Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-12-31
SAVED BY BOY SOLDIERS.
x0yE mn Atfenrpt Co PiIIage Lynch
burE was Prevented

Did n Yirginian town of Lynchburg. For
months Lynchburg had been used as
depot for the collection Of supplies, and
at This especial time there was still on
haRd large quantity Of stores.
Richmond gone and the war practical
~ ended. there was no longer need of
supplying troops and the authorities, at
the time Of which we write, were max
ing arrangements for the systematic dis
tribGtion Of provisions to the people Of
the town.
The sight of storehouses filed with
soldiers who would no longer need to be
fed, and the thought Of their own fam
ished condition, was more than their
weak Aesh and blood could endure.
Infamed and excited by few leading
spirits, an immense throng-mostly of
women and children-had crowded into
the street, picked up such missiles as
came to their hands, and with shouting
and clamor were rushing toward the
officers.
BREAD beard we are starvingl" was
their cry, and glance at their distorted
and determined faces showed they would
stop at nothing to secure their end.
On they came, their number swelling
every moment, and their yells and cries
filing the air. The general, knowing
the terrible results likely to follow the
capture of the stores by the mob-there
being liquors as well as food in the ware
houses conscious that what was to
be done must be done at once, turned to
one Of his companions and said, tCap-
tain, order your company here, sir, as
quickly as possible, and If that crowd
does not scatter, when give the word,
fire upon them.n
The young officer, his face flushing as
he saluted, replied, General, my men
do not fight women and children, and,
even were to give such a command,
which cannot do, would certainly re-
fuse to obey it."
Under the circumstances such a reply
would have been severely punished as a
breach Of military discipline, but distinc-
tions of rank were almost lost now, and
the general, biting his lips, hurriedIy
made the same request of the others
about him.
Each in turn answered substantially as
the first.
The general cast glance at the ever
advancing mob, and then said, in tone
of utter despair:
DO you realize, gentleman, that that
crowd means drunkenness, debauchery,
pillage and perhaps murder2 My God |
Is there no one who will obey an order
10 prevent these horrorsa"
10 his am z.ment voics seemingly
at his stirrup answered: 'Yes, general,
will"
Looking down he saw lad, perhaps
fifteen years old, uniformed as a cadet
captain.
''What do you say, my boyG"
MY men will obey you, sir" was the
reply.
The old soldier gazed at the little
fellow an instant, noted the earnestness
and determination in the young counte-
nance, and, perhaps, thinking that a
possible chance of averting the awful
scenes Of bread riot, saluted him and
said:
Every well, captain, order your
men," with slight emphasis on the
word), 'sin line from curb to curb, and
then await my further orders"
The young captain disappeared around
a corner, but in a moment returned at
the head Of company Of boys like him
self, placed them as directed, and then
said: ''Sir, my men are ready"
Have them load their pieces with
ball cartridges, captain, and when give
the word, if it becomes necessary, I
want them to fire low, butte fire. You
understand, sira"
Eyes, general"
The latter then rode toward the ad-
vancing mob, and the officers drew on
one side, looking upon the scene with
mingled feelings Of shame and dread.
The young captain had meanwhile
joined his company
The command ''loadv was given and
executed with precision and quiekness
then .readyln and the young soldiers
stood motionless, waiting the word to
follow.
The mob. which was now but stones
throw from this little band, had watched
all these proceedings with much interest,
and when they realized that it was ex-
pected to stop their progress by means
Of these few boys, renewed their deris-
i've shouts ana emphasized them with a
shower Of stones.
The general as he neared the approach
ing column, halted, raised his hand to
command silence, and in few plain
words demonstrated with the throng. He
was interrupted frequently BY shouts Of
Food we will have food p and stones
now few about his head.
He paused moment, then rode to the
side Of the little company, drew his
watch from his pocket, and, holding it
in his open palm, continued:
T have warned you fairly, my friends,
and the consequences are upon your own
heads. ] shall give you five minutes in
which to disperse. If, at the expiration
Of that time. you have not started, you
will be shot down where you stand.