The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-03-04
SOLDIERS AT HOME.
THEY TELL SOME INTERESTING
ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.
How the Boys Of Both Armies Whiled
Away Life in Camp-Fornging E1-
periences, Tiresome Marches-Thril-
ling Scenes ON the Battlefield.
Eiuhtiuu HE ElaC

| ling Scenes ON the Battlefield.
Fighting His Flag.
| When our civil war began John Blan-
ton was 16 years old. He resided near
Atlanta with his parents, and, like all
the members Of his family, was devot-
ed to the cause of the Union.
The BlantOns were good citizens and
clever people, but their neighbors prac-
tically ostracized them because they
were loyal to the old flag. During the
first two years Of the struggle young
Blanton managed to escape military
| duty, but when he grew larger and
stronger he found 1t necessary to go to
work as machinist in a railroad shop
In Atlanta in order to avoid cOnscrip-
ton. He was very we'll satisfied with
his job. an! nv Disgusting his senti-
ments he was abie to enjoy himself
fairly well for those times.
But early in July, 1864, the approach
of Sherman and the certainty of siege
caused the shops In the city to be
moved southwark. The workmen were
ui'oo DuI
behind. 1t was his intention to slip
into the Federal lines, but before doing
this he desired to visit his parents, SIN
miles from town. One night he walked
out on the road leading to his home
and had covered half the distance with
out any misadventure, when a squad
Of men darted from the forest skirting
the highway and arrested him. He
was compelled to give his name and oc-
cupatiOn, and the officer in command
of the party at once informed him that
he was subject to conscription, as he
had not followed his shop to Augusta.
81 am sorry to trouble you," he said,
''but must take you to Atlanta"
Resistance was out of the question,
and the young Unionist trudged along
with his captOrs without complaining.
He knew that it would go hard with
him and bis people If he kicked, and he
therefore pretended to accept the situa-
don, secretly resolving to escape at the
earliest possible moment.
Every available man was needed at
the front, and Blanton was not sent to
any camp Of instruction. He was told
to choose his regiment and company,
and when he had made his selection he
found himself full-fledged soldier.
To few friends he confided his plan
of action. He would try to be taken
prisoner, or run into the Union lines as
soon as possible. Meantime he would
shirk duty, and under no circumstances
would he ever fire loaded gun at the
old flag and it's defenders. This was
his firm determination, and his father
heartily indorsed 1t.
IF John is killed." he said, sit can't
be helped, but he will never harm any
man in blue uniform"
The facts Of the case were known at
the time to a few citizens in Atlanta,
but they remained quiet, believing that
the young man would suffer enough
without any additional hardships, and
for that reason they did not report his
utterances.
The weeks rolled by, and the siege
opened in earnest. Blanton was in the
trenches on the outskirts Of the city,
and some days when there was lull in
the bombardment he would come to
town and visit his friends.
The unwilling defender of the Con-
federacy grumbled good deal, but ad-
time. He was well supplied with mon
ey, and he rather liked the excitement
of camp life under fire.
I'm 4 dead expense to the COnfed
eracy," he said. when I shoot fire
In the air, and If take aim at a man I
ire blank cartridge. am helping the
Union cause by eating Confederate ra-
tions and carrying a useless musket."
The siege soon reached Its hottest eli
max and Blanton stopped coming to
town. There was furry Of engage
ments, and then followed the battle of
Jonesboro, twenty miles away.
Shortly after this fight, on the very
day the Federals marched into Atlanta,
John Blanton arrived. weary and pow
der-stained.
His Union friends congratulated him
upon his escape, but he wore a surly
look of discomfort.
"John," said his father, ''did you keep
your promise not to fire on the old flag
and its followers"
mo, SIR" was the short reply.
"Why, how Is that?" continued the
old man.
"Well, I'll tell you," responded John.
"You see, fully intended to waste my
powder and die rather than harm
Union soldier, but 1 couldn't make the
blasted fools understand me. The trou-
BILE commenced when was on the pick
ct line. At first I was laughing in my
sleeve at the way l fooled my COM
panions. OF course I had TO shoot oc-
bit off the bullet and fired the blank
cartridge. 1 supposed that the Union
pickets would soon initiate my exam
pie, but they were too stupid. They did
their level best to kill me, and one
night a bullet just grazed my right ear.
Then l boiled over loaded with ball
the next time and aimed at the picket
who had shot at me. 1 plugged him
int arm and he was sent back 1t was
in the light Of the full moon and could
see it ALL"
"Confound them!' shouted old Blan-
ton. "Why didn't you kill some of
them?"
81 think I would said John, "but
got into the battle Of Jonesboro and
embraced the first opportunity of get
ting back to Atlanta. 1t is good thing
l did, for if l had remained with the
Confederates much longer L would
have been as bloOdthirsty as any of
them"
Blanton was very sore on the subject
for a long time, and a year or two after
the war his friends would sometimes
joke him about the matter. They would
pretend to regret that he had ever fired
on the old flag. and he would be asked
how he had the heart to shoot Union
soldiers.
That's all right" John would reply;
"but when l fire blank cartridges at my
friends they must reciprocate. When