Chapter 9 - French Furlough

CHAPTER IX

FRENCH FURLOUGH

During our stay at Harrisburg, the boys frequently took advantage of the facilities afforded them by the Northern Central Railroad, and left for home on what was then termed “French” furloughs, or in truth and in fact, without furlough or per­mit.  The famous expedition down the Cumberland Valley for ARMS, will no doubt be remembered by many of mem­bers of the Company.

On the evening of the 18th of October, the officers announced to the Company that they wou1d that night proceed down the Cumberland valley, perhaps as far down as Carlisle Barracks, in order to procure arms for the company.

In the language of the day, the story would do to tell Marines, but volunteers would choke on it.  A number of the boys were detailed to keep a watch on the officers, whilst all who had colat suf­ficient on hand to pay their way home made hasty arrangements to take the Cumberland Valley (?) train in order to assist the officers to load the arms.

It was soon determined that the officers were going down the valley via Selinsgrove, and as soon as they got on board the rear car, about 20 of the company’s boys got on the front car.  And when the train stopped at Selinsgrove, the surprise to Capt. Davis and his Lieutenants can be much better imagined than described.

A few words of explanation followed, and then Serg’t Eby informed the Captain that as soon as we had learned that the Company was to be equipped with arms from the Cumberland Valley, the boys had concluded that if they were to see their friends and homes once more, that this most undoubtedly would be their last opportunity.

The explanation was satisfactory, and the Captain laughed and gave them all permission to remain in Selinsgrove until Monday morning, then ordering the boys to “fall in” he moved us forward.  As we crossed the river, Lt. Schroyer remarked: “I am glad that its so early and that but few people are about yet, as they would certainly imagine that the war is over and that the company is returning in a body.”  And to tell the truth the length of the column warranted the expression.

It was during this visit that an affair occurred in town that caused considerable feeling at that time in the company.  It happened that a large number of boys who came home were democrats, and, as they remained at home until after the election, which was the contest in which the Hon. Isaac Slenker was elected Auditor General, a number of the prominent Republicans of the town found fault with the Captain and accused him of having brought them home for the occasion, whilst he had kept the Republicans at Harrisburg.  This charge was so notoriously unjust that it was resented by the Republican members of the Company.  The truth of the matter was that the men came home without the knowledge of the officers.