Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/siklegghisdeveloOOmcel LIBRARY OF THE mm 7 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS' 'jf j,. ,/ ( ' SI KLEQQ; HIS DEVELOPMENT FROM A RAW RECRUIT TO A VETERAN. AND OTHER STORIES* COPYRIGHT, 1897, BY Mcelroy, shoppell & Andrews. PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, WASHINGTON, D. 0. Jul 13 VI g Prof * .A^Hattt-aP | Ocf - H - ,x/s ' M li i s B f! 7; i/itivnffiii v di (i ; / 1 PREFACE. P “Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty, his Partner,” were born years ago in the brain of the Editor of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, who invented the names and characters, outlined the general plan, ahd wrote a number of the chapters. Subse- quently, the Editor, having many other important things pressing upon his attention, called in an assiltanfc to help on with the work, and he wrote other chapters. Subsequently, without the Edtior’s ? knowledge or consent, the assistant adopted the work as his own, and expanded it into a book. These sketches are the original ones published in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, revised and enlarged somewhat by the Editor. How true they are to nature every veteran can abundantly testify from his own service. Really, only the name of the regi- ment was invented. There is no doubt that there were several men of the name of Josiah Klegg in the Union: Army, and who did valiant service for the Goveibment. They had experiences akin to. if not identical with, those narrated here, and sul> stantially every man who faithfully and bravely carried* a musket in defense of the best Government on earth had sometimes, if not often, experiences of which those of Si Klegg are a strong reminder. With these few remarks this book is respect- fully dedicated to the rank and file of the grandest army ever mustered for war. THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. SI KLEGQ CHAPTER L GOING TO WAR— SI KLEGG’S COMPLETE EQUIPMENT AND WHAT BECAME OF IT. After Si Klegg had finally yielded to his cumu- lative patriotic impulses and enlisted in the 200th Ind. for three years or until the rebellion was put down, he began with great earnestness and so- lemnity to equip himself for his new career. He was thrifty and provident, and believed in being ready for any emergency. His friends and family coincided with him. The Quartermaster provided him with a wardrobe that was service- able, if not stylish, but there were many things that he felt he would need in addition. “You must certainly have a few pairs of home- knit socks and some changes of underclothes,” said his tearfully-solicitous mother. “They won’t weigh much, and they’ll in all likelihood save you a spell of sickness,” “Certainly,” responded JosisL, * wouldn’t think of going away without ’em.” Into the capacious knapsack went several pounds of substantial knit woolen goods “You can’t get along without a couple of towels and a piece of soap,” said his oldest sister, Maria, as she stowed those things alongside the socks and underclothes. “Si,” said Ellen, his second sister, “I got this pocket album for my gift to you. It contains all our pictures, and there is a place for another’s picture, whose name I suppose I needn’t men- tion,” she added archly. Si got a little red in the face, but said: “Nothing could be nicer, Nell. It’ll be the great- est comfort in the world to have all your pictures to look at when I’m down in Dixie.” “Here’s a ‘housewife’ I’ve made for you with my own hands,” added Annabel, who was some other fellow’s sister. She handed him a neatly- stitched little cloth affair. “You see, it has needles, thread, buttons, scissors, a fine-to6th comb, and several other things that you’ll need very badly after you’ve been in camp awhile. And” (she got so near Si that she could whisper the rest) “you’ll find in a little secret pocket a lock of my hain which I cut off this morning.” *1 suppose r’U have a good deal of leisure time while we’re in camp,” said Si to himaeif and the others; “I believe I’ll just put this Hay’s Arith- metic and Greene’s Grammar in.” “Yes, my yoim?- friend/* add^d the Bey. Boan- erges. hao jsist entered the house, “and as foti will tx? exposed to new and unusual tempta- GOING TO WAE. tions, I thought it would be judicious to put this volume of “Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted’ in your knapsack, for it may give you good coun- sel when you need it sorely.” “Thankee,” said Si, stowing away the book. Of course, Si had to have a hair-brush, black- ing-brush, a shaving-kit, and some other toilet appliances. Then it occurred to his thoughtful sister Maria that he ought to have a good supply of stationery, including pens, a bottle of ink, and a portfolio on which to write when he was far away from tables and desks. These went in, accompanied by a half-pint bottle of “No. 6,” which was Si’s mother’s specific for all the ills that flesh is heir to. Then, the blanket w T hich the Quartermaster had issued seemed very ligl t and insufficient to be all the bed-clothes a man would have when sleeping on the bare ground, and Si rolled up one of the warm counterpanes that had helped make the Indiana Winter nights so comfortable for him. “Seems rather heavy,” said Si as he put his knapsack on; “but I guess I’ll get used to it in a little while. They say that soldiers learn lo carry surprising loads on their backs. It’ll help cure me of being round-shouldered; it’ll be bettei ’n shoulder-braces for holding me up straight.” Of course, his father couldn’t let him go away without giving him something that would con- tribute to his health and comfort, and at last the 8 SI KLEGG. old gentleman had a happy thought — he would get the village shoemaker to make Si a pair of his best stout boots. They would be ever so much better than the shoes the Quartermaster fur- nished for tramping over the muddy roads and swamps of the South. Si fastened these on tog of his knapsack until he should need them worse than at present. His old uncle contributed an immense bowie knife, which he thought would be of gre&t use in the sanguinary hand-to-hand conflicts Si would have to wage. On the way to the depot Si found some of his comrades gathered around an enterprising retail dealer in hardware, who was convincing them that they could serve their country much better, besides adding to their comfort, by buying from him a light hatchet and a small frying-pan, which he offered, in consideration of their being soldiers, h* sell them at remarkably low rates. Si saw at onoe the great convenience a hatchet and a frying-pan would be, and added them to his kit. An enterprising dealer in tinware succeeded in selling him, before he reached the depot, a cun- ning little coffee-pot and an ingenious combina- tion of knife, fork and spoon which did not weigh more than a pound. Wh«n he got in the cars he was chagrined to And that several of his comrades had provided themselves with convenient articles that he had GOING TO WAR. not thought of. He consoled himself that the regiment would stop some time in Louisville, when he would have an opportunity of making up his deficiencies. But when the 200th reached Louisville there SI KLEQG AS HE ENTERED LOUISVILLE. was no leisure for anything. Bragg was theu running his celebrated foot-race with Buell for the Kentucky metropolis, and the 200th Ind. was trotted as rapidly as their unused legs could carry 10 SI KLEGG. them to the works several miles from the centeT of the city. Our artist gives some idea of the way that Si Klegg looked as he descended from the cars and got ready for the march. The same picture will do for 900 out 1,000 of Si’s comrades. Everybody who was in that campaign remem- bers how terribly hot and dry everything was. Si Klegg managed to keep up tolerably near the head of the column until camp was reached, but his shoulders were strained and blisters be- gan to appear on his feet. “That was a mighty tough pull, wasn’t it?” he said to his chum as they spread their blan- kets on the dog-fennel and made some sort of a bed; “but I guess after a day or two we’ll get so used to it that we won’t mind it.” For a few days the 200th Ind lay in camp, but one day there came an order for the regiment to march to Bardstown as rapidly as possible. A battle was imminent. The roads were dusty as ash-heaps, and though the pace was not three miles an hour, the boys’ tongues were hanging out before they were out of sight of camp. *1 sav, Captain, don’t they never have resting spells in the army?” said Si. “Not on a forced march,” answered the Captain, w^o, haring been in the first three months’ serv- ice, was regarded as a veteran. “Push on, boys; tl^y say that they’ll want us before night.” Another hour passed* GOING TO WAR. 11 r “Captain, I don’t believe you can put a pin- point anywhere on my feet that ain’t covered with a blister as big as a hen’s egg,” groaned Si. “It’s too bad, I know,” answered the officer; “but you must go on. They say Morgan’s cav- alry are in our rear shooting down every straggler they can find.” Si saw the boys around him lightening their knapsacks. He abominated waste above all things, but there seemed no help for it, and, reaching into that receptacle that bore down upon his aching shoulders like a glacier on a ground- hog, he pulled out and tossed into the fence coi- ners the educational works he had anticipated so much benefit from. The bottle of “No. 6” fol- lowed, and it seemed as if the knapsack was a ton lighter, but it yet weighed more than any stack of hay on the home farm. A cloud of dust whirled up, and out of it ap- peared a galloping Aid. “The General says that the 200th Ind. must push on much faster. The enemy is trying to get to thb bridge ahe<*d of them,” he shouted as he dashed off in another cloud ol A few shots were heard m the r«ar. “Morgan’s cavalry are shooting some mcr* straggler^/’ shouted some one. Si was getting desperate. He unrolled the counterpane and slashed it into strips with ni$ bowie. “My mother made that with her own 12 81 KLEGG. hands,” he explained to a comrade, “and if I can’t have the good of it no infernal rebel shall., Be next slashed the boots up and threw them after the quilt, and then hobbled on to overtake the rest of his company. “There’s enough dry goods and clothing lvihsr along in the fence corners to supply a good sized town,” the Lieutenant-Colonel reported as he rode over the line of march in rear of the regiment. The next day fei’s feet felt as if there was a separate and individual jumping toothache in every sinew*, muscle, tendon and toe-nail; but that didn’t matter. With Bragg’s infantry ahead and John Morgan’s cavalry in the rear, the 200th Ind. had to go forward so long as the boys could put one foot before the other. The unloading went on even more rapidly than the day before. “My knapsack looks like an elephant had stept on it,” Si said, as he ruefully regarded it in the evening. 9 “Shot* me one in the regiment that don’t,” answered his comrade. Thenceforward everything seemed to conspire to teach SI how vain and superfluous were the tnings of this world. The first rain-storm soaked his cherished album until it fell to pieces, and his sister’s portfolio did the same. B > put the photographs in his blouse pocket and got along just as well. When he wanted to write he got paper from the sutler. A mule tramped on hia GOING TO WAR. 13 fancy coffee-pot, and he found he could make quite as good coffee in a quart-cup. A wagon- wheel ran over his cherished frying-pan, and he melted an old canteen in two and m^de a lighter and handier pan out of one-half of it. He broke his bowie-knife prying the lid off a cracker-box. He piled his knapsack with the others one day when the regiment was ordered to strip them off for a charge, and neither he nor his comrades ever saw one of them again. He never attempted to replace it. He learned to roll up an extra pair of socks and a change of underclothing in his blanket, tie the ends of this together and throw it over his shoulder sash fashion. Then, with his socks drawn up over the bottoms of his pantaloons, three days’ rations in his haver- sack and 40 rounds in his cartridge-box, he was ready to make his 30 miles a day in any direc- tion he might be sent, and whip anything that he encountered on the road. SI KLEGG. CHAPTER H. THE OLD CANTEEN — THE MANY AND QUEER USES WHICH IT WAS AT LAST PUT. When Josiah (called “Si” for short) Klegg, of the 200th Ind., drew tiis canteen from the Quar- termaster at Louisville, he did not have a very high idea of its present or prospective import- ance. In the 22 hot Summers that he had lived through he had never found himself very far from a well or spring when his thirst cried out to be slaked, and he did not suppose that it was much farther between wells down South. “I don’t see the use of carrying two or three pints o’ water along all day right past springs and over cricks,” he remarked to his chum, as the two were examining the queer, cloth-cov- erea cans. “We’ve got to take ’em, any way,” answered his chum, resignedly. “It’s regulations.” On his entry into service a boy accepted every- thing without question when assured that it was “regulations.” He would have charged bayo- nets on a buzz-saw if authoritatively informed that it was required by the mysterious “regula- tions.” The long march the 200th Ind. made after Bragg THE OLD CANTEEN. 15 orer the dusty turnpikes the first week in Ucto- ber, 1862, taught Si the value of a canteen. AHer that it was rarely allowed to get empty. When it didn’t have water in it, it had milk, STEENY JOHNSON ENJOYING THE RESULTS OP SI KL3GG V S FORAGING. molasses, or even apple-jack, for Si then was not a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, of which society he is now an honored officer. Nothing could be nicer, when he was \ 16 61 KLEGG. t- de on picket, to bring buttermilk in from the neigh- boring farm-house tq his chum Steeny Johnsoi, who stood post while he was gone. Later in the service Si learned the inestima- ble value of coffee to the soldier on the marqn. Then he stript the cloth from his canteen, fa ened the straps on with bits of wire and me a fine coffeepot of it. In the morning he wo^ild half fill it with the splendid coffee the Govern- ment furnished, fill it up with water and hang it from a bush or a stake over the fire, while he went ahead with his other culinary preparations. By the time these were finished he would haj^e at least a quart of magnificent coffee that the cook of the Fifth Avenue could not surpass, and which would last him until the regiment halted in the afternoon. The bully of the 200th took it into his thick head one day to try to “run over” Si. The latter had just filled his canteen, and the bully found that the momentum of three pints of water swung at arm’s length by an angry boy was about equal to a mule’s kick. Just as he was beginning to properly appreci- ate his canteen, he learned a sharp lesson, that comes to all of us, as to how much “cussedness” there can be in the simplest things when they happen to go wrong. He went out one day and got a canteen of nice sweet milk, which he and Shorty heartily enjoyed. He hung the canteen THE OLD CANTEEN. 17 up on the ridge pole of the tent, oral 0 «.^ht no more about it until the next day, when he came in from drill, and found the tent filled with an odor so vile that it made him cough. “Why in thundeT don’t the ColaKel send eset a detail to find and bury that dead mule? it’ll pizen the hull camp.” He had been in service just long enough to believe that the Colonel ought to lech kn and attend to everything. 18 SI KLEQa "’Taint no dead mule,” said Shorty, whose nose had come close to the source of the odor. "It’s this blamed canteen. What on earth hare you been putting in it, Si?” THE HAJjI'-CA_NTKEIN AS A FETTNO-PAN, “Ha Tut had nothin’ in but that sweet milk yesterday.” * “That’s just what’s the matter,” said the Orderly, who, having been in the three months’ service, knew all about war. He had come in to 19 THE OLD CANTEEN. detail Si and Shorty to help unload Quartermaster’s stores. “You must always scald out your can- teens when you’ve had milk in ’em. Don’t you remember how careful your mother is to scald hr milk pans?” After the company wagon had run #ver and hopelessly ruined the neat little frying-pan which Si had brought from Posey County, he was in despair asJ;o how he should fry his meat and cook SI KLEGG. 20 his “lobscouse.” Necessity is the mother of in- vention. He n lud in two a canteen he picked up, and found its halves made two deep tin pans, very light and very handy. A split stick made a handle, and he had as good a frying-pan as the one he had lost, and much more convenient, for when done using the handle was thrown away, and the pan slipt into the haversack, where it lay snug and close, instead of clattering about as the frying pan did when the regiment moved at the double quick. The other half of the canteen was useful to brown cotfee, bake hoe-cake, and serve for toilet purposes. One day on the Atlanta campaign the regiment moved up in line to the top of a bald hill. As it rose above the crest it was saluted with a terrific volley, and saw that another crest across he narrow valley was occupied by at least a ' ode of rebels. vVeTl stay right here, boys,” said the plucky ie Colonel, who had only worn Sergeant’s ipes when the regiment crossed the Ohio ver. “We’ve pre-empted this bit of real estate, avia we’ll hold it against the whole Southern Confederacy. I*reak for that fence there, boys, and every fellow come back with a couple of rails . ” It seemed as if he hardly ceased speaking when the boys came running back with the rails which they laid down along the crest, and THE OLD CANTEEN. 21 dropping flat behind them, began throwing the gravelly soil over them with their useful half- canteens. In vain the shower of rebel bullets struck and sang about them. Not one could penetrate that little ridge of earth and rails, THE HALF-CANTEEN AS AN INTRENCHING TOOL. which in an hour grew into a strong rifle-mt against which the whole rebel brigade charged, only to sustain a bloody repulse. The war would have lasted a good deal longer had it not been for the daily help of the ever-tise- ful half-canteen 2 2 SI KLEGG. CHAPTER m. THE DEADLY BAYONET— IT IS USED FOR NEARLY EVERYTHING ELSE THAN FOR PRODDING MEN. In common with every other young man who enlisted to defend the glorious Stars and Stripes, Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., had a profound super- stition concerning the bayonet. All the war liter- ature he had ever read abounded in blood-curd- ling descriptions of bayonet charges and hand-to- hand conflicts, in which bayonets were repeat- edly thrust up to the shanks in the combatants’ bodies just as he had put a pitch-fork into a bundle of hay. He had seen pictures of English regiments bristling with bayonets like a porcu- pine with quills, rushing toward French regi- ments which looked as prickly as a chestnut bur, and in his ignorance he supposed that was the way fighting was done. Occasionally he would have qualms at Jl he thought of how little his system was suited to have cold steel thrust through it promiscuous-like, but he comforted himself with the supposition that he would prob- ably get used to it in time — “soldiers get used to almost anything, you know/ When the 20(Hh Ind. drew its guns at Indian- apolis he examined all the strange accouter- ments with interest, but gave most to the trian- THE DEADLY BAYONET. 