Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
The Deserter.
A SKETCH OF THE LATE wAR-A soLDIET
 WHO DID NOT MEAN TO DESERT.

A SKETCH OF THE LATE WAR; SOLDIER
 WHO DID NOT MEAN TO DESERT.
 , In the terrible slaughter at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December l2, 1862, Lieutenant P, of the 95th Pennnsylvania Volunteers, was danger ously wounded through both thighs, and undoubtedly would have perished on the field had it not been for Corporal O -, of his company, who in the retreat stumbled upon him and carried him of. That was the last field duty Lieutenant P- did, and in March, 1864, we find him at the Lafayette square garrison, in Baltimore.
 Corporal C. subsequently took part in all the engagements in which his regiment was concerned, and stood high in the estimation of his superiors for valor and faithfulness up to the battle of Gettysburg.
 After the battleof Gettysburg, in July, 1863, the regiment to which Corporal C--- belonged encamped one evening within sight of the home of his family. which he had not seen for nearly three years. From where he lay he could see the glinting of the light in the window beyond which were his wife and little ones. With throbbing heart he acknowi- edged to himself that the temntatisn was too great what, ;" he said, < if I slip down there for an hour or two, sur prise them, and return before the break of day ready in my place to move with the command, who will be the wiser for itp' He followed the promptlngs of his heart. Who shall measure the rapidity with which the hours went by during that gladsome surprise to all which, next to his country, was dear to him 'za
 Returning in the early morn Corporal C--, to his horror, found that the column had moved forward during his absence. He hurried on to overtake it. with full consciousness of the terrible consequences that came to all deserters and of the fact that the truth, even plslnly stated, would avail him little under the then strict regime, as an ex- cuse for his absence if he did not succeed Tn reJoining his company. He never slaekened his double quick until the ford at Williamsport was reached. At that point his hope gave way to despair. The column had crossed into Maryland j. two hours before. A strong provost guard had been stationed at the ford with strict orders to arrest all stragglers or deserters.
 A prisoner then, and with the instances of dreadful punishment that had been inflicted upon deserters fresh in mind he decided to desert in fact from the 2 provost guard and take his chances o 2 finally reaching his company rathe, than to run the risk of trial by Court martial. s...z.-
 He failed to reach his command. anf taking to the woods by long journeying at nightt, and hiding by day, he reached 2 the city of Frederick, Md. There h. > lost no time in re-enlisting under al ! assumed name as recruit, hoping b, keeping constantly in the service t escape detection and arrest. is7s Hfs=
 Proceeding again to the front in tn F Tenth Maryland Regiment, Corpora C. served faithfully, was twie wounded, and received an honorable dis charge in March, 1864.
 Upon being discharged from the Tent Maryland, still hopirg to conceal hi identity, he immediately re-enlisted as recruit with Captain Cole, the Proves Martial at Frederick, and was sent c with squad of twenty or more to u draft rendezvous at Lafayette Equar s Baltimore. -
 Lieutenant P- was officer of u day when the squad reached the rende vous. It was part of his duty as sut to remain at the main entrance to u camp. for the purpose of scanning u recruits as they arrived and were dray
 up in line in front of the guard quarter
 It was late in the evening, Lieutena P-- came to the Adjutant's office, I
 face wearing almost deathly palle
 " Adiutant," he said, "I have just d
 covered deserter from my old compan
 He saved my life by carrying me of t
 field at Fredericksburg. I wish I h
 not seen him"
 A short time after the Lieutenan
 statement the recruits were marched
 the Adjutant's office to have their nam
 and pedigree recorded. The name
 of Cyrus T. was called. The n
 rose up calmly and passed his dischar
 papers from former service to the Adj tant. They were certified by 8 capts of the Tenth Maryland and indorsed the mastering oficer-'c character exec lent.
 Lieutenant P-, extending his har to the recruit, said, Corporal C. how are you 2''
 The unwilling deseEtGa did p