The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-08-25
BLUE GOATS COMMANDED
By n REBEL IN GRAY


command of . squad of Federal SOL
diers by Gen. w. T. Sherman during
the Civil War, think 1 figured in IN
incident of that strife which had no
precedent and NO duplication. Any.
way, the act enabled me to save the
Georgia State Library and many
books. papers and records which may
we'll be considered priceless.
During the last two years of the
Civil War. l was stationed at Mill.
edgeville, Ga, as surgeon in charge Of
Brown Hospital. At that time Mill
edgeville was the capital of the state
and during November, 1864, the leg.
islature was holding its annual session.
On the 18th of that month Governor
Joseph E. Brown sent in q military
message, urging, -" That
the governor and legislature then ad'
journ to the front to aid in the struggle
till the enemy is repealed, and to meet
again, if we should liye, at such time
and place rs the governor may des-
ignate."
Next day many appropriation bills
were passed. and the assembly adj
journed.
On the next Sunday afternoon about
4 o'clock, the news came into the town
that a squad of Federal cavalry was
approaching it in the direction Of the
railroad station. l at once went out
to meet them. The squad was in COM
mand Of a Captain Duncan who inter-
cepted me in front of the executive
mansion. He gave me the military
salute. which I returned, and asked me-:
"What are you doing here, msjorT'
II am here under orders of DR.. S.
H. Stout, the medical director Of hos
pitfalls Of General Hoods army" |
answered.
He then asked me my orders; /
showed him DR.. Stout's telegram. He
then demanded:
"Your commission"
l Immediately produced it, and after
reading it, he said:
"Sir, it gives me great pleasure to
say that this is the only commission !
have read since l have been in your
country that would entitle the holder
to any respect or protection. Your
commission is from the state of Geor.
gia, . sovereign power. These things
you call commissions, emanating from
a pretended government, the so called
Confederacy, are not worth the paper
and ink used in getting them up"
Captain Duncan then asked me to
show him my hospital. Doing so, I
first took him to my Office. Before
entering, l said to him, Captain Dun
can, bring in three of the best men
you have with you"
-
1t was cold, misty, November day.
The scouts had been riding all day
without dinner. In my Office had a
good, big, rousing log fire in regular
old fashioned country fireplace, which
made the room very comfortable.
After seating them l called to my boy
Matt to bring out the brandy and
sugar. Uncorking the first bottle, l
said: =.
captain, help yourself, sir. and
your friends Here is n treat l have
been reserving for you for the last
several months"
Captain Duncan at once poured out
the brandy, sweetening it with sugar.
The bluecoats certainly enjoyed the
treat. Here We talked freely and cor
daily for fifteen or twenty minutes,
during which the signal as Master
Mason being interchanged, the boys in
blue and gray seemed to forget there
was any question at issue between
them. About this time l said: Matt,
my boy, bring out another bottle" q
had only two bottles, hut l didn't
intend to let them know but that had
several dozen.)
Gentlemen" said l, "before in.
specting the hospital, help yourselves
again"
That bottle soon went to keep COM
pany with the first. Thereupon. Cap
tain Duncan warmed up and proffered
me any aud every assistance l might
need during the stay of Sherman's
army. Without further inspection of
the hospitals, he reported to General
headquarters that he had
examined my hospital, that l was all
right, and asked that have whatever
mioht he noceasarv With.