Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-04-03
A MILITARY MURDER.
Another Name for n Military Neces-
sIty in Certain Instances.

announcer name TOT ~ NhiIttnry NCCGn-
sIty in Certain Instances.
1t was hot, dusty afternoon In the
month of July, 1864. The streets OF
Atlanta were almost deserted by the
citizens, but many officers and sozliers
belonging to Johnston's army might
have been seen lounging on the cor
ners and in the stores. There was no
hum of traffic and no activity in the
business thoroughfares, and the only
sound that broke the stiffness was an
occasional sullen boom from Sherman's
big guns, 20 miles away,
In book store on Whitehall street
several officers made a vain effort to
keep moderately cool. A colonel was
looking over volume of "Harding's
Tactics" major was glancing at the
pictures in Life of Napoleon" while
group of young captains and lieuten-
ants discussed the movements of Sher-
man and showed how the dreaded COM
mander could be chcckmated. The sol
itary clerk in the establishment, youth
of 16, listened open-mouthed to these
military heroes and studied the pat
terms of gold lace on their uniforms.
by the way" said the major, re-
placing his book on the shelf. "I sup
pose those deserters were shot this
morning?"
"Yes, all of them," replied the
colonel; "there were seven, and they
met their fate bravely"
81 heard" said the major, "that one
was boy Of IS"
HE said that he was under 16." re-
marked the colonel, but he was tall
and we'll grown for his age. He was
bright young rascal, and knew what he
was doing when he deserted"
The boy clerk showed signs of inter-
est and asked several questions.
Don't worry about it, my lad" said
the colonel, kindly; "when you join us
you will never desert. You will do your
duty as a soldier"
81 hope so,' the boy answered, but it
is pretty hard to expect boy of Is to
do mans work in the army and shoot
him like dog when he flickers."
"But he mustn't flicker" laughed one
of the officers. when he becomes a
soldier he must be one in earnest. 1t
was pity to shoot the youngster, but
it was military necessity"
81 suppose so," said the colonel,
thoughtfully, but war is bad bust
ness all the way through. 1 heartily
wish that it was over, and am willing
to give up my share of its glory for ten
cents on the dollar"
Hello! Not weakening, are you,
colonel?" asked the major.
"You will see," responded the other,
with a grim smile.
Just then a country wagon rolled
rapidly down the street. The negro
driver halted and the colonel and the
major walked out on the sidewalk and
assisted two ladies to alight. The
younger woman entered the store with
her elder companion leaning on her
arm.
"We have travelled long distance"
she said, to the clerk, land my aunt is
almost fainting. Please oblige me with
a chair and glass of water"
The old lady was promptly seated.
but she merely touched her lips to the
water and fell back unconscious. A
doctor who was present revived her.
but she closed her eyes and asked per-
mission to rest few moments. The
officers saw that the two were well
dressed, with refined features, and their
sympathies were aroused.
'If can do anything" said the
colonel to the young lady, command
me. 1 am Col. B"
THANK you," replied the girl, for She
was hardly out of her teens. MY aunt