True To The Old Flag

On March 19, 18 6 5, Sherinan's army was s a v e d from destructiou by the courage of one man. An Andersonvillo prisoner named Williams, who had passed the summer of 1864 in the stockade, found hiniself dying of a disease incurable in the prisou oarap. He deoided to get north or (lie xa the efFort and enlisted in the Coiifedoratü army, iutending to desert at tbe firsfc chance. He was closely watched and conld not get away. On the morning of March 19 Sherman was marching towavd Raleigh, his army in two columns, on roads several miles 3part. The right wing, on approaohiny Bentonville, íonnd the road held by the enemy. General Slocnni, the comrnander, asked Sherman, who was just leaving the bivonac to rido across the swamp and join Howard's left wing, whether he shnuld íiglit his way through orwait for Howard to come np. "Go right anead, " said Shtrman. "There is nothing in your front except a handfnl of cavalry. ' ' Tho chief rode away, and Sloeum ordered an advanoe. His troops encotnifered infantry and batteries in a Strong lipe. A freah división was then ordered to break tbrough at all hazard. Just at that timo an aid bronght beforo bis chief ; yonng man dressed in gray wbo hat[ asked to see the commanding offlcer at once. He told his own story first, foi he vus Willianii-', the deserter, tiien said that there was an army of 40, - Ö00 Confedérales in ambush on Slocum'a front; that General Joe Johnston aud the most valiant leaders of the south were in camp aud had laid their plans tu smash Sherman's army, a wing at a time. Slocum at first believed that the fellow was playing false, bnt some one present recognizod Williams as aformer Union soldier. He was taken at his word ind the lines fornied for deionse. Couriers galloped off to notify Sherman and Howard, and the desperate assanlts of Johnston 's columns were met by flrm battalions not to be overthrown.