The National tribune., 1895-09-12
TAKEN FOR A REBEL
Maj Burton's Unpleasant Experience In
Washington.

4
Washington.
Mai. Burton, of the District OF Columbia
| Loyal Legion had decidedly unpleasant cK
perience in 1868. As the Major tells it tb
| story runs thus:
Il was arrested while in Washington a
| a rebel spy.
In December, 1862, while at the front
| which at that time was along Bull Run, wa
| taken seriously iii and by direction of our Regi
| mental Surgeon. Dr. Charles s. Hoyt, now See
| rotary State Board of Charities was ordered Il
| Washington, where i subsequently obtained
| my sick leave
ION my return to Washington at the expira
ton of my sick leave / was ordered to remain
| there until otherwise notified. l took up my
| quarters in the same honse with Senator fento1
| and Representative Morris, both old friends o
mine, and it was fortunate for me that they
| were. as events tnrned out.
| 1--WE three went in to tea that evening, and
| j observed that two men eyed me very closely
a. The object of this unpleasant scrutiny dis.
closed itself Immediately alter dinner that day
| The proprietor of the house came TO me after ]
left the dining room and qniefly. but In no un'
certain tone, asked me to leave.
You know who you are said he and
| don't want any trouble to occur here
al assured him that up TO month or sc
previous had been quite SIRE of my identity,
but was beginning to think / must be some
other fellow.
The landlord rebuked my unseemly levity
by sternly informing me that l had been re-
cognized by two of his guests Gen. ]. E. B.
Stuart, of the rebel army, and that they had
gone TO lodge information with the Provost
Marshal lie was right.
Before we had finished our conversation,
and certainly before j had succeeded in con-
vincing my landlord that i was myself and not
somebody else, down came a guard from the
d. A., 1,,l Nd ot,n aha -ero
arrested me as a spy.
This was becoming serious. ] told the off,
Ger who WAS, to what regiment was attached,
where enlisted, etc., and my identity was fu r
ther established by Fepton and Morris but it
was of no avail. He held that they had been
imposed upon.
1t easy matter for my friends to
rescue mo from my unpleasant predicament.
strange though it may appear. l had been
| positively identified by two reputable wit
| nesses-my scrutinizing friends of the board
| ing. honse-as Gen. Stuart. and the information
had been sworn to- While Senator Fenton re-
manned with me and argued in my behalf with
my captors. Morris secured the city and
brought in pretty much everyone in Washing
ton with whom / was acquainted, and many
others had never laid eyes on before, and by
their united efforts secured my discharge.
"a fow days after this boarded street-car
bound for the Capitol. ] became the object of
an elderly gentleman's annoying, If respectful,
gaze, and when be arose and seated himself be-
side me / was in a measure prepared for his
communication.
He spoke in a very low tone of voice. which
could reach no other ear save mine. saying that
he recognized me the moment / entered the
car, and that / was running a terrible risk in
thus exposing myself in a city where was SO
well known.
Take the advice of an old man, one who
loved your parents and knew you from the
time you were baby. aud let ne help You out
of this terrible scrape said he, earnestly.
You can rely absolutely my discretion, my
loyalty TO our cause and my devotion TO your
family
go Take the advice of a young man. replied,
and have care TO whom you mako such Of
fers in the future / am mot Gen. J. f. b.
Stuart. but simply Capt. Burton, OF the United
States Army, and, IL were so disposed. could
land you in Fort Lafayette for the sentiments
you have SO freely expressed. You are an hon
est man, and for your kindness of heart i shall
fail 10 recolect this meeting.
He looked me straight in the eye. thor
oughly unconvinced, but anxious. / suppose.
10 carry out whatever plans had in view, and
arose from his seat. He extended his hand,
and said with simple courtesy: AS you wish
me 70 regard yon Capt. Burton, / will do SO,
sir. Good day i never met him again.
i was recognized a number of times af-
ter that. but never SO positively as in the in.
stan CO have cited"