Connecticut western news., 1885-05-13
AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR.
AN INSTANCE OF TRUE BRoTuRRLY
 AFFECTION.
How Twin Brothers Fought in the Federal
 Army.


 In September, 1862, the Eightieth In- diana Regiment was organized in Prince. ton. All of the neighbor boys were one listing, and then it became a trying question who should go, myself or my twin brother. Our parents were old and could not bear tho idea of our being separated. But the love of our country conquered; and on the next Sunday morning we brothers assembled at the barn to hold council of war, and it was decided that John (my twin brothor) should go. The separation seemed almost death to me. Tho regiment was ordered into Kentucky, January 22, 1868. Soon after received a letter from John, saying that he was sick and would like to have me come and see him. As soon as possible I went to him, and found him at Elizabethtown in the hospital. At the time of his enlistment he was eighteen years old and very heshy. found him a mere shadow of his former self. I applied for him afurlough. But, alas the captain said it was impossible. I knew he would die if left him, SO then proposed Co Cap- tain and Lieutenant Mcconnell that I should take his place in the regiment, and him return homo for awhile. To this they consented, providing I would not tell the regimental officers. The following night I left the hospital and went down to camp. The boys appeared to think hospital life agreed with me, thinking I was John. John left for home immediately, and entered upon camp life.
 When 1t was discovered that John had left the hospital, the doctor was in great trouble, and was going to raise a terrible racket because of his leaving without permission, but the captain told him to keep quiet, that John Walker was in camp and on duty; so that sot- tied it. They put me on guard that morning, and gave me a gun and told me to get ready for guard mount. Whom tho drum beat and the guards fell in was so scared I didn't know what was doing. got into the rear rank and got one of the boys to help me. It seemed to me that they were all looking at me and knew of the change. When the Adjutant gave the command to "nhoul- der arms, kept the butt of my gun on the ground, and the adiutant called for ''that man to get his gun to his shoul- der." turned and twisted, and came near fainting. Some ono of my com. rades came up behind mo and helped me get it placed in tho right petition.
 Away We went down tho railroad to guard the bridge. When VIC arrived the coporal told me that my time for being on guard would not come till twelve o'clock and that might go back to camp. l did not know it was against orders for men on guard to lay or their equipments, 80 of with all of mine, and piled them up with my gun, and made for camp. In about half an hour the colonel came down to water his horse in the creek and saw my equip ments, and asked the corporal who they belonged to. He replied to one of Com pany Ks men, md he was told to go and bring the man to his quarters. The corporal came and delivered his mos- sage to me. told him knew nothing about the laws. He told me to go to my post and he would go to the colonel. The colonel reduced him to tho ranks. [ had half mile to go, and think went in about minute.
 I finally got accustomed 10 the rules, and had no moro trouble; also, I got accustomed to being called John. We drilled for two months every day, md the officers never knew the difference and but very few of the company. On May there was m order to give ten days furlough to all of our soldiers. I came homo on my furlough. By this time John had entirely recovered, and returned on my furlough to Company K, and served his time out. Toledo | Blade