23 gular bit of steel which writers who have never seen a battle make so important a weapon in deciding contests. “What are these grooves along each side for?” he asked, pointing out the little hollows which give the “prod” lightness and strength “Why,” answered the Orderly, who, having been in the three-months’ service, assumed to know more about war than the Duke of Wellington, “the intention of those is to make a wound the lips of which will close up when the bayonet is pulled out, so that the man’ll be certain to die.” Naturally so diabolical an intention sent cold shivers down Si’s back. . The night before Si left for “the front” he took his musket and accouterments home to show them to his mother and sisters — and the other fellow’s? sister, whose picture and loA of hair he had safely stowed away. They looked upon the bayonet with dreadful awe. Tears into Maria’s eyes as she thought of A .naming through the South like * u and ; < plunging that cruel steel into people s oowexs. “This is the way it’s done,” said Si, charged about ±he in an imaginary with a rebel, winding up with a terriP ing I u : “Die, Tur-r-r-raitor, gaul durn^ve!” he exc'aim for he was really getting excited over the matu r, while the girls screamed and jumped upon the chairs, and his good mother almost fainted. 24 KLEGG. The attention that the 200th Ind. had to give to the bayonet drill confirmed Si’s deep respect lor the weapon, and he practiced assiduously all the “lunges,” “parries,” and “guards” in the Manual, in the hope that proficiency so gained : I save Ills own dearly -beloved hide from c 1 'iv, and enable him to punch any luckless vi that he might encounter as full of holes as The 200th In d/s first fight was at Perry ville, THE DEADLY BAYONET. 25 but though it routed the rebel force in front of it, it would have taken a bayonet half-a-mile long to touch the nearest “Johnny.” Si thought it odd that the rebels didn’t let him get close enough to them to try his newjbayonet, and pitch a dozen or two of them over into the next field. If the truth must be told, the first blood that stained Si’s bayonet was{notjthat of a fellow-man. The cut shows how it came about. Si Klegg’s companyjw T as on picket one day, while Gen. Buellwas trying to make|up his mind what to do with Bragg. Rations had been a little short for a week or so. In fact, they had been scarcely sufficient to meet the demands of Si’* appetite, and his haversack had nothing in it to speak of. Strict orders against toraging Pad been issued. It was the day of “guarding rebel onion patches.” Si couldn’t quite get it straight in his head why the General should be so mighty particular about a few pigs and cnickeiis and sweet potatoes, for he was really getting hungry, and when a man is in this condition he is not in a fit snood to grapple with fine -spun theories cl governmental policy. So when a fat pig came wabbiing and giunripg toward his post, it was to Si like * vision of manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness. A wild, uncontrollable desire to taste a fresh spare-rib took possession of him. Naturally, his first idea was to send a bullet through tire ani* 26 SI KLEGG. i mal, but on second thought he saw that 'wouldn’t do at all. It would “give him away” at once, and, besides, he had found that a single shot on the picket line would keep Buell’s entire army inline- “I GUESS NOT.” ' ie lor a wh'de day. Then he thought of he bayonet, and the scene so well depicted by ou r artist followed. Si wrote to his mother that his bright new bavonet we" stained with Southern blood, and the *>id nsuy «>vr«lrtisrpd a* the awful thought. THE DEADLY BAYONET. 27 "But,” added Si, “it was only a pig, and not a man, that I killed!” “I’m so glad!” she exclaimed. By the time Si had been in the service a year there was less zeal in the enforcement of orders of this kind, and Si had become a very .skillfui and successful lorager. Ho bn;! ■ y nk'e to reach with his bay >• ;UC 28 SI KLEGG. of liis misguided fellow citizens., but lie had stall- bed a great many pigs and sheep. In fact, Si found his bayonet a most useful auxiliary in his predatory operations. He could not well have gotten along without it. The cut shows how he generally came into camp, and illustrates one of the practical uses of the bayonet. Uncle Sam generally furnished Si with plenty of [coffee — roasted and unground — but did not supply him with a coffee-mill. Si thought at first that the Government had forgotten some- thing. He saw that several of the old veterans of ’61 had .'Tee-mills, but he found on inquiry that they had been obtained by confiscation only. He determined to supply himself at the first op- portunity, but in the meantime he was obliged to use his bayonet as a substitute, just as all the jest of the soldiers did. The cut shows how he did it. We regret to say that Si, having thrown away his “Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted” in his first march, and having allowed himself to forget the lessons he had learned but a few years be- fore in Sunday-school, soon learned to play poker and other sinful games. These, at night, devel- oped another use for the bayonet. In its capac- ity as a “handy v ' candlestick it was “equaled by few and excelled by none.” The “shank” was always ready to receive the candle, while the point °>uld be thrust into the ground in an in- THE DEADLY BAYONET. 29 stant, and nothing more was necessary. This was perhaps the most general sphere of useful- ness found by the bayonet during the war. Bar- rels of candle-grease flowed down the furrowed sides of this weapon for every drop of humaia blood that dimmed its luster. 30 SI KLEGG. CHAPTER IV. i THE AWFUL HARDTACK— THE HARD AND SOLID STAFF OF MILITARY LIFE. “Appetite’s a queer thing,” said Si to Shorty one day, when both were in a philosophical mood. “It’s an awful bother when you haven’t it, and it’s a great deal worse when you have it, and can’t get anything for it.” “Same as money,” returned the sage Shorty During the first few months of Si Klegg’s serv- ice in the army the one thing that bothered him more than anything else was his appetite. It was a very robust, healthy one that Si had, for he had grown up on his father’s farm in Indiana, and had never known what it was to be hungry without abundant means at hand for appeasing his desires in that direction. His mother’s cup- board was never known to be in the condition of Old Mother Hubbard’s, described in the nursery rhyme. The Kleggs might not have much tapes- try and bric-a-biacin their home, but their smoke- house was always full, and Mrs. Klegg’s kitchen could have fed a camp-meeting any time with- out warning. So it was that when Si enlisted his full, rosy face and his roundness of limb showed that he had been well fed, and that nature had THE AWFUL HARDTACK. 31 made good use of the ample daily supplies that were provided. His digestive organs were kept in perfect condition by constant exercise. After Si had put down his name on the roll of Co. Q of the 200th Ind. he had but a few days to remain at home before his regiment was to start for Louisville. During this time his mother and sisters kept him filled up with “goodies” of every sort. It fact, it was the biggest thing in the way of a protracted picnic that Si had ever struck. “You must enjoy these things while you can, Si,” said his mother, “for goodness knows what you’ll do when you really git into the army. I’ve heerd ’em tell awful things about how the poor sogers don’t have half enough to eat, and what they do git goes agin’ any Christian stomach. Here, take another piece of this pie. A little while, and it’ll be a long time, I reckon, till ye git any more.” “Don’t keer if I do!” said Si, for there was scarcely any limit to his capacity. And so during those days and nights tne old lady and the girls cooked and cooked, and Si ? » and ate, until it seemed as if he wouldn’t w any more till the war was over. Si was full, and as soon as Co. Q was it ordered to camp, and Si had to go. Thev i, >, him down with good things enough to last h. a week. The pretty Annabel— the neighbor’s daughter vho had solemnly promised Si that she 32 SI KLEGG. wouldn’t go with any other fellow while he was away — came around to see Si off and brought him a rich fruit cake. “I made that for you/’ she said. “Bully for you!” said Si, for he felt that he must begi^j to talk like a soldier. ..... i\_- - / — The first day or two after reaching Louisville . ; , , -.r.o [ n ’•ec-cived rations of ’‘soft bread.” But THE AWFUL HARDTACK. S3 that didn’t last long. It was only a way they had of letting the fresh soldiers down easy. Orders came to get ready to pull out after Bragg, and then Si’s regiment had its first issue of army rations. As the Orderly pried open a box of hard- tack and began to distribute them to the boys, Si exclaimed: “Them’s nice-looking soda crackers. I don’t believe the grub is goin’ to be so bad, after all.” Si had never seen a hardtack before. “Better taste one and see how you like it!” said one of Buell’s ragged Indiana veterans, who had come over to see the boys of the 200th and hear the latest news from “God’s country.” It happened that this lot was one of extra quality as to hardness. The baker’s watch had stopped, or he had gone to sleep, and they had been left in the oven or dry-kiln too long. Si toolt one of them and carried it to his mouth. He first tried on it the bite which made such havoc with a quarter section of custard pie, but his incisors made no more impression upon it than if it had been a shingle. “You’ll have to bear on hard,” said the veteran, with a grim smile. “Je-ru-sa-lem!” exclaimed Si after he had made two or three attempts equally barren of results. Then he tried his “back teeth.” His molars were in prime order, and his jaw power was suffi- cient to crack a hickory nut every time. Si 34 SI KLEGCh crowded one corner of the hardtack as far as he could between his “grinders,” where he could get a good “purchase” on it, shut his eyes and turned on a full head of steam. His teeth and jaws fairly creaked under the strain, but he couldn’t even “phase” it. *FHL AWFUL HARDTACK. 85 K If that ain’t old pizen!” said Si. “It beats anything I ever seen up in the Wabash country.” But his blood was up, and laying the cracker upon a log, he brought the butt of his gun down upon it like a pile-driver. r HE SMASHED IT. f “I thought I’d fix ye,” he said, as he picked up the fragments, and tried his teeth upon the small- er ones. “Have I got to eat such stuff as that?” with a despairing look at his veteran friend. “I’d SI KLEGG. just as soon be a billy-goat and live on circus- posters, fruit-cans and old hoop-skirts. ” “You’ll get used to it after a while, same’s we did. You’ll see the time when you’ll be mighty glad to get even as hard a tack as that!” Si’s heart sank almost into his shoes at the prospect, for the taste of his mother’s pie and Annabel’s fruit cake were yet fresh in his mouth. But Si was fully bent on being a loyal, obedient soldier, determined to make the best of everything without any more “kicking” than was the inalien- able right of every man who wore a uniform. For the first time in his life Si went to bed hungry that night. Impelled by the gnawings of his appetite he made repeated assaults upon the hardtack, but the result was wholly insuffi- cient to satisfy the longings of his stomach. His supper wasn’t anything to speak of. Before going to bed he began to exercise his ingenuity on various schemes to reduce the hardtack to a condition in which it would be more gratifying to his taste and better suited to the means with which nature had provided him for disposing of his rations. Naturally Si thought that soaking in water would have a beneficial effect. So he laid five or six of them in the bottom of a camp- kettle, anchored them down with a stone, and covered them with water. He thought that with the aid of a frying-pan he would get up a break- fast that he could eat, anyway. THE AWFUL HARDTACK. 37 Si felt a little blue as he lay curled up under his blanket with his head pillowed on his knap- sack. He thought some about his mother, and sister Maria, and pretty Annabel, but he thought a good deal more about the beef and potatoes, the pies and the puddings, that were so plentifully spread upon the table at home It was a long time before he got to sleep. As he lay there, thinking and thinking, there came to his mind some other uses to which it seemed to him the hardtack might be put, which would be much more consistent with its nature than to palm it off on the soldiers as alleged food. He thought he could now understand why, when he enlisted, they examined his teeth so carefully, as if they were going to buy him for a mule. They said it was necessary to have good teeth in order to bite “cartridges” successfully, but now he knew it was with reference to his ability to eat hardtack. Si didn’t want to be killed if he could help it. While he was lying there he determined to line one of his shirts with hardtacks, and he would put that on whenever there was going to be a fight. He didn’t believe the bullets would go through them. He wanted to do all he could toward paralyzing the rebels, and with such a protection he could be very brave, while his comrades were being mowed down around him. The idea of having such a shirt struck Si as be- ing a brilliant one. 38 BI KLGGG. Then, he thought hardtack would he excellent for half-soling his shoes. He didn’t think they would ever wear out. If he ran short of ammunition he could ram pieces of hardtack into his gun and he had no doubt they would do terrible execution in the ranks of the enemy. All these things and many more Si thought of until finally he was lost in sleep. Then he dreamed that somebody was trying to cramstones down his throat. The company was called out at daylight, and immediately after roll-call Si went to look after the hardtacks he had put to soak the night be- fore. He thought he had never felt so hungry in his life. He fished out the hartack and care- fully inspected them, to note the result of the submerging and to figure out the chances on his much-needed breakfast. To any old soldier itjwould be unnecessary to describe the condition in which Si found those hardtacks, and the effect of the soaking. For the information of any who never soaked a hard- tack it may be said that Si found them trans- formed, to all appearances, into sole-leather. They were flexible, but as tough as the hide that was “found in the vat when the tanner v£ied.” Si tried to bite a piece off one of them to see what it was like, but he couldn’t get his teeth through it. In sheer desperation he laid it on a THE AWFUL HARDTACK. 39 log, seized a hatchet, and chopped off a corner. He put it in his mouth and chewed on it a while, but found it as tasteless as cold codfish. Si thought he would try the frying-pan. He chopped the hardtacks into bits, put in equal parts of water and grease, sifted over the mixture a little salt and pepper, and then gave it a thorough frying. Si’s spirits rose during the gradual development of this scheme, as it seemed to offer a good prospect for his morning meal. And when it came to the eating, Si found it really good, comparatively speaking, even though it was very much like a dish compounded of the sweepings from around a shoemaker’s bench. A good appetite was indispensable to a real en- joyment of this — which the soldiers called by a name that cannot be given here — but Si had the appetite, and he ate and was thankful. “I thought I*d get the bulge on them things some way or other,” said Si, as he drank the last of his coffee and arose from his meal feeling like a giant refreshed with new wine. For the next two or three months Si largely de- voted his surplus energies to further experiment- ing with the hardtack. He applied every con- ceivable process of cookery he could think of that was possible with the meager outfit at his command in the way of utensils and materials. Nearly all of his patient and persevering efforts resulted only in vexa^on of spirit* 40 SI KLEGG. He continued to eat hardtack from day to day, in these various forms, but it was only because he had to do it. He didn’t hanker after it, but it was a military necessity — hardtack or starva- tion. It was a hard choice, but Si’s love of life — and Annabel — induced him to choose the hardtack. But for a long time Si’s stomach was in a state of chronic rebellion, and on the whole he had a hard time of it getting used to this staple article of army diet. He did not become reconciled to it until after his regiment had rations of flour for a week, when the “cracker-line” had been cut by the guerrillas and the supply of that substantial edible was exhausted. Si’s experience with the flour swept away all his objections to the hard- tack. Those slapjacks, so fearfully and wonder- fully made, and those lumps of dough, mixed with cold water and dried on flat stones before the fire, as hard as cannon balls, played sad havoc with his internal arrangements. For the first time he was obliged to fall into the cadaverous squad at sick-call and wabble up to the doctor’s shop, where he was dosed with castor-oil and blue-mass. Si was glad enough to see hardtack again. Most of the grumbling he did thereafter concerning the hardtack was because he often couldn’t get enough. About six months taught Si what all the sol- diers learned by experience, that the best way to eat the average hardtack was to take it THE AWFUL HARDTACK. 41 “straight” — just as it came out of the Box, with- out any soaking or frying or stewing. At meal- time he would make a quart or so of coffee, stab the end of a ramrod through three or four slices THE BEST WAY, AFTEK ALL. of sowbelly, and cook them over the coals, allow- ing some of the drippings to fall upon the hard- tack for lubricating purposes, and these con- stituted his frugal repast. 