The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-05-04

peremp,orlly denied, Shortly after, Capt
Norton came to my quarters, and will
some feeling expostulated, against not eX
cusing Drew, 10 his mind 1t being wrons
and cruel. The decision was not reversed
ample reasons given, and the Captain
advised 70 institute close scrutiny Of hi'
man He did and ! believe II was the
very evening, he came 10 me saying ht
was satisfied WAS right; that he had had
trouble with him all day, and that the mex
morning he should detail three files to
march behind him with crossed bayOnets
their points In immediate c0ntlguity 70 the
rear Of his person. The plan succeeded
Drew was duly propelled into camp. /,
remains 10 record the lamentable fact, that
that very night he deserted 10 the rebels
and our country was forever thereafter de-
prived Of what further services he might
have rendered. Whatever he may have
treacherously impaired, touching the
weakness and impairment Of our forces
and the general situation, 10 his newly
found friends, will doubtless forever re-
main hidden among the many dark secrets
In our nations history, For the places
which for considerable time had known
him most too thoroughly KNEW him, there
after, no more forever!
Drew had very cunningly concealed his
purpose and his methods, during long
period after re-enlistment. A few others
had been equally successful; some detect
ed earlier and some later. And as new
forms of disease developed in the course of
the var, requiring new and special modes
Of treatment, so did Feigned Diseases as
sumo new forms of manifestation, likewise
requiring new methods of management.
In this, on several occasions, | had some
very efficient volunteer assistants,-the
more Jealous In that they had so long been
victlmized In having to perform increased
duties because of the fictitious assumption
of disability on the part of their comrades.
Perhaps il was "intrd dig;" and might, in
some respects, be considered conduct un-
becoming an officer and a gentleman" but
we are sometimes, In emergencies, obliged
to resort to special and extreme devices to
further Legitimate purposes | think 1t was
near Bolivar, Tenn, shortly before the
battle of Hatchie River, one afternoon,
Sergt. Hemstreet-by the way, first class
man and good soldier, killed the next year
In O'd's slaughter pen at jackson, Miss -
came to my quarters, ana 10 a very modest
hesitsting and apologize way, sought 10
enlist my assistance in a scheme to cure
one OF the men of his company of the prac'
tice of what they had all come TO the con
cluson was nothing but playing off sick"
As all concerned In 1t, whom he named,
knew to be honorable and good men, who
would not betray me, | thought the end
would justify me in joining the conspiracy
though extraordinary. He said proceed
ings we're fairly begun. They had all as
sumed manner of great anxiety and con-
ceru, and that the man (whose name
have utterly forgotten) had been made to
believe he was great deal sicker than
even himself had imagined, and had de.
cided 10 call the Surgeon. Accompanied
by Sergeant Hemstreet, | went, with be-
coming solemnity, down to the mans
quarters. where his comrades had him In
charge, under tree. He was given
examination, as became my Of
fee. No evidence of disease appeared,
beyond certain state of torpor and
of functions natural to those
of disposition to Incidence and self-in-
diligence.
With proper regard to professional dig
nifty" gradually assumed a manner and
language of establishment and Indignation
" that we should have a set of fellows
among us, calling themselves soldjCrS, so
inhumane, nay iHhum0H as would allow a
comrade TO lay and suffer as this man evil
IDENTITY had, paying no heed whatever to
his perilous condition, I'll, for all they
knew or cared, he might be at the very
point Of death! Fortunate that they really
did have sense enough to call me before
1t was everlastingly too late! The speech
had due effect, as per programme. To APP
pearance 1t was 4 cruSher. They were
much overcome! contrltely apologized
and, stirring themselves about, expressed
earnest desire to do whatever was possible
to make good their delinquency. gave
directions that one man should make Ii
his business to give his entire personal at
tentlon to the poor fellow till he should
be better, and all the others render what
assistance they could-the Seargent TO re.
turn to the hospital foi medicine and more
minute and explicit directions. An unade
vised spectator would have supposed that
If there was any playing off, the con.
spirators were the dramatjs pcrSonGe.
The medicines was harmless, though
adapted TO the needs of the case To be
taken every fifteen minutes till finished.
An hour or so and the sergeant reported,