Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-03-21
A MESSAGE.

1t wa the spring of 1865. Major
Moses was carrying gold bullion to de-
liver to the Federal authorities stationed
in Augusta after Lees surrender. The
war had confused mems ideas, and the sol
diers, who were unpaid, swore that the
gold W. as much theirs as any ones. In
front IF the angry crowd swaying round
the side track where Major Moses had
switched off the treasure car stood a young
soldier, his arm in IA sling, who wore the
epaulets of an inferior officer. He was
tramping home after the surrender, for he
had been with Lee in Petersburg and
helped to form that 'thin, gray line"
which kept Grant at bay during that ter
rible winter.
He was heartsore and desperate, but his
dark eyes flashed as he heard Major Moses
say firmly:
1T is my duty to deliver this gold to
the United States government-the gov
eminent which has conquered us-and 1
shall do so. The law as well as our hon
orr
Here a ragged little drummer boy began
to pound his drum, drowning the rest of
the sentence. The crowd, Selling the
treasure car, began pushing it toward the
depot, but Major Moses, who stood in
front of the train, leaped forward, sprang
into the doorway as it rolled along and,
drawing his sword, cried, "It is intrusted
to me to deliver, and I will defend it with
my life!'
The car reached the depot, and
there two or three officers came to Major
Moses assistance. They appealed to the
they appealed in vain.
1.-The gold belongs to us!'' the soldiers
cried. "We have fought and bled for the
south, and we will not let you hand it over
to the Yankees and leave us here to
starve."
"Shall We go to seek for our wives and
children, whose homes are in ashes, empty
handed?" cried the young officer with the
sling, who seemed to have fallen naturally
into the position Of ringleader, in a voice
whose passion and desperation thrilled
across every heartstring.
Followed by the desperate, hungry, con-
quered crowd, he sprang upon the treasure
car.
Major Moses had advanced, sword in
hand, swearing to plunge it into the first
man who entered, when the young officer
caught the naked blade. Major Moses
eyes fell upon his ~epaulets.
"Holdr" he said. II am one and you
many, but your rank, sir, indicates
that you are a gentleman and your wound
that you are a gallant soldier. 1 appeal to
you in the name of that spirit of honor
which belongs to all brave men to assist
me in the discharge Of my trust and your
The young officer was silent d moment,
but he was conquered.
II must, l suppose" he said at length,
and turning to the crowd he said: boys,
1 am one of you-as poor, as hungry, as
homeless-but we have not lost all. Let
us still keep u honor as brave men,"
Springing down, he went about from
group to group until he quieted them.
Then returning to Major Moses he saluted
and said:
"Sir, you can now continue your trip
to Augusta in safety. They will not dis
turb you again"
With a farewell glance of pity for those
whose garb resembled his own he turned
and left the crowd Manv of them m11t-
tered anorilv as he passed. He sat down
under a great nine I'm which a Jasmine
had clambered. bearing lone arms full Of
beauty and fragrance far up it's stately
height. But he Needed neither the radiance
nor the loveliness abont him as he drew
from his nocket n stained. worn letter and
began to read it aloud:
np.p J.cr-no co,,e o+ ono. Wa .rs IN
actual want Of food. and baby il i'll
10 road M f,,rther His voice broko IN
tbroat IN a great sob
nGad holm Won NelIie IL vo, ara wait.
for holm a. vo,,r husband hands Oh
nv Cod T NOD tuo Int T bava onlv one
iaft To aoht the enamv novertv from o,,r
home ~ we have a home oct ~ Ne,l,el
NV moor Ne,liew
VIII a aroan ho f,,ro bin,se,f down
word nron tba nina naed7es bic bead mon
ar,p ~ tho hand whicb c1,,tched The
Latter. conv,,s;velv
A s,;oht nn;sa aro,,so5 him and Looking
M ha saw = roo,,ntaJ I1n;on soldior p
,ne,e hov who held n small shot hao fnll
~ so,ooth;rn 10 nod oy;dant1v ohserved
The entire scene foo. a snsnic;o,1s moist,,re
d;mmed his brave hlne eyes
MuaIIo T,hnry ho cr;od ..uomo.
sickp I'VE uot to on home too-to New
have inst got nv nav. but I
Won need il more than 1 do / can
some of the boys to helm me out" and
he threw the bag Of gold at his feet,
The rebel rose tn his fnll height. and.
nm the bap. extended Il to the
Union soldier.