The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-26
THE WRONG ORDER.

llI w lOVNO OlODG1Cs
Ny friend, the ex-assistant secretary,
told me the story, and made me promise
not to use it, for he knew my failings, I'm.
til no retired from office, have kept my
word, although greatly fear that the ex-
assistant secretary will not DO pleased to
see 1t appear at all; but he will be some-
what reassured when he remembers that
he and are the only two persons now liv-
ing who know tho true version Of his sud
don rise, which at the time filled the coun-
try with some passing wonder, and certain
older and, as they doubtless felt, better
men with much enduring anger.
1t was one Of the ex-assistant secretary's
favoritc observations that the most useful
of the great, yet homely, truths of life Is
that mans merit should never be judged
by bis position In the world. My friend
Ia a keen observer Of human existence, and
from his long experience with men Is go
we'll fitted to judge them that what would
appear as smartly epigrammatic In anoth-
or and younger man Is we'll worthy of con-
sideration when falling from his lips So,
when he delivered himself of the aphorism
which has just been quoted, felt sure
that he must have had some excellent
reason for his belief therein. Impelled by
curiosity In which, from my long init
macy with him, Iunhesitatingly INDUCED,
one night over bottle Of the ex-seoretary's
favorite madeira, which had been given
him by the captain Of a conflscated brig
for whom he had been enabled to do some
slight service in the days of the war,
made bold to ask my friend why he should
80 emphasize the value Of that particular
observation. He gazed at me long and
thoughtfully, and finally told me- after ex-
acting the solemn promise mentioned
above.
Now, In order that reminiscent chord
may be struck in tho minds Of those who
are In position to remember the affair,
and that the minds Of those who are Of
later generation may be guided to intelli-
gent comprehension Of 1t, I will briefly re.
lato the facts as they appeared at the time
of their actual occurrence as seen and
judged by their contemporaneous wit
nesses.
In the third year Of tho civil war the
president of tho United States appointed
to an important and lucrative place in the
war department q young, inexperienced
and, as some were pleased to say, entirely
incompetent man, who had left law
practice in New York to accept a captainoy
in volunteer regiment organized in and
about his native village, not far from the
metropolis. When the news Of this peoul-
lar appointment had been sent abroad by
tho correspondents, the friends of the other
ar1 bot 1ro inn fc For n n n
place raised loud and unanimous protest,
which occasioned much editorial commo-
ton, as all will remember who read the
papers Of that time, After this had con-
tinued with unabating bitterness for a
fortnight On enterprising journal printed
the authentic reasons for the precipitate
act Of the president and thereby stilled the
discord into melody of admiration. 1t
appeared that this unpretentious and OBJ
| scure civilian soldier had proved himself
hero and military genius OF no small order,
for with mere handful Of mon he had
completely routed q brigade and half of
the best Confederate troops without firing
p shot, and by that deed paved tho way for
Tho brilliant military movement which so
successfully followed. The young man
was no othor than my friend the ex-secre-
tary, who with that as foundation, rose
to his late position by ability alone.
After my promise had been faithfully
accepted the ex-secretary lit fresh cigar,
sipped his wine, satisfied himself that the
door was closed, tasted tho madeira again
and began
"You must know, no said, with faint
smile, THAT when a man Of my age and
experience says anything like the quota
ton to which you refer he probably means
| 49, and when a man means a thing he
usually has good reason for his en-
| phasis."
This Of course, WAS an indirect compli-
msnt to my perspicacity, and bowed grace
! fully Ho resumed
"In the present case my reason Is no less
than my own career, which, as you will
see when have ended, Is an existing proof
Of tho truth of the aphorsm. When was
first prevailed upon to accept a captaincy
In my regiment, was young man with
o small law practice. My naturally roman
Tic temperament made the life of soldier,
although was not Ignorant of Its priya-
tioEs and miaeries, seem most desirable
| Therefore, against the advice of my friends
| and tho prayers Of my family, l finally de-
| termined to go to the front. The first day
that wore my uniform and the first day
that pnradod at the head of my company
down Broadway were to me the happiest
aud proudest moments Of my life, and
thought that 1t would be an easy and q
| grand thing to charge headlong against
the guns of tho enemy. We went at once
to the front and were brigaded with Cen
eral ----'s division Of tho -th corps, then
waiting orders to advance In turn in rapid
pursuit Of Lee, who had started out on his
great invasion of Pennsylvania. Before l
had become really accustomed to the hard.
ships of camp life and had had some Of the
glitter Of arms dinmed by actually, was
ordered one night to report at regimontal
headquarters went, my heart In my
mouth, just as I used to set out for the
| principals office In my school days. re.
turned from regimental headquarters In
far more demoralized condition than lever
came from my sohoolmRster's study. 1t
was strongly suspected, had been told,
that there might be body of rebel troops
acting as blind to the real movements Of
the Confederate army, not far in advance
OF the -th corps. Now, 1t was absolutely
necessary that this be investigated, Major
General - had selected the - regi.
ment to ascertain this fact, and the colo.
mel, delighted with the honor, had select.
I'd me to command tho reconnaissance, for
he had always had fondness for me. !
was to take my company at midnight, pro.
oeed under cover of the darkness and avoid
Oh engagement unless necessary. The rest
should b left to my judg,nent"
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