4i SI KLEGG. CHAPTER V. FAT PORK— INDISPENSABLE BODY TIMBER FOR PATRIOTISM. It was told in the last chapter how the patriotic impulses of Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., reached his stomach and digestive apparatus, and brought them under obedient subjection to hard- tack. He didn’t have quite so rough an experi- ence with that other staple of army diet, which was in fact the very counterpart of the hardtack, and which took its most popular name from that part of the body of the female swine which is usually nearest the ground. Much of Si’s muscle and brawn was due to the fact that meat was al- ways plenty on his father’s farm. When Si en- listed he was not entirely free from anxiety on the question of meat, for to his appetite it was not even second in importance to bread. If bread was the “staff of life,” meat was life itself to Si. It didn’t make much difference to him what kind it was, only so it was meat. He didn’t suppose Uncle Sam would keep him supplied with quail on toast and porterhouse steaks all the time, but he did hope he would give him as much as he wanted of something in that line. “You won’t get much but pork, unless you’re a FAT pore:. 43 good forager,” said one of Si’s friends he met at Louisville, and who had been a year in the serv- ice. Si thought he might, with practice and a little encouragement, be fairly successful in foraging THE VETERAN TALKS TO SL on his own hook, but at the same time he said he wouldn’t grumble if he conld only get plenty 44 SI JC'LEOG. , of pork. Fortunately for him he had not been imbued with the teachings of the Hebraic dispen- sation which declared “unclean’’ the beast that furnished the great bulk Qf the animal food for the American defenders of the Union Co. Q of the 200th Ind. received with the first issue of army rations at Louisville a bountiful supply of bacon of prime quality, and Si was happy at the prospect Be thought it would al- ways be that way. “1 don’t see anything the matter with such grub as that!” said Si. “Looks to me as though we were goin’ to live like fighting-cocks.” “You’re just a little bit brash,” said his veteran friend, who had just been through the long, hun- gry march from Huntsville, Ala., to Louisville. “Better eat all you can lay yer hands on now, while ye’ve got a chance. One o’ these days ye’ll git into a tight place and ye won’t see enough hog’s meat in a week to grease a griddle. I’ve bin there, myself! Jest look at me and see what short rations ’ll bring you to?” But Si thought he wouldn’t try to cross a bridge till he got to it, nor lie awake nights worrying over troubles that were yet in the future. Si had a philosophical streak in his mental make-up and this, by the way, was a good thing for a soldier to have. “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,” was an excellent rule for him to go FA.T PORK. 45 S‘» Si assimilated all the pork that fell to his share, with an extra bit now and then* from a comrade whose appetite was less vigorous. Lie DRAWING RATIONS thrived under its fructifying influence, and gave good promise of military activity and usefulness. No scientific processes of cookery were neces- sary to prepare it for immediate use. A simple 46 SI KLEGG. boiling or frying or toasting was all that was re- quired. During the few days at Louisville fresh beef was issued occasionally. It is true that the animals slain for the soldiers were not always fat and tender, nor did each of them have four hind- quarters. This last fact was the direct cause of a good deal of inflammation in the 200th Ind., as in every other regiment. The boys who got sec- tions of the forward part of the “critter,” usually about three-quarters bone, invariably kicked, t and fired peppery remarks at those who got the juicy steaks from the rear portion of the animal. Then when their turn came for a piece of hind- quarter the other fellows would growl. Four- fifths of the boys generally had to content them- selves with a skinny rib or a soup-shank. Si shared the common lot, and did his full quota of grumbling because his “turn” for a slice of steak didn’t come every time beef was issued. The pickled pork was comparatively free from this cause of irritation. It was all alike, and was simply “Hobson’s choice.” Si remembered the fragrant and delicious fried ham that so often garnished his mothers breakfast table and won- dered why there was not the same proportion of hams and sides in the Commissary that he re- membered in the meat-house on the Wabash. He remarked to Shorty one day: “I wonder where all this pork comes from?” PAT PORK. 47 “It comes from Illinoy, I spose,” said Shorty. “I notice the barrels are all marked ‘Chicago’.” “Must grow funny kind o’ hogs out there— mile long each, I should say.” “What do you mean?” “Why, we’ve drawn a full mile o’ sides from the Commissary, and haint struck a ham yit. Pm wonderin’ jest how long that hog is!” “Well, you are green. You oughter know by this time that there are only enough hams for the officers.” Now and then a few pigs’ shoulders were handed around among the boys, but the large proportion of bone they contained was exasper- ating, and was the cause of much profanity. Sometimes bacon was issued that had really outlived its usefulness, except, perhaps, for the manufacture of soap. Improperly “cured,” it was strong and rancid, or, occasionally, so near a condition of putrefaction that the stench from it offended the nostrils of the whole camp. Some times it was full of “skippers ” that tunneled their way through and through it, and grew fat with riotous living. t Si drew the line at this point. He had an iron- plated stomach, but putrid and maggoty meat was too much for it. Whenever he got any of this he would trade it off to the darkies for chickens. There is^nothing like por k for a South- \ 48 SI KLEGG. era negro. He wants something that will “stick to his ribs.” By a gradual process of development his ap- petite reached the point when he could eat his fat pork perfectly raw. During a brief halt when on the march he would squat in a fence comer, go down into his have^ack for supplies, cut a FAT PORK. 49 slice of Bacon, lay it on a hardtack, and munch them with a keen relish. At one of the meetings of the Army of the Cum- berland Gen. Garfield told a story which may appropriately close this chapter. One day, while the Army of the Cumberland was beleaguered in Chattanooga and the men were almost starving on quarter rations, Gen. Rose- crans and his staff rode out to inspect the lines. As the brilliant cavalcade dashed by a lank, grizzled soldier growled to a comrade: “It’d be a darned sight better for this army if we had a little more sowbelly and not quite so many brass buttons !” 50 SI KLEGG. CHAPTER VI. DETAILED AS CO ^ — SI FINDS RICE ANOTHER INNO- CENT WITH A GR*. T DEAL OF CUSSEDNESS IN IT. It would have been very strange, indeed, if Si Klegg had not grumbled loudly and frequently about the food that was dished up to him by the company cooks. In the first place, it was as natural for a boy to grumble pt the “grub” as it was for him to try to shirk battalion drill or “run the guard.” In the next place, the cooking done by the company bean-boiler deserved all the abuse it received, for as a rule the boys who sought places in the hash foundry did so because they were too lazy to drill or do guard duty, and their .knowledge of cooking was about like that of the Irishman’s of music: “Can you play the fiddle, Pat?” he was asked. “Oi don’t know, sor-r-r — Oi niver tried.” Si’s mother, like most of the well-to-do farmers’ wives in Indiana, was undoubtedly a good cook, and she trained up her daughters to do honor to her teachings, so that Si undoubtedly knew what properly-prepared food was. From the time he was big enough to spank he had fared sumptu- ously every day. In the gush of patriotic emo- tions that prompted him to enlist he scarcely DETAILED AS COOK. 61 thought or this feature of the case. If it entered his mind at all, he felt that he could safely trust all to the goodness of so beneficent a Goyern- SI FALLS OUT WITH HIS FOOD. ment as that for the preservation of which he had offered himself as a target for the rebels to 52 ST K LEGG. shoot at. Tie thought it no more than fair to the brave soldiers that Uncle Sam should furnish professional cooks for each company, who would serve everything up in the style of a first-class city restaurant. So, after Si got down among the boys and found how it really was, it was not long till his insides was a volcano of rebellion that threatened serious results. When, therefore, Si lifted up his voice and cried aloud, and spared not — when he said that he could get as good coffee as that furnished him by dipping his cup into a tan-vat; when he said that the meat was not good soap-grease, and that the potatoes and beans had not so much taste and nutrition in them as so much pine-shavings, he was probably nearer right than grumblers usually are. “Give it to ’em, Si,” his comrades would say, when he tuned up his loud bazoo on the rations question. “They ought to get it ten times worse. When we come out we expected that seme of us would get shot by the rebels, but we didn’t cal- culate that we were going to be poisoned in camp by a lot of dirty, lazy potwrastlers.” One morning after roll-call the Orderly-Sergeant came up to Si and said; “There’s been so much chin-music about this cooking-business that the Captain’s ordered the cooks to go back to duty, and after this every- body’ll have to take his regular turn at cooking* DETAILED AS the Captain’s quarters. "Have him carry a rail in front of my tent for an hour!” thundered the Captain. “Don’t let it be a splinter, either; pick out a good, heavy one. And, Orderly, detail a guard to keep Mr. Kl moving.” Our artist has shown how Si looked whilo ne was doing penance for his evil deed. Of course, it was very mortifying to Si, and he would have been almost heartbroken had he not been com- forted by the thought that it was all for her! At first he felt as if he would like to take that rail and charge around and destroy the whole reg : ment; but, on thinking it over, he made up his mind that discretion was the better part of valor. As soon as Si’s hour was up, and he had eaten supper and “made up” with Shorty, he set abou+ answering his letter. When, on his first marcn, Si cleaned out all the surplusage from his knap- sack, he had hung on to a pretty portfolio that his sister gave him. This was stocked with post- age stamps and writing materials, including an assortment of the envelopes of the period, bearing in gaudy colors National emblems, stirring legends, and harrowing scenes of slaughter, all intended to stimulate the patriotic impulses and make the breast of the soldier a very volcano of martial ardor. 86 SI KLEGG. When Si got out liis nice portfolio he found it to be an utter wreck. It had been jammed into a shapeless mass, and, besides this, it had been eoaked with rain; paper and envelopes were a pulpy ruin, and the postage stamps were stuck around here and there in the chaos. It was plain that this memento of home had fallen an early victim to the hardships of campaign life, and that its days of usefulness were over. SI GETS A LETTER. 87 “It's no use; ’tain’t any good!” s.dd Si. sorrow- fully, as he tossed the debris into t!io fire, after vainly endeavoring to save from the wreck enough to carry out his epistolary scheme. Then he went to the sutler — or “skinner,” as he was better known — and paid 10 cents for a sheet of paper and an envelope, on which were the cheerful words, “It is sweet to die for one’s country!” and 10 cents more for a 3-cenfc postage stamp. He borrowed a leadpencil, hunted up a piece of cracker-box, and sat down to his work by the flickering light of the fire. Si wrote: “Dear Annie.” There he stopped, and while he was scratching his head and thinking what he would say next the Orderly came around detailing guard n for the night, and directed Klegg to get his t*aps and report at once for duty. “It hain’t my turn,” said Si. “There’s Bill Browm, and Jake Schneider, and Pat Dooley, and a dozen mere — I’ve been on since they have!” But the Orderly did not even deign to reply. Si remembered the guard-house, and his shoulder still ached from the rail he had carried that even- ing; so he quietly folded up tns paper and took his place with the detail. The next morning the army moved eaHy, and Si had no chance to resume his letter. Is as the regiment halted, after an 18- mile mai«h k he tackled it again. This time nothing hett-er 83 SI KLEGO. offered in the way of a writing-desk than a tin plate, which he placed face downward upon his knee. Thus provided, Si plunged briskly into the job before him, with the following result: “I now take my pen in hand to let vou know that I am well, except the dog-goned blisters on my feet, and T hope tL >se few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing.* Si thought thir was neat and a good start for his letter. Just as he had caught an idea for the next sentence a few scattering shots were heard on the picket-line, and in an instant the camp was in commotion. “Fall in!” “Be lively, men!” were heard on every hand. Si sprang as if he had received a galvanic shock, cramming the letter into his pocket. Of course, there wasn’t any fight. It was only one of the scares that formed so large a ,part of that campaign. But it spoiled Si’s letter-writing for the time. It wa/3 nearly a week before he got his letter done. Eta wrote part of it using for a desk the back of a comrade who was sitting asleep by the are. Tie worked at it whenever he could catch a •; e * v minutes between the marches and the num- erous details for guard, picket, fatigue and other duty, lie said to Annie: • Bed n a soljer aint quite what they crack it up *o be when they’re gittin a fellow to enlist. It’s mi tv rough, and you’d better believe it. You SI GETS A LETTER. 89 ought to be glad you’re a gurl and don’t haf to go. I wish’t I was a gurl sometimes. 1 haven’t kild enny rebbles yet. I hain’t even seen one except a fiew raskils that was tuk in by the critte* sol- jers, they calls em cavilry. Me and all the rest of the boys wants to hav a fite, but it looks like Ginral Buil was af eared, ard we don’t git chance. I axed the Ordly couldn’t he get me a furlow. The Ordly jest laft and says to me, Si, says he, yer don’t know as much as a mule. I 90 SI KLEGG. made fthortv see stars tother night because he was a-talkin’ ’bout you. The Capt’n made me walk up and down for a hour with a big rail on my sholder. You tell Square Joneses boy that he haint got sand enuff to jine the army, and if he don’t keep away from you lie bust his eer when I git home, If I ever do. Whattle you do if I shouldn’t ne»er see you agin? but yov no this glorus Gpvyr-ent must be perfected, and the bully briars and Strips must flote, and your Si is goiu to help do it. My pen i*> poor, my ink is pale, My luv for you shall never fale. Yours, affeckshnitly. Si Klegg. j 91 SI AND THE DOCTORS. CHAPTER, X. SI AND THE DOCTORS— HE JOINS THE PALE PRO- CESSION AT SICK-CALL. Si Klegg was a good specimen of a healthy, robust Hoosier lad — for he could scarcely be call- ed a man yet. Since, he lay in his cradle and was dosed with paregoric and catnip tea like other babies, he had never seen a sick day, except when he had the mumps on “both sides ” at once. He had done all he could to starve the doctors. [ When the 200th Ind. took the field it had the, usual outfit of men who wrote their names sand- wiched between a military title in front and “M. D.” behind, a big hospital tent, and an apothe- cary shop on wheels, loaded to the guards wi ta quinine, blue-mass, castor oil, epsom salts, and all other devices to assuage the sufferings of humanity. The boys all started out in good shape, and there had been hardly time for them to get sick much yet. So up to this stage of the regiment’s*, history the doctors had found little to do but issue arnica and salve for lame legs and blis- tered feet, and strut around in their shiny uni- forms. 92 SI KLEGG. But there came a day when they had all they could attend to. On going into camp one after- noon, the regiment, being well in advance, struck a big field of green corn and an orchard of J LAYING THE FOUNDATION. half-ripe apples. Of course, the boys sailed in, and natural consequences followed. “Now this is something like!” said Si, as he squatted gn the ground along with Shorty and SI AND THE DOCTORS. 93 half a dozen messmates. They surrounded a camp-kettle full of steaming ears and half a bushel or so of apples heaped on a poncho. “Wish we had some o’ mother’s butter to grease this corn with,” observed Si, as he flung a cob into the fire and seized a fresh ear. All agreed that Si’s head was level on the butter question, but under all the circumstances of the case they were glad enough to have the corn without butter. The ears went off with amazing rapiditv. Every man rued to be afraid he wouldn’t get his share. ^ n the kettle was empty the boys turned then es loose on the apples, utterly reckless of results. So, they were filled full, and were thankful. When Si got up he burst off half the button s on his clothes. He looked as if he was can-yin < a bass-drum in front of him. After he began to shrink he had to tie up his clot’ with a strino until he had a c 1 ance to repair damages But during the next 24 hours he had somethin^ else to think of. In fact, it wasn’t long till Si began to wish he had eaten an ear of corn and an apple or two less. He didn’t feel very well. He turner 'a early, thinking he would go to sleep and be all right in the morning. Along in the night he uttered a yell that came near stampeding the company. An ^ lormous 94 81 KLEGGr colic was raging abound in his interior, and Si fairly howled with pain. He thought he was go- ing to die right away. “Shorty,” said he, between the gripes, to his comrade, “I’m afeard I’m goin’ to peter out. After I’m gone you write to — to— Annie and tell her I died for my country like a man. I’d ruther been shot than die with the colic, but 1 ’spose ’twont make much difference after it’s all oyer!” “I’ll do it,” replied Shorty. “We’ll plant you in good shape; and, Si, we’ll gather up the corn-cobs and build a monument oyer youl” SI AND THE DOCTORS. 95 But Si wasn’t cut off in the bloom of youth by that colic. His eruptive condition frightened Shorty, however, and though he was in nearly as bad shape himself, he went up and routed out one of the doctors, who growled a good deal about being disturbed. The debris of the supper scattered about the camp told him what was the matter, and he had no need to make a critical diagnosis of Si’s case. He gave him a dose of something or other that made the pain let up a little, and Si managed to rub along through the night. Fortunately for Si, and for more than half the members of the regiment, the army did not move next day, and the doctors had a good opportunity to get in their work. At the usual hour in the morning the buglei blew the “sick-call.’ 1 A regiment of tanned and grizzled veterans froift Ohio lay next to the 200th Ind., and as Si lay there he heard them take up the music: “Git yer qui-nine! Git yer qui-nine! Tumble up you sick and lame and blind; Gita-long right smart, you’ll be left be-hind.” 