The National tribune., 1899-12-28
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the next day with the recruits he had.
returned to my companions, told them wha
| had done. but did not advise a single one
to go with me. | remained over night
with them, and next morning said good
| by.
! l found the Captain and recruits at the
place designated, ready to start, and in
| two days we We're with the company at
New River Bridge, Va, on the line of
railroad which is now the Norfolk IL
Western, where the town of Radford has
! since been built. We were camped on a
| bluff overlooking the railroad bridge that
spanned the river. We We're in a fort, with
six pieces of artillery, guarding the bridge.
This was the first of April, 1868. We
had but little TO do. and life again began to
grow monotonOuS; but fortunately in short
time We We're ordered to Dublin, short
distance west, and our Captain was ap-
pointed Provost Marshal, and the company
did provost guard duty. / was detailed to
duty on the railroad, making alternately
a 24-hour run. We were allowed two men
as guards with us on the train. We were
under martial law, and it was my duty
to see that every passenger had proper
pass. | would go on duty at o'clock in
the morning, and it was supposed that the
train was turned over TO me properly worked
by the Sergeant whom relieved, and that
| would turn it back to him the same way
next morning.
l liked this work very well, for the reason
that 1t was a change from the ordinary
army life; and another reason, it was a
good train for deserters when had it, and
many poor fellow helped along. / was
expected to arrest every deSerter, or any
one else who did not have the right kind
of a pass; but there was no danger of me
arreSting any one, when had been de-
Serter twice myself.
During all the time did duty on the road
1'never made single arrest.
AIDING 4 DESERTER.
There was one circumstance that hap
'pened one day that is worth relating. I
had gone on duty in the morning at the
usual time had made the run east, and met
the train coming out from Lynchburg.
As soon as | had changed ears with the
guard and got aboard the west-bound
train the conductor said 10 me that de-
Serter was on the train, and the officer I
had relieved had failed 10 arrest him. He
said he would show him TO me. / started
through the train with him, and when
we stepped in the car where he was, he
pointed him out TO me. He Wore the uni
form, of a cavalry Major, and l knew
would have to do something to satisfy
the conductor, or he might report me and
spoil my job. / said to the conductor
that | would examine his pass. and ascer-
tain whether or not he was all right; but
the conductor was on 10 him and said:
Il know he is Il deserter, and it is your
duty to order him under arrest at once"
Knowing that he had no authority over
rae, and that ] ranked him even in the
management OF the train, said: "Sir, !
understand my duty, without any instruc-
tions from YOU, and will do it as see fit"
Leaving him [ walked down the aisle
of the car, approached the officer. and pleas
antly asked him for his pass He looked at
me moment and said: What authority
sir, have you to ask commissioned officer
for his pass?'
1 replied. Il have the authority Of Gen
Jones, commanding this department" and
at the same time took from my pocket
my commission and handed it to him.