Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-01-20

lutH. hluDkH. VI hHNNlltig lluullrHAh iNhNSi
testifying to tLe braveryor the jews in
the war for liberation inlsl9
Reading the above in the Madison
(Ind.) Courier, brought to my mind a
story OF the late war, in which Peter
Shomer. jew soldier, was the lead
ing character. The writer enlisted
Shomcr in Madison, Inl., in the sum
mer of 1861, he saying at the time
that he came from Cincinnati. lie
was u stranger to us and we took
him in, and, on an order from Uncle
Sam, we gave him a suit Of blue and
a musket. lie was probably the only
jew in Gcueral Alexander Mcdowell
McCook's division, at least we never
saw or heard Of any other. lie was
brave and resolutc in battle, and was
ever ready aud willing 10 do his duty
without grumbling at the hard lot of
a private soldier.
Yet there was something strange in
Shomer's actions. lie seemed always
restless, as if trouble of some kind
was preying upon his mind. In talk
ing with him lie would invariably
have his eyes turned towards the
ground. At last the crisis came that
told il all. The army lying at the
Green River bridge, in Kentucky,
awaiting its reconstruction after its
destruction by the Confederate Cen
eral Buckner on his retreat after his
threatening maneuvers in the vicinity
of Louisville. 1t was necessary that
a pontoon bridge should span Green
River, so that the country in our
front could be picketed. A detail OF
several hundred men was made from
our regiment, and others, among
them one hundred men from the First
Ohio Regiment, being ten from each
company, for the purpose of making
roadway down TO the pontoon
bridge.
Peter Shomer, the,Jew soldier was
one of The detail from our company,
and as soon as we appeared on the
river bank the First Ohio men began
to laugh ai,and tantalize Shomerwho
went at his work, though never look
ing IN at his prosecutors. The fact
was the Ohio boys all knew him bet
ter then we did. lie was deserter.
His old Captain claimed him, and
was going to have him back at all
hazards and have him courtmartialed
and shot.
Capt. Samuel Russell "a bravel
or better soldier then whom never
wore the blue) said Peter Shomei
was now a soldier in his company
and he and his men proposed to stand
by him. II necessary they would
protect him by the bayonet. These
brave words, coming from one we
knew meant every word of it, had Q
soothing effect upon the First Ohio
men, and Peter worked on with his
shovel until his task was done and
returned with his comrades to the
camp.
Peter Shomer, a deserter, was al
the talk in our camp that night, anc
in the camp of the First Ohio it was
also discussed. The next day al
order came to our regiment to deliver
the deserter to his original Captain
to stand trial by courtmartial.
Capt. Russell told Shomer to ge
ready and he would go with him
and see that he got fair trial, know
ing that the order was imperative
coming from General McCook.
When our jew soldier left us that
day in company with his Captain
we didn't expect to ever again be per
mitted to gaze upon his familiaI
countenance. AS it was necessary t
enforce discipline in the army then t'
prevent desertion, we thought Ii
would be made an example of and bt
shot.
The courtmartial assembled a
Munfordsville, and the prisoner wa
summoned before it for trial.
The First Ohio Captain testified t
the fact of Shomcr's desertion from
his company, detailing all the Incl
dents in regard thereto, and wount
up with his appearance at Grcel
= River.
Shomer was allowed to make
statement in his behalf, which wa
listened to by the Court with grea
interest. lie did not deny the fac
that he had deserted from the Firs
Ohio. In a sorrowful manner h
told how the soldiers had made gam
of him day and night, because h
was jew, until he could stand thei
prosecutions no longer, so he go
away from Cincinnati on a boat ant
came to Madison, Ind, and enlisted
with Captain that did not permi
his men to devil the life out of hin
because he was jew.
After hearing Shomer's straigh
0 story, which was not contradicte'
, by other witnesses, and the fact @
S his yet being in the army, notwiIll
$ standing his desertion, Gen. McCool
asked him which Captain he prefer
! red to 90 with and stay in the army
Shomer replied that he would prefe
Capt. Samuel Russell, and he wa
turned over to that officer.
0 When Capt. Russell returned froT
Q the couremartial, bringing Shome
: with him, they were received wit
great rejoicing by the BOYS. A