'Tall in fer yer ipecac!” shouted the Orderly of Co. Q Si joined the procession and went wab- bling up to the “doctor’s” shop. He w«s better than he had been during the night, but still looked a good deal discouraged. SI KLEGOfc 06 VISITS THE DOCTOR. T f ^as a regular matinee that day. The Sur- geon and his assistants were all on hand, as the various squads, colicky and cadaverous, came a focus in front of the tent. The doctors worked off the patients at a rapid rsib* genially giescribing the same medicine for SI AND T.+ti DOCTORS. 97 all, no matter what ailed them. This was the way the army doctors always did, but it hap- pened in this case that they were not far wrong, as the ailments, arising from a common cause, were much the same. Si waited till his turn came, and received his rations from the Hospital Steward. Of course, he was excused from duty for the day, and as he speedily recovered his normal condition he really had a good time. A few days after this the whole regiment was ordered on fatigue duty to repair an old corduroy road. Si didn’t want to go, and “played off.” He told the Orderly he wasn’t able to work, but the Orderly said he would have to shoulder an ax or a shovel, unless he was excused by the doctor. He went up at sick-call and made a wry face, with his hands clasped over his body in the lati- tude of his waistband. The doctor gave him a lot of blue-mass pills, which Si threw into the fire as soon as he got back to his quarters. Then he played seven-up all day with Shorty, who had learned before Si did how to get a day off when he wanted it. Si thought it was a great scheme, but he tried it once two often. The doctor “caught on,” and said, the next time Si went up, that castor oil ^ras what he needed to fetch him around. So he poured out a large dose and made Si take it right then and there. 98 SI KLEGG. FIT FOR DUTY. The next time fatigue duty was ordered Si thought he felt well enough to go along with the boys. THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. 99 CHAPTER XI THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER— INTRODUCTION TO “ONE WHO STICKETH CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.” “Hello, Si; goin’ for a soljer, ain’t ye?” “You bet!” f “Wall, you’d better b’lieve its great fun; it’s jest a picnic all the time! But, say, Si, let’s see yer finger-nails!” “I’d like ter know what finger-nails ’s got to do with soljerin’!” said Si. “The ’cruitin’ ossi- fer ’n’ the man ’t keeps the doctor shop made me shuck myself, ’n’ then they ’xamined my teeth, ’n’ thumped me in the ribs, ’n’ rubbed down my legs, ’n’ looked at my hoofs, same ’s if Pd bin a hoss they wuz buyin’, but they didn’t say nothin’ ’bout my finger-nails.”' “You jest do ’s I tell ye; let ’em grow, ’n’ keep ’em right sharp. Ye’ll find plenty o’ use fer ’em arter a while, ’n’ ’twont be long, nuther. I know what I’m talkin’ ’bout; I’ve bin thar!” This conversation took place a day or two be- fore Si bade farewell to his mother and sister Marier and pretty Annabel and left the peaceful precincts of Posey County to march away with the 200th Ind. for that awful place vaguely desig- nated as “the front!” He had promptly responded 100 SI KLEGCK to the call, and his name was near the top of the list of Company Q. Si already had his blue clothes on. By enlist- ing early he had a good pick of the various gar- ments, and so got a suit that fitted his form — which was plump as an apple-dumpling — toler- ably well. It was left for the tail-enders of the company to draw trousers that were six inches too long or too short, and blouses that either wouldn’t reach around, and left yawning chasms in front, or were so large that they looked as if they were hung on bean-poles. I Of course, Si couldn’t be expected to do any more plodding farm work, now that he had “jined” the army. While the company was filling up he spent most of his time on dress parade in the village near by, eliciting admiring smiles from all the girls, and an object of the profound- est awe and wonder to the small boys. One day Si was sitting on the sugar-barrel in the corner grocery, gnawing a “blind robin,” and telling how he thought the war wouldn’t last long after the 200th Ind. got down there and took a hand and got fairly interested in the game; they would wind it up in short meter. Such ardent emotions always seethed and bubbled in the swelling breasts of the new troops when they came down to show the veterans just how to do it. One of the town boys who had been a year in THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. 101 the service, had got a bullet through his arm in a skirmish, and was at home on furlough, came into the store, and then took place the dialog be- tween him and Si that opens this chapter. -LET YER NALLS GROW; YE’LL NEED ’EM l*' Si wondered a good deal what the veteran meant about the finger-nails. He did not even know that there existed in animated nature a certain active and industrious insect which, be- 102 SI KLEGG. fore he had been in the army a great while, would cause his heart to overflow with gratitude to a beneficent Providence for providing him with nails on his fingers. When the 200th left Indiana all the boys had, of course, brand-new outfits right from Uncle Sam’s great one-price clothing house. Their garments were nice and clean, their faces well washed, and their hair yet showed marks of the comb. At Louisville they stuck up their noses, with a lofty consciousness of superiority, at the sight of Buell’s tanned and ragged tramps, who had just come up on the gallop from Tennessee and north- ern Alabama. f If the new Hoosie? fegiment had been quartered for a while in long-^sed barracks, or had pitched its tents in an old camp, Si would very soon have learned, in the school of experience, the delightful uses of finger-nails. But the 200th stayed only a single night in Louisville and then joined the procession that started on the chase after the rebel army. It generally camped on new ground, and under these circumstances the insect to which allusion has been made did not begin its work of devastation with that sudden- ness that usually marked its attack upon sol- diers entering the field. But he never failed to “get there” sooner or later,, and it was more fre- quently sooner than later. I One afternoon, when a few days out on this THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. 103 march, a regiment of Wisconsin veterans bivou- acked next to the 200th Ind. The strange antics as they threw off their accouterments attracted Si’s attention. “Look a’ thar,” he said to Shorty. “What ’n na me of all the prophets ’s them fellers up to?” “Seems like they was scratchin’ theirselves!” “I s’pose that’s on account of the dust ’n’ sweat,” said Si. “It’s a mighty sight worse ’n that!” replied Shorty, who knew more about these things than Si did. “I reckon we’ll all be doin’ like they are ’fore long.” Si whistled softly to himself as he watched the Wisconsin boys. They were hitching and twist- ing their shoulders about, evidently enjoying the friction of the clothing upon their skins. There was a general employment of fingers, and often one would be seen getting some other fellow to scratch his back around where he couldn’t reach himself, if everybody was too busy to do this for him he would back up to a tree and rub up and down against the bark. Life has few pleasures that can equal the sen- sations of delightful enjoyment produced in those days, when graybacks wert* plenty, by rubbing against a tree that nicely fitted the hollow of the back, after throwing off one’s “traps” at the end of a day’s march. Directly the Wisconsin chaps began to scatter 104 SI KLEGG. into the woods. Si watched them as they got Be- hind the trees and threw of! their blouses and shirts. He thought at first that perhaps they were going in swimming, but there was no stream of water at hand large enough to justify this theory in explanation of their nudity. As each man sat down, spread his nether garment over his knees and appeared to be intently engaged, with eyes and fingers, Si's curiosity was very much excited. “Looks ’s if they wuz all mendin’ up their shirts an’ sewin’ on buttons,” said Si. “Guess it’s part o’ their regular drill, ain’t it, Shorty?” Shorty laughed at Si’s ignorant simplicity. He knew T what those veterans were doing, and he knew r that Si wmild have to come to it, but he didn’t want to shock his tender sensibilities by telling him of it. “Them fellers ain’t sewin’ on no buttons, Si,” he replied; “they’re skirmishin’.” “Skirmishin’l” exclaimed 4 Si, opening his eyes very wide. “1 haint seen any signs o’ rebs ’round here, ? n’ there aint any shootin’ goin’ on, ’nless I’ve lost my hearin’. Durned if ’t aint the funniest skirmishin’ I ever hearn tell of!” “Now, don’t ax me nuthin’ more ’bout it. Si,” said Shorty. All I’m goin’ to tell ye is that the *bnger ye live the more ye’ll find things out* Let’s flax ’round ’n’ git supper!” A little while after* as Si wan squatting on the THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. "105 ground holding the frying-pan over the fire, he saw a strange insect vaguely wandering about on the* sleeve of his blouse. It seemed to be look- ing for something, and Si became interested as he watched it traveling up and down his arm. He had never seen one like it before, and he thought he would like to know what it was. He would have asked Shorty, but his comrade had gqne to the spring for water. Casting his eye around he saw the Captain, who chanced to be sauntering through the camp. The Captain of Co. Q had been the Principal of a seminary in Posey County, and was looked upon with awe by the simple folk as a man who knew about all that was worth knowing. Si thought he might be able to tell him all about the harmless-looking little stranger. So he put down his frying-pan and stepped up to the Captain, holding out his arm and keep- ing his eye on the insect so that he shouldn’t get away. “Good evenin’, Cap.” said Si, touching his hat, and addressing him with that familiar disregard of official dignity that characterized the average volunteer, who generally felt that he was just as good as anybody who wore shoulder straps. “Good evening, Klegg,” said the Captain, re- turning th« jalute. “Say, Cap, you’ve bin ter collidge ’n’ got filled up with book-l’arnin’; p’raps ye kin tell me 106 SI CLEGG. kind o* bug this is. I’m jest a little bit curus to know.” And Si pointed to the object of his inquiry that was leisurely creeping toward a hole in the elbow of his outer garment. “Well, Josiah,” said the Captain, after a brief inspection, “I presume I don’t know quite as much as some people think I do; but 1 guess 1 can tell you something about that insect. 1 never had any of them myself, but I’ve read of themr” THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. 107 “Never l» <{ ’em hi jii sel f . ” thought Si. u What *n the world does he mean?” And Si’s big eyes opened with wonder and rear at the thought that whatever it was he had “got ’em.” “I suppose,” continued the Captain, “you would like to know the scientific name?” “I reck’n that’ll do ’s well ’s any.” “Well, sir, that is a Pediculus. That’s a Latin word, but it’s his name.” “Purty big name fer such a leetle bug, ain’t it, Perfessor? observed Si. “Name’s big enough for an el’fant er a ’potamus.” f t may seem so, Klegg; but when you get intimately acquainted with him I think you will find that his name isn’t any too large for him. There is a good deal more of him than you think. The young soldier’s eyes opened still wider. “I was going on to tell you,” continued the Cap- tain, “that there are several kinds of Pediculi — we don't say Pediculuses. There is the Pedicu- lus Capitis — Latin again — but it means the kind that lives on the head. I presume when you were a little shaver your mother now and then har- rowed your head with a fine-tooth comb?” “Ya-as!” said Si; “she almost took tha hide o£f sometimes, ’n’ made me yell like an Injun.” “Now, Klegg, I don’t wish to cause you un- necessary alarm, but I will say that the head insect isn’t a circumstance to this one on your arm. As you would express it, perhaps, he can’t 108 SI KLEOG. hold a candle to him. This lellow is the Pedicu- lus Corporis!” “1 s’pose that means they eats up Corporals !” said Si. “1 do not think the Pediculus Corporis confines lrimsfdf exclusively to Corporals, as his name might indicate,” said the Captain, laughing at Si’s literal translation and his personal applica- tion of the word. “He no doubt likes a juicy and succulent Corporal, but I don’t believe he is any respecter of persons. That’s my opinion, from what I’ve heard about him. It is likely that I will be able to speak more definitely, from ex- perience, after a while. Corporis means that he is the kind that pastures on the human body. But there’s one thing more about this fellow. They sometimes call him Pediculus Vestimenti; that is because he lives around i^ the clothing, “But we don’t wear no vests,” said Si, taking a practical view of this new word; “nothin’ but blouses, ’n’ pants, ’n’ shirts.” “You are too literal, Klegg. That word means any kind of clothes. But I guess I’ve told you as much about him as you care to know at pres- ent. If you want any more information, after two or three weeks, come and see me again. I think by that time you will not find it necessary to ask any more questions.” Si went back to his cooking, with the pediou- lus still on his arm. He wanted to show it to THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. 1C§ Shorty. The Captain’s profound explanation, with its large words, was a little too much for Si He did not yet clearly comprehend the matter, and as he walked thoughtfully to where Shorty was “bilin’ ” the coffee he was trying to get through his head what it all meant. “Hello, Si,” said Shorty; “whar ye bin? What d’ye mean, goin’ off ’n’ leavin’ yer sowbelly half done?” 110 cl KLEGG. “Sh h!” replied Si. “Ye needn’t git yer back up about it. Bin talkin’ to the Cap’n. Shorty, look at that ’ere bug!” And Si pointed to the object of the Captain’s lecture on natural history that was still creeping on his arm. Shorty slapped his thigh and burst into a loud laugh. “Was that what ye went to see the Cap’n ’bout?” he asked as soon as he could speak. “Why — ya-as,” replied Si, somew T hat surprised at Shorty’s unseemly levity. “I saw that thing crawlin’ round, ’n’ I was a-wonderin’ what it was, fer I never seen one afore. I knowed Cap. was a scolard, ’n’ a perfesser, ’n’ all that, ’n’ I ’lowed he c’d tell me all about it. So I went ’n’ axed him.” “What’d he tell ye?” “He told me lots o’ big, heathenish words, ’n’ said this bug was a ridiculous, er suthin’ like that.” “’Diculus be blowed!” said Shorty. . “The ole man was a-stuffin’ of ye. I’ll tell ye what that is, Si,” he added solemaly, “that’s a grayback!” “A grayback!” said Si. “I’ve hearn ’em call the Johnnies graybacks, but I didn’t know ’s there was any other kind.” “I reck’n ’twont be long, now, t’ll yer catches on ter the meanin’ of what a grayback is. Ye’ll know all ’bout it purty sudden. This ain’t the first one I ever seen.” THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIEh,. HI Si was impressed, as he had often been before, by Shorty’s superior wisdom and experience. “See here, Si,” Shorty continued, as his eye suddenly lighted up with a brilliant thought, “I guess I kin make ye understand what a gray- back is. What d’ye call that coat ye’ve got on?” “Why, that’s a fool question; it’s a blouse, of course!” “Jesso!” said Shorty. “Now, knock off the fust letter o’ that word, ’n’ see what ye got left!” Si looked at Shorty as if he thought his conun- drums were an indication of approaching idiocy. Then he said, half to himself: “Let’s see! Blouse — blouse — take off the ‘b’ ’n’ she spells 1-o-u-s-e, louse! Great Scott, Shorty, is that a louse?” “That’s jest the size of it, Si. Ye’ll have mil- lions of ’em ’fore the war’s over ’f they don’t hurry up the cakes.” Si looked as if he would like to dig a hole in the ground, get into it, and have Shorty cover hii up, “Why didn’t the Cap’n tell me it was that? He said suthin’ about ridiculus corporalis, and I thought he was makin’ fun o' me. He said these bugs liked to eat fat Corporals.” “1 reck’n that’s so,” replied Shorty; “but they iikes other people jest as well — even a skinny feller like me. They lunches off’n privits, , n > Corp’rils, ’n’ Kurnals, ’n’ Gin’rals, all the same. 112 SI KLEGG. They ain’t satisfied with three square meals a day, nuther; they jest eats right along all the time ’tween regular meals. They alius gits hungry in the night, too, and chaws a feller up while he sleeps. They don’t give ye no show at all. I rayther think the graybacks likes the ossi- fers best if they could have their ch’ice, ’cause they’s fatter ’n the privits; they gits better grub.” Si fairly turned pale as he contemplated the picture so graphically portrayed by Shorty. The latter’s explanation was far more effectual in letting the light in upon Si’s mind than the scien- tific disquisition of the “Perfesser.” He had now a pretty clear idea of what a “grayback” was. Whatever he lacked to make his knowledge com- plete was soon supplied in the regular way. But Si was deeply grieved and shocked at what Shorty had told him. It was some minutes before he said anything more. “Shorty,” he said, with a sadness in his tone that would almost have moved a mule to tears, “who’d a-thought I’d ever git as low down ’s this, to have them all-fired graybacks, ’s ye call ’em, crawlin’ over me. How’d mother feel if she knew about ’em. She wouldn’t sleep a wink fer a month!” “Ye’ll have to come to it, Si. All the soljers does, from the Major-Gin’rals down to the tail- end of the mule-whackers. Ye mind them ’Scon- sin chaps we was lookin’ at a little bit ago?” THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. 113 “Yes,” said Si. “Wall, graybacks was what ailed ’em. The fel- lers with their shirts on their knees was killin’ ’em off. That’s what they calls ‘skirmishin’.’ There’s other kinds o’ skirmishing besides fitin’ if he hasn’t got inside already; then there’ll be one less of ’em.” Si found him after a short search, asid proposed to get a chip, carry him to the fire and throw him in. “Naw!” said Shorty in disgust, “that’s no way. Lemme show yer howl” 114 SI KLEGG. f Shorty placed one thumb-nail on each side of the insect. There was a quick pressure, a snap like the crack of a precussion cap, and all was Over. Si shuddered, and wondered if he could ever engage in such a work of slaughter. “D’ye s’pose,” he said to Shorty, “that there’s any more of ’em on me? “And he began to hitch his shoulders about, and to feel a desire to put his fingers to active use. “Shouldn’t wonder,” replied Shorty. “Mebbe I’ve got ’em, too. Let’s go out’n’ do a little skir- mishin’ ourselves.” “We’d better go off a good ways,” said Si, “so’s the boys won’t see us.” “You’re too nice and pertickler for a soljer, Si. They’ll all be doin’ it, even the Cap’n himself, by termorrer er nex’ day.” They went out back of the camp, where Si in- sisted on getting behind the largest tree he could find. Then they sat down and engaged in that exciting chase of the pediculus up and down the seams of their garments, so familiar to all who wore either the blue or the gray. Thousands of nice young men who are now preachers and doctors and lawyers and statesmen, felt just as badly about it at first as Si did. But they all became very expert in the use of the thumb-nail. “Shorty,” said Si, as they slowly walked back to eat their supper, which had been neglected in THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER. 115 the excitement of the hour, “before Co. Q left Posey County to jine the rigiment a feller ’t was home on furlow told me ter let my finger- nails grow long ’n ’ sharp, lie said I’d need 'em. I didn’t know what he meant then, but i b’lieve 1 d ) now.” 116 SI KLEGG CHAPTER XH. A WET NIGHT -THE DEPRAVITY OF AN ARMY TENT . REVEALS ITSELF. ' Night threw her dark mantle over the camp of the 200th Ind. The details of guard and . picket had been made. Videts, with sleepless eye and listening ear, kept watch and ward on the out- posts, while faithful sentries trod their beats around the great bivouac. All day the army had marched, and was to take the road again at an early hour in the morning. Supper had been eaten, and the tired soldiers were gathered around the campfires that gleamed far and near through the darkness. “Si,” said Shorty to his chum as they sat on a log beside the dying embers, “how d’ye like sol- die riiP, as fur as ye’ve got?” “IPs party hard business,” said Si, reflectively, an’ I s’pose we haint seen the worst on it yet, either, from what I’ve Hearn tell. Pitv the men that got up this war can’t be made to do all the trampin’ ’n’ fitin.’ An’ them fellers up in old Injeanny that come ’round makin’ such red-hot speeches to git us boys to ’list, wouldn’t it be fun to see ’em humpin’ ’long wdth gun ’n’ knap- sack, ’n’ chawin’ hardtack, ’n’ stan’in’ guard A VVKT N'KiHT 117 nights, ’n’ pourin’ water on their blisters, ’n pickin’ graybacks off their shirts, ’ir p’leecin” camp, ’n’ washin’ their own clothes?” “1 think we’d enj’y seein’ ’em do all that,” said Shorty, laughing at the picture Si had drawn. “I reckon most of ’em ’d peter out purty quick, and I’d like to hear what sort o’ speeches they’d make then. I tell ye, Si, there’s a big diff’rence ’tween goin’ yerself an 5 tellin’ some other fellej to go.” “Mebbe they’ll git to draftin ’after a while,” observed Si, M ’n’ if they do I hope that’ll ketch em!” “Wall, we’re in fur it, snyway,” said Shorty. Let’s make down the bed ’n’ turn in!” It didn’t take long to complete the arrange- ments for the night. They spread their “gum” blankets, or ponchos, on the ground, within the tent, and on these their wool blankets, placed their knapsacks at the head for pillows, and that was all. It was warmer than usual that even- ing, and they stripped down to their nether gar- ments. “Feels good once in a while,” said Si, “to peel a feller’s clothes off, ’n’ sleep in a Christian-like way. But, Great Scott! Shorty, ain’t this ground lumpy? It’s like lying on a big washboard. I scooted all over the country huntin’ fer straw to- night. There wasn’t but one little stack within a mile of camp. Them derned Ohiochaps gobbled 118 SI KLEGGr. every smidgin of it They didn’t leave enuff to make a hum m i n ’ bird’s nest. The 200th Ind.’ll git even with ’em some day.” So Si and Shorty crept in between the blankets, drew the top one up to their chins, and adjusted their bodily protuberances as best they could to fit the ridges and hollows beneath them. ‘‘Now, Si,” said Shorty, “don’t ye git to fitin’ rebels in yer sleep and kick the kiver off, as ye did last night!” As they lay there their ears caught the music of the bugles sounding the “tattoo.” Far and near floated through the clear night air the famil- iar melody that warned every soldier not on duty to go to bed. Next to the 200th Ind. lay a regi- ment of wild Michigan veterans, who struck up, following the strains of the bugles : Say, oh Dutch-y, will ye fight mit Si-gel? Zwei glass o’ la-ger, Yaw! Yaw! Yaw!!! Will ye fight to help de bul-ly ea-gle? v Schweitzer-kase und pret-zels, Hur-raw!-raw! raw! During the night there came one of those sud- den storms that seemed to be sent by an in- scrutable Providence especially to give variety to the soldier’s life. Gen. Hazen was not managing the weather then, or it might have been different. A well-developed cyclone struck the camp, and Si and Shorty were soon awakened by the racket. The wind was blowing and whirling in fierce A WET NIGHT. 119 gusts, wrenching out the tent pins or snapping the ropes as if they were threads. Everywhere was heard the dapping of canvas, and the yells STRUCK BY A CYCLONE. and shouts of the men as they dashed about in the darkness and wild confusion. Many of the tents were already prostrate, and their demoral- ized inmates were crawling out from under the ruin. To ciown all the rain began to fall in tor- rents. The camp was a vast pandemonium. The blackest darkness prevailed, save when the scene was illuminated by flashes of lightning. 120 SI KLEGG. These were followed by peals of thunder that made the stoutest quake. Si sprang up at the first alarm. “Git up, here, you fellers!” he shouted. “We’d better go out- side and grab the ropes, or the hull shebang ’ll go over.” There was not a moment to spare. Si dashed out into the storm and darkness, followed by his comrades. Seizing the ropes, some of which were already loosened, they braced themselves and hung on for dear life, in the drenching rain, their hair and garments streaming in the wind. Si’s prompt action saved the tent from the gen- eral wreck. The fury of the storm was soon past. Si and his comrades, after driving the pins and securing the ropes, re-entered the tent, wet and shivering — for the mercury had gone down with a tumble, or rather it would have done so had they been supplied with thermometers. But the scanty costume in which Si found himself af- forded a weather indicator sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. The ground was flooded, and their blankets and garments were fast absorbing the water that flow- ed around in such an exasperating way. Sleep under such conditions was out of the question. Si and Shorty put on their clothes and tried to make the best of their sorry plight. By this time the rain had nearly ceased. For- unately they had laid in a good stock of fuel the i WET NIGHT. 121 night before, and after a little patient effort they succeeded in getting a fire started. Around this the boys hovered, alternately warming their calves and shins. “This is a leetle more’n I bargained fer,” said Si. Then, taking a philosophical view of the case, he added, “but there’s one good thing about it, Shorty, we’ll be all fixed for mornin’, an’ we won’t have to get up when they soufid the revel-lee. The buglers kin jest bust theirselves a-blowin’, fer all I keer!” In this way the soldiers spent the remainder of the night. Before daybreak the blast of a hundred bugles rang out, but there was little need for the reveille. Breakfast was soon over, and in the gray dawn of that murky morning the long column went trailing on its way. The weather gave promise of a sloppy day, and the indications were fully verified. A drizzling rain set in, and continued without cessation. The boys put their heads through the holes in their ponchos, from the corners of which the water streamed. With their muskets at a “secure” they sloshed along through the mud, hour after hour. In spite of their “gums” the water found its way in at the back of the neck and trickled down |heir bodies. Their clothes became saturated, and they were altogether about as miserable as it is oossible for mortals to be. 122 SI KLEGGL It seemed to Si that the maximum of discom- fort had been reached. He had experienced one thing after another during the few weeks since he left home, and he thought each in turn was worse than the last, and about as bad as it could be. But Si learned a good deal more before he graduated. All through the long, dreary day the soldiers plodded on. There was little comfort to be de- A WET NIGHT. 123 rived from the “rest,” for the ground was soaked with water. ' “Why didn’t we think of it, Shorty,” said Si, “’n’ make it part o’ the bargain when we ’listed that we were to have umbrellers. These gum things don’t amount to shucks, nohow, to keep the rain off. I sh’d think Uncle Sam might do that much for us!” “I reckon our clothes ’ll be purty well washed by the time we git out o’ this mess,” said Shorty. \ “Feels that way,” said Si; “but how about the bilin’? A cold bath jest refreshes them pesky little varmints, ’n’ makes ’em livelier ’n ever. Say, Shorty, ye didn’t write home anything ’bout our havin’ graybecks, did ye?” “No, not yet; but I was thinkin’ I’d tell ’em ’bout it one o’ these days.” “Well, don’t, Shorty; it ’d jest make my mother feel awful to know I was that way. And sister Maria, and — ” Si was thinking aloud, and was going to say “Annabel,” but he checked himself. That name was not to be mentioned in other ears. But he was afraid she would go back on him i! she knew ell about it. \ It was nearly night when the 200th Ind., drip- ping and discouraged, filed off into a field of stand- ing corn to pass the night. The men sank to their shoetops in the soft earth. Si remarked to Shorty that he didn’t see why the officers should 124 Bl KLEQO. turn ’em loose in such a place as that. But the longer he lived the more he found out about those things. That was the way they always did. In five minutes after arms were stacked not a cornstalk remained standing in the field. Dur- ing the afternoon the troops had gone over a long stretch of swamp road that was almost im- passable for teams. Fears were entertained that the wagons of the regiment would not be ub that A WET NIGHT. 125 night, and they would not have their tents to shelter them from the storm. In anticipation of such a calamity the boys gathered in the corn- stalks, having a vague idea that they would help out in case of emergency. Then there was a scramble for the fences, Recognizing the need of good fuel, an order from the General was filtered through the various headquarters that the men might take the top rails, only, from the fence inclosing the field. This order was literally interpreted and carried out, each man, successively, taking the “top rail” as he found it. The very speedy result was that the bottom rails became the “top,” and then there weren’t any. Almost in the twinkling of an eye the entire fence disappeared. The drizzle continued through the evening, and by the sputtering fires the soldiers prepared and ate their frugal suppers. Word came ,that, as was feared, the wagons were hopelessly bemired three or four miles back, and the men would have to make such shift as they could. The prospect was dreary and cheerless enough. It was little wonder that many of t] young Hoosiers felt as if they wanted to quit and go home. But with that wonderful facility for adapt- ing themselves to circumstances that marked the volunteer soldiers, they set about the work of preparing for the night. No one who has not “been there” can imagine how good a degree of 126 SI KLEGG. comfort — comparatively speaking, of course — it was possible to reach, with such surroundings, by the exercise of a little patience, ingenuity and industry. Si and Shorty and the others of the “mess” bestirred themselves, and it did not take them more than 20 minutes to build, out of rails and cornstalks, a shelter that was really inviting. A WET NIGHT, 127 They kindled a big fire in front of it, laid some rails within, covered them with stalks, and on these spread their blankets. Si, who had “boss- ed” the job, viewed the work with great satisfac- tion. “I tell ye, that’s no slouch of a shanty!” said he. 128 SI KXEGG. CHAPTER Xm. SI “STRAGGLED ” — AND THE OTHER BOYS MADE IT MIGHTY LIVELY FOR HIM. [ One day while Buell was chasing Bragg, two or three weeks after leaving Louisville, the army was pushing forward at a gait that made the cav- alry ahead trot half the time to keep out of the way of the infantry. The extraordinary speed that day was due to the fact that there were no rebels in sight. Half a dozen ragged troopers with shot- guns, a mile away, would have caused the whole army to halt, form line-of-battle, and stay there the rest of the day. The tanned veterans didn’t mind the march- ing. They stretched their legs and went swing- ing along with a happy-go-lucky air, always ready for anything that might turn up. But it was rough on the new troops, just from home. It taxed their locomotive powers to the utmost limit. The boys of the 200th Ind. started out Bravely. Their fresh, clean faces, new uniforms, and shiny accouterments contrasted strongly with those of the weather-beaten soldiers of ’61. You could tell a “tenderfoot” as far as you could see him. \ They trudged along in fair shape for an hour or SI STRAGGLED. 129 two. Before starting in the morning strict orders had been read to the regiment forbidding strag- gling, for any reason, under the most terrifying pains and penalties. “Them fellers that’s been in the service long- er’n we have think they’re smart,” said Si Klegg, as he and Shorty plodded on, both already a little blown. “We’ll show ’em that we can hoof it jest as fast as they can, and jest as fur in a day!” “Seems to me we’re git’n over the ground purty lively to-day,” replied Shorty, who was in a grumbling mood. “Wonder if the Gin’ral thinks we’re hosses! I’m a little short o’ wind, and these pesky gunboats are scrapin’ the bark off’n my feet; but I’ll keep up or bust.” Though the spirit of these young patriots was willing, the flesh was w T eak. It wasn’t long till Si began to limp. Now and then a groan es- caped his lips as a fresh blister “broke.” But Si clinched his teeth, humped his back to ease his shoulders from the weight of his knapsack, screwed up his courage* and tramped on over the stony pike. He thought the breathing spells were very short and a long way apart. Si’s knapsack had experienced the universal shrinkage, as told in a previous chapter of out hero’s martial career. He still had. however, a good many things that he thought he couldn’t 2K 81 KLEGG DEFIES A REGIMENT OF ILLINOIS SI STRAGGLED. 131 spare, But which he found later he could very well get along without. By noon the 200th began to show signs of go- ing to pieces. The column stretched out longer and longer, like a piece of India-rubber. The ranks looked thin and ragged. Lame and foot- sore, with wo-begone faces, their bodies aching m every bone and tendon, and overcome with a weariness that no one can realize unless he has “been there,” the men dropped out one by one and threw themselves into the fence-corners to rest. The officers stormed and drew their swords in vain. Nature — that is, the nature of a new soldier — could endure no more. The ambulances were filled to their utmost, but these would not hold a twentieth part of the crippled and suffer- ing men. “How’re ye gittin’ on, Shorty?” said Si, as he and his comrade still struggled along. '“Fair to middling” replied Shorty. “I’m goin’ to try and pull through!” “I thought I could,” said Si, “but I’m ’bout played out! I am, fer a fact! I guess ef I rest a bit I’ll be able to ketch up after a while.” Si didn’t know till he found out by experi* ence how hard it was to “ketch up” when a sol- dier once got behind on the march. Si was too fat for a good roadster, but it didn’t take a great while to work off his surgkas flesh. Shorty was r tall and slim, mostly bone — one of the sort that always stood the marching best. Si crept up to the Orderly and told him that he would have to stop and puff a while and give his blisters a rest. He’d pull up with Co. Q in an hour or so. “Better not, Si!” said the Orderly; “ye know it’s agin orders, and the rear-guard ’ll punch ye with their bay’nets if they catch ye stragglin’.” But Si concluded th^at if he must die for his country it would be sweeter to do so by having a bayonet inserted in his vitals, and then it would be all over with at once, than to walk himself to death. 50 he gradually fell back till he reached the tail of the company. Watching his opportunity, he left the ranks, crept into a clump of bushes, and lay down, feeling as if he had been run through a grist-mill. Soon the rear-guard of the 200th came along, with fixed bayonets, driving before them like a flock of frightened sheep a motley crowd of limping, groaning men, gatherd up by the roadside. 51 lay very still, hoping to escape discovery; but the keen eye of the officer detected the blue heap among the oushes. “Bring that man out!* said he sternly to one of the guards* Poor Si scarcely dare to breathe. He hoped the man would think he was dead, and therefore SI STRAGGLED. 