The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-06-23
GEN. BUTLER AND TEE GUARD.

will tell a little incident took part
in soon after the equalization of New
Orleans, showing Gen. Buffers vigilance
and daring. was private of Company
G, Eighth Vermont Volunteers, and cur
regiment was called upon to do provost
duty soon after we arrived at New Or
leans. l was posted on guard at Caron-
delet Street with orders to let no one
pass me without a written order or pass
signed by Gen. Butler.
About 8 o'clock one evening l saw
some one approaching me in citizens
clothes such as were usually worn in
New Orleans at that time, and l chal-
lenged: "Who comes THEREOF "I," was
the answer, and the man still kept ap-
preaching me. l did not like that and l
commanded him to stand and called for
the corporal of the guard. He then
asked me what my instructions or orders
were and l told him. 'Never mind" he
said, 81 only want to go down to the
grocery here on the corner and get some
thing. Don't you want something to
drink?'
told him l never INDUCED in drink
and certainly would not while on duty.
He then inquired of me what sort of
guns we carried and l told him, He
then wanted to know if l wouldn't let
him see my gun, and reached out his
hand to take hold of it. l thought that
was little too familiar, and l came
down to charge and commanded him to
stand back. He then grabbed my bayo-
net. l cooked the gun, put my finger
upon the trigger and commenced to pull.
Hold on" he cried, don't shoot! If
you are not willing Should go down, l
will go back" and back he walked.
did not know what to do about it at
that time; it troubled me and made me
feel nervous the rest of tile night.
The next day, soon after l was re-
lieved from duty, was ordered to report
to Gen. Buffers headquarters at the St.
Charles Hotel. When l arrived there
and reported myself to the orderly at the
door, was ushered into his presence
and saluted him. He invited me to take
chair near the table where he was writ
ing. did so, and he resumed his writ
ing for few moments, and then COM
menced to ask me if was on duty last
night and where, and if l had trouble of
any kind.
told him what had happened in a
tremulous voice, for l feared had done
something wrong and was going to get
chastised for it. Then the General
wanted to know what l should have
done if he had not gone back just as he
did, and l replied that 1 should have
shot him.
Yes" said the General, ''and you
would have served him right, too"
That relieved my mind very much. He
then wanted to know if would know
the man again if should see him.
Probably not" l replied. at was in
the night, ana did not take particular
notice how the man looked.
dressed, and 1 told him that he had on a
long linen buster and panama hat.
Something like thatup there?' asked
the General, pointing up on top of a
closet.
YES" said I, Every much like that"
Correct" answered the General.
THAT is the very one, and 1 was the
man who was in it. | was out last night
trying the guards to see if they were do
ing their duty faithfully. Some found
were, and some were not, am sorry to
say But if you always do yours as
faithfully as you did last night shall re-
member you. If had division of such
soldiers as you, 1 would risk or wager
could put down this cursed Rebellion
in short time"
often think of his remarks, and how
near came to shooting him. No one
can question but that he was the right
man in the right place at New Orleans
j, S. Bean in Boston Journal.