| From the Memphis Argus |
| |
| June 4, 1862 |
| |
| Engine Stealing |
| The engine stealing exploit
recorded in our local columns evidences a want of proper vigilance on
the part of the authorities on the line of the Memphis & Ohio
railroad and some of the company's employees, which seems highly
discreditable to both. How a squad of traitors could deliberately,
without permission, run three engines, with no cars attached, beyond
Humboldt, towards the Federal lines, is altogether inexplicable. It is
well known that for months, in consequence of the precautions of the
military authorities, it has been extremely difficult for even
individuals to pass the lines; yet, if we are to believe the reports,
the men engaged in this scheme met with no difficulty whatever in the consummation
of their plans. they boldly left Humboldt with the engines, no one
suspecting them, and moved rapidly over a portion of the road which
for weeks past has not been used, save by special trains. |
| The fact that three engines
were taken, when one could easily have borne the men who stole them,
shows the design to have been not merely an escape from the South, but
a determination to play into the enemy's hand by furnishing him
rolling stock, of which he is much in need. Had these three engines
been three men, they would not have been allowed to leave Humbdolt for
any point north of North, without the necessary passports; but twenty
men and three locomotives, raise steam and hurry Northward,
????? |
|