133 no longer of any account. But the soldier Began to prod him with his bayonet, ordering him to get up and move on. “Look-a-here, pard,” said Si, “don’t stab me with that thing! I jest can’t git along any furder till I blow a little. You please lemme be, an’ I*U do as much for you. Pr’haps some time you’ll get played out and I’ll be on the rear-guard T&* Cap’n ’ll tell me ter fotch ye ’long, an’ P|J W&i let ye rest, so I will!” ^This view of the case struck the guard wsatti 134 SI KLEGrQ. some force. Moved with compassion, he turned away, leaving Si to enjoy his rest. Si threw aside his traps, took off his shoes and stockings, and bathed his feet with water from his canteen. He ate a couple of hardtack, and in the course of half an hour began to feel more like Si Klegg. He geared himself up, shouldered his gun, and started to ‘‘ketch up.” All this time the stream of troops — regiments, brigades and divisions — had flowed on. Of course, soldiers who were with their colors had the right of way, and the stragglers were obliged to stumble along as best they could, over the logs and through the bushes at the sides of the roads or skirt along the edges of the fields and woods adjoining. It was this fact added to their exhausted and crippled condition, that made it almost impos- sible for stragglers to overtake their regiments until they halted for the night. Even then it Wits ofte,n midnight before the last of the way- farers, weary and worn, dragged their aching limbs into camp. Si started forward briskly, but soon found it was no easy matter to gain the mile or so that the 200th ind. was now ahead of him. It was about all he could do to keep up with the fast-moving column and avoid falling still further to the rear. Presently th© bugles sounded a halt for one of the hourj^ *ests. “Now/’ said 2i to himself, “Fll have a good SI STRAGGLED 135 chance to git along tor’d the front. The soljers ’ll all lie down in the fence corners an’ leave the T oad clear. I’ll jest git ug an’ dust!” LAID UP FOR REP4JR& The sound of the bugles had scarcely died *w<>r when the pike was deserted, and oil eithei sitLs, as far as the eye could reach, the prostrated rse» that covered the ground mingled in a long fringe of blue. Si got up into the road and started along the lane between these lines of recumbent soldiers. His gait was a little shaky, for the blisters on 136 BI KLEGG. his feet began to give evidence of renewed ac- tivity. He trudged pluckilv along, limping some in spite of himself, but on the wholft maldng very good headway. Pretty soon he struck a veteran regiment from Illinois, the members of which were sitting and lying around in all the picturesque and indescrib- able postures which the old soldiers found gave them the greatest comfort during a “rest.” Then the fun commenced — that is, it was great sport for the Sucker boys, though Si did not readily appreciate the humorous features of the scene. “What rigiment is this?” asked Si, timidly. “Same old rijiment!” was the answer from half a dozen at once. A single glance told the swarthy veterans that the fresh-looking youth who asked this conundrum belonged to one of the new regiments, and they immediately opened their batteries upon him: “Left— left— left!” “ Hayfoot — strawfoot ! Hayfoot — strawfoot ! ” keeping time with Si's somewhat irregular steps. “Hello, there, you! Change step and you’ll march easier!” “Look at that ’ere poor feller; the only man left alive of his rijiment! Great Cesar, how they must have suffered! Say, what rijiment did you fc’long to?” “Paymaster’s cornin’, boys; here’s a chap with a pay-roll round his neck!” Si had put on that SI STRAGGLED. 137 morning the last of the paper collars he had brought from home. “You’d better shed that knapsack, or it’ll be the death of ye!” “I say, there, how’s all the folks to home?” “How d’ye like it as far as you’ve got, any way?” “Git some commissary and pour into them gun- boats!” “Second relief’s come, boys; we can all go home now.” “Grab a root!” “Hep— hep— hep !” “How’d ye leave Mary Ann?” Si had never been under such a fire befoie. He stood it as long as he could, and then he stopped. “Halt!” shouted a chorus of voices. “Shoul- der-Arms!” “Order — Arms!” By this time Si’s wrath was at the boiling point. Casting around him a look of defiance, he exclaimed: “You cowardly blaggards; I can jest lick any two of ye, an’ I’ll dare ye to come on. If the 200th Ind. was here we’d clean out the hull pack of ye quicker’n ye can say scat!” This is where Si made a mistake. He ought to have kept right on and said nothing. But Si had to find out all these things by experience, as the rest of the boys did> 138 81 KLEOG. All the members of the regiment now took a hand in the game. They just got right up and yelled, discharging at Si a volley of expletives and pointed remarks that drove him to despera- tion. Instinctively he brought up his gun. “Load in nine times — Load!” shouted a dozen of the Illinois tramps. If Si’s gun had been loaded he would have shot somebody, regardless of consequences. Think- ing of his bayonet, he jerked it quickly from its scabbard. “Fix — Bay’net!” yelled the ragged veterans. And he did, though it was more from the prompt- ings of his own hostile feelings than in obedience to the orders. “Charge — Bay’netT” Si had completely lost control of himself in his overpowering rage. With blood in his eye, he came to a charge, glancing fiercely from one side of the road to the other, uncertain where to begin the assault. Instantly there was a loud clicking all along the line. The Illinois soldiers, almost to a man, fbied their bayonets. Half of them sprang to their feet, and all aimed their shining points at the poor little Hoosier patriot, filling the air with shouts of derision. it was plain, even to Si in his inflamed state of mind, that the odds against him were too heavy# SI STRAGGLED* 139 “Unfix — Bay’net!” came from half the regiment. Si concluded he had better get out of a bad scrape the best way he could. So he took off his bayonet and put it back in its place. He shouted words of defiance to his tormentors, but they could not be heard in the din. “Shoulder — Arms!” “Right — Face!” “Right shoulder shift — Arms!” “Forward — March!” These commands came in quick succession from the ranks amidst roars of laughter Si obeyed the orders and started off. “Left— left— left!” “Hayfoot — strawfoot!” 1 Forgetting his blisters, Si took the double-quick, while the mob swung their caps and howled with delight. Si didn’t “ketch up” with the 200th Ind. until after it had gone into camp. Shorty had a quart of hot coffee waiting for him. “Shorty,” said Si, as they sat by the fire, “I’m goin’ to drop dead in my tracks before I’ll fall out again.” 4 v * “Why, what’s the matter?” “Oh, nothin’; only you jest try it,” said Si. Had it not been for the “fun” the soldiers had in the army to brighten their otherwise dark and cheerless lives, they would all have died. Si was a true type of those who had to suffer for the good of others until they learned wisdom in the school of experience. 140 CHAPTER XIV. SI AND THE MULES— ONE DAY’S RICH EXPEDIENCE AS COMPANY TEAMSTER. “I’ve got to have a man to drive te£tn for a few days,” said the Orderly of Co. Q of the 200th hid. one morning at roll-call. “The teamster’s sick and I’m goin’ to send him to the hospital to-day.” The Orderly-Sergeant of Co. Q was a wily fel- low. All Orderly-Sergeants have to be. If they are not naturally, they learn it very quickly, or lose the little diamond on their sleeves, if not all their stripes. The man who undertakes to manage 60 or 75 stalwart, high-spirited young Americans through all their moods and tenses, and every kind of weather, has to be as wise as a serpent, though not necessarily as harmless as a dove. Therefore, the Orderly-Sergeant didn’t tell the boys what ailed the teamster. The fact waa that the heels of the “off-wheeler” caught the teamster m the pit of the stomach and doubled him up so badly that he wouldn’t be fit k* duty for a week. It was worse than the green* corn colic. “’T isn’t every man,” continued the Orderly, “that’s gilteri rKtn fust-class talent fur drivin > team. I’d lik« to find the best man to steer them SI AND THE MULES. no 141 animals,' an’ if there’s a real sientifick mule- whacker in this comp’ny let him speak up, an’ I’ll detail him right off. It’ll be a soft thing fur somebody; them mules are daisies!” Somehow they didn’t all speak at once. The company had only had the team two or three weeks, put the boys were not dull of hearing, and omihous sounds had come to them from the rear of the camp at all hours of the night — the maddening “Yee-haw w-w!” of the long-eared brutes, and the frantic ejaculations of the team- ster, spiced with oaths that would have sent a shudder through “our army in Flanders.” So they did not apply for the vacant saddle with that alacrity which might have been ex- pected, when so good a chance was offered for a soldier to ride and get his traps carried on a wagon. Whenever an infantryman threw away such an opportunity it is safe to assume that there was some gdod reason for it. But the idea of riding for a few days and let- ting his blisters get well was too much for Si Klegg. Besides, he thought ii there was any one thing he could do better than another it was driv- ing c team. He had been doing it on his father’s farm all his life. It is true, he didn’t know much about mutes, but he imagined they wer* * £oo<§ deal like horses. “1’m your man!” spoke up Si eneertullj'« 142 SI KLEOa “All right!” said tlie Orderly. “Company, Right — Face! Break ranks — March!” “There ain’t any trouble about it!” Si said to Shorty as they walked back to the tent. “I reckon it’s easy enough to manage mules if you go at ’em right. It’ll be just fun for me to drive team. And say, Shorty, I’ll carry all your traps on my wagon. That’ll be a heap better’n totin’ ’em!” Si gathered up his outfit and started to enter upon his new sphere of usefulness. “Shall I take my gun and bay’net along” he asked the Orderly. I “Guess you’d better; they might come handy!” replied the Orderly, as he thought of the team- ster’s disastrous encounter with the “off-wheeler.” After Shorty had eaten his breakfast he thought he would go back of the tent and see how Si was getting on. With thoughtful care Si had fed his mules before appeasing his own appetite, and Shorty found him just waiting for his coffee to cool a bit. “Why, them ’ere mules is jist as gentle’n’ peaceful-like ez so many kittens. Look at ’em, Shorty!” and Si pointed with a proud and grati- fied air to where the six “daisies” were standing, three on each side of the wagon-pole, with their noses in the feed-box, quietly munching their matutinal rations, and whisking their paint-brush tails ab^ut in evident enjoyment. SI AND THE MULES. 143 Indeed, to look at those mules one who was ignorant of the peculiar characteristics of the species would not have thought that be- neath those meek exteriors there were hearts filled with the raging fires of total depravity. Shorty thought how it would be, but he didn’t say anything. He was sure that Si would find out about it soon enough. The brigade to which the 200th Ind. belonged was to march in the rear of the long procession that day. This was lucky for Si, as it gave him an hour or two more than he would otherwise have had to get hitched up. But all the same he thought he would begin early, so as to be on hand with his team in good time. “Want ajiy help?” asked Shorty. “No,” said Si; “I can hitch ’em up slick’s a whistlp. can’t see why so many makes sich a fuss ’bout handlin’ mules.” Shorty ighted his cob pipe and sat down on a stump to watch Si. “Kinder think there’ll be a circus!” he said to himself. Si got rip. from his coffee and hardtack, and ad- dressed himself to the business of the houi. I* proved to be just as much as he could attend to* When Si poured half a bushel of corn into the feed-box it was all very nice, and the animals rubbed their heads against him to give expres- sion to their grateful emotions. But when it C autre to putting on the tW* 144 SI KLEGG. a different thing. The mere touch of a strap was enough to stimulate into baleful activity all the evil passions of mule-nature. “Now, Pete and Jim and Susan, we must git ready to pull out!” said Si to his charge, in a familiar, soothing tone, preliminary to getting down to business. It was his evident desire to maintain the friendly relations that he thought he had already established. At the first rattle of the harness Pete and Susan and the rest, moved by a common impulse, laid back their ears and began to bray, their heels at the saija^ time show- ing symptoms of impatience. “Whoa, there — whoa!” exclaimed Si, in a con- ciliatory way, as he advanced with a bridle in his hand toward one of the big wheelers, whose ears were flapping about like the fans of a windmill. Si imprudently crept up from the rear. A flank movement would have been better. As soon as he had gcxt fairly within range the mule winked viciously, lowered his head, and let fly both heels. Si was a spry boy, and a quick dodge saved him from the fate of his predecessor. One of the heels whizzed past his ear with the speed a cannon ball, caught his hat, and sent it Spinning through the air. Shorty, who was whittling up a piece of Ken- tucky twdst to recharge his pipe, laughed till he rolled off the stump all in a heap. A few of the otlier boys had stayed out to see the fun : and l 'V SI AND THE MULES. , 145 were lounging around the outskirts of tlic corral. “Go for ’em, Si!” they shouted. A CLOSE SH^VJSj Si was plucky, and again. advanced with more caution. This time he was successful, after a spirited engagement, in getting the bridle on. He thought he would ride him down to the creek for water, and this would give him a chance to get acquainted with him, as it were. He gatted 14G SI KLEGG. the animal’s neck, called him pet names, and gently stroked his stubbly mane. Alas, Si didn’t know then what an utter waste of material it was to give taffy to an army mule. With a quick spring Si vaulted upon the back oi the mule He started off in good shape, wav- ing his hand exultingly to the boys with the air of a General who has just won a great battle. All at once the animal stopped as suddenly as if he had run against a stone wall. He planted his fore feet, throwing his ears back and his head down. There was a simultaneous rear elevation, with the heels at an upward angle of about 45 de- grees. Si went sprawling among the bushes. This performance was greeted with great en- thusiasm by the fast-increasing crowd of specta- tors. “I oughter have told you that saddle-mule’s the worst bucker in the Army o’ the Ohio,” said the Quartermaster-Sergeant, who was among the on-lookers. “Why, h*’d buck off the stripe that runs down his back, ft he took it into his measly head. He bucked off a chaiile mortgage, and that’s the way he come into the army. You can’t him without using one of Aunt Jemima’s sticking plasters.' * "Much obliged for your information. But I will ride him all the same,” said Si, whose temper had risen to the exploding point. “I kin ride him if he ties himself in a double bow-knot.” SI AND THE MULES. 147 Si was too much of a farmer boy to give in to anything that walked on four legs. He had hung on to the bridle-rein, and after addressing a few impressive words to the ob- streperous mule he again leaped upon his back. The mule took a docile turn, his motive having apparently been merely to show Si what he could do when he took a notion. The space at command will not permit us to follow Si through all the details of “hitching up” that team. He did finally “git thar, Eli,” after much strategic effort. The mules brayed and kicked a good deal, and Si’s wrath was fully aroused before he got through. He became con- vinced that soft words were of no account in such a contest, and he enforced discipline by the judi- cious use of a big club, together with such ap- priate language as he could think of. Si hadn’t yet learned to swear with that wonderful and appalling proficiency that was so soon acquired by the army teamsters. In the management of mules profanity was considered an invaluable ac- cessory in times of great emergency. At last Si climbed into the saddle, as proud as a King. Seizing the long, single line running to the “leaders”— by which contrivance the army team was always guided — he shouted “Git up, thar y Pete! G’lang Susan!” and the caravan started. But the unregenerated brutes didn’t go far. Si was gaily cracking his whip, trying to hit a 148 ST KLEGG 1 blur bottle fl\ that was [Arched on the ear i’i the “swing’' mules. As if by a preconcerted plan, the establishment v me to a sudden halt and the mules began to it or and kick and plunge around in utter disre- i ; rd of consequences. It didn’t take more than a minute for them to get into a hopeless tangle. They were in all conceivable shapes — heads and tails together, crosswdse and “every which way,” tied up with the straps of the harness. The air in all directions was full of heels. . There was a maddening chorus of discordant braying. In the course of the scrimmage Si found him- self on the ground. Gathering himself up, he gazed in utter amazement at the twisted, writh- ing mass. At this moment a messenger came from the Captain to “hurry up that team,” and poor Si didn’t know what to do. He wished he could only swear like the old mule drivers. He thought it would make him feel better. There was no one to help him out of his dilemma, as the members of the company were all getting ready for the march. A veteran teamster happened along that way, and took in the situation at a glance. He saw that Si had bit off more than he could chew, and volunteered his assistance. “Here, young feller,” said he, “lemme show ye how 7 to take the stiffenin’ out o’ them ere dod- gasted mules V* til AND THE MULES. 149 Raizing th tip at the email enr! of the stock he began laying on .right and left Avith the butt, taking care to keep out of range of the heels. During these persuasive efforts he was shouting at the top of his voice words that fairly hissed through the air. Si thought he could smell the brimstone and see the smoke issuing from the old teamster’s mouth and nostrils. This is a section of what that experienced muie-driver said, as nearly as we can express it: 150 SI KLEGG. ?? !!!***??? ,J ! M ? ? ? ?'??!!!!” Si thanked the veteran for these timely sug- gestions in the way of language, and said he would remember them. He had no doubt they would help him out the next time. They finally got the team untied, and Si drove over to the company ground. The regiment had been gone some time, a detail having been left to load the wagon. After getting out upon the road the mules plodded along without objection, and Si got on famously. But having lost his place in the column in consequence of the delay, he was obliged to fall in rear of the division train, and it was noon before he got well started. Along towards evening Si struck a section of old corduroy road through a piece of swamp. The passage of the artillery and wagons had left the road in a wretched condition. The logs were lying at all points of the compass, or drifting vaguely about in the rpire, while here and there were seas of watejr and pits of abysmal depth. To make the story short, Si’s mules stumbled and floundered aud kicked, while Si laid on with the whip and used some of the words he had learned from the old teamster before starting. At length the wagon became hopelessly stalled. The wheels sank to the hubs, and Si yelled and cracked his whip in vain. Perhaps if he had had *1 AND THE MULES. 