The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-06-25

rifle regiment came over to see me anu
stated that he was from virginia anu
thought that he could go with US " AiS
native state and at the same time Wlsheo
to have several other soldiers return 10
their states 1 explained that soldiers could
not go without authority from their depart
ment commander that there was diner
ence beWeen them and commissioned ON
GERS, in that the latter could resign tneil
commissions and when their reslSnatlonis
were accepted they were independent OF I'M
itary authority, and could as otner c1tllens'
take such action as they might thlnk pIopei'
whereas, he and his comrades had ehliSteu
for specified term of years, ana py NE
oath were bound to their terms OF ehilsl-
ment; that l could not, therefore, entertain
the proposition.
I'VE stopped over night at Fort Fillmore.
in pleasant meeting with old comrades, SAD
dened by the reflection that it was the last,
and prelude to occurrences that must IL
more former friendships and accept opposing
service. ..,.,o ,,,.s
asked my opinion as to the length OF the
war. | said:
LAT least three years, and If 1T holds Tor
five years, you may begin to look for dc
Lieutenant ityan said:
' If we are to have dictator l hope That
you may be the man.
My mind was relieved by information
that my resignation was accepted, to take
effect on the LIST of June In our travel Of
next Gay we crossed the line into the state
of Texas.
The ReveIry of War.
From the gloomy forebodings of old
friends it seemed at FL Paso that we had
entered into a different world. All was
enthusiasm and excitement amid airs and
songs of Dixie and the South. But the
Texas girl didn't ascend to incandeScent
charms until the sound of the first Eotes of
The Bonny Blue Flag when her feet rose to
gleeful springs, her limbs danced, her hands
patted, her eyes aglow, her lips moved, but
she didn't care to speak or nsten to any
one. She seemed in the air holding to the
ci,1 ria -to ps in fnl of thar
rights
"Friends at Eel Paso persuaded me to
leave my family, to go with them by q train
that was to start in a few days for San
Antonio. and to take the faster route by
stage for myself.
our travelling companions were two
homes. The ride through the Indian coun-
try, with them, myself and the driver, was
attended with some risk. and required vigil
lance to be assured against surprise. The
constant WatchHulncss and possible danger
over five hundred mile travel drew us near
together, and into closer communion as to
our identity and future movements and
suggested to the young men that it would be
better to put themselves under my care
TO see them safely through the confederate
zines. They We're of the lobar class who had
gene south to find more comfortable en-
pl0Nm@nt. They were advised to be care
ful and talk but little when amongst strang-
ers: Nothing occurred to cause aprrehen
WAS told there was none.
1!a, What ~ saja one of the companions
The signal was tele@raphed under the
tshe 10 be on guard; The nom de plume
tion and all passed as an enjoyable lapsus
En&Uae
at Galveston we took a small inland sail
ING craft. but We're a little apprehensive,
rs United States vessels we're reported
cruising outside i'll search of all vessels rot
flying the stars and stripes Our vessel
was only boarded over. however,
ana that hy. a largo Spanish macl1erel that
fo1J
our little company with pleasant dinner,
Aboard this little vessel / first met T. j.
forwards Joined me at Richmond. and scrv-
ed in faithful duty my aid-de-camp from
Bull Run to AppomattOx courthouse.
On Richmond.
':At New Orleans my cOmpanions found
safe conduct to their northern lines, and |
journeyed on to Richmond. Relatives along
the route. who heard of my approach, met
at the stations. but none suggested a
stop over night or for the next rain. but
after ahectlonate salutatlons waved me on
to join jeff Davis, for Dixie and for south
'At every station old men, women, and
children assembled. clapping hands ana
waving handkerchiefs to cheer the passen-
gers on to Richmond. On crossing the Vir-
eina line the feeling seemed to eliminate.
The windows and doors of every farmhouse
and hamlet We're occupied and gave cheer
ing salutatjons and HE'D US. On to Rich
phere and the laborers of the fields. white
and black, stopped their plows to lift their
hats and wave US on TO speedy travel AT
mealing stations. the proprietors in response
to offers to settle, said: Meals for those
going on to join Jeff Davis are paid.
DOnH the Gray.
ION the 18th of June I reported at the
war department ct Richmond and asked to
he assigned for service in the pay depart
ment in which | had recently served. When
I left the line service, I gave up all aspira-
ton of military honor, and thought that 1
had settled down into ON more peaceful pur-
Of my appointment as brigader general,
with orders to report at Manassas juno
ton to General Reauregard."
To the story interestingly told there
was large number of listeners who were
deeply moved as the general described his
transfer of allegiance from the old flag to
the new. 80. .-...-.. D, ]. MORAN.