The National tribune., 1902-02-27
THEY ARE RECOMMENDED FOR
PROMOTION TO FIRST
LIEUTENANCIES.

squad of ~ men sent into Georgia by tn
lamented Maj.-Gen. o. NJ Mitchell, on
year ago on the 7th proximo. We ar
glad to be able To present to our reader
this morning some incidents which oc
CURED yesterday, of the most pleasing an,
interesting character.
THEIR TESTIMONY AT THE OFFICE OF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. HOLT.
For the past two or three DAYS these
gentlemen have been before Judge Holt
Judge ge-AdvOcate-General, and Maj.-Gen
Hitchcock, giving a detailed account OF
their expedition into Georgia and the time
and manner of their capture, and their
treatment by the rebel authorities.
The expedition originally consisted OF
% men. selected from the ID, 21st and 33d
Ohio regiments. Only one man was taken
from company, and he was chosen be,
cause he was considered the most reliable
for the duty which was expected of him
They dressed in citizens clothing, and
avoided all rebel camps, and made theiI
way to the vicinity Of Marietta, Ga, q
short distance above Atlanta, on the West.
ern Rallroad, connecting the latter city
with Chattanooga. AT an eatinC-hOuSe n
Few miles above Marietta, while passen-
gers were getting 4 meal, one of the party
acting as engineer, they seized the train
and made lightning speed toward Chatta-
nooga.
In passing stations they only slackened
up Httle-telling those congregated there
that they had munitions of war for
army In Virginia, and were in consequence
compelled to make the utmost speed I'm
fortunately the telegraph wires were not
cut IN time, and when the wood and water
gave out they were necesSitated to aban-
don the train. They took to the bushes,
but were subsequently captured ard taken
| to Atlanta.
SEVEN OF THE PRISONERS HUNG.
Seven of the members of the expedi-
ton were tried, convicted and hung. In
their examination they established that
they had not been in the vicinity of any
rebel camp; that, although they dressed in
citizens dress, they did no more than they
had known hundreds of rebel soldiers to
do in Tennessee, and who were treated,
when captured, as prisoners of war. They
laid before Col. Holt a copy of the At
lanta COnfederacy containing the proceed
ings of the trial of their comrades.
THE REBELS TRY THE VIRTUE OF THE
LASH.
The rebel authorities treated them with
the greatest indignites and outrage. The
most determined anxiety was manifested
by them 10 elicit the name of the party
that had acted as engineer. To that end
they took Jacob Parrot, enc of the SOL
diers, who is only about 20 years of age
stripped him, and gave him 100 lashes
This is the punishment usually inflicted
ON such of the Southern slaves as may
be accused of offenses of which there is
no proof; and this is the means by which
many of this unfortunate class of human
ity are constrained to confess to the COM
mission of crimes of which they We're as
innocent as children unborn. But in ia
cob Parrot the cOwhide found one who
detied its power. Although each stripe cut
a road of blood across his back, he would
neither disclose to them the regiment to
which he belonged, or the name of the
gentleman who had driven the engine on
the expedition which came near being so
disastrous to the rebels.
PREPARE FOR DEATH.
The death warrant of these patriots was
signed by Gen. Ledbetter, who was in
command at Chattanooga at the time, and
indOrsed by Gen. Il. Kirby Smith They
were given no notice as to the time of their
execution. They were executed with the
expedition that people would shoot a dog
with the hydrophObia. Two of the men,
weighing over 2G0 pounds, broke the rope
and fell to the ground. They earnestly de-
manded only one hour to be wholly de-
voted to prayer, but the inhuman agents
of this Internal order were ineXorable and
the men were again mounted on the seat
fold as soon as the rope could be adjusted.
BRUTALITY OF a REBEI CABINET OFFICER.
When the rebel Secretary of War was
notified that seven of the prisoners were
executed he telegraphed back inquiring
why they had not all been executed. After
wards this same Secretary denied to our
Government that any of these men had
been hung.
AN INVITATION FROM SECRETARY STANTON
Early yesterday morning Mr. James C.
Wetmorc, State Agent for Ohio. was no
titled that lie desired a visit from the re-
turned heroes. Accordingly, as soon as
their evidence before the Judge-AdvOcate-
General had been revised and qualified to,
Maj.-Gen Hitchcock and Mr. WetmOre ac-
companied them to the War Office in a
body.
HOW THEY WERE RECEIVED BY THE SEC
RETARY.
They were received by Secretary Stan
ton with the cordiality and simplicity as
only occur in our own Government. Num-
anXiously awaiting outside to see Mr.
Stanton, but were required to wait until
the patriotism of these heroic soldiers had
been commended, and their merit reward |
ed. Mr. Stanton familiarly shook each one
OF them by the hand, and introduced them
to Secretary Chase and Andrew Johnson. |
He then in n conversational and unre- |
served style addressed Mr.. Parrott the |
gallant soldier who had been ignominious-
ly cowhded by the rebels, informing him |
that he had heard of his persistent devo-
ton to his flag under the most trying cir
and appreciated his merits. |
Secretary Stanton (Opening a morocco |
case) further informed Mr.. Parrott that |
Congress had authorized him to present |
medals to such soldiers as shall by their
brave deeds prove that they deserve them.
None of these medals have yet been
awarded to any soldiers, and / now pre-
sent you with the first one that has been
issued by authority of the late Congress"
The Secretary then presented each one
Of Mr.. Parrott's companions with a like
medal.
LIBERAEITY OF SECRETARY STANTON.
When the surprised recipients of these
honorable badges had warmly thanked the
donor they were completely taken aback
by Secretary Stanton presenting each one
Of them with 500, with the remark that
that was an additional testimonial of his