The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-08-01
HIS EXCELLENCY THE
SECRETARY OF WAR


Richmond and that city. He seemed
to be taking pains to conceal his fea-
lures behind a newspaper. Several
persons In the car whispered that lie
was the Confederate secretary OF war
Judah r. Benjamin.
When the train reached Petersburg
the Jewish gentleman took a carriage
and, having driven several miles out
OF the city, alIghted at the entrance to
one of the principal forts. A sentry
endeavored to stop him, but he paid
no attention TO the man, who threaten
ed to shoot him If he did not halt.
Call the corporal" said tue gentle
man, turning impatiently:
"CorpOral of the guard No. A." cried
the sentry.
The corporal came, and the gentle
man ordered him in authoritative
tones to conduct him to the officer
commanding the fort When they
reached headquarters they found the
colonel commanding engaged with
party Of officers mt game of draw
poker.
"a gentleman wishes TO see You,
sir" said the corporal, shutting.
The Jewish gentleman pushed by
the corporal and stood glaring ut the
poker party.
Colonel" he said, II came out
here expecting to find the place bris-
Ting with bayonets. Instead / find
the commanding officer engaged at
cards with his subordtnatcs and most
OF his men asleep. II the enemy sur
prlses you and captures this fort, our
source Of supply will be cut and our
cause lost forever. While the prcsi-
dent and his cabinet, the congress and
the people OF the Confederate States
are stralnIng every nerve, you, de-
Tending point which the enemy Is de-
termined to break through, are UNI
watchful. DO you know sir, that in
that line Of works out there are men
ready to take advantage Of the slight
est neglcctr'
MAY know who you are, sir|
asked the officer, scrutInizing the
speaker.
"You m0y not, sir If President Da-
Wis were TO come here TO inspect your
works, doubtless the guard would he
turned out salute fired In his honor
and everything In order. Mr. Davis
knows that as well us YOU"
1.-THE colonel does not recognize you,
Mr.. Benjamin." said one of the Off
GERS.
WHO said was Mr.. BcnJamin"
growled the Jew. Mind your own
business, sir. Colonel, desire to In
spcct the fort"
Certainly, sir" said the colonel oh
soQuiously
Passing into the carthwork, the jew
examined everything with the critical
eye of trained soldier. Nothing es-
capped him What do YOU mean by
such slight protection for your am
munitlonT he asked holly. THAT gun
is of no use there. Move It over here.
The paraprt is too low. You haven't
sufficient depth for your guns"
The speaker was about to step up
into an exposed position when the
colonel endcavorcd to stop him.
"a sharpshooter will pick you off In
second"
do you think, sir" cried the other
tint we can win our independence
by keeping out of the way of Federal
bullets? Must /, a citizen, show you
soldier. your duty?"
Mounting the parapct, he stood IN
full view of the cnemy'S picket line,
but few hundred yards distant. The
officers in his company expected to sec
him pitch forward down the cnhank-
ment. Indeed II is possible they may
have wished that he would do so.
though the mans bravery ustounded
them. But when he took out his white
handkerchief aud waved it in defiance
they were appalled,. A dozen bullets
sang by his head, but none of them
hit him, and he coolly descended from
his exposed position.
"ColOnel," he said at departing,
though more gently than before. we
are In desperate situation. Watch
day and night. Never sleep"
With this he went to his carriage
and rode away.
The next morning a facetlouS story
appeared ina Richmond paper describ-
ing how member of the cabinet had
given a lesson of watchfulnoss to u
Confederate officer.
Meanwhile the Jewish gentleman,
while driving through wood north OF
the city, alIghted from his carrlagc and
dismissed the driver. AS soon as he
was alone he took off a wig, a piece of
his nose, rubbed some paint of his
face, and, diycsting himself of his frock
coat, a loose sack appeared beneath.
Tossing silk hat aside, he took a cap
from his pocket and put 1t on. Then
he started on foot In the direction of
the enemys works
The next day while General Grant
was sitting In his headquarters at City
Point one of his principal secret serv-
ice men was announced.
"GIad to see you back" said the gen
eral.
1.-THE bullets that sang by me assured
me the signal was seen"
Eyes, and your exact position was
noted with theodollte."
1.-THE magazine is ten PAGES to the
south OF where I stood, the center OF
fhe fort thirty nocpS 10 NV rparn