The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-03-02
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
Graduates OF Libby.

A few months before Judge Nathan
Golf, of Virginia, attained his majority
he was a major in the federal service,
was loyal TO the Union, and his son re-
ceived commission in West Virginia
regiment.
Major Golf was captured and confn-
ed in Libby Prison with the sentence
of death hanging over him. Shortly
before his capture, the federal army
had made prisoner a Virginian, who
was tried by military court and SEN
fenced to be shot as a spy. The evil
dence was clear and there was no dues-
ton as to the officers guilt. Under all
the rules of civilized warfare the fate
of a spy is death.
When this order was promulgated
and approved by the War Department
authorities in Washington, the confed-
crates threatened reprisals, and young
Golf was selected as the victim. There
was more than one reason why the boy
should have been picked out. In the
drst place, as a Southerner, the confed-
crates were indignant that he should
have joined the Union army. They
knew that Colts father possessed con-
siderable influence, and they hoped
that influence would be brought to bear
upon President Lincoln so as to save
the life of the Virginian spy.
Golf was sent to Libby. In the cells
adjoining this were three men, Pavey,
Of Illinois; Markbreit, of Cincinnati,
and a young Swiss by the name of
Frey. The latter had come to this
country to study, and while in college
10
fred by the magnetic oratorv of Black
Jack Logan. Frey, although he had
not renounced his allegiance to his ma
tive country, enlisted in the federal
ranks, and after short service in the
field was made a prisoner.
Young Goff's father moved heaven
and earth to save the life of his son,
but apparently all efforts were unavail-
ing. Only few days remained before
the day set for execution, and it looked
as If the young soldier would have to
face platoon of confederate rifles.
Learning of the efforts that were be-
ing made to save him, he wrote letter
to President Lincoln-which is on file
in the War DepartmeDt-and in simple
but touching words told the President
not to interfere with the usual routine,
as in his opinion the life of one man
was as nothing if it would strike blow
at the Confederate side and deter other
men from acting the part of spice. That
letter made such profound impression
on the President, it breathed such ex.
allied heroism, and pure patriotism that
the President determined a boy stand
ing in the very shadow of death, who
could entertain such sentiments, was
too valuable to be needlessly sacrificed.
He suspended the sentence on the Vir-
ginian and later Golf was exchanged
for that officer and rejoined his regi-
ment.
Nearly thirty years later Major Goff
was member of Congress from Lis
native state. He attended one night a
reception at Senator Sherman's house
and while he was talking to a lady q
man passed by. Golf looked at this
man for a moment; there seemed to
be something familiar about the face,
and the man looked at him with a
glance scrutinizing. kss
Finally the stranger extended his
hand and said: "Goff, l believe" and
almost in the same instant the latter
replied: sit is Pavey, is it not?"
This was the first time the two men
had met since Goff's liberation from
Libby, and while they were talking
over old times man came through the
room with an order in his button hole
Pavey and Golf looked al the man; the
man looked at them, aud then he held
out his hand. 1t was the young Swiss
Frey, who, after his liberation, had
gone back to his country and later had
returned to the United States as the
Minister of the Swiss Republic. Since
then Col. Frey had been president Of
the republic.
The remarkable part of this reunion
is that it was entirely accidental. i
simply happened by chance that Pavey
who at that time was collector of inter
nal revenue in Illinois, and Markbreit
who was United States treasurer at Gin
cinnati, were in Washington, had beer
invited by him to his house that night
Until that evening the four had never
met. And equally remarkable is the
fact that all the four men held officia
positions and were all men of promi
hence in their respective communities