The Arizona sentinel., 1886-01-23
UNDER TWO FLAGS.
A Pathetic Story of Young Soldier Who Served in Both the Union and Confed- crate Armies.

Pathetic Story of a Young Soldier Who Served in Both the Union and Confed- crate Armies.
 The civil war was such big thing, it lasted so long, and covered such vast expanse of territory, that it was an easy matter for man to fight in both ar mics, and escape detection and punish ment as a deserter. A few months be- fore Georgia seeded bright young New Englander settled in one of our country towns. His Northern birth caused him to be suspected, and on this account he was probably more out l spoken in the expression of secession sentiments than he would have been un- der other circumstances. The State went out of the Union, the trouble con- menced in earnest, and volunteer con- panies began to organize and go to the front. Our New England friend felt that the pressure of public opinion was too strong to be withstood. Itwas hard to fight his own people, but if he did not become a Confederate soldier, the people were liable in some hour of mad excitement to lynch him. So he donned suit of gray and trudged off to Vir- ginia with musket on his shoulder.
 The unwilling volunteer stood camp life very well. He bore his part man. fully in many skirmish and battle, and in the course of time was made a lieu tenant. He came very near going through the war without a spot on his record, but in fatal moment he yielded to temptation and disgraced himself and hls uniform.
 It was a cold wet day in April, 1865. The Lieutenant had become separated from his command on the march. He lost his way and threw himself on the wet ground completely worn out. His physical weakness depressed his mind, and he gave himself up to a fit of de- spondency. A flood of bitter thoughts rushed over him. Why should he, an alien, risk his life in defense of people who hated him. Why should he strug- gle on, he knew not how many years longer, fighting against his kinsmen and friends! Following an impulse which seemed irresistible, he rose to his feet and set his face in the direction of the Federal lines. Before nightfall he was in the camp of the enemy.
 The poor fellow told his story after ward with mournful pathos He said that the Federals wanted to treat him as spy. When they refused to believe his tale of desertion he of fercd to volunteer as proof of his good faith. The offer was accepted. lie got into blue uniform. and found himself once more in active service. Two days later General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. In an- other month the deserter was mustered out
 The man was in a quandary. He dared not go back to his New England home. The people there all knew that he had been in the Confederate army On the other hand he could not go to Georgia, where he would be denounced and dcspised as deserter. He drifted to Boston, and there he narrowly es- capped getting into prison. His tongue got him into the trouble. He remarked to lady at his clearinghouse that he would rather lie in an honored Confederate grave down in Dixie than own half of Boston. The lady was furious. She reported the con versation to the Provost Marshal, and that officer sent a file of men to march the deserter to his office. The unfortu- nate man unbosomed himself to the Marshal, concealing nothing. He ad- mittcd using the language reported, and said that it reflected his state of mind If he had held out against temptation two days longer, he could have returned fn wit a ar1 @-.o T and true Confederate. AS it was he felt himself an outcast, with no country, no flag, no comrades, nothing but blasted character The Provost Marshal was sensible man. He listened in silence, gave his prisoner a cigar and said You may go, but don't talk that wa7 any more"
 Sometimes this follower of the two flags passes threugk Georgia on busi-