The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-05-26

to be shot on the -th. I don't mind
bein' shot, so long g I'm not to be hang
ed Dye see the pictur' pinned to the
wall. gineralf" pointing to a card pho
tograph OF a boy about two years old.
well, that's my SON Billy. I've al
ways wanted the little chap, when he's
crowd up, to be sojer. consider
sojerin' the mobiles perfeshun on the
earth. I know it'll be a backset in the
| service to Billy, bearin' the same name
3 his father-shot for desertion-but
that can't nowise be helped. Least
aways he won't be disgraced by his
fathers havin been hanged" y.-r
You talk like a good soldier" said
| the general why did you desertY'
We'll. ye see, gineral. Billy was sick
and ye wouldn't let me go home.
was afeard he would die callin' ON his
pop and no pop there to cuddle him up
In his arms. Ye see, gineral, Billy has
always been used to goin' to sleep on
his pops shoulder. So 1 jist went
home for awhile till found he wasn't
goin' to die nohow; then ! come back"
The next day the command was
moved forward and at evening a young
aid-de-camp rode up to the field in
which Private Groat was held and
said to the officer Of the guard: Sas
The general wants to know whether
the enemy is occupying that wood over
there. Take your men, go In and find
out. I'll take care Of your prisoner
while you are gone"
The guard marched away, and as
soon as the aid was alone with Private
Groat he said, to him;
Light outr'10J llN
| When Groat understood that be was
tree to go. he said:
Couldn't do that honorable. Besides,
ef they'd ketch me. next time they'd
like enough hang me. and the disgrace
restm' OH my Billy d be trrrible."Tlon
swell, then.n said the aid impatient
~, you'll have to be shot. President
Lincoln alone can pardon you"
Groat scratched his head thoughtful
ly. then suddenly took to his heels.
A few weeks later the general who
had connived at Private Groat's escape
was superintendihg the hurried throw
Ing up of an earthwork In his front at
point where seven pine trees grew
together when Private Groat stepped
up to him and. saluting, stood at at
tention. An astonished, troubled look
crossed the generals face. Hi"" r ii
81 thought you had escaped" he said.
81 did, pnE21.s ee n1 sfcess Yfahbs
swell. now that you have returned,
II Is my duty to order you shot" u.
"I have been to the president" said
Groat. He give me that" handing
the general slip OF paper. 1t was a
pardon written In President Lincoln's
handwriting and signed by him.
The whiri OF battle came on and the
general dashed away Private Groat
fell In with a battery behind the
breastwork. and when every man al
his gun was shot down worked the
piece alone; but only for a moment,
for q bullet pierced his brain and a
storm cloud Of gray passed over his
dead body. 5iA'-
/ When the army came to rest afte,
that campaign, the following order wa.
issued: gE 1D fsIsTi- 5-AIsi bus
| Special Order No - If1 20 IHsnrs
% Private William Groat. -th regi.
| ment = vols. killed in battle. having
been pardoned by the president. Is hereby
| released from arrest and restored to duty
60 Honorable mention Is hereby made
| Of Private William Groat. -th regiment
- vols. for gallant and meritoriou.
| services In working deserted gun. al
which he remained to meet certain death
Let us now return to the party Of
United States regulars standing befors
a grave in the government cemetery
The officer In command. approaching
the headstone. read the name: swr