Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-10

At Big Shanty the train stopped, and the
conductor. engineer and many of the pas
sengers went to breakfast, leaving the trair
unguarded. The little band taking ad
vantage of the condition of affairs, un
coupled a section of the train. consisting
of three empty baggage aDr box cars, the
locomotive and tender. They boarded tha
train and started off at full speed before
the astonished confederates could inter
fere. At stations where they were COM
PEELED to stop they said they were running
an impressed powder train through to Gen
Beauregard. Running on the scheduled
time of the train they thus avoided cot.
lisions, stopping frequently to tear up tie
track and cut telegraph wires. Kingston
thirty miles from the starting point was
safely reached but here the difficulty be-
gan. The confederates were running extra
trains south to get everything out of the
way of the advancing federal forces, and
the little party was delayed an hour auo
five minutes awaiting the arrival of ar
extra local divided into two sections.
Confederates Gave Chase.
In the meantime the confederate con-
ductor and engineer gave chase; first on a
hand car, which ran off the track at one of
the breaks in the road, and after proceed
ing a distance on foot, on a. locomotive
which was pressed into service and loaded
with soldiers. The captured train had only
federates arrived. Then began one of the
most exciting locomotive races on record
Four miles from Kingston the captured
train was again stopped and the telegraph
wires cut. A rail was loosened and torn
from the track, when the whistle of the
pursuing locomotive was heard. Again
they moved on with lightning speed. The
confederates saw the broken rail- in time to
prevent wreck. by reversing, but they
had to abandon their engine and start
again on foot. Before going far they met
a train that had been passed by the fugi-
tives at Adairsville, and turned the engine
back in pursuit. dropping the cars. The
fugitives passed an express at Calhoun,
and had a clear track to Chattanooga, but
the pursuers were close upon them They
had no time to stop and tear up rail or
burn bridge. The pursued then began to
drop their cars, which were taken up by
the pursuers and pushed ahead, but the
time thus gained by the former was quickly
lost, as they had to stop and cut the wires
after each station was passed. The fed
erals broke out the end of their last box
car and dropped wood and crossties on the
track as they ran. thus checking the
progress of the confederates and permitting
the Union men to take on wood and water
at two separate stations. Several times
they stopped ard almost succeeded in lift
ing a rail, but each time the coming of the
confederates within rifle range caused them
TO deslst Thus purSuer and pursued sped
on mile after mile, around curves and past
stations in this fearful chase for life.
Hard pressed the federals set fire to their
last box car, and they passed under a
long covered bridge uncoupled and left it
in the middle But before the fire got I'M
der Roadway the confederates had dashed
through the flames and smoke and were
driving the burning car before them. The
situation of the federals had become des-
perate. Their fuel was exhausted and the
speed of their engine gradually became
less. The only chance foP escape lay in
htnt, kInxy RI
vigorous pursuit was instituted. and within
a week all were captured The whole
party was held as spies, as they were in
citizens clothes. The leader and seven of
demned and executed. Somefof the others
escaped. and after many adventures man
aged to reach the Union lines. while the
balance were eventually exchanged.
Saved Regimental EoIors.
The first acts for which medals were
awarded were performed by Corp. John c.
Hesse and Sergt. Joseph K. Wilson. The
headquarters OF the Sth United States In
fantry at the outbreak Of the civil war was
at San Antonio. Texas. John c. Hesse was
the corporal of Company A Of that regi-
ment, and was detailed as a clerk at the
regimental headquarters. On the 23d OF
April, 1861, the officers and few enlisted
men at that time present sat San Antonio
were taken prisoners by fhe rebel troops
under Col. Van Dorm. All 4hes officers. with
the exception of Lieut.. Edward L. Hartz,
adJutant of the Sth Infantry, left a few
days afterward for the states.e Mr.. Hesse,
who is chief of division Ii the record and
pension office in the War department. re-
ferrlng to the rescue Of the colors Of his
regiment, says: 4 =
"A few days subsequent to the capture,
upon going to the former office of the reg
mental headquarters, the building being
then III the possession and uHder the con-
troll or the rebels. met thereSL Lieut.. Hartz
and Sergt. Maj. Joseph K Wsil san, Sth In
fantry. Our regimental colarE being in the
once, Lieut.. Hartz proposed To us to take
the coiors from the stats, conceal them be-
meath our clothing and tryFto carry them
off. We did SO. took the torn colors,
which the regiment had cnrried through
the Mexican war, put 1t axDtfn6 my body
under my shirt and blouse. sazid passed out
OF the building. which was strongly guard
ed by the rebels. FortunaAety .fihe guards
did not suspect what a precious load we
carried concealed with u.s. abr n they had
our lives would not have besn wsrth much
we put the coiors in one OF Lest. Hartz' s
t,n and next day they left San An
guarded the colors with our flivRs, always
fearing lest the rebels might find out what
we mad taken and come after. ua: but they
did not, and we arrived sas with our col
ors on the Goth of Nav. 16Ell in Washing
ton city, and turned them over to the regi-
ment."
Mr.. Hesse and Mr.. Wilson were each
awarded the medals of honor for thus saw
ing the colors of their regiment
Col. Clay's Gallant Service.
Colonel Cecil Clay. chief clerk Of the De-
partment of Justice. was awarded the medal
OF honor for gallant services at Fort Har-
rison, Va. September 20. 1854. On the
date mentioned the first adivision, 18th
Corps. under General stannard. stormed
Fort Harrison, near Chaffn's Bluff, on the
north side of the James river below Rich
mond. By the detection of fits major, Cap
tain tafterward colonel and brevet brigadier
general} Cecil Clay, was at the beginning
Pennsylvania Regiment which charged In
the line OF battle at the head of its brigade,
the Sd. The parapet of the fort was eight
cen feet thick and a deep ditch surrounded
1t. Captain Clay, who mounted the parapet
with Private Copeland and Lieutenant
Johnson. carried the, colors Of the 15Sth