Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-03-02
JOHNS LETTER.
HE HAS BEEN FASCINATED BY A TALE
OF AUDACIOUs DARING.

OF AUDACIOUs DARING.
There IL an event In our nations his
tory which had entirely faded from my
memory, II indeed, ever heard OF it
which It seems must have, at the time
OF It's ccurrence-known as Andrews
raid, or capturing a locomotive. have
just read an exhaustive account OF 1t by
William Pittenger, one Of the raiders,
Ia the form Of large book OF 4S4 pages,
bearing the title: "The Great Locomo-
tive Chase; A Tale OF Daring and Suf-
fering." 1t has all the fascination OF u
novel with the added virtue OF being
true. II you have any necessary work
TO be performed you will do well tn st-
tend TO 1t before taking up the book, or
you will be likely to neglect It until YOU
have read through to the last word on
page 4Sl.
The men selected for the perilous
Tn lertaking were from three Ohio
regiments, twenty 10 all besides their
leader, James j. Andrews. The OH ct
Of the expedition was the capturing OF a
train, burning the Chickamluga bridges
and returning, give Gen. Mitchell in-
formation, then no! for Chattanooga
and the salvation of East Tennessee. II
was the most brilliant and most daring
affair OF the entire war, but 1t failed.
The train was captured In an enemies
camp In broad daylight right before their
eyes, and went humming up the line he
fore the rebels scattered senses came 10
a focus. The chase that followed started
with very small beginnings. Two men,
Capt. Fuller, the conductor, and MUIR
ply, an engineer, gave chase on foot,
which raised a laugh among the men
but they got there just the same-it Is too
long q story to tell how, In brief news
paper article.
The captors ut the last leaped from
the train and took to the woods, but
were sll captured In time. The inhu-
manities practiced upon them almost
reconcile person TO tho idea OF tropi-
cal hell over there. Though dressed In
citizens clothes, they were soldiers and
not spies, ahd were entitled to all the
recognized rights of prisoners OF war.
The leader and seven OF his followers
were hung. Why the others did not
share the same fate does not appear.
Judge Advocate General Holt says: ::
'.The expedition itself, In the daring Of
its conception, had the widuess Of a ro-
nance, while, In the gigantic and over
whelming results which 1t sought, and
was likely to accomplish, 1t was actual
ly sublime"
The editor Of Southern paper said 10
an editorial at the time: "The mind and
heart sink appalled, at the bare contem.
plation Of the consequences which would
have followed the burning OF the bridges
at that time by those men,"
At the e. A. X. encampment at Col
umbus, Ohio. the old captured engine
was there In charge Of Its old conductor,
Fuller. The writer delivered an ad-
dress, after which Conductor Fuller was
introduced. He began thus: III shall
not attempt TO entertain you with that
trained rhetoric and eloquence possessed
and displayed on this occasion by the
learned gentleman who has preceded
me. But my friends, assure you that
| regard 1t as one of the greatest pleas
ures OF nv life To have the privilege OF
jolio,riag the distinguished gentleman once
more" And the people laughed and
applauded.
The writer mentions a touching scene
that transpired there at reception, by
which widows sorrOws OF years
standing were alleviated, and her un-
kind feelings toward those whom she
thought had wronged her were forgot
ten or forgiven. Mrs. Slavens, wife Of
80 ~ ,hr -.tdar, axa,utod or Atlanta
was left with family OF three small
children. The struggles OF life did not
subdue her feelings OF hatred toward
those who had robbed her OF her hus-
band and protector. "As we approached
her saw she was very much excited.
Her face was flushed and the years Of
sorrow fingered on her brow. When !
mentioned her name, ! seemed to OBJ
serve perceptible but momentary feel
ing In the nature Of q shock come into
Capt. Fuller's strong frame. He spoke
so gently, however, and so kindly that
the lady was deeply touched. They sat
down beside each other and conversed
Ia undertones. What they said they
alone know, though the house was silent
and we were all In the room. It was y
touching scene. and one which those
present will never forget. Mrs. Slavens
was a changed woman after her meeting
with Captain Fuller, for she said she felt
all right now toward the men who capt
ured, tried and executed her husband. ]
have no doubt but that 1t made her life
happier"
Certainly. Where hatred Is happiness
Ia not. II would not be hard to believe
that the feelings which are prevalent 10
times Of peace are more to be desired
than those that wake to life, like vipers
in the heart. when "war's rude shock
alarms"
Ohio has erected monument at Chat
tanooga TO commemorate the memory OF
those OF her heroes who perished there.
1t bears the names of the living and the
dead. A bronze locomotive, fac simile
OF the one they seized, crowns the crest
JOHN,