Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-14
AraRsLLuxG INCIDENT AT LIBBY.

OF the six officers of the regular army
who found themselves in Libby prison
in 1861 {, one was fine-looking colonel
from Indiana; a big bodied, big Drained,
big-hearted fellow, chock full of energy.
He worked like steam engine until he
got out of Libby. Once he found his
tunnel too small for his burlv form;
once he was checked at the outer end
of it by two or three armed Confeder-
ate soldiers, who had been quietly wait
detected Just as he got to the middle
of the gate; and SO it went, until he had
made half dozen attempts. But he
never gave up, and finally got out, and
ia now a prosperous citizen of Indian
apolis, trifle stouter than when he was
in Libby, and good deal richer, but
otherwise unchanged. As Uncle Remus
says, the colonel's min WIZ allus wuk-
king" After two or three attempts to
get out of Libby had failed, he began
to suspect that his failures were the
result of treachery in the prisoners
camp. Exchange, like kissing, went by
favor. The colonel, after thinking each
failure over, came to the conclusion
that some poor devil was selling his
manhood for mess of pottage; curry
ing the favor which would exchange
him to his home by betraying the plans
of his companions In arms to the enc
my. He looked about him for the man.
Cautious inquiries at length gave him
such information rs prompted him to
| say to each of the other five regular
army officers:
"Meet me Mt such spot at midnight
have found the traitor. We will court
martial him tonight"
At midnight the sixsmen met in dark
corner, and in whispering voices organ
lied drumhead court martial. The
colonel presented the name of the sus-
pect, and then his proofs. In the ballot
that followed each of the six voted
guilty"
Now" said the colonel, "this is not
farce. We must vote sentence, and
then we must execute it"
"Very well,". said the next man.
"Weli," said the colonel, II vote for
death; the wretch deserves it"
$50 do l." said the next, and 50 on
down to the sixth, a Pennsylvania ma
jor. He knew the culprit, Pennsylva-
nian like himself, better than the rest.
He knew that he was quite cap sble of
the crime charged against him. He had
no doubt of his guilt. He wanted to see
him punished. He said all this to the
other members of the court, and then
added:
"But you know we are not legal
court-martial. We have no authority to
act--oertainIy no authority to kill. We
may sift the evidence presented against
man for our own satisfaction, but We
cannot sentence, much less kill him.
The most we can do is to prefer charges
against him to the War Department.
We can't kill him"
Suddenly interruptipg himself, he
said:
Colonel, what's that in your hand?"
1.-THE rope" said the colonel, grimly.
I've been plating it AZ we talked
and he passed il around. He had taken
an old shirt, torn it into narrow strips,
and woven II into something that looked
like rope.
"Now, Major" he said. when it Was
handed back to him, "what you have
said is all very we'll. 1t does credit TO
your heart as well IA to your head. But
you are outvoted; the majority is against
you. The sentence of the court is that
the scoundrel shall die, and die he will
this minute. for I'll kill him myself.
Come, captain" be said to the brawny
Irishman next to him, lyon and ! viii
settle the rascal"
"Why, you wouldn't strangle him in
his sleep, would your" asked the major,
also on his feet as the others started to-
ward the sleeping form of the traitor.
Certainly" whispered the colonel;
Why not? He can't pray, and We can't
have any nosie."
"You never will" said the major,
firmly, getting in front of she colonel;
81 won't let you; you'll have 10 kill me
first. won't stand by and see you staiu
your honest hands with his dishonest
blood in such q way a. that. Why, man,
it would be murder. You would be =
murderer. l won't permit it,"
Gliding softly before the rest, be
reached the sleeping man and sat down
beside his head. There he sat till the
gray morninRspame stealing in through
the chilly atmosphere.
Long before that time the colonel and
his companions, bafiied and Disguised.
had stolen away TO their slespinR PLACES.
carrying the plated rope with them.
Al coon a. the major could see the trail
tors face 10 the dim light Of the dawn,
he awaked hum and told him all that
had occurred.
Now. sir" he said sternly. Il saved
your life last night, although believed
you worthy Of death. won't do ii
again. l saved yonr life for my saks.
not for yours. Ny advice il that, ~
soon A. the guard comes in for roll-call.
you get out Of Libby, and a. soon -
you get 70 Warrington get out Of the
Armv. u you're ID the army when 4
get out I'll prefer charges against You,
and II meet you I'll kill you."
Trembling With settlement the wretch,
without word Of denial or palliation.
got up, aud, a. soon a. the guard oalne
in. gut out. The stalwart six forwarded
ohArRes sgAinss him from Libby. When
they got oat Of the prison they found
him out Of the army, % they dropped
the matter. The traitor Ii in the army
nov, reinstated BY sct Of Cooersas, !
believe; bas the majnT Who promised 70
kill him On night is under the green sod
Of the prairie. Still, the colonel would
make things lively for the traitor II they
met face to face.