Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-06
POWER OF A VOICE.
An Interesting Incident of the War of
the Rebellion.


A peaceful army of young readers have
fallen into line since the close of the civil
war, yet the youngest of them are famil.
lar with many of the details of the war
and no doubt know of the noble Christian
Commission which supplemented the San
itary Commission, but had for its larger
care the moral and religious needs of the
soldiers.
Perhaps they know that its worthy
President was Mr. George H. Stuart,
of Philadelphia. Perhaps they do not
know that Mr.. Stuart still lives, and that
though burdened with the weight of i'll
ness and advanced age, his eyes kindle
over the memories of the past, and he de-
lights to recall the varied incidents of that
exciting period.
have often heard him tell story after
story of the war, and one has especially
impressed me, as showing the influence Of
a voice on the memory, and also what APP
pare-tly slight means Providence may use
to preserve life from peril. l would like
to tell it to the boys and girls of to-day.
Mr. Stuart was visiting camp a few
miles below Washington, and in the even
ing in company with two or three other
gentlemen-one of whom was the late Mr..
William E. Dodge, of New York-held a
prayer-meetlng among the soldiers Nine
o'clock was the regulation hour for closing,
but the interest was so deep that the Colo
mel of the regiment said go on" and the
meeting was prolonged for half an hour
more. At least, 10 o'clock had come when
the gentlemen prepared to return to Wash
ington by carriage. But the Colonel said
" You can't go to Washington tonight
the guard is posted already" las 9 was the
hour for guard mounting) "and an order
has been issued that no civilian shall have
the countersign."
Imperative business required the pres
ence of Mr.. Dodge, and he said he must be
in Washington before morning.
The Colonel said he would see what
could be done-perhaps the magic ''word''
would be given to Mr.. Stuart on account
of his position. He went to the head
quarters, and returning soon, whispered
the "word' in Mr.. Stuart's ear. Then he
gave these minute directions:
Drive out until you are near the senti-
ners post-about two miles from camp
then leave the carriage and walk up to
him. He will present his gun to your
face, and will call out, who goes there p
You will answer, "A friend with the count
ensign The sentinel will say, What is
it?' You will then give the word |
whispered in your ear, and he will allow
you to pass"
Well, they drove out in the darkness,
and Mr.. Stuart left the carriage at the
appointed place, and advanced till the
musket of the guard cleaned in dangerous
nearness to his face. Then the questions
and answers followed Just as the Colonel
had described; only when the sentinel
said, "What is it ?" Mr.. Stewart answered,
Beverly" and instead of this proving
the wonderful sesame" the sentinel cried,
calling him by name, "Mr. Stuart! you
have given the wrong word-that is not
the countersign. l cannot let you pass
you must go back to camp and get the
right word"
So back Mr.. Stuart and Mr.. Dodge
drove in the black night, over the roads
1t turned out that the officer by mis-
take had whispered the countersign of the
day before-it was changed every day
The mistake reotifed, they started again
and again went through the programme
This time the word was Massachusetts,
and they were permitted to go on.
But not before Mr. Stuart had turned
and asked the soldier, GLOW did vol
know who was in the darkness ~ and the
man had answered About fifteen year.
ago heard you speak to Sunday schoo
up in York State, and, though | have
never seen you since, l remembered you
voice. If it hadn't been for that, should
have shot your
Then said Mr.. Stuart, "My friend,
hope you have the countersign?" g"
have" g. What is itY' THE blood O
Jesus Christ" was the reverent reply.
Mr.. Stuart says this story has been tol'
far and near, and in other languages, bu
nearly always with untruthfui variations
Naturally, he likes to have an accurat
version given of such a thrilling inciden
in his life, and | can assure my readers
had this one only few days ago from hi
own hps-H 4. H. in april Vide Awak