CHAPTER XVII.
Before leaving the hospital I requested Dr. Rosser to inform my Captain of my whereabouts and of my physical condition, which he promised he would do, and I have no doubts he did. While at home I also corresponded with some of my comrades. I enjoyed my furlough at Fenns Bridge among my friends. Colonel Sol. Newsome, Hudson W. Sheppard, Bennett Hall, W. J. Lyons, Daniel Inman and others, who came after their mail and incidentally brought their fishing tackle and guns to fish and hunt in the Ogeechee river and swamp, in the meantime discussing the ups and downs of the men in the field. The above named citizens were all slave owners and above the requisite age for military duty. It was quite a pastime for me to hear them discuss among themselves the politics of that day, for be it understood they were not exactly a unit in sentiment as regards secession. They were about equally divided; some for the union, while those who differed brought some of the most convincing arguments to my mind to bear on the situation, and although young in the cause of politics, I was obliged to take sides with them, as a matter of right, as we saw it. Those who opposed did not question our right, but differed as to the policy pursued. They contended that we were wrong in judgment as the sequel had proven. In fact, we were not prepared for such tremendous onslaughts as we had to meet, and we believed and had reliance on our so-called friends across Mason and Dixon line, which proved to be as bitter as the rankest abolitionists. One morning, Mr. Brantley came up and brought the Georgian, a county news paper, saying, "Hermann, your name is in this paper." I said, "Is it?" "Listen."
"The following men are absent from their Commands without leave, and should they not immediately report for duty, they will be reported as deserters: J. J. Sheppard, I. Hermann and others whose names I have forgotten. It was signed Captain Evan P. Howell, commanding battery. I said, "Gentlemen, it is a lie, and here is the proof, showing my sick furlough from Dr. Paul Eve." Mr. Lyons then spoke up, "Well, what are you going to do about it?" I walked into cousin Abe's store, took a sheet of paper and addressed, Mr. J. N. G. Metlock, Editor of the Sandersville Georgian,"
"My dear sir:—
In perusing your previous issue I noted Capt. Evan P. Howell's advertisement, which among others I was named as one absent without leave, and should I not report immediately to my command, he would publish me as a deserter. Now in simple justice to myself, I wish to inform Capt. Howell, as well as the public, that his statement is false, that I have a furlough granting me leave of absence and that under no consideration would I be away from my command,
Very respectfully,
I. Hermann.
At Home.
P.S.—Please forward copy of your next issue to Captain Howell and charge expenses to me."
I returned to my friends and said, "Gentlemen, this is my reply, and when my time is up, I shall report, either to Dr. Paul Eve, or Captain Howell." Colonel Sol Newsome tapped me on the shoulder, saying, "Hurrah, Hurrah for you, Hermann." In a few days later, Sergeant W. H. Hines, and four men of my Company came to arrest me. I said to them, "You can't do it as long as I have authority to remain here," and showed them my furlough, which lacked about two weeks of having expired. They were all glad I was properly fixed and so expressed themselves. They were also glad of the opportunities they had to call upon their respective families, which they would not have had otherwise.
From Fenns Bridge I went to Macon to spend a few days with a cousin who lived there. As I walked the street one named Colson who belonged to the Provost Guard came up saying, "Ike old fellow, I have orders to arrest you." "What for, Colson?" He answered, he did not know. "Who gave you the orders?" He said "Major Roland." "Let us go up and see him." We walked up from Cherry Street to Triangular block, where Roland, who was commander of the Post, had his headquarters. The room was full of men and officers, among whom I recognized Captain Napier, who had lost a limb in Virginia; the rest were all strangers to me. Major Roland addressed himself to me "What can I do for you?" "You had me arrested." Colson was standing there; I looked at him; he said "You gave me the orders." "What is your name?" "Isaac Hermann." Roland brightened up; "You are the fellow I was after; you are reported as a deserter." I pulled my furlough, which was somewhat dilapidated from constant wear and tear; he scrutinized it closely, handing it back to me, saying, "This paper is forged; some brother countryman fixed it up for you." "You are a liar," I said. Quick as lightning he grabbed and drew his sword, which was lying on the table, exclaiming as he faced me, "I am an officer." In the meantime I executed a half about, drawing my pistol, saying: "I am a private; if you make a move I'll put daylight through you." And there we stood, facing each other for a few seconds, when one of the officers in the room approached me, saying in a whisper, "Put up your pistol, I am your friend." "Who are you?" "I am Paton Colquitt, Colonel of the 46th Ga. Reg't., stationed at Charleston, S. C., I am on my way to my command, but intend now to remain to see you out." I extended my hand and he shook it heartily. Major Roland looked very pale; the rest of the company present looked on with interest. Roland ordered a Sergeant and four men as a guard to escort me to the guard house. I said "I'll die first, right here, before I'll march through Macon, guarded like a horse thief. I have not done anything to be arrested for; I am known in Macon and will not submit to any such indignity." Colonel Colquitt stepped up to the table, saying, "Will you take me as sponsor for this gentleman, to report at any place you may designate, without a guard?" Roland could not refuse, so trembling he wrote me (a billet de logement): "To the Officer in Command at the Calaboose: Admit the Bearer. By order of Major Roland, Commanding Provost Post, Macon, Georgia." Before calling at the prison I passed to where my cousin lived. I stated what had happened, so that she would not look for me, as I was stopping at her house. She was much distressed and feared personal harm would befall me. I reassured her the best I knew how and requested her to let me have a blanket, if she could spare one, so that I could sleep on it that night. I rolled the blanket, tied the ends together with a string and drew it across my shoulder. On the way I thought of the threat Captain Howell made at Bryant County, Camp Arnold, when Sergt. Hines reported to me what he said, that he would get me yet. I was mad; I was honor bound to report at the calaboose. Col. Colquitt was my sponsor, I could not go back on him. Finally I arrived at the prison, an old building, about 25 by 40; it might have been used as a stable. I presented my ticket for admittance, the officer looked at it, read it, then looked at me and smiled, and said, "Well, this is unusual." I disengaged myself of the blanket, as he unlocked the door. The room was packed with men, among them some Yankees, or some in Federal uniforms. As the door was locked behind me one of the inmates hollowed. "There is a new comer, he must sing us a song;" I remarked, I rather felt like fighting than singing just now, when a big strapping fellow presented himself, with his coat off, saying, as he put himself in a fighting attitude, "Here is your mule;" I answered as I hit him, "Here is your rider." I struck him such an unexpected blow that it stunned him, when he said he had enough, as I was to double him. He apologized, saying he was just funning; I answered and said, "I meant it, and you believe it now; I am obliged to you for having given me this opportunity, for I have been badly treated." I need not say that I was respectfully treated by the rest of the inmates. And while room to lay down was at a premium, I had all I needed for that purpose. The following morning at the break of day, my name was called at the wicket; I answered. The door swung open and there stood Col. Colquitt, smiling. "Well, you are a free man"; "How did you do it!" "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." I said, "Let me get my blanket I borrowed on the way." He answered: "The train that will carry me to my regiment will leave in half an hour, and I have done what I intended before going; I wish I had a thousand men like you, and I would walk through Yankeedom." I thanked him heartily for what he said and did, promising never to forget it, and I never have. We walked some distance together, the atmosphere was chilly, and I proposed to him if he would accept a treat from me in the way of a drink; he said, "With great pleasure." We found a place on our way to the depot, which was not very far, as the Calaboose was situated a little back of the Brown House, and we drank a drink of as mean potato whiskey, the only kind the men had, at one dollar a dram, that was ever distilled.