The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1889-08-29
A MAGNANIMoUs ACT.
A HAGN ANXIOUS ACT.
How Gen. John C. Brown
Saved a Young Soldier
from DiShOnOr.
He Forces Gen. 10. Johnson to
Yield in Personal In
terview.
Gen. Brown Said He Would Resign
II Els Superior Did Not
Grant the Appeal.

had conversation with a gentle
man Who for thirty-fye years was
on intimate terms of relationship
with 1.-THE late ex-Gov. John G.
Brown. Much that was interest
ing concerning the distinguished
son OF Tennessee was referred to,
but attention Is particularly direc
ted TO On occurrence never before
made public, but which forcibly H.
illustrates his character Said the
speaker. "a few days before his
death, while recounting incident; of
the late war Gov. Brown in the
freedom of close personal friend
ship related to me an event which
he said he had never referred to
since its happening, but | think il
may ne W be properly spoken OF.
An Innate sense of delicacy had
| prevented him from discussing 1t
with his friends.
when he was 70 ming a compa-
ny in Giles county at the opening
of the war an old gentleman to
whom be was much attached came
TO him with the request that he
take in his command g. 15-year
Old con who was bent upon enter
ing the army. Tie father was nat
urally solicitous about the youth
and appealed to the governor to
| befriend and overlook him as best
he might during the eventfui strug
| gle ct hand. Gen Brown consent
ed and The coy shouldered his gun
and enlisted. He made an excel :
lent solder, active, courageous and
faithful in the discharge OF duty.
-Four years later the young man
received a letter stating that his
father was dying and urging him
to come home.
| just at that time Gen. 10 John
son was vigorously enforcing dis
clpllne and TO an extent that i;
was almost impossible for man
to secure a furlough. However,
the young man went to Gen. Brown
and laid the case before him, Gen,
Brown promptly recommended that
he receive permission to return to
his family for awhile, deeming it q
peculiarly proper recognition Of bis
excellent record. Gen. johnson,
however, refused to grant the fur.
Tough and the young Giles Counti-
an, without more ado, shouldered
his gun and went home. After he
had attended to his affairs he re-
turned to the army. For this be
was court martialed and it was or
dered that a barrel be placed about
his body, his head and arms pro-
truding, that the word "deserter'
be placed on placard on the bar
rel and he be marched in front of
the regiment. Gen. Brown opposed
this punishment He knew that
the young man had done wrong in
going home and thought he should
be punished; but be was convinced
that it would he an outrage to dis
grace the youth, for the penalty dc
creed by the court meant nothing
short OF dishonor as would break
his spirit. Gen. Brown went to
see Gen. johnson and laid his pro-
test formally before him. Johson
was inexorable; be said that un-
der no circumstances could he set
aside the decision of cours mar
tial. Gen. Brown emphasized the
hne services Of the youth, his cour
age and devotion; recited the high
and loyal character of his family
and the peculiarly appealing cir
cumstaces under which he went
home. johnson was still obdurate.
Finally Gen. Brown, who was a
great favorite with johnson, made
a personal appeal 10 him to set
aside the verdict and let milder
punishment be inflicted, o we're
penalty, but one short of dishonor.
johnson still refused TO relent. Att
this Gen. Brown arose and address.
ing his superior, SAID: "Well, gen.
eral, if you do not rescind that or
der will surrender my commits
slon. Are you in eaintstY said |
Johnson. i am replied Gen. |
Brow. Seeing that Gen. Brow |
was determined Johnson surren-
dered and turned the youth over to |
him. Gen. Brown did punish him
and severely but not in the mann er
decreed by the c. urt. asked Gen. |
Blown if he would in reality have |
resigned had Johnson not yielded.
AS surely as / am living man, | |
would,' was his reply. The gener-
al in conclusion remarked tina this
young man is now one of the fore
most citizens of Giles county. He
would not give his name anu he has
no idea of the manner in which
Brown saved him from an order
which, in all probability, would
have been blasted
"Was lot this magnanimlty"
the speaker concluded, "a nobler
heart never beat than that in the
bosom of John G. Brown
Evening Herald.