The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-02-08
How Deserter from the Army OF the
Potomac Came Back TO His Death.

EDO you want to hear of singular
story?" said Ed. Swan, as biting off the
end of cigar and carefully lighting
it, he settled himself back in a big
arm chair preparatory to having a good
smoke. "Of course" was the quick
response. " AT the beginning of the
war lot of us New Workers, living in
Cherry Valley, enlisted, and among our
number was a man who went by the
name of William Allen. Our regiment
was sent to the army of the Potomac,
and the excitement of army life soon
reconciled us to the great change from
our former peaceful pursuits. Several
months went by, and assertions began
to be quite numerous. At roll call one
morning, Allen, who had acquired the
name of Slippery, was missing and the
boys were of the one mind that cold
slippery had deserted, as he was
known to have been alive and well the
evening before. In the whirl of battles,
skirmishes, foraging and camp-life he
was quickly forgotten. and time rolled
along. When the call for more troops
was issued, our regiment (Which by this
time was pretty well thinned out) was
gladdened by the intelligence that its
number would be filed up, and full
ranks would again be shown.
" Finally the day came, and we were
notified that we could look for the new
recruits that evening. Sure enough af-
ter dark they came tramping along, and
their names being taken they were put
in tents to sleep. l was just getting
ready to go to bed when our orderly SER
geant called out, Lieutenant, can l
come inY Upon being answered yes,
he entered, and with grin spread all
over his face, said: Guess who one of
our new recruits is ! gave it up, AMI
he insisted upon my going with him to
see. We went to one of the tents, and
Reese, who had lighted lantern with
him, sticking in his head, called out:
is Newton hereT No answer. He
called out the second time and much
louder, is Newton hereT At this
head raised up, and answered, Yes,
Newton's beside me- After little
shaking Newton raised up. and rubbing
his eyes, as a man does when awakened
from sound sleep, said: That's my
name, who wants meT Reese held his
lantern up, so that had good look at
the mans face, and at the time re-
Lieutenant, that's old friend
Slippery Sure enough, it was Slippery;
and as the cuffs were slipped on his
wrists he remarked: i am afraid it
will 90 hard with me, won't itT to
which we answered in the affirmative.
He was then put in the guard house.
Charges were specified and made,
courtmartial was convened, and Slip
perry was sentenced to be shot. Some
of us asked him what induced him to
enlist again. His answer was as follows:
CATER DESERVING he had gone back
home, moved his family to the western
part of the state, and gone to farming.
After working nine or ten months he
heard that by enlisting he could obtain
a bounty of thousand or fifteen hum
dred dollars. This temptation he could
not withstand, and he donned the blue
again. 1t then seemed as though sure
fate was behind and pushing him on.
Along with others he was sent into
camp, and after a short time was sent to
Washington. Remaining there few
days he was transferred to the head
quarters of the Potomac army. Here
another short delay, then he found him
self assigned with others to a corps.
More delay, then transfer to adivision.
More time still, and then to a brigade.
Another stoppage, then he was sent to
regiment. Then came the last step, and
he was placed in company, and strange
TO say the very one from which he had
dooo rfod but a fau m outha hafOva Whon