The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-04-17

sentenced to be shot.
Some had been caught by our own cav
airy fighting against the army they mad
once belonged to; some had enlisted as
Transfers in the Federal army, and some
were 10 be shot for INSTRUMENTATION. Among
the number was gallant little Horace
Vaughan, beardless youth, but as brave
a soldier as ever went to the front.
Wherever the bullets flew the thlckeSt,
Horace was to be found, and IN the
charge on some battery>he always led; SO
it was often said that he bore charmed
life
His father, who lived at small sta
ton on the railroad along which we had
rctreated after the battle of Missionary
Ridge. was a very old man. He was a
great Union man, with no sympathy toI
the Southern cause.
The subject of Horace's joining the
Confederate army had often been dls-
cuSsed The ord gentleman at first strong
Iy opposed it, but finally, seeing that MS
son was determined to go, he gave his con
sent with one prOylSO. If Gen. bragg
army retreated beyond their home, he was
to return. 10 this Horace acceded, never
for moment dreaming such thing
would happen. But the army did leave
his home behind, and, true to his vow he
had made TO his old father, he returned
home.
He found that everything had been de-
stroyed and his people destitute: so, to
help them to live, he enlisted as team
ster in the Federal army, as he thought
in that capacity he would not have to
fight his old comrades.
That act changed my whole life and
caused thorns to grow where l mad e2-
pected the sweetest roses.
l was detailed to command one OF the
squads assigned to intict the awful pen
atty upon our former comrade-ln-arms on
that fatal 18th of December. We were
ordered to be at the place of execution
promptly at u o'clock.
The whole army had been ordered out
to witness the shooting of these men, SO,
after placing my detail in front of No. 4,
| turned it over to the Sergeant and joined
the group of officers who were standing IN
the rear of the squads discussing the
painful duty each man had to perform.
Hearing. my name called, l turned and
was motioned to one side by brother
officer, who said: DO you know, Lieuten-
ant, whom you are to execute today"
No" l replied. ''All 1 can tell is that
1 was assigned to No. 4. Can you teli!'
l asked.
Yes" he replied. mo. 4 is poor Hor-
ace Vaughan"
l felt my legs giving away, and l should
have fallen had he not caught me. In
stantly / recovered; then, for the hrst
time in many years, tears came TO my eyes
and rolled down my cheeks.
2 1t was appalling to give the command
that would end the life of my comrade
and best friend, for l had learned to love
the boy as brother; he was so kind, so
gentle, and so brave.
Capt. B, of the - Tennessee reg
iment came to me and asked what the
bad news was. / told him, and like the
gallant fellow that he was, he offered to
exchange places. though he knew that 1t
might cost him his commission. We had
no time to think, for at that moment we
heard the strains of the Dead March,
and looking up, saw the condemned men
approaching. We ran hurriedly to our de-
tails, told the Sergeants of the change,
and then exchanged places.
In front of each squad stood a stake and
a coffin, and as the line approached each
man was halted before coffin. Just be
fore they weEe to be bound and hlindfOlded
| heard n voice say. kiss Margaret and
my father for me. Lieutenant. and tell
them that the last throb of this heart was
an echo of my love for them"
Great GOd!' | exclaimed, Il did not
know it was you, Ralph"
The next moment my mind had gone
when our army had been in Tennessee and
Kentucky. On that campaign l had met
and loved the most beautiful woman had
ever seen. She was perfect in every way,
A cultured mind, tender heart, q loving
disposition, and form as perfect as was
ever given to woman. She had soft
dreamy black eyes, and, when excited
they were brighter than the dew drops on
the rose.
[ visited her home often, and was al
ways welcomed with q sunny smile; but
time passed rapidly and soon orders came
for us TO prepare TO march-the very thing
l dreaded. | left camp and went to pay
her a last visit with a heavy heart. Sit
ting in the shadow of a large arbOryitat
tree, with her hands in mine, told her OF
my love. 1t was needless, though, for me
to have spoken one word of that love, fol
she knew it long before. For a moment
she hesitated, and | then told her OF oul
orders to move, and possibly this would
be our last earthly meeting until the strife
was over. That seemed to decide it, for
looking up into my face, she said: II
is useless 10 tell you Of my love
for you, for you must know that it is a:
true and pure as ever woman gave Il
man. and reaching up to branch Of tn,
tree under which we were sitting, sh,
pulled a tiny sprig and gave it TO me, say
ing: That tree Is green as long as Coo
pea mus II 10 i've. IL Is green forever
and so shall my love for you be. Only b'
Us true TO me as / shall be to you, anC
when this cruel war is over, hasten bacl
TO me, and then there shall be no NOR
parting. My prayer shall DO for you an'
my darling brother; for, next 10 you,
love him. Should you ever meet hin
again, and he should in any way need as
sistance, be good to him for the love
give you Take this sprig TO remind you
II need be, of my love. l shall wear on
like it every day until you return"
While young Comstock belonged TO tn
same army as myself, | had never seel
him, except once, until the day OF execu
ton, when he sent the last loving messag
to his sister-my intended bride
When | saw him standing before me i
was too late, for in a moment the com
msnd, Ready, aim, frew was given an
Ralph Comstock lay dead before me, b
my command.
Who can picture my utter despair a
that moment? As | saw the fire fias
from the muzzles Of those muskets bad
farewell to all hope Of happiness in thi
life.
Some weeks after the execution l RI
ceived letter, and | instantly recognize
Margaret's handwriting. Enclosed was
clipping from 8 Dalton newspaper wit
my name and her brothers marked, al
long account of the affair. There wa
also notice of the death of her fathc
caused by the shock of his sons death.
She wrote just a few lines; / sha
never forget them! MAY God forgive 70
as | do. This gulf can never be bridged-
not even hy idola irons love