151 the old teamster there to swear for him he could have pulled through, but as it was he gave it up, dismounted, hunted a dry spot, and <*at down to think and wait for something to turn up. Just before dark a large detail from Co. Q, which had been sent back on an exploring ex- pedition for Si and his team, reached the spot. After hours of prying and pushing and tugging and yelling they at length got the wagon over the slough, reaching camp about midnight. “Orderly,” said Si, “1 believe I’d like to resign my place as mule-driver. It’s a nice, soft thing, but Pd jest as lief let s ’mother feller have it, so I’ll take my gun an 7 go to hoofin’ it agin!” 152 181 KLEGG. CHAPTER XV. i UNDER FIRE— SI HAS A FIGHT, CAPTURES A PRISONER, , AND GETS PROMOTED. i " ■ “Seems to me it’s ’bout time ter be gittin’ into a fife!” said Si Klegg to Shorty one night as they sat around the fire after supper, with their shoes and stockings off, comparing the size and num- ber of their respective blisters. Neither of them had much of the skin they started out with left on their feet. “I always s’posed,” he continued, “that bein’ a soljer meant filin’ somebody: and here we are roaming over the country like a lot of tramps. I can’t see m good in it, nohow.” “Don’t be in a hurry, Si,” replied Shorty; “I reckon we’ll ke^eh it soon ’nuff. From what I’ve hearn the old soldiers tell a battle ain’t such a funny Miing as a felier thinks who don’t know anything about it, like you’n ’ me. . The boys is always hungry at first for shootin’ and bein’ shot Hi, but I’ve an idee that it sorter takes away iheir appetite when they gits one square .meal of :t. They don’t hanker after it no i/iore. It’s likely we’ll git filled full one o’ these days! I’m willin’ to wait!” “’Wall,” said Si, “I sh’d think we might have UNDER FIRE. a little skirmish, anyway. Fd like to have a chance to try my gun and to hear what kind of a noise bullets make. Of course, Fd ruther they’d hit some other feller besides me, but Fm ready to take the chances on that. I don’t b’lieve Fd be afeard.” Si was ambitious, and full of the martial ardor that blazed in the breast of every young volunteer. He was really glad when the Orderly came around presently and told them that the 20Cfch Ind. would have the advance next day, and Co. Q would be on the skirmish-line. He told the boys to see that their cartridge-boxes were all full and their guns in good order, as they would be very likely to lun foul of the rebels. This was just before the battle of Perryville. The rebels were very saucy, and there seemed to be a fair prospect that the curiosity of the members of the 200th Ind. to “see the elephant” would be at least measurably gratified. Before Si went to bed he cleaned up his gun and made sure that it would “goofi” whenever he wanted it to. Then he and Shorty crawled under the blankets, and as they lay “spoon fashion,” thinking about what might happen the next day, Si said he hoped they would both have “lots sand.” All night Si was dreaming about awful scenes of slaughter. Before morning he had destroyed a large part of the Confederate army. SI KLEGG. 154 It was yet dark when the reveille sounded through the camp. Si and Shorty kicked off the blankets at first blast of bugle, and were prompt- ly in their places for roll-call. Then, almost in a moment, a hundred fires were gleaming, and the soldiers gathered around them to prepare th ir hasty breakfast. Before the sun was up the bugles rang out again upon the morning air. In quick succession came the "general,” the "assembly,” and "to the colors.” The 200th marched out upon the pike, but soon filed off into a cornfield to take its as- signed place in the line, for the advance division was to move in order of battle, brigade front, that day. In obedience to orders, Co. Q moved briskly oat and deployed as skirmishers, covering the regimental front. As the line advanced through field and thicket Si Klegg’s heart was not the only one that thumped against the blouse that covered it. It wa3 not long till a squad of cavalrymen came galloping back, yelling that the rebels were just ahead. The line was halted for a few min- utes, while the Generals swept the surrounding country with their field glasses and took in the situation. The skirmishers, for fear of accidents, took advantage ol such cover as they could find. Si UNDER FIRE. 155 and Shorty found themselves to leeward of a large stump. AS UNWELCOME VISITOR. “D’ye reckon a bullet ’d go through this y er© stump?” said Si. 156 SI KLEGG. Before Shorty could answer something else happened that absorded their entire attention. For the time they didn’t think of anything else. Boom-m-m-m ! “Great Scott! d’ye hear that?” said Si through iiis chattering teeth. “Yes, and there’s somethin’ cornin’ over this way,” replied Shorty. 1 A shell came screaming and swishing through the air. The young Hoosiers curled around the roots of that stump and flattened themselves out like a pair of griddle-cakes. If it was Si that the rebel gunners were after, they timed the shell to a second, for it burst with a loud bang just over them. The fragments flew all around, one striking the stump and others tearing up the dirt on every side. To say that for the moment those two soldiers were demoralized would be drawing it very mildly. They showed symptoms of a panic. It seemed as though they would be hopelessly stampeded. Their tongues were paralyzed, and they could only look silently into each other’s white faces. Si was the first to recover himself, although it could hardly be expected that he could get over his scare all at once. “D-d-did it hit ye, Sh-Shorty?” he said. “N-no, I guess not; b-b-but ain’t it aw-awful, Si? You look so bad I th- thought you was k-k killed!” UNDER FIRE. 157 “Who’s afeard?” said Si. “I was only skeered of you, Shorty. Brace up, now, same’s I do!” “Skirmishers — Forward!” was heard along the line. “Come on, Shorty!” said Si, and they plunged bravely ahead. Emerging suddenly from a thick wood, they came upon the rebel skirmishers in full view, posted on the opposite side of the field. Crack! Crack! — Zip! Zip! “Guess there’s a bee-tree somewhere around here, from the way the bees are buzzin’, said Si. “’Taint no bees,” replied Shorty; “it’s a mighty sight worse’n that. Them’s bullets, Si. Don’t ye see the durned galoots over yonder a-shootin’ at us?” Si was no coward, and he was determined to show that he wasn’t. The shell a little while before had taken the starch out of him for a few minutes, but that was nothing to his discredit. Many a seasoned veteran found himself exceed- ingly limber under such circumstances. “Let’s give the rascals a dose,” said he; “the best we’ve got in the shop!” Suiting the action to the word, Si crept up to a fence, thrust his gun between the rails, took good aim, and fired. A butfet from one of the other fellows made fche splinters fly from a rail a foot or two from Si’s head; but he was getting excited now, and he 158 61 KLEGG. dicin’: mind it any more than if it had been a paper wacl from a pea shooter. It makes a great difference with a soldier under fire whether he can take a hand in the game himself, or whether he must lie idle and let the enemy “play it alone.' “Did ye hear him squeal?” said Si, as he drop- ped r*pon the ground and began to reload with all his might. “I hit that son-of-a-gun, sure* Give [UNDER FIRE. 159 ’em H — Hail Columbia, Shorty. We’ll show ’em that the 200th Ind. is in front to-day!” “Forward, men!” shouted the officers. “Go right for ’em!” The skirmishers sprang over the fence and swept across the field at a “double-quick” in the face of a sputtering fire that did little dam- age. None of them reached the other side any sooner than Si did. The rebels seemed to have found out that the 200th boys were coming, for they were already on the run, and some of them had started early. Pell-mell through the brush they went, and the blue-blouses after them. “Halt, there, or I’ll blow ye into the middle o y next week!” yelled Si, as he closed up on a rag- ged specimen of the Southern Confederacy whose wind had given out. Si thought it would be a tall feather in his hat if tie could take a prisoner and march him back. The “Johnny” gave one glance at his pursuer, hesitated, and was lost. He saw that Si meant business, and surrendered at discretion. “Come ’long with me!” said Si, his eyes glist- ening with pleasure and pride. Si marched him back and delivered him to the C. *onel. “Well don*,, my brave fellow!” said the Colonel. “This is a glorious day for tin*. 200th Ind., and you’ve taken its first prisoner. What's your name, lay boy?” I lift 82 KLEGG. - "oosiah Klegg, sir!” said Si, blushinsr ta the very roots of his hair. ^ 5 company do you belong to?” "Company Q, sir!” and Si saluted the officer as steely as he knew how. CNDER FIRE. 161 “I’ll see your Captain to-night, Mr. Klegg, and you shall be rewarded for your good conduct. You may now return to your company.” It was the proudest moment of Si’s life up to date. He stammered out his thanks to the Col- onel, and then, throwing his gun up to a right shoulder-shift, he started off on a canter to re- join the skirmishers. That night Si Klegg was the subject of a short conversation between his Captain and the Col- onel. Tliey agreed that Si had behaved very handsomely, and deserved to be promoted. “Are there any vacancies in your non-com- missioned officers?” asked the Colonel. “No,” was the reply, “but there ought to be.. One of my Corporals skulked b^ck to the rear this morning and crawled into a wagon. I think we had better reduce him to the ranks and ap- point Mr. Klegg.” ^ “Do so at once,” said the Colonel. Next morning when the 200th was drawn up in line an order was read by the Adjutant reducing the skulker and promoting Si to the full rank of Corporal, with a few words commending the gal- lantry of the latter. These orders announcing rewards and punishments were supposed to have a salutary effect in stimulating the men to deeds of glory, and as a warning to those who were a little short of “sand*” 162 SI KLEGG. The Boys of Co. Q showered their congratula- tions upon Si in the usual way. They made it very lively for him that day. In the evening Si CORPORAL KLEGG SALUTES HIS FRIJ5END3. hunted up some white cloth, borrowed a needle and thread, went off back of the tent, rammed his bayonet into the ground, stuck a candle in UNDER FIRE. 163 the socket, and sewed chevrons on the sleeves of his blouse. Then he wrote a short letter: “Deer Annie: I once more take my pen in hand to tell you there’s grate news. I’m an ossifer. We had an awful fite yisterdy. I don’t know how menny rebbles I kild, but I guess thare was enuff to start a good sized graveyard. I tuk a prizner, too, and the Kurnal says to me bully fer you, Mister Klegg, or sumthin to that effeck. This mornin they made me a Corporil, and red it out before the hull rijiment. I gess youd been prcwd if you could have seen me. To-night the boys is hollerin hurraw fer Corporil Klegg all over camp. I aint as big as the Ginrals and sum of the other ossifers, but thars no tellin how hi I’ll get in three years. Rownd is the ring that haint no end, So is my luv to you my friend. Yours, same as before, Corporal Si Klegg. 164 SI KLEGG. CHAPTER XVI. ONE OF THE “ NON-COMMISH ” — A NIGHT’S ADVENT- URES AS “ CORPORAL OF THE GUARD.” "Corporal Klegg, you will go on duty to-night with the camp guard!” said the Orderly of Co. Q one evening, as the 200th Ind. filed off into a piece of woods to bivouac for the night, two or three days after Si had been promoted. The chevrons on his arms had raised Si several degrees in the estimation not only of himself, but of the other members of the company. His conduct in the skirmish had shown that he had in him the material for a good soldier, and even the Orderly began to treat him with that respect due to his new rank as one of the "non-com- mi sh. ,v Like every other man who put on the army blue and marched away so bold, "with gay and gallant tread,” Si could not tell whether he was going to amount to anything as a soldier untij he had gone through the test of being under fire There were many men who walked very erect, talked bravely, drilled well, and made a fine ap- pearance on dress parade, before they reached "the front,” but who wilted at the "zip” of bul- ONE OF THE “NON-COMMISH.” 165 lets like tender corn blades nipped by an untimely frost. And a good many of them continued in that wilted condition. Perhaps they really couldn’t help it. An inscrutable Providence had seen fit to omit putting any “sand in their giz- zards,” as the boys expressed it. It must be confessed that Si was somewhat unduly elated and puffed up over his own achieve- ments as a skirmisher and his success in climb- ing the ladder of military rank and fame. It is true, it wasn’t much of a fight they had that day, but Si thought it was pretty fair for a starter, and enough to prove to both himself and his comrades that he wouldn’t be one of the “coffee coolers” when there was business on hand. Si was sorry that his regiment did not get into the fight at Perryville. The 200th Ind. belonged to one of the two corps of Buell’s army that lay under the trees two or three miles away all through that October afternoon, while McCook’s gallant men were in a life-and-death struggle against overwhelming odds. It bothered Si as much to understand it all as it did 30,000 other soldiers that day. j Si responded with alacrity when he was de- tailed for guard duty. He had walked a beat once or twice as a common tramp, and had not found it particularly pleasant, especially in stormy weather; but now he was a peg higher, %nd he thought as Corporal he would have a bet* 166 SI KLEGG. ter time. He had already observed that the rude winds of army life were tempered, if not to the shorn lambs, at least to the officers, in a degree proportionate to their rank. The latter had the first pick of everything, and the men took what was left. The officers always got the softest rails to sleep on, the hardtack that was least tun- neled through by the worms, the bacon that had the fewest maggots, and the biggest trees in a fight. “Forward — March !” shouted the officer in com- mand, when the detachment was ready. Si stepped off very proudly, thinking how glad his good old mother and sister Marier and pretty Annabel would be if they could see him at that moment. He was determined to discharge his official duties “right up to the handle,” and make the boys stand around in lively style. When the guard reached the place selected for headquarters the officer briefly lectured them in regard to their duties, impressing upon them the necessity of being alert and vigilant. There was only a thin picket-line between them and the enemy. The safety of the army depended upon the faithfulness of those appointed to watch while others slept. He gave them the counter- sign, “Bunker Hill,” and ordered them under no circumstances to alWw any person to pass with- out giving it, not even the Commanding Gen- eral himself. ^ A jr ONE OF THE “NON-COMMISH.” 167 Then the guards were posted, the “L i s” laid off and numbered, and as the fast gathering shadows deepened among the trees the sentinels paced to and fro around the tired army. JL TERRIBLE TEMPTA^OW.' For an hour or two after the guards were sta- tioned all was quiet along the line. The noise of tne great camp was hushed for the night, and 168 SI KLEG& no sound broke the stillness of the gloomy forest. The moon rose and peeped timidly through the branches. “Corporal of the Guard; Post No. 6.” Si’s quick ear, as he lay curled up at the foot of a tree, caught these words, rapidly repeated by one sentinel after another. It was his first summons. He sprang to his feet, gun in hand, his heart beating at the thought of adventure, an4 started on the run for “Post No. 6.” “What’s up?” he said to the guard, with a per- ceptible tremor in his voice. “There’s one o’ the boys tryin’ to run the guards!” was the answer. “He’s been out for r agin’, I reckon. He’s got a lot o’ plunder he wants to git into camp with. See him, out there in the bush?” The forager, for such he proved to be, was nimbly dodging from tree to tree, watching for a chance to cross the line, but the alertness of the guards had thus far kept hint outside. He had tried to bribe one or two of the boys by offer- ing to “whack up” if they would let him pass or give him the countersign, so that he could get in at some other point in the cordon. But the guards were incorruptible. They were “fresh” yet, and had not caught on to the plan of ac- cepting an offered chicken, a section of succu- lent pig, or a few sweet potatoes, and then walk- ONE OF THE “ NON-COMMISH ” 169 mg off to the remote limit of the beat, with eves to the front, while the forager shot across the line in safety. They learned all about this after a while. The raider tried to parley with Si, but Si would n’t have it. Raising his gun to a “ready” he ordered the man to come in or he would put a hole through him. The best thing to do under the circumstances was to obey. The forager, w T ho belonged to Si’s company, crept up to Corporal Klegg and in a conciliatory tone opened negotiations. “You jest let me pass, and you may have your pick of this stuff,” said he, holding up a fowd in one hand and a ham in the other. “It’ll be all right, and nobody ’ll ever know nothin’ ’bout it!” Si hesitated; it was human nature. The offer was a tempting one, but he rememberd his re- sponsibility to his country, and his stomach ap- pealed in vain. Duty came before stewed chicken or roatsed spare-rib. “Can’t do it!” said Si. “You’ve got hold of the wrong man this time. I ain’t goin’ to have no- body monkeyin’ ’round while I’m Corporal of this ’ere guard. Come along with me, and step out lively, too!” Si marched the culprit back to headquarters and delivered him up to the officer, who com- mended Si for his fidelity. 170 SI KLEGO. Next day the ground back of the Colonel’* tent was strewn with feathers, chicken bones, ham rinds, and potato skins, while the unlucky for- ager who had provided the field officers’ mess with such a royal meal was humped around for two hours on “knapsack drill,” and condemned to spend 24 hours in the guard-house. An hour later Si had another experience. The Captain of Co. Q felt a kindly interest, and not a little pride in him, since the skirmish, and he thought he would take a turn that night and see whether his newly-made Corporal was “up to snuff.” “Post No. 3,” was Si’s second call. He re- sponded promptly, and as he approached the guard the latter said: “Corporal, here’s the Cap’n, and he wants to get in! He hain’t got the countersign; shall I pass him?” “Good evening, Corporal!” said the Captain, as Si came up, at the same time extending his hand. Si was thrown completely off his guard. Drop- ping the butt of his gun carelessly to the ground he replied cheerily, “Good evening, Cap’n,” touching his hat by i&ay of salute. Then he took the proffered hand, pleased at the Captain’s mark of kindly recognition. He didn’t understand the scheme then. ONE OF THE “NON-COMMISH.” 