The National tribune., 1902-10-30

using II now, all or winch nave no call
to explain; it is sufficient for you to know
that this permit comes from the War De-
partment, and is signed by the Adjutant-
General of the Army. If it had been pre-
viously used it would not now be in my
possession uncanceled. AS you say, the
Army of the Potomac cuts no ice in your
department, but allow me to suggest, with
all due respect to you and the office you
hold, that the War Department cuts some
ice even in the city Of Annapolis, and if
you refuse to allow me to pass on this
document, I'll try my level best to learn
where you get the authority to counter
mand the order of the Secretary of War"
This little bluff proved successful, and
the official quietly abandoned the field.
Arriving in Washington, l reported to
the Board Of Examination, stating the
facts in my case, and why appeared
before said Board at that time, on a per-
NIT issued on the 9th Of June. l also
exhibited my leave of absence from Corps
Headquarters, Of which l was, justly,
proud, as it had passed through the
regular official channel" suggesting that
the Secretary of War would be pleased to
learn Of the great esteem in which he was
held, and the prOmptness with which his
orders were 0beyed by the general officers
Of the First Corps.
Gen. Casey informed me that as / was
then parOled prisoner Of war, nothing
could be done in the matter of examina-
tion and promotion, but after being ex-
changed and rejoining my company in
the Army Of the Potomac, / would receive
another permit from the War Department
to visit Washington. and appear before the
Board Of Examination. So it began to
appear that this line of promotion was a
long line, and somewhat tedious to follow;
but one Of the virtues that soldier is
frequently called upon to exercise is pa
tience.
A RACE FOR CENTERvILLE.
went back to Annapolis, and, later,
was exchanged and rejoined the army,
finding my regiment still in the First
Corps, stationed on the north bank of the
Rapidan River, as far away from Wash
ington in that direction as it had ever
| succeeded in getting up to that date, and
| that very night, about midnight, we aban-
| doned the position, commencing a back
ward movement which resulted in the
| liveliest army race on record, between the
Army of the h0tomac and the Army OF
| Northern Virginia for the nights Of Cen
terville. The roads Of old Virginia were
| in splendid condition; our wagon trains
had been previously lightened by issuing
six days rations to the soldiers in order
that the trains might keep pace with u.s.
and we made the best time ever made over
that race-course, and probably the best
ever made by any army in tie world, the
Army Of Northern Virginia coming in
second best and close to our heels. II
was splendid race. We reached the
nights Of Centerville about Is minutes
before the Army of Northern Virginia
would have reached the same position had
not Lee discovered that he could not win
the race, anyway, and halted his army al
Bull Run to "rest under the shade of the
| trees"
We formed our line Of battle along the
nights of Centerville, but Lee did not try
issue with us, and during the time we held
that position, wrote the War Depart
ment, explaining the fate of my former
permit and the outcome of my subsequent
| visit to Washington while paroed pris
Oner of war; also Gen. Casey's assurance
that another permit would be sent me or
my return to the army, and that was
there and in readiness TO receive the same
In short time the Army of the Poto
mac made forward movement, rebuild
ing the railroad as we advanced, which
the Army of Northern Virginia had de
stroyed, seemingly out of sheer spite be
cause we had won the foot-race. We
slowly retraced the ground we had pre-
viously Travelled so rapidly, and on Nov
l, were encamped near Bristoe Station
That evening, hardly five months from
date Of receipt of my first permit, l re
ceiyed from the War Department a second
edition of the same article, granting me
the same privilege to visit Washington
and appear before Gen. Casey's Examin
ing Board.
THROUGH IRREGULAR OFFICIAL CHANNEL
Again reported the fact to Lieut.. G.
M. Humphrey, commanding my com
pany, and by him was directed to report
to the Colonel Of the regiment The fol
lowing morning SO reported to Col. Johr
Mansfield, who instructed me to make al
application for a leave of absence, etc.
exactly as Col. Fairchild had directed
on the former occasion, and forward the
same through the regular official chan
neG to Corps Headquarters.
BY this time the "regular official chan