The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

i LII Nv
and at this late date TO publicly acknowledge
my obligation. l have not forgotten his kindly
interest in assisting me to reach my home at
once.
There was not dollar Of any kind of money
among the three of us, SO we had need of
friends then. Ia this camp first saw green
back, which was presented to me by this young
staff officer.
After the General was satisfied that he had
pumped US all dry of information, he gave the
necessary orders for our entertainment.
We were taken in charge by
COUPLE OF JOLLY FELLOWS
Of an Indiana regiment, ,one of whom had been
a river man and had some acquaintance with
that section of the Ohio River the headwaters
of which l had started out from with Andy
Johnson's train some mouths before.
was tired-I believe 1 have said so once be-
f0re-and as soon as possible after hearty
supper had been swallowed hunted place to
stretch myself out for rest felt safe enough,
and knew then that for the first night in months
/ could lie down to sleep in perfect security,
not dreading or fearing what the next day
would bring forth.
/ One fellow seemed to have taken offense at
! what he supposed was an intentional slight or
failure to recognize his importance. he was
/ think, First Sergeant of company; one OF
everybody because he wasn't the Colonel. don't
really remember what I could have said or
/ done to have brought upon my defenseless
| head his vengeance, but it's my impression
/ now that in his positive, disagreeable way he
had been boastfully referring to the rebel force
/ in their front as being of no consequence-you
all know how some fools talk about the enemy.
! It's barely possible that / had resented his
estimate Of the ability of the rebels / had just
/ left. 1 had been among them good while
/ and knew something of their character, and 1T
was weakness with me 10 attempt to defend
! them at such time but l reckon l was as
! big fool as this Sergeant, and talked too much,
! In an honest, candid way, about the earnest
ness and patriotic zeal, and enthusiasm, as
well as the undoubted courage of the rebel SOL
diers.
l got myself into serious trouble several
/ times subsequently on this same dangerous
! ground; and, in fact, my honest opinions from
my own observations, which were too freely ex-
! pressed in public at a subsequent date, resulted
/ in putting me into the Old Capitol Prison at
1 Washington, by order of Secretary Stanton,
when l occupied a room adjoining Belle Boyd,
the rebel spy, for awhile. 1t was a mistake
that was soon corrected. But l must not an
ticipate.
Whatever the conversation between US was,
my recollection of it was lost in the sound sleep
| that Immediately followed l reckon that
was so tired that / was cross grained at the
/ persistence Of the fellow in urging himself
upon me. / was wakened from a sound sleep
by Corporal with armed guard, who said
he had orders to put me in the guardhouse.
/ Hardly realizing my position in my dazed con-
/ dition, mechanically followed the Corporal
out into the cool night air, which had the effect
/ Of awakening me fully to the changed condi-
I ton IN my circumstances.
1t seemed so ike a dream that l could
! hat / VA heiu n
guardhouse. The Corporal kindly intimated
to me that there were fears that / would get
away. ] could get no further satisfaction from
him or the guard, except that the matter would
be explained in the morning.
l finished my sleep wrapped up in the same
blanket in what they called
THE GUARDHoUsE.
The fact that sentinel stood near me with
loaded musket did not at all interfere with my
slumber; in fact 1t rather had the effect of in,
ducing more sound sleep, as I felt a certain per
s0nai security from the rebels as long as l wa
honored with private protector Of my Owl
while ] slept. In the morning a good break
fast was sent me- Lanyard called 10 see me, bu
was not permitted 10 speak to me, aud walked
of swearing to himself like q sailor.
After guard-mounting, which ] witnessed
I with good deal Of pleasure aRd satisfaction,
was conducted IN the same style as before 4
the Generals tent, where l met the young stat
officer, who in the most brotherly name
said:
, Mr.. -, the General was disposed to Civ
you special eonsi9eraN on, because, it seems
) he had been impressed by your manner ant
your voluntary salute to our colors yesterday
that you were born loyalist; but he is in
formed by Capt. - and some members o
Co. -, Indiana, that you were detected in Civ
ing expressions to the most traitorous senti
ments and even declared your belief Of th
ultimate success Of the rebels, which, you know
/ is not the way you talked to Us yesterday"
S My manner and the expression Of my fac
must have satisfied the young officer at once
{ really, l was TOO much taken abaek 10 speak 70
: q moment. but when my tongue did ge
D lOOsened it gave expression to such violent.lau
D guage that the young officer laughed hearth
9 at my earnestness. ] de1ied most positiyel
F.; the use Of any such words aud demanded th
+ authority. The officer simply said:
{ Well, the General said you were nobody
fool and didn't think You would have talke
IN that way IN our camp" Then turning [
an Orderly he directed him 20 bring TO head
: quarters certain person, whose name / al
J. sorry ] am unable 20 give. II was the batan
y Dragging First Sergeant who had forced hin
,. self upon me. When face 70 face with him.
: the presence of the General and several otht
: persons I was able to so completely demolish b
J. statements that the affair was enioyed by ever
IS body around as one of the best jokes of th
; campaign. ! was, Of course, indignant, and
. talked badly was apt to be that way the
5 and 10y tongue and gestures toward my vi
= avis created SO much amusement I was allowt
2 70 indulge myself to the fullest extent, 1t "
= a mistake Of mine. The Sergeant went ava
-e humiliated and full Of reYengeful intent.
e was released from arrest soon, and ioine
le Lanyard in the camp The affair Great,
e something Of a breeze, as every soldier
camp had heard OF my arrest. While ia
Ig tent surrounded by crowd Of boys, who we
as congratulating me, an officer with q draw
D. sword rushed into the crowd, and ia an iusta
OF put the point Of his sword against my bress
r and, with wild oath, grabbed for my thro.
a. declaring he would Kill me if I did not 9etra
s every word / bad said to the General abo
his First Sergeant.
q, have said that in cases Of sudden and da
y geTOus emergency / was always able to ke
% cool, while get terribly ratified IN anticiT
20 tion Of imaginary danger. Soft was that in u
e case / was the only cool one in the crow
N Looking straight ia the Captains eye a.
o. wholly disregarding his sword, l said 10 b
re calmly,
~ ~ AN uSARsfED AND A PRISONER"
At this, one of the men present, though on
be an enlisted man, attempted to interfere in I
ch behalf which only seemed to further enra
u the officer, who turned from me to glare at
common soldier.
at In the meantime some one had run over