The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-10-20

will he when his circumstances, response
billtes and personal relationships are en-
tirely reversed The Coloners manner In
s,sntly fell. He said; "You well know
sir, canno, accept your resignation. MOI
can procure It's acceptance" He retired
Shortly afterwards his personal orderly
came TO me with the verbal message; Mr.
Cushman sends his compliments to Major
Welch, and will do himself the honor tC
call on him at his quarters In half an hour.
very good, Present Major Welchs COM
piments 70 Col. Cushmsn, and will be
happy TO meet him Ms appointed" The
time arrived, the Colonel appeared. Being
warm weather, he wore but checked
shirt and ordinary, citizens pants. His
manner was calm, dignifed and respectful.
Seated upon a camp cot, he said that diff
ferences would arise In army life, not al
ways easy 10 be settled. Complimentary
acknowledging my srduous service, and
his own difficulties and irrita.ions. he said
he had determined II 10 be best TO visit me
to talk over the matter between US "as be.
tween man and man. 10 the end that all
things should move on harm oniOusly there.
after. He made all explanations, and re>
tired, evidentlylpleased and satisfied with
the interview. From thenceforward our
mutual relationships we're Of the most sat-
isfactory character, up TO the last time !
had the pleasure OF meeting him Though
he never parted with the least OF his pecu
liar character as military officer when
acting In bis office, whatever divestiture
he might make of the military character in
which he was called 10 perform part, II
was only for the passing purpose. That
done, that Of the commanding officer he al
once and integrally became, with manner
and action as inevitable as II he we're but
a machine.
The nearest he ever came to conces-
sion, In my knowledge, was hearing him
say once, as to serious breach of discip
line: 81 will overlook it." A secret mutiny
once started In the regiment. Though hav
ing gained considerable proportions, II
failed to eliminate. In his talk with me
as between man and man. before referred
to- this was mentioned, as II rather init
mately concerned our differences. His
comment was characteristic and signiti
cant: Il was fully aware privately of
what was going on, all through II. 1t was
fortunate for that young man that IT did
not reach me officially. 1t was mutiny in
face of the enemy, without mitigation. He
would as surely have been court martialed
and shot as 1t had been reported to me-"
l will lengthen out this account by but
one further citation The regiment was
encamped at La Grange, Tenn, In June,
1862, In what "the boys" will remember
as the old stump pasture. The same strict
accordance with L. S. regulations. Camp
guards as duly maintained as If an inde'
pendent command, and the enemy imme-
diatelv environing. | had been absent
from camp till into the night About to
enter the usual gateway, the sentry posted
there commanded, Halt" bringing down
the point of his bayonet. advance and
give the countersign" Knowing the man
perfectly, and he mel answered, Mon
sense" or TO that purport; "too much style
knowing me SO we'll" $50, Surgeon; but
ortlers No help for 1t. Can't vary" "Call
the corporal of the guard The corporal
reported the case TO the Colonel, who gra.
ciously permitted me to enter! AS soon al
bestowed in quarters he SENT FOR MEL Re.
porting, the culprit was gravely lectured
concerning the offense he had committed
against military discipline and dignity, il
an attempt to "force the guard" also in
"holding dispute with him" The sen.
try holds post of honor. He stands for
the commanding officer An offense offer
ed linn offends that officer To be sentry
is an honor To be marked unworthy of
IL is punishment and disgrace. / deemed
it due to you, Major, to impart this instruc-
ton" The admonition was received 1t is
believed, with becoming humility and
profit The Colonel was again absolutely
right. That was his character till mustered
out of the service: he was the Colonel in
all respects He was man not to be ig>
noled, much less put d0,ca. His character
compelled respect | think the service
lost man who would have developed into
great usefulness If he had continued in it.
But he was fairly forced into resigning, TO
preserve his self'respect. The men "born
to command were numerously crowded
out by self'seeking, ambitious men, In
whose way they stood. Probably General
Hurlbut was his more immediate competi-
tor--even adversary; who, in turn, was so
much an obstacle to the advancement of
one who at length reached the highest rank
that all means were essayed TO dispose OF
him. The true history of the Battle of
Hatchie River will never be written, seeing
that Hurlbut is dead but In the orders
which he received from the highest au-
thority on that eventful day and his being