Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-04-30

Fredericksburg. and crossing by Kelly's
ford had been through and beyond that
town.
warned our loyal people that Nc
Clellan might cross his army at the
same ford. even If the bridges were de-
layed. and might rush ahead and capture
Richmond in spite ofus. The polItlcal
result of such an achievement. had no
reason to urge on them. would be DIS
astrous. 1t might end the Rebellion
and put Mcclellan in the White House,
or at least it would give the Democratic
party an ascendency that would be rum
Gus To us. the truly loyal patriots VINO
had been working so hard to make and
to carry on the war. For my part'
was not willing, after all l had gone
through for the country, TO see Demo-
cratic General finish the war. l sus-
cested as much IN my letters. and the
noliticians and the truly loyal editors set
up a howl that " asbington had been
left UNPROTECTED, aud Lee had only 10
march ON to capture it. This lucky
prelext was ayailed of most sl"rlously'
Before Mcclellan could break bivouac
the next morning after his army had
arrived at Warrenton Qhis was some
lime in November, and there was snow
on the ground), messenger arrived
rom Washington with an order relieving
Mcclellan of his command, and giving
Burnside his place. When the news
spread in the early morning through the
army, there was great excitement. Nc
Clellan turned his command over at
once (to the delight ofall the truly loyal
like myself and started for Washington
To reach Manassas Junction, where a
snecial train awaited him, he had ID
ride back over the road from his head
ouarters. through New Baltimore. The
troops were in bivouac in either side OF
this road. and when they heard OF his
coming they rushed from their camps 10
disorderly array and saluted INN IN wlld
cheers. The arlillerists, needless oi
disc,nline or their officers orders, drag-
,ed their twenty tour and thirty-two
noundcr guns by hand over the heavy
fields. and planting them on the road
side. gave him irregular but thnnderlng
salutcs as he rode sadly by. The lr'sh
brigade of Meagher was especially de-
won.tratiye, and strong men aud gal
lant soldiers in their ranks wept as the
General left them forever. AS l ana
others of our patriotic party saw these
demonstrations, we shuddered at the
cscape we mad had from this Democrat
wbo had enslaved the brave men OF his
army. and made them love him. II l
had had any regrets before tor having
presistently stabbed HIN in the back and
defeated his plans, they all vanlsnea
now. for my patriotic soul rsvolted at
these manifestations Of disloyalty, and
| lelt ju tilted in having done my part
10 defeating the plans Off general VINO
did not belong to our party, and VINO
had gained such command over his
men. A good riddance, we faithful lew
cried but The rank and file Of the army
were in almost stae Of revolt. which
nothing but the resignation and martial
fortitude Of their commander prevented
from bursting into fame. But lie was
gone, and the Union (and the Kepuoli'
can party was safe.
now got my reward for my patriotic
service in defeating Mcclellan in the
firm ofan order from Washington max
ino me a Brevet Bngadier'General iol
gallant and meritorlous service in th'
field although had never yet been IL
an engagement or even heard a bulle
whistle. Since the war my military
record has been my fortune. Although
7 went out of the service long ago.
have never been able TO shake on III.
title of General. 1t is a constant re-
minder to me at this late day that wa
never more thoroughly pollroon thai
when | was in the army, and that al
nv martial record IS founded on false
hood and bombast; but it will stick
me. Ii gave me political preferment
the hands of the enlranchised negroes
d. the South when they cast their hrs
votes, and has kept me pensioner
office ever since the war closed. nav
, made my fortune by my military iam'
but | am unhappy about 1t. IL Is
NIGHTMARE to me, aud 1 often wondt
when | attend public meetings an
convivlal gatherings in Washington
! New York and abroad, where my mil
l tary record is spoken of in terms
i compliment, whether the crowd OF ciVl
ian generals, colonels, majors and cal
{ tains about me are equally unworth.
y and feel as keenly as do the twlng'
u Of conscience when the laurels a
y twined about their brows. l haye 10
K faith in history, aud in all the recor
o of heroic deeds, since l have seen no
Is easy it is to deceive the world, and ho
'e cheap one, however unworthy, mi
a attain to martial honors.
@
[, IN DANGER'-If there ever was
sr mild and calm teacher, it was Chris
D. and vet, when one asked Him, A
l. there few that be savedT He sai
IS Strive to enter in at the straight gat,
to for many, say unto you, will seek
ne enter in, and shall not be able.' T
h. cate was bnilt for entering, it was q
"A s;oned expressly tor that purpose, a