The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-08-15

classes of men In the north went out
to fight. The one were actuated by
the other by what they ex-
pected to make out Of the matter. But
the war. instead Of lasting but a few
months. as many at first expected, fur
nishlng 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 c. In 1862 commanded
the brigade In which served The
colonel had been a 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 "perquisltes" by the
way, then run for fat Office. He was
a fine looking man and prlded 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 in command Of
IL brigade. AS soon as this elevation
took place he looked about him for a
staff. Being allowed two aids. he
chose Louis Richmond and me. both
second lieutenants. Richmond told me
that he didn't like the colonel and was
intending to ask to be returned to his
regiment But no sooner had he told
Inc this than on receipt Of q 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 word in explanation.
1t was not long after this that one
morning at the breakfast table the
coloners brow was very lowering.
Gentlemen" he said. there's
thief on my staff. Last night while
was at Colonel BIS headquarters" he
had been playing Doker-"my trunk
was ritled Of package OF papers"
AS he spoke he looked at all our
faces to note the effect of his words.
noticed that Richmond was the only
one of the staff whose looks indicated
consciousness.
Might not the thief be one OF the
headquarters guard or an orderlyT
suggested the commissary.
NO" 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 a purpose. II
can prove 1t on him I'll have him court
martialed."
The cOlonel's eyes were fixed intent
ly on Richmond as he spoke But Rich
mond went on eating his breakfast
with fair amount Of equanlmity con-
,.dering that he was virtually accused
Of being a thief. Nevertheless during
the day he made application to Colonel
Jim to be returned to his regiment.
Now. the relations between a gen
erai and his personal stan are Of a
peculiarly intimate and confidential
character. The general may nominate
his own stan. 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
cllned TO issue the order returning him
TO his regiment Evidently the com
mander believed that his aid had
stolen his papers and proposed TO fore,
him TO stay where he was until he
could recover them.
Since Richmond made no denial o
being guilty Of the colonel's charge W,
treated him with GOODNESS and finally
refused to speak TO him except OH
4 cially. Though the young man vince,
4 under this. he seemed to be sustaine,
10y u consciousness Of innocence
+ Meanwhile there were conditions be
70 tween him and the colonel that WI
o could not understand. Neither tool
). any definite stand The colonel Ill,
G not prefer charges. aud Richmon,
n made no move to force the colonel {
u permit him 10 Join his regiment. whc
seemed 10 be the only way 20 get ri
, ~ very unpleasant situation. n,
iiccd that Colonel Jim made no mel
r, ton OF the character Of the purlolne
4 papers. and his aid made no effort {
p free himself from the obloQuy tbs
rested upon him.
= Such were the conditions when "
entered our first fight The colonel a.
not show UP at the head of his brlgad
and Richmond who appeared TO |
best fitted to take his place. issued o
ders In his stead When the eight WI
over the colonel appeared. explalnir
his absence on the ground that he hg
got separated from his command VIII,
the Eight opened and could not afte
ward find t.
hut the division commander did N
accept this excuse and called 4
Colonel Jim's resignation. IL WI
. handed In. and the political gener
disappeared from the service.
l. Colonel llm's rclcgatlon to ward p'
{ files rclcgatcd Richmond and myself
our respective regiments. Soon aft
u the fight he asked me TO come to !
4 quarters. There he made an explain
ton Of the conditions existing betwe'
him and his commander A lady III
written him that the colonel had
number VI letters from her which s
was DESTROYS should be returned. t
colonel had declined 70 give them 4
She asked Richmond to get them
her by hook or by crook. lie h
hooked them.