Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1894-03-22
WANTED THE WAR TO GO ON.
As Long M There Was Five Dollars Day
In IL For Him.

III IL EuT iiiuis
The nearest friends of Opie Read, the
novel writer, would not suspect that
he had achieved military rank. lie is
most unmilitary-loolsing man, who
can not be induced to wear SO much OF
gaudy trapping as printed badge on
any occasion no matter how great.
Besides, With the exception that he
was born in Tennessee and lived sew
eral years in Kentucky and Arkansas,
it is not generally known that there is
any reason why he should have mill
tary title.
But Read was once n major under
commission in military service.
What was known as the "Perryville
war" in Arkansas in 1882, was riotous
strike that had to be controlled by the
state militia. A large body Of the ma
tional guard was sent to the scene un'
der command of Gen. Bob Newton, and
these troops were encamped there sew
eral weeks.
Opie Read, who was then reporter
for Little Rock daily newspaper, was
sent to the front as that journals
official correspondent in the field, and
being a close friend of the commanding
officer, that gentleman sent for Read,
and in order to give him the comforts
and advantages of headquarters, APP
pointed him to be major and aide-de'
camp, with all the honors and emolu'
ments pertaining to such position.
OF course Maj. Read paid no attcn'
ton to anything like personal military
service, and doubtless slept soundly
long after ''reveille," and played poker
and wrote his newspaper letters with
out regard to tattoo and "taps."
One day during the war" Read had
been writing one of his letters for the
Daily Gazette in Gen. Newton's mar
quee and was in the act of folding and
enveloping it to send away in the mail
when the general said to him:
"Here, want to read that letter be
fore it goes"
"You read it?" queried the news
paper major.
"Yes, sir. want to see If it con
tains anything contraband of war;"
"But don't intend to let you read
it,"
81 demand it, sir, as your superior
officer"
81 don't care what you demand. You
can't see that letter until it is printed
in the paper"
"I'll have you court-martialed fol
characterization, Maj. Reed"
During this dialogue Gen. NewtoI
had maintained very serious face
and he fairly bristled with militar.
dignity.
Read began to regard the matter sc
reriously also, as Gen. Newton wa
usually jolly and unconventional.
To the last remark of the officer tn
cores pendent replied interrogatively
"Court-martial me? How can yo
have me court-martialed?"
To which Gen. Ne wton replied
you are a major, sir, and aide-dt
camp on my staff, under pay of s. pc
day from the state by virtue of thi
commission presenting parchment
rolD, and yet you refuse to obey my OF
ders, and | am commandant here.
shall prefer charges and have yo
court-martialcd, sir"
That was the first intimation Rea
had received that he was on any othe
payroll than that of the newspaper h
: was serving. But now he blurted on
Say, Bob, am l to get s. day 6
: major on your staff"
"That is your pay" said Gen. Bob.
Read broke out all over in big an
audible smiles, pushed the manuscrir
across the table toward the officer, an
said:
Take the stuff. Read it and let IL
, war go on. Chicago Inter-Ocean.