| From the Richmond Enquirer |
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| October 1, 1862 |
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| Another Military Humbug |
| Every afternoon a strong detachment of
able-bodied men is stationed at the {Virginia}
Central depot, forming a cordon entirely around that extensive
establishment, and enclosing the train as it comes in. The object of
this arrangement is to arrest stragglers, and now and then a few of
those unfortunates are picked up and marched away under guard. The
blockade of the depot is complete, no one being allowed to enter the
cordon and no soldier being permitted to pass out without the proper
vouchers. All this may look military-like, but its absurdity is apparent
when a single moment's reflection will show that two men, going to
Hanover Junction in the Accommodation train, and returning on the mail,
could accomplish the whole work without the slightest difficulty, but in
a manner far more effective, economical and quiet than by this parade of
bayonets and bravado. These two men would have ample time to pass
through the cars, discover every straggler, place them under arrest, and
upon arriving in the city, march them to the guard house. This could be
done simply by one going through the train examining certificates, whole
the other gathered up the delinquents and put them together. It is to be
hoped for the sake of the Government, that its agents will stop making
themselves ridiculously, and allow the citizens and the institution of
Richmond to work along with becoming order, unmolested by any more of
this military tomfoolery and humbug. |
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