The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-07-29
ByHook or by Crook
BY EDGAR FALES MOODY
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

pected TO make out of the matter. But
the war, instead of lasting but few
months, as many at first expected, fur
nishing military titles and big pay for
this last named class, proved gigan-
tic, bloody struggle, and with each
fight the army was In need of these
SO called soldiers.
Colonel jim G. in 1862 commanded
the brigade in which ] served. The
colonel had been politician In large
city and was one of the first to "offer
himself sacrifice to the Union" his
idea of that sacrifice being that he
would start out with rank of colonel
and return with that of general, pick
ing up sundry 'perquisites" by the
way, then run for fat office. He was
fine looking man and prided HIM
self on being lady killer.
No sooner were the troops grouped
into brigades and divisions than Colo
mel Jim by virtue of the date of his
commission was placed I'm command of
brigade. AS soon as this elevation
took place he looked about him for
staff. Being allowed two aids, he
chose Louis Richmond and me, both
second lieutcnants. Richmond told me
that lie didn't like the colonel and was
intending to ask to be returned to his
regiment But no sooner had he told
me this than on receipt of n letter
from the north he said that he would
remain on the staff. / asked him why
he had so suddenly changed his views
but he shut up like an oyster and re-
fused to utter n word in explanation
It was not long after this that one
morning at the breakfast table the
coloneps brow was very lowering.
Gentlemen" he said there's a
thief on my staff. Last night while I
was at Colonel BIS headquarters'--he
had been playing poker-"my trunk
was riaed of package of papers"
AS he spoke he looked at ali our
faces to note the effect of his words.
i noticed that Richmond was the only
one of the staff whose looks indicated
consciousness.
might not the thief be one of the
suggested the commissary.
mo" replied the colonel; "the rob-
berry was not committed for gain.
! There was money in the trunk, and it
was not taken. Some one on my staff
took the papers for purpose. If l
can prove it ON him I'll have him court
martialed."
Hvn inf
ly on Richmond as he spoke. But Rich
mond went on eating his breakfast
with fair amount of equanimlty con
sidering that he was virtually accused
of being thief. Nevertheless during
the day he made application to Colonel
Jim to be returned to his regiment. 81
4 Now, the relations between gem
eral and his personal staff are of a
peculiarly intimate and confidential
character. The general may nominate
his own staff, and the nomination Is
considered an honor. But he is not
likely to retain an officer who prefers
not to hold the position given him.
What was our surprise to learn from
Louis Richmond that the colonel de-
clined to Issue the order returning him
to his regiment. Evidently the COM
mnnder believed that his aid had
stolen his papers and proposed to force
him to stay where he was until he
could recover them.
Since Richmond made no denial OF
being guilty Of the colonel's charge we
treated him with GOODNESS and finally
refused to speak to him except Off
cinlly Though the young man WINGED
under this, he seemed TO be sustained
by consciousness of innocence
Meanwhile there we're conditions be,
tween him and the colonel that we
could not understand. Neither took
any definite stand, The colonel did
not prefer charges, and Rich+nond
made no move to force the colonel tC
permit him TO join his regiment, which
seemed to be the only way to get rid
of a very unpleasant situation. | no
ticcd that Colonel Jim made no men
ton of the character Of the purlolnet
papers, ana his aid made no effort tC
, free himself from the obloquy tha
rested upon him.
Such were the conditions when WI
entered our first fight. The colonel die
, not show up Mt the head of his brigade
and Richmond who appeared to be
best fitted to take his place, issued or
ders In his stead When the fight wai
over the colonel appeared explaining
his absence on the ground that he ha(
got separated from his command wheI
the fight opened and could not after
ward find It.
But the division commander did no
accept this excuse and called 70
Colonel Jim's resignation. 1t wa
handed in, and the political genera
disappeared from the service.
Colonel Jlm's relegation TO ward pol
tiles relegated Richmond and myself I
our respective regiments, Soon afte
the fight he asked me TO come to hi
quarters. There he made an explana
tlon of the conditions existing betwee
: him and his commander. A lady ha,
. ! hn al