Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-10-19
GOVERNOR AND CAPTAIN.
An Instance of Prompt Recogniticn
of GnIInntry on the Field
of battle.


"There were some very amusing in-
cidents during encampment week."
said the captain, relates the Chicago
Inter Ocean, illustrating changes in
the status of officers and of men who
served in the ranks. There were in
the city good many privates of the
old army who now rank high in bust
ness life or civil office, ana one of
these approached the captain of his
old company in the union army. The
private of the old time greeted his SUI
perior officer warmly, saying enthusi-
astically that he was proud to have
belonged to the old company. The
captain was busy with some political
friends and he responded to the en-,
thusiastic greeting in busy mans
way.
'He could not quite conceal his an
noyance at being interrupted, but
said, perfunctorily, that he was very
glad to see any member of the old
company, dropped the subject, and
turned to resume his conversation
with his political friends. The pri-
vate hung around as though he would
like to have a little more talk, and
finally the captain turned to him with
a show of cordiality, and asked few
| stereotyped questions, winding up
with How is the world using you?
What are you doing now?' The men,
ber of the old company looked up sur
prised, realized at once that he had
not been recognized, and said, with
smile: I am trying to be governor OF
Ohio"
THAT reminds me-" said the major,
"of a story they Used to tell of old
| Gov. Tod, of war times. There
was private in one of the Ohio regi-
ments who exhibited great courage
and dash at the battle of Corinth. As
the lines came to close quarters the
confederate color bearer was shot
dead and fell with the flag under
him. A young man in the union regi-
ment sprang forward, tore the flag
from the confederate's hands, stained
as il was with the dead mans blood,
and started back to his own regiment.
He was the mark at once for n hun
dred rifles. and before he reached his
own line fell fat on the captured con-
federate flag.
There was a stormy, furious fight
about him, but he held on TO the flag,
and, although he had three serious
wounds. he carried back the colors
stained with the blood of the confed-
crate color bearer and himself The
newspapers got hold of the story, en-
larged upon the incident, and made a
touching appeal for the sorely wound
ed man, who was slowly dying in n
hospital. Gov. Tod read the reports.
and, moved by fine spirit of friendli-
ness toward the private soldier, sent
the dying private commission as a
captain. This fact was also enlarged
upon by the newspapers as an in
stance of prompt recognition of gall
lantry on the field.
'In the course of months the man,
whose case had been regarded as hope
less, recovered-or recovered sufficient
~ TO be sent home on furlough. He
still had the governors commission
and his note of warm congratulation,
and il occurred to him that il would be
only right to call upon Gov Tod and
thank him for his kindness and for the
commission. which had up to this time
been of no benefit to him in the matter
of service or pay.
"He went into the executive office,
believing in his heart that the gov
ernor would in some way recognize
him. His case was so exceptional that