlr. m not taking. We turned tail
our oars would ny. We were ali loo JARED ~
say word. and visions Of being locked M in
irons danced before my eyes. We had insuted
the Minnesota and old Sam who knew more
about such things than VIZ did looked giutn
anu said. Boys there ii be the deyil to pay about
this.
sure enough the Commodore sent over to
demlnd al, explanation. We We're all hauled up,
anu Ben Butler fastened his game eye on me
and threatened To send me 10 the Riprar-. There
were nan a dozen conferences. and a. many
letters sent TO and fro. Finally 1t was all
smootheu over, but We never forgot IL.
one hot summers night since the war |
came out Of Nlhlo's Garden and went into a
place called the Theatre shades where the ac-
tors meet after the play il over. In one corner
saw lolly Harry Pearson sitting behind mug
81 ioaining ale. and he WAS telling a story. over
winch company was laughing.
BY thunderl he said, you ought to have
heari those salu!es. Bang, bang they went
from every vessel in the, harbor The guard
turned out ami presented arms and tell you
big honor was done 10 your humble servant
drew MP chair and listened 10 the yarn.
and recognized in II an cNaggrrsiion Of tho *
perence have lust related. When h. finished
SAID. That's n good story Mr.. Pearson He
didn't rerogpize me. and sad. It's true. every
Wnrd OF ~ l drew him ASIDE and whispered n
his ear, Don't draw 1t too strong. was cox
swain Of that boat H. WAS surprised. and
fellow. don't you 20 to work and spoil d good
story mere. What II you have ?"