The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-25

bling. Gathered in group at one end of the We
randa were Richard Yates, the Governor of Hi
noisi William Kellogg, the congressman from
this district; Richard j. Ogesby, Alexander
Simpson, of Carthage, a leading Republican of
Hancock county; State Senator tafterward Colo
neil Marshall, of Coles county; John Farms
worth, at that time an Illinois State representa-
tive and afterwards a general and several 9TH
eTs Slowly pacing backward and forward, with
his arms folded, was John A Logan. The con-
versation between the members of this group
was carried on in a subdued tome and would
cease entirely whenever Logan ia his solitary
walk, approached that end of the veTanda His
arms were folded as tightly as possible his
swarthy brow was puckered as though with
anxious thought, and his eye was cleaning,
while his fingers seemed to clutch conyulsively
at intervals, at each shoulder. 1t appeared as
though he was trying to smother the fires of a
hidden volcano which ragged within There was
not man IL that group who did not appreciate
the fact that he terribly moved in some
way; there was not man who did not under
stand the great weight which John A Logan
would bring to any cause which he espoused.
Logan had been present at the battle the day be-
fore, but the others were not at that time aware
OF the fact He had been the bitter and deter
mined political foe of at least two of the most
prominent men who constituted the little group.
1t seemed that some consultation had been 60
ing ON among its members when the informant
approached for just at that moment AR KEEL
logg, glancing towards the retreating figure of
the swarthy statesman and addressing Governor
Yates said;
Dick l think one of US should speak to
Logan"
Governor Yates looked toward the gloomy
figure which by this time had turned its black
browed, wrathfnl eyes toward them, and
claimed:
You can do so if you wish I'll be -ifI
do"
A momentary silence ensued between the
members of the little coterie, until Logan had
made two or three more turns, when Kellogg
stepped forward and addressed him:
John" said he 1--WE want to know what you
think about this matter"
Unonism and disunionism were too such alb
sorbing topics at that time that it was not
deemed necessary to specify what matter" WAS
alluded to. but it was not without a tremor of
the voice that brave kellogg put the question
John Logan's hands dropped to his sides ard
he took three four strides, which brought
him in such close proximity to the little group
that he could have touched either with an out
stretched finger as he answered Kellogg in a
voice which trembled with pity and anger:
Bill, did you see that boy of MeCookis killed
yesterday" C'The hoy of McCooks" was a
seTenteen-y eaF-old son of Major McCook, father
of the three Gems. MeCook. and had been killed
at Bull Run the day before.
kellogg. who had been a witness os his death,
replied: 81 did"
''And did YOU" said Logan. in a terrible voice
"see that Internal scoundrel of a rebel lieu
tenantgeneral run him through the body with
his sword when the poor wounded boy had his
Bleeding hands raised in pitiful appeal for quar-
terl'
81 did, said Kellogg.
well 50 did L. said logan, ''and by the
living God above us. am from this time hence
forth Abolitonist and enemy to q cause
which sanctions such proceedings"
And then, turning to Yates, he continued;
Yates. | am going home to raise regiment
Will you give me commission
GLADLY and cheerfully. john"
And in this way did John A. Logan enter
upon that other phase in his great career, which
will be so fttingly rewarded on the 4th of No
vember