The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-01-07
A USEFUL PRISONER.
How an Arrested suspect Provided His Guards
with Toothseme NiandS.

To THE EDITOR: At our last meeting of Bal
ley Post. Portsmouth, o., our Commander told
us a war story about one Hanes, who resided
in the early years of the rebellion on the b. "
o. X. L. in the mountain country. He was
vicious rebel. Battery l. was stationed on the
railroad watching the road and bridges, ana
Haines was supposed to be an active enemy
and even dangerous foe, giving information
to the enemy, assisting the Confederate cause
in every way he could. At last the command
ing officer of the forces, among whom was Serg
Foster of our Post, deemed it necessary TO SEND
q force TO Hainess residence "a log cabin, Jut-
ted up against the mounlaiu) to arrest MIN
and bring him into camp to avert all danger
Scrg't Foster, with several Corporals and many
privates were sent out to bring him IN. ne
boys were all fresh soldiers and magnlhed the
dangers of the expedition, and took great pre-
caution TO save themselves from any disaster
They surrounded his cabin cautiously and
finally captured him, his wife and family IN
the meantime crying with fear. They took
him TO camp and reported to the commanding
officer. They had no guard-houSe and 11aines
was put in charge of the Sergeants, who were
ordered to guard him in their quarters, taking
charge of him each in turn. lie was very
tractable and obedent, and was quite useful In
cooking and preparing fuel, etc. While In
charge of Serg't Foster, the latter became much
attached TO his prisoner and gave him the
could hardly deny him any favor he might
crave. Finally evening he asked the
privilege of going home to see his wife and ba-
bies Serg't Foster had not the nerve TO deny
him the boon, deeply feeling himself fond de-
sire TO see home and wife himself. "Halnes,
he said, If | let you go home tonight, would
you be sure to return in the morning? If you
should be found missing in the morning would
be in quandary how to face my commanding
officer" He promised faithfully to not only re-
turn, but bring with him an outfit OF corn
pone, milk, and eggs wherewith his mess could
comfort and regale themselves in that scantily
provisioned section of w. Va. This latter sug-
gestiOn settled the Sergeants mind, and gave
Haines permission to go, cautlonlng HIM to
never divulge the secret, either Of his going or
who gave him permission.
After giving the leave of absence he was
dreading the upShot of the matter, and thought
sure HaiueS would never return, and he would
be out his corn pone and milk, and perhaps be
called before a courtmartial. He passed a
restless night Haines, however, returned next
morning, with a bountiful supply of all, and
more than he had promised He was cooking
a splendid breakfast for the mess next morn
ing when Serg't Foster awoke He had three
or four miles to travel to his cabin
The mess quickly devoured and greatly en-
joyed the change of diet from bareback to corn
pone and milk, etc, but wondered whence 1t
secret. short time after Serg't l.. L. Beatty,
of the same company, asked Serg't Foster con-
fdentialy how he obtained the corn pone and
milk, as he would like to Il" go and do likewise"
Under strict injunction of privacy he told him
how Haines (whO was then under his charge as
a prisoner had been permitted to go home, out
side the lines, to see his wife, and how he re-
warded him for his kindness. Beatty took the
hint, and there was another relay of pone and
milk. Finally each Sergeant had the secret
and got the corn pone, but the privates were in
blissful ignorance as to how these officers sue
ceeded in getting corn pone and milk. Thus
matters were carried Oh until the command
was ordered away. When the command passed
the road that led to Haues's cabin the latter
solicited the privilege of going home again to
see his wife. Serg't Foster gave him consent
sine die, and never saw him afterwards but
once, when he found him good onion man.
If any veteran who reads this is still in
ignorance of where the corn pone and milk
came from, this may enlighten him.-D., Ports
mouth, O.