National Republican., 1884-11-29

smoldering. And go II happened that !
one night one of the sentinels ut tho |
government flour mills, which were sit
uated on the canal near the Blandford
suburb, and not more than 900 yards
from Gen. Lees headquarters, rushed into
the quarters Of Capt Chas. A. Davidson,
the commandant of the prison, and noti-
fled him that the guard at the mills, ex-
cept himself, had been captured by large
body of armed mon, who were then en-
gagged in appropriating the contents OF
the mills. Davidson hurriedly dressed,
and, taking the reserve force (some
twenty men) from the guards at tho
prison, he hastened to tho scene of action.
There was no other force available within
a couple of miles. On arriving at the
mills he saw crowd of some 200 or 800
men it was q moonlight night, part
of whom was drawn up in regular order
as If to protect from interference tho re-
mainder, who were busily engaged in
bringing out sacks Of meal and Hour, or
filling haversacks for easy transportation.
When Davidson had approached the men
in limo to within twenty yards their
leader stepped out and ordered him to
halt his men. By tho way, the whole
crowd Of mutineers were masked or dis
guised In one way or another. David
son continued TO advance, and asked,
"What does all this moanp
"It MEANS" replied tho leader, that
we are starving on the lines, tharwe are
armed, and that we have come here for
this food and intend to take it."
Davidson then raised his voice and
criod out, Men, don't you fare as we'll as
the rest of the army2 You are simply
putting your necks in halter. 1t is my
duty to protect these mills, and l nm
going to do it. You may slaughter me
aud my mon, but it will make it so much
tho worse for you in the end. beg you
to put down those sacks and go back to
your camps" He then posted half q
dozen men at the door of the mill,
directing them to let no ono
pass carrying sack, but
TO tako no notice of others. Then step
ping up to the leader of the men in line
which was then dwindling away, for the
mutiueers were already beginning to
realize tho gravity of their situation, ho
arrested him without even drawing his
revolver. A dozen or so others who per-
sisted in standing by the leader were also
arrested, none Of them Offering any re-
sistance.
Within ten minutes after Davidson's
appearance tho last Of the rioters, except
those arrested had disappeared, and none
too soon, for shortly afterward q couple
of squadrons of cavalry came laundering
up at full gallop with section of q bat
terry behind them, this force having been
fortunately met with while on the march
near the city by one of the provost mar
shal's couriers, who explained tho situa-
tion to their commander. The rioters got
away with large amount of flour in
their hsversacks, however, and l don't
think any of them were ever brought to
capital punishment, not oven the ring
leaders.
The affair was hushed up as soon o:
possible, and the newspapers POSSIBLY by
request of the authorities) didn't mention
a word about 1t. Those stationed imme
diately in Petersburg at that time will
doubtless remember the circumstances
very we'll. Davidson was privately com
plimented by the general for his coo
courage and good judgment, and woult
certainly have received promotion hat
not the bottom fallen out of tn,
bucket SO suddenly. He died soor
after the war in Lexington, Va
Now, / have purposely refrainet
from mentioning the names of the bri
gades from which the rioters were Assem-
bled. 1t could do no good, and, moreover
when the hnal tug came they stood up q
braveiy as the bravest. No doubt thes,
men had become nervously prostrated fo
the moment from watching and fasting
and were, so to speak, temporarily insane
In fact, did space permit, could narrat
other instances within my recollectio
that happened during the latter part of tn
siege of Petersburg of acts committed b.
men which could not be nationally &C
} counted for, except that they were labor
, ing under species of insanity. Fc
instance, while l was on guard duty on
night some of the prisoners set fire to th
room they were in, and a number Of then
although nearly sutfocated by the smoke
refused to como out until they were pulle
out bodily by the guard.
, From what has been above written
! may we'll be believed that the men of tn
: army of northern Virginia look back wit
} no friendly feelings to the authoritie
J whose duty it was to strain every nerv
to clothe and feed them.