Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-03-11


chief instead of staying with the head
Of column. Finding himself rebuked,
the general reprimanded Benton in the
presence and hearing OF officers and
men. Benton's heart and temper being
both sore and trie l. he had replied
with much spirit. IL not subordination,
to the effect that the message he was
charged to deliver admitted of no de-
lay; that if the general had been where
he belonged there would have been no
delay; and that sooner than submit
to such injustice be would ask to be
relieved from staff tuty forthwith, and
wrote that very night to his ola friend
and general, then member of an i'm
portant military tribunal at Washing
ton, begging his advice and interven-
ton, and telling him, of course, the
story of poor Ladue.
But, being coupled with another, that
story was now almost an old one at the
capital. for thither had the poor lad
been sent and Jennings with him;
Paul looking, indeed. ''rnore dead than
alive" for a strange. eventful history
had been his ever since the dreadful
morning north OF Sharpsburg that
stretched him senseless in front of Glib
bon's furious guys. Killed" said La
mar and other officers who saw him
borne away in blanket "Mortally
wounded said the hospital attendants
who first rinistered TO him. back of
the Dunler church, where reigned
confusion inexprossihIe owing to the
appalling number of those needing
surgical aid. How he got there or be-
yond, Paul never knew until long
thereafter. Tender-hearted Virginians
had concealed him until he was we'll
enough to move about Odd as it may
seem, the most practicable way for
southern soldier to go from the Poto-
mac to his own people was by way of
the north. Through the kind Virgin
lans, civilian clothing was bought for
their Interesting captive, and by mid
November Paul was safely under the
roof of well-to-dol and most active
southern sympathizer in Baltimore.
These were details which Ladue
could not rev cal at the time. He had
revived sufficiently to recognize Benton
and TO speak feebly a few moments:
out that very night, in the fog and
darkness, was begun the building of
the bridges, the crossing of the left
grand division, and Fred could only
leave his poor frie with the sur
geons and hasten OK to his duty.
Four days later, VIII he would have
ridden to the hospit camp in search
OF him. il was too late Urgent orders
mad come from Stanton himself, the
great and growing war secretary, to
send the prisoner patient thither as
soon as he could be Moved. Jennings
nae ALREADY gone 'up'"f strong guard,
and all Benton coul learn at the mo-
ment was that Their had been a break
from prison camp; ,at aided by resi-
dents of Baltimc.t and of Charles
county, some COME rate officers had
escaped to the Pc ,ae: and. while
some of the par IA succeeded in
crossing, one be beer fired on
and swamped. of the officers
had bee aIg5 - bei,,v c,Ss-
Paul, who had been ne -Iy drowned
and was found in a fisherman's hut not
far from Matthias Point Two of the
party were still at larse Arrests of
suspected civ ilians had been made,
both In Washington and Baltimore.
and certain secret service officials had
been summarily discharged by order
OF the secretary, as being unworthy
to hold positions OF such trust and
responsibility.
stanton is a terror said Fred's
informant, a staff officer just from
Washington. God help the man that
has to bump up against stanton Just
nowi"
1t was now some So hours after
F'red's serious difference with his di-
vision commander He had sent an
urgent appeal TO his old general to be,
set free from further contact with these
things he almost loathed. He looked