Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-06-03
STRIPPED OF HIS UNIFORM.
Col. Grant Refused a Private
Leave to Visit His
DYING Mother.
rom the New York World.

FROM INC NEW iu WI ~
The horrors of war are not all found
on the battleticlds, as John w Height
discovered Yesterday. That which he
did required more courage than charge
into an enemys deadly fire.
For three wears Height has been a
member of company {, fourteenth regi
mrnt of Prooklyn.
Height 5 sister went to Camp Black
yesterday morning. She sought her
brother and told him that their mother
was dying and called for him conetantly.
He made up his mind that he must 90
home. He sought Captain Avery. of
company {, and told him the news that
his sister had brought. He asked the
captain for leave to return home for a
couple OF days. The captain said that
he could do nothing. Only Col. Grant
could grant the leave.
The privat went 10 Colonel Grant 5
headquarters, accompanied by his sister
She was dressed in deep mourning and
could not control her sohbing. Height
xp'a;ncd the situation To Colonel Grant,
saying that he had fully determined 10
muster in. and that hc wanted to with
his mother only the little time that she
could live
~ am very sorry. said Colonel Grant.
but can not let you GO
Colonel Grant" said IIcicght, my
mother is dying. may never see her
again She calls for me constantly. |
shall be away only a little while"
Young man. said Colonel Grant, do
you know that there is only margin
of four men in this regimen? Wccann not
afford to lose one can not grant your
request.
II feel that my duty at home comes
first in case of this kind, said Height,
respectfully.
Il cant help that was the coloncrs
reply :, :. :.
ing to bring my clothes. If | can't get
leave I'll go anyway. | have not yet
fuuSIcTcu Ill anu III SOHlS w SVS my
mother before she dies.
''Step out there. Attention said Col
onel Grant, sharply. "Oderly, give my
compliments to Captain Avery and ask
him to come here.
Miss Height began weeping and plead
ing I'm very sorry, said Colonel
Grant, sympathetically, but | can not
do what you ask me.
Captain Avery came up. The colonel
asked him if he knew Heights story.
The captain said he did.
"Take him to his company street, strip
him of his uniform and turn him out OF
camp in disgrace"
Height s face flushed, but he said not
a word As he walked away he held his
head high i'll the air and his face became
very white Colonel Grant was asked
why he had acted SO.
'This camp has been full of women all
morning who have been trying to get
their relatives away. Many OF them are
in civilian clothes and it would be easy |
for them to slip out of the lines. Intend |
to make an example of this man.
Height went to his tent, where he
waited until his sister returned from
Brooklyn with his clothes In the mean
time the two remaining battaons OF
the fourteenth were musteredin. Height |
talked about his situation calmly.
"Do you suppose that ! would have
come down here if didn't want to tiht'
| do not regret my stand My duty to
my mother calls me to her. When she
dies shall join my regiment here or
wherever it is, and pay my own expenses
to reach it.
t.on
Height was permsted to go at 1850
p IN. There was no demonstraton.
Tho muster roll of the regiment gives his
address as 81 st. Marks place The
family moved from there about Sin
months ago.