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.