Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-09-21
BY Hook or by Crook
By EDGAR FALES MOODY
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association

the war, instead of lasting but a few
months, as many at first expected, fur
nishing military titles and big pay for
| this last named class. proved a 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 a large
| city and was one Of the first to "offer
| himself a sacrifice 10 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 a Eat Office. He was
a 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 in command Of
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 feuteuants. Richmond told me
that he didn't Ike 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 letter
from the north he said that he would
remain on the staff. l asked him why
he had SO suddenly changed his views,
but he shut up like an oyster and re-
fused to utter a word in explanation.
1t was not long after this that one
morning at the breakfast table the
colonePs brow was very lowering.
Gentlemen" he said. there's
thief ON my staff Last night while |
was mt Colonel BIS headquarters''-h
had been playing poker-"my trunk
was rifed Of package of papers"
As he spoke he looked at all our
facep to note the effect of his words
/ noticed that Richmond was the only
one o. the staff whose looks indicated
consciousness.
Might not the thief be one of the
headquarters guard or an orderlyY'
| suggested the commissary.
NO" replied the colonel; 1.-THE rob
berry was not committed for gain.
There was money in the trunk, and 1t
was not taken. Some one on my staff
took the papers for a purpose. If
can prove it on him III have him court
martialed."
The coloners eyes were fixed intent
ly on Richmond as he spoke But Rich
| mond went on eating his breakfast
| with fair amount of equauimity 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
Now, the relations between a 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-
| cllned TO issue the order returning hirI
to his regiment Evidently the com
mander believed that his aid had
stolen his papers and proposed to force
| him 10 stay where he was until he
could recover them.
Since Richmond made no denial OF
| being guilty of the colonels charge we
treated him with GOODNESS ana finally
refused TO speak to him except OIL
cially. Though the young man WINGED
under this, he seemed TO be sustained
| by consciousness of innocence
| Meanwhile there were conditions be-
| tween him and the colonel that we
! could not understand. Neither took
any definite stand The colonel did
not prefer charges. and Richmond
made no move TO force the colonel to
permit him to join his regiment which
| seemed TO be the only way to get rid
Of very unpleasant situation l no
| ticed that Colonel Jim made no men
| ton of the character of the purloined
/ papers, and his aid made no effort to
| free himself from the obloquy that
rested upon him.
Such were the conditions when we
entered our first fight The colonel did
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 was
over the colonel appeared. explaining
his absence on the ground that he had
got separated from his command when
the fight opened and could not after
ward find it,
But the division commander did not
accept this excuse and called for
Colonel Jims resignation. 1t was
handed in, and the political general
disappeared from the service.
Colonel Jims relegation TO ward pol
itics reiegated Ric, mond and myself to
our respective Regiments. Soon after
the fight he asked M, to come to mis-
quarters. There he made an explara
ton Of the conditions existing between
him and his commander A lady had
written him that the colonel had
number Of letters from her which she
was DESTROYS should be returned The
colonel In I declined to give chem up.
She asked Richmond TO set them for
her by hook or by crook. He had
booked them.
OF course Richmond received bis re
ward. 1t was The lady herself.
Made TO Measure SuifS