The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-01-12

were made that McClellan's inactivity,
during the Fall and Winter Of the year 1861,
was wholly inexcusable.
It has also been established by the official
papers that / handled, that 80 per cent. of
the Confederate army about Manassas were
incapacitated by the prevailing epidemic in
August and September, and that an addi
tiOnai 25 per cent. were absent, while the
remainder were about as badly demoralized
by their victory as we were by the defeat.
do not intend TO criticize Gen. Mcclellan
In mentioning these facts; refer simply TO
my personal observations at Manassas and
RichmOld.
IT should have been explained in the pre-
ceding chapter, that the doubts and scruples
which ] had entertained about entering the
rebel army as a means Of furthering my end
were somewhat overcome by little incl
dent which occurred In the theater in Rich
monG.
Richmond hotels during the war were
very much ike those in Washington city
during the same period. Each evening the
ofices bilIiard-ro0ms and even the bar
rooms were crowded, and I freeuented those
places the most TO pick up the latest news.
The Richmond hotel loboies were tlronged
every day during the war by our scouts and
spies
At this time everybody was agreed On one
point-that something was up; and just
what il was We were all trying TO find out.
While engaged In this work [ met at the
hotel Office one evening my companion the
Colonel, who rushed up to say:
Why. where the devil have you been?
We have been looking for you everywhere"
IexpIaiBed that had been poking about
The ciIy all day, and was so tired that l was
going straight 10 bed.
" No, you aint; we are going to initiate
you tonight We got our orders to-day.
Elkton has his commission, and has au-
thOrity 10 enlist his men at last You know
we have nearly filed the quota for our sec
ti0n. ] ana TO be Sergeant Of the piece, and
with q slap Gu the shoulder)
"T0U ARE TO BE MY CORPORAL"
(Haaling nc toward the bar-room), 4" We've
got il ali fixed for you; and with an ezuItant
wink Pyo got my big bounty"
! felt that was corneTed: that I'd either
got 70 - along with my friends or get away
from tie'n. did not want 10 leave the city
at that llDat critical time, aud ! could not stay
exeep; as the friend OF these persons WHO had
known me - well and bad actually been pay
ing my b0Trding, ia expectation that il would
be refunded out Of my bounty, which was TO
be had foF tse mere asking
J asked only one question Where do we
Eof7
Why, nto Maryland, Of course"
On tais representation / yielded, and i vas
arranged that Z sEoBld 60 with him iu The
mOrnlnz t8 Eet the money aud sign the papers.
ElEton generously furnished tie Colonel and
myself ~lih spending money, and together we
weut out - make a night Of il" before we
EbcHll IolH tie army. / bad deferred taking
the OBLIGATION 20 the Confederate States as long
Is pes.iEie, and az the last moment still hoped
that something would turn Up 20 render il IN
Necessary.
Ifanyone imagines that the people who were
IN RicaSaond in the Fall and Winter OF ~
were deprived OF any II the pleasures usually
attached 70 large cities dUrimg exciting times
be is greatly mistaken.
We had little more Of that delusive apple
Jack before going 70 the theatsr which was
located on the street on which arc the Exchange
and BaiisTds Hotels.
] d0n'i remember the play; but one incident
mane q lasting impression on my mind. 0ns
Of the players sang with dramatic effect some
WordsAdapted 10 the Aarseiliaise Hymn, hold
ing IN one aand French flag and Ia tie othel
The Confederate bars. AZ a certain point tn,
Stars ssd Stripes we're brought upon the stage
throws 10 the floor, and
TRAsTPLzD UPON AsD sPUREED.
TIE wild eaeers Of approval aud the howls 0
applause from the large audience at this ex
hbiii i1u 0i venom towards {" Old Glory y sen
the cold chilis through me.
] wondered then, and have never ceased {,
wonder, al The frequent exhibitions ofcontemp
and disaonor that were SO freely indulged IN b.
the Southern people for their own old dag.
often thInk now that the people capable O
such dastardly conduct are liable 10 repeat th
ofense.
After the performance was ended, as we wer
slowly edging toward the door, / observed
tail fellow IN front turn around several time
70 look for some of his friends. / thought
had seen his face before, but as ! had beer
meeting 50 many new acqu2intances lately
paid little attention until be nodded 20 me- ant
without thongbt returned his bow. lie turn
ed and said something 70 his companion, whel
they both stopped in the crowd and looke
around al me; but the crowd kept pressn
down the narrow aisle
In my efforts 10 pass them got close enougl
to bear one say,
That's him, amt itp"
didn't incer 70 hear the reply, but shove
On toward the door, and had reached the crow
tn the Eestibule when voice behind me call
ed cut my right name.
! was startled. but did not turn, being anx
1o1s 10 get TO the street as quick as possible
heye told that was under an assumed nam
fsnfr al. -