The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-29

was rather wide Of the mark, yet the
mistake was very natural. that tn re
were probably plenty OF such characters
about. and he was glad 10 see we were
ON the alert for them.
The most Notifying feature OF the
affair was that we we're unable TO secure
his release that night. The evening
was quite far advanced when We ascer-
talned where ne was. and II was deemed
best TO see Hon. Joseph Mayo, then mayor
OF the city, before resorting to habeas
corpus proceedings Mr.. Mayo was
found. as 7 now recollect, at the house
OF a friend. but he declined TO interfere.
insisting that tho party should be brought
regularly before the court In the morn
ing; indeed he made the impression upon
me that he was originally responsible
for the arrest, or, II not, that he willing
~ assumed responsibility for IL ana had
no idea OF approving any short cut TO
liberty I'm the premises. II was now TOO
late to apply for habeas corpus. and we,
therefore. proceeded 10 make Beers as
comfortable as possible in the jail. pro-
viding him a good supper and COM
Portable bed. he protesting meanwhile
that he needed nothing. or at least could
suffer no real inconvenience that one
night.
In the morning the Mayors court room
In the old City Hall was crowded. many
gentlemen OF position. who had heard
Beers story. being I'm attendance.
do not remember whether the papers
made any report Of the case. either that
or the following morning Mr.. Ben Gray
and were the main witnesses for Beers.
OF course. there could be no doubt as to
his discharge and but FOR a ludlcrous
and unexpected tu-a Of affairs, the case
would have been ds-Ssed OF In few
minutes. When the testimony was a
In, his Honor proceeded to deliver his
decision discharging the prisoner. but.
at the same time. iustifying and APPROX
ing his arrest, concluding with the state
ment uttered with all the emphasis OF
a solemn proclamation. that he consider
ed IL his duty 10 arrest any and every
man who arrived I'm the city from the
north, unless he was informed as 10
his antecedents and they were entirely
beyond and above suspicion. adding with
Increased emphasis: And his duty | In
tend TO discharge. A declaration
which seemed to meet the approval OF
everyone present save and except Mr..
Edward Gray-dear old Ned-now and for
years past In the commissioner Office
with Bob MunfOrd, man as brave and
true az God ever created. and as quick
10 burst into flame, at what he CON
sidered injustice. especially TO one OF his
friends.
A HOT-HEADED CHAMPION.
Ned's hearing was then as now some
what defective, and ne did not quite catch
the limitations his Honor had embodied
in his proclamation. lie sprang TO his
feet and looking toward Mr.. Mayo and
hinging out his right arm and shaking
his right fore-hnger threateningly. first
toward Beers and then toward my broth
er and myself. he shouted iercely mo
you won't, sir! No you WON'T You ar
rested that man yesterday, who left every
thing and came down here to fight for
US against his own people. Now sir.
these two came down with him, dare
you 10 arrest them"
The court-roorp was in an uproar on
the instant. which we took advantage OF
70 hustle Ned out and away. When the
hubbub had subsidized. Mr.. Ben Gray rose
and made an admirable statement. first
apoogiz NJ for his brothers. excitement and
then going INTO full and very compliment
tary recital OF the circumstances ABOVE
narrated about Beers and Ourselves-in
conclusion. begging his Honor not 10
notice this last episode Mr.. Mayo yielded
to this appeal, taking occasion, however.
to deliver himself OF another little speech.
at the conclusion OF which Beers marched
out a free man and hero, being heartily
cheered as he passed through the crowd.
I had never before seen Mr. Mayo, and
he made a strong, and, upon the whole,
Il very favorable impression upon me.
This account is lengthening out FAR
beyond my original intention. yet the
Fundamental facts are, so far as l know,
quite unparalleled, and they are striking
enough 10 justify n full record Of the
surrounding circumstances.
1 recall. this moment. this additional
Incident, Mr. Ran. Tucker then, believe
Attorney-General OF Virginia. was an IN
innate friend Of my father. who had
now arrived in Richmond. and suggested
10 him that Mr. Beers ana T. being citi-
Zens. not only Of the United States, but
OF the State OF Connecticut, where I had
recently cast my first vote. We're In rsth-
CT an exceptional position. as bearing
upon a possible charge OF treason. in case
we should enlist in the military service
The suggestion was deemed OF sufficient
importance 70 refer to Mr.. Benjamin. Their
Acknowledgement OF the Confederate
States. and Mr.. Tucker and interviewed
him about IT. These two great lawyers
expressed the view that the principles
which protected citizens OF the Southern
States we're, 10 say the least. OF doubtful
application 10 us, and that IL would prob
ably 90 rather hard with US II We should
be captured. Notwithstanding. | en-
listed and Beers would doubtless have
done 50 with equal promptness, had he
not been an expert mechan!c-men so
qualified being then very scarce In Rich
mond and very much needed. He was
requested 10 assist IN the work Of trans
ferrlng some old flint-locks belonging to
the State OF Virginia into percussion.
muskets, and all Of US insisting that he
could thus render far more valuable SER
vice than by enlistlns In the ranks. he
rather reluctantly yielded and went to
work.
How long he was thus employed do not
know. Things were moving on rapidly.
The hostile lines were facing each other az
Manassas. and then the great battle
shocked and shook the entire continent
Junior Company F. hung fire too long;
So the morning after the battle. nv
brother and I. without saying "hy your
cave" TO anyone. boarded the train bound
FOR Manassas Junction, IN company with
Billy Wait (son of Or. j. G.. Walt. the
dentist OF that day. and old
Paul Michaux. OF the First Company OF
Richmond Howitzers-they undertaking 10
conceal US on the train until II started and
70 secure our enrolment In the company
when we arrived-both OF which undertake
'ngs they most skilfully and faithfully
performed
FINE GUNNER AND TIGHTER.