Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-12


But all I'll feeling is forgotten when at midnight
punch. which ceremony is interrupted by mid
night messenger. who announces the dangerous
his financial affairs in hopeless tangle and the
Holt fortune dssipated. Henry and Norman en-
lists ~ Il private in the Ohio infantry. Malloy
through political influence is lieutenant in the
fedcrate forces. Norman is ordered to conduct
a sklrmishinc party under Captain Wing to
view raid fails Wing is captured and Norman
accused Of treachcry. Brain fever saves him
Charges asain't Norman are disproved by En-
rarf Normad r.jons his regiment and aids
sheridan in capturing Henry Holt. Norman
Holt. drugged by Maloy. while picket duty
ia found asleep at his post
CHAPTER NV.
A general cnurt-martial had been ordered
20 meet in the city of Nashville. Certain
officers were to be brought before it, and
when their cases had been disposed of then
came the turn of several enlisted men,
hose Offenses were of so serious a char
aCter they could not properly be tried by
minor military tribunal 1t was mid
July when the court assembled 1t mid
August when the findings in the cases of
the commissioned victims were decided and
signed. The weather had been hot and
sultry. The court was tired out and in 10
judicial mind by the time the first of the
soldier cases was reached Men grow crab
bed who have to sit day after day through
the hottest hours buttoned up to the Chin
in those absurd blue frock coats and sash
ed and beted, when nature and common
sense both clamor for air and freedom. 1t
was hard for the court but it was harder
on the prisoners awaiting trial, for they
had to swelter IN a wooden bake oven of
guardhouse. tormented day and night
by heat. mosquitoes and anxiety. innocent
or guilty. ii made no difference. The privi-
lege of being cleared by the court involved
weeks or even months Of preliminary dur
ance vile. The presumption of innocence
until declared guilty accorded the civilian
carries no comfort to the soldier OF Uncle
Sam. Bail is something he wots ICt Of
The sovereign citizen who has clubbS.i lis
wife. mobbed the sheriff robbed bank
and can induce d friend to go ball for him
and who cannot?-breathes the air Of
freedom until summoned for trial The
soldier, perhaps falsely accused OF some
minor neglect, must roast with the feluns
under guard until his case is called. He
has no rights the nation seems bound - re
spect.
And of such as these all through the
blazing July weather and into the carrier
weeks of the dog days, was Norman Holt,
private, Company G, -th Ohio lnfai,try
Volunteers, under charge of one of the
gravest crimes known to the military cal
endar. sentinel sleeping on post In front OF
the enemy"
They had him sent to Nashville the sec
ond week In July. The colonel had in
vestigated thoroughly possible
the against him. and, with secret re-
luctance, had been forced to the belief
that there nothing to hope for. The
evidence seemed conclusive. He was d
member of picket guard duly mounted.
He had been regularly posted sentry in
front of the picket covering the foot bridge
over the stream. He had reported sus-
piclous noises. indicating movements of the
- or,I ,,Nfxx- h.,. Il
ing his knowledge of this dangerous con-
dition of things. had quit his rifle aGd his
assigned post and had gone down under the
bank and found lying on the grass.
to all appearances sound asleep AID Gn-
conscious The officer Of the guard. Lieut..
Malloy. declared that, going to the bridge
with a small patrol, he had halted his
party In the shadow OF the trees while he
Crept forward to reconnoiter. He was SIR
prised and troubled to find no sentry at
the bridge. There was his rifle. but the
gone. In a low tone he called,
but there reply. Alarmed he
brought up his party and babe them search.
Private Darcy found the accused several
yards away from where the rifle reS,cd
against the rail. lying under The bank or
perhaps the slope of the bank and sound
asleep. Lieut.. Scarciffe. Sergeant Shan
non. Privates Brennan. Colt and Kelly.
all of whom We're good friends of the ;sc
Cused, were witnesses to the fact although
IT could be said that when they reaC he'd
the spot Holt was sitting up and looking
about him In a dazed bewildered way and
Lieut.. Malloy opined that Darcy had en-
deayored to rouse him and save him from
deserved punishment. but as it happened
the lieutenant was close at Darcys heels
and Hollis recumbent form before
Darcy had time by pinching or showing 10
warn him of the officers presence. Then.
such was Malloys sense OF duty, that he
felt compelled to make an example Of a
soldier who could be SO reckless OF a sa-
cred charge and responsibility. Darcy, to
the Colonel would admit neither ninrh
shove. though he 'axed him was he SICK"
Private Brennan begged the colonel to re-
member that Holt was doing double Gu';.
having taken his. Brennan's, turn before
entering upon his own. and Brennan was
overwhelmed with misery at thought Of
what the generous effort had cost his
tent mate. Shannon unwilling wit
ness. lie didn't wish to speak against Mr..
Holt and didn't wish to go back on the
lieutenant. Shannon had served in the
Mexican war and was believed to be a
but the colonel drew from him the admis-
sion that the lieutenant was excited
Ike when he came back to the picket.
and had sent for Lieut. Scarcliffe and bade
Darcy and Brennan, as well as his escort,
Shannon. Colt and Kelly, who had come
forward with him from the supports. 20
follow swiftly. There's something wrong
at the bridge" says he. 'and can't make
out what's wrong with Connolly and Holt"
They hadn't been at the bridge a minute
before they found Holt. or much more than
Q minute when the corporaIs cries were
heard. Shannon begged permission to go
over with the two men II the lieu
tenant wouldn't go. and try to res
cue their comrade. but Malloy stern
one good man." said he. You'll all be
needed. Connolly knew he had no business
TO cross the creek. He shouldn't have
gomez
Then. soon after four. had come the brisk.
sharp attack Of dismounted cavalry all
along the left front. Malloy's pickets were
driven In on the reserves, but there made
Q sturdy stand. The visitors who had been
s'feeling the line fell back through the
leafy woods. and that was the last OF
Connolly. No man could say what had