171 “How are you getting on, Mr. Klegg?” “First rate!” said Si, with the air of one con- scious that he had done his duty well. “I capchered a forager a little^bit ago and took him to headquarters!” “Well done, Corporal. I have no doubt you will honor the good name of the 200th Ind. in ^ueral and Company Q in particular. I got 172 61 KLE GO. caught outside tonight, and I want to get back into camp. Of course, you know me and it’s all right!” “Certainly, sir!” said Si, as he stood leaning on his gun and allowed the officer to pass the magic line. “Good night, Cap’n!” “Good night, Corporal! By the way,” said the Captain, retracing his steps, “1 notice that you do not carry your gun just right. Let me show you how to handle it!” Si didn’t know what a flagrant offense it was for a soldier on guard to let his gun go out of his hands; nor had he the faintest suspicion that the Captain was playing it on him. So he promptly handed his piece to the Captain, who immediately brought it down to a “charge,” with the bayonet at Si’s breast. “Suppose, now, I was a rebel in disguise,” said the Captain, “what kind of a fix would you be in?” Light began to dawn upon Si, and he started back in terror at the thought of the mistake he had made. “Of course, I wouldn’t let anybody else have it,” he stammered; “but I know you, Cap’n!” “That, makes no difference to a man on duty, Corporal. You hang on to your gun the rest of the night, and if anybody — I don’t care if it’s Gen. Buell himself — insists on your giving it to him, let him have two or three inches of the point 4 ONE OF THE “ NON-COMMISH. ” 173 of your bayonet. Don’t let anybody pass with- out the countersign, either! Come to my quarters when you are relieved to-morrow.” All this illustrates the way the officers had of testing new soldiers and teaching them a thing or two, when, as was frequently the case, they were not yet up to the mark. A trick of extra duty for the hapless novitiate was generally the penance for his simplicity. The cold chills ran up and down Si’s back as he took his gun and slowly returned to the guard fire. He felt that he had utterly spoiled his good record. “Lieutenant,” he said to the officer, “I wish you’d please detail a man to kick me for about an hour.” The Lieutenant wanted to know what the mat- ter was, and Si told him all about it, ending with: “So now I s’pose the Cap’n ’ll yank the stripes off’n my blouse!” The officer quieted his fears by assuring him that there was no cause for alarm. The Captain knew that he was trying to do his duty, and what he had done was for Si’s own good. Si sat down by the fire and was thinking it over when there was another call, “Corporal of the j^uard!” He was soon at the point indicated and round two officers on horseback, whom he recognized as the Colonel and Adjutant of the 174 SI KLEG& SB' AND TfTE CONTRABAND. 200th Ind. Si’s friend Shorty was the guard who had halted them. “Now, Corporal Klegg,” said Si to himself, laying his finger alongside his nose, “you jist watch out this time. Here’s big game! Shouldn’t wonder ONE OF THE “NON-COMMISH.” 175 if them ossifers had bin out skylarkin’, and they’re tryin’ to git in. Don’t ye let ’em fool ye as the Cap’n did!” Si was right in his surmise. The Colonel and Adjutant had been enjoying a good supper at a house half a mile away, and had not the slightest idea what the countersign was. Si was determined not to “get left” this time. As he approached, the Colonel saw that it was the soldier he had commended for his gallantry at the time of the skirmish. “Ah, Corporal Klegg, I’m glad to see you so prompt in your duty. I was sure we had made no mistake when we promoted you. Of course, you can see who I am. I’m your Colonel, and this is the Adjutant. We are, unfortunately, outside without the countersign; but you can just let us through.” The Colonel’s taffy had no effect on Si. H® just brought himself into a hostile attitude, with his bayonet in fair range of the Colonel, as he replied : “Colonel, my orders is to pass no livin’ man unless he says ‘Bunker Hill.’ I’d be glad to do ye a good turn, but there’s no use talkin’. I’m goin’ to obey orders, and ye can’t pass here.” The C-olonel chuckled softly as he dismounted and came up to Si. j “It’s all right,” he said, “of course I know what the countersign is. I was only trying yon.” 176 SI KLEGG. «YE MUST SAY ‘BUNKER HILL.”' “Hold on there,” said Si, “don’t come too close. If you’ve got the countersign, advance and give ONE OP THE “NON-COMMISH.” 177 it. If ye hain’t got it, I’ll jest call the Officer of the Guard!” Leaning over the point of Si’s bayonet the Col- onel gently whispered “Bunker Hill!” “Correct!” said Si, and bringing his gun to a “shoulder” he respectfully saluted the Colonel. The latter started to remount, but turned back as he said: v “Just let me show you how to hold your gun. You don’t” * “Not if the court knows herself,” said Si, again menacing the Colonel with his bayonet. “That’s bin played on me once to-night, and if anybody does it again my name ain’t Si Klegg!” “That’s right, Corporal,” said the Colonel as he sprang into the saddle; “but don’t tell anybody what the countersign is again! Good night!” “Good night, Colonel,” said Si, touching his hat. As the officers rode away Si began to think he had put his foot in it again. He was confirmed in this opinion by seeing Shorty sit down on a log in a paroxysm of laughter. “You give yerself away bad that time!” said Shorty, as soon as he could speak. “What did ye tell him the countersign for?” “Whew-w-w-w!” observed Si, with a prolonged whistle. “Shorty,” said he, “I wish you’d take a club and see if you can’t pound a little sense into me; I don’t believe I’ve got any!” With- out another word he shouldered his gun and re- 178 SI KLEGG. turned to the guard headquarters. “Now Pm a goner, sfcre!” he said to himself. On his way he found a guard sitting by a tree, sound asleep. Carefully taking away his gun Si awoke him, and frightened him half to death by telling him that %e would report him and he would be shot for sleeping on post. Si finally said he wouldn’t tell on him this time, but he must never do so again, or he would be a dead man’. “Corporal of the guard!” was heard again, sometime after midnight. “If they try any more measly tricks on me to-night somebody ’ll git hurt!” thought Si as he walked briskly along the line in response to the call. This time it was a “contraband” — an old negro, who stood shivering with terror as the guard held him at the point of the bayonet. Recalling the unlucky adventures of the night, Si imagined that it was one of the officers, who had black- ened himself like a minstrel, and had come there purposely to “catch him.” “Ye can’t git through unless ye’ve got the countersign,” said he, decisively; “and I shan’t give it to ye, nuther! And ye needn’t try to show me how to hold my gim! I can handle it well enough to shoot and punch the bayonet!” “Don’t know what dat all means, boss,” said the frightened negro; “butferde good Lawd’s sake don’t shove dat t’ing frew me, I’se only bin obei ONE OF THE “NON-COMMISH.” 179 to de nex’ place to a ’possum roast and I’se jist gwine home. I didn’t know dese yer ge-yards was heah!” Si didn’t propose to take any chances, and so he marched the old contraband back and de- livered him to the officer, who kept him till morn- ing and then suffered him to go his way. Once more that night Si was called out, in ad- dition to his tramps with the “reliefs” and the “grand rounds.” It was, perhaps, an hour be- fore daylight, and Shorty was the guard who called him. He told Si there was something walking around in the woods, and he believed it was a rebel trying to creep up on them. He had challenged two or three times, but got no answer. The moon had gone down, and in the dark woods objects at any distance could not be distinguished. . “There, d’ye hear that?” said Shorty, as there came a sound of crackling sticks and rustling leaves. “Halt!” exclaimed Si. “Who comes there?” There was no response, and Si challenged again with like result. “Sborty,” said Si, “let’s fire both together,” and crack went their muskets. For a moment there was a great floundering, and then all was still. As soon as it was light, and Shorty was relieved, he and Si went out to see the result of their fire. What they found is shown by our artist. 180 SI KLEGGk On the whole, it was a busy and interesting night for Si. He did not lose his chevrons on account of his mistakes. But he learned some- thing, and the lesson was impressed upon his mind by a few kindly words of caution and ad- vice from the Captain of Co. Q. FU It AGING ON THE WAY. 181 chapter xvii. FORAGING ON THE WAY SI UAS SOME VARIED EX- PERIENCES WITH SOUTHERN PRODUCTS. The long chase after Bragg from Louisville to the mountains of southeastern Kentucky was rough on the new troops. It weeded them out very fast, and in every town through which Buell’s army passed the buildings were turned into hos- pitals and filled with sick and crippled soldiers, who had found out early that they were not physically able to endure the hardships of an active campaign. At the end of two or three weeks some of the new regiments were as much reduced in numbers as most of those that went out in ’61 were during their first six months. The 200th Ind. jogged along bravely, but its ranks had suffered the common shrinkage. Not less than 400 of Us men had fallen by the way- side, and were taking quinine and blue-mass and rubbing arnica on their legs all along the tortuous route. Y Corporal Si Klegg and his friend Shorty proved to be “stayers.” Full of life and ambition, they were always prompt for duty and ready for a fight or a frolic. No one was more quick than Si 182 61 KLEGG. to offer a suffering comrade the last drop of fresh water in his canteen or give him a lift by car- rying his gun a piece. One day the regiment started out for an easy, comfortable day’s march. The coast was clear of rebels, and there being no excuse for crowd- ing on the steam, the boys were allowed to take their own gait, while the horses of the officers and cavalry had a chance to recover their wind. It was a warm day late in October. The nights at this time were keen and frosty, but the sun at mid-day still showed much of his Summer vigor. Perspiration flowed freely down the faces of those wandering Hoosiers — faces that were fast assuming the color of half-tanned leather under the influence of sunshine and storm. Once an hour there was the customary halt, when the boys would stretch their legs by the roadside, hitching their knapsacks up under their heads. When the allotted time had- expired the bugler blew “Fall in,” the notes of which dur- ing the next two years became so familiar to the ears of the 200th. Later in ’64, the Indiana boys mingled their voices with the rest of Sherman’s hundred thousand veterans as they sang : “I know you are tired, but still you must go Down to Atlanta to see the big show.” The soldiers were in good spirits. As they marched they fired jests at one another, and laughter rippled along the line* FORAGING ON THE WAY. 183 The only thing that troubled them was the emaciated condition of their haversacks, with a corresponding state of affairs in their several stomachs. The Commissary Department was thoroughly demoralized. The supply train had failed to connect, and rations were almost ex- hausted. There was no prospect that the ach- ing void would be filled, at least, in the regular way, until they reached a certain place, which would not be until the following day. Strict orders against foraging were issued al- most daily under the Buell dispensation. These were often read impressively to the new troops, who, in their simplicity, “took it all in” as military gospel. The effect was somewhat depressing upon the ardor with which, otherwise, they would have pursued the panting pig and the fluttering fowl, and reveled in the orchards and potato-fields. A few irrepressible fellows managed to get a choice meal now and then — just enough to show that the 200th Ind. was not without latent talent in this direction, which only needed a little encouragement to become fruitful of results. \But these orders against foraging didn’t hold the soldiers of the crop of 1861. It was like try- ing to carry water in a sieve. When rations were short, or if they wanted to vary the rather mono- tonous bill of fare, they always found a way to anake up any existing deficiency. 184 SI KLEGG. On the day in question a few hints were thrown out which resulted in a tacit understanding that, in view of the actual need of the soldiers, if they got a good chance to pick up something the eyes of the officers would be closed. In fact, the of- ficers were as hungry as the men, and hoped to come in for a “divide.” Soon after starting in the moring a persimmon tree, well laden with fruit, was seen in a field not far from the road. About fifty men started for it on a run, and in five minutes it was as bare as the barren fig tree The persimmon has some very marked pecu- liarities. It is a toothsome fruit when well rip- ened by frost, but if eaten before it has reached the point of full maturity, the effect upon one’s interior is unique and startling. The pungent juices take hold of the mouth and pucker it up in such a manner as to make even speech for a time impossible. The tongue seems as if it were tied in a knot. If the juice be swallowed, similar results follow all along its course. But the nov- ice does not often get far enough for that. The boys soon found that the ’simmons, although they looked very tempting, were too green to be eaten with any degree of enjoyment. So they filled their pockets with them to pucker up the regi- ment. Shorty had joined in the scramble, telling Si he would bring him a good supply. “Ain’t them nice?” he s ( 'aid to Si, holding out FORAGING ON THE WAY. 185 three or four of the greenest ones he could find. “Eat ’em; they he jest gorjus! You can’t help likin’ ’em.” Si had never seen any persimmons before. They were certainly tempting to the eye, and he thought they were sent as manna was supplied to the children of Israel in the wilderness. (Eagerly seizing them, Si tossed one into his mouth and began to chew it with great vigor. The persimmon got in its work at once. It took 186 SI KLEGG. hold with a mighty grip, wrinkling him up like the skins on scalded milk. After sputtering vigorously a few minutes, while Shorty laughed at him, Si managed to get his tongue untwisted. “Yes,” said he, “them things is nice — in a horn! ’Twouldn’t take many of ’em to make a meal!” A little farther on Si’s quick eye noticed a row of beehives standing on a bench in the yard of one of the natives. Si had a weakness for honey. “Shorty,” said he, “see them hives over there? How’d ye like to have some honey for supper?” Shorty “allowed” that it \frould be a good thing. Si stopped and waited a few minutes until his own regiment got past,* thinking his plan would be less liable to interruption. Then he leaped over the fence, went up to the hives, and boldly tipped one of them over, hoping he could get out a comb or two, fill up his coffee-kettle, and effect his retreat before the bees really found out what he was up to. But the bees instantly rallied their forces and made a vigorous assault upon the invader. Si saw that it would be too hot for him, and with- out standing upon the order of his going he went at once, in a decidedly panicky state of mind. The bees made the most of their opportunity, using their “business ends” on him with great activity and zeal. They seemed to fully share 188 SI KLEGG. the common feeling in the South toward the “Yanks.” A disheveled woman, smoking a cob-pipe, had watched Si’s raid from the doorway. As he fell back in utter rout she screamed “Sarves ye right!” and then sat down on the doorstep and laughed till she cried. She enjoyed it as much as the bees did. /The latter took hold of Si in various places, and by the time he had caught up with the regiment one eye was closed, and there was a big lump on FOEAGING ON THE WAY. 189 his nose, Besides several more stings which the bees had judiciously distributed about his person. It was very evident that he had been overmatched and had come out second best in the encounter. Corporal Klegg presented a picturesque ap- pearance as he reached Co. Q. The boys fairly yelled with delight. A CASE OF tTECESSITE, “Whar’s yer honey?” said Shorty. “ y Pears like ye waked up the wrong passenger that time!” Si laughed with the rest, rubbed salt on his stings, and plodded on, consoling himself with the thought that his was not the only case in 190 ei KLEGG. which the merit of earnest effort had gone un- rewarded. Soon after noon the 200th came to a large patch of sweet potatoes. Si and Shorty, as well as a good many of the rest, thought it would be a good place to lay in a supply for supper, as they might not have another so good a chance. From all parts of the column the men, by dozens, dashed into the field. In a moment there was a man at every hill, digging away with his bayo- net, and chucking the tempting tubers into his haversack. Our artist has pictured the scene in a manner that will touch a responsive chord in the memories — not to mention the stomachs — of the old veterans of the war. Two hours before going into camp the regi- ment passed a small spring, around which a crowd of soldiers were struggling to fill their can- teens. There had been a long stretch without fresh water, and Si thought he would supply him- self. "Gimme your canteen, too, Shorty, and Fll fil] it!” he said. "Here, Si, you’re a Bully Boy, take mine!” "Mine, too!” "And mine!” said one after another of his comrades. Si good naturedly complied and they loaded him down with about 20 canteens. "All right,” said Si, "Fll be along with ’em full d’reckly!” 7' He had to wait for his turn at the spring, and FOEAGING ON THE WAY. 191 By the time he had filled all the canteens he was half an hour behind. Slinging them around his neck he started on, with just about as big a load as he could carry. Si forged ahead, gradually gaining a little, through the tardy movement of the column that generally preceded going into camp. The can- teen straps chafed his shoulders, his back ached, and perspiration breamed from every pore. The smoke of the campfires ahead told that the end of the day’s march was near. He kept on and finally came up with Co. Q just as the 200th was stacking arms on the bank of a clear stream. Si threw down his burdens of canteens, him- self thoroughly blown and w T ell-nigh exhausted. “Purty good load, wa’n’t it, Si?” said Shorty. “But what made ye lug all that water in here? When ye saw they was goin’ into camp ahead ye might ha’ knowed there was plenty o’ water. Why in blazes didn’t ye turn the water out o’ them ’ere canteens.” “I’ll be hanged if I thought o’ that!” said Si, while the boys joined in a hearty laugh. At the command “Break ranks” there was a general scamper to engage in the work of getting supper and preparing to spend the night with as much comfort as possible. The members of each mess scattered in all directions for water, rails, straw, etc., while some went out to scour the ad- jacent region for edibles. 192 SI KLEGG. 'These exercises the soldiers always entered into with the heartiest gusto, and the scene will be well remembered by all those who marched. l Si threw off his traps and dropped on the ground to rest a few minutes. He got up pres- ently to scratch around with the rest. As he took hold of his haversack he was surprised at its lightness. When he laid it down it was bulg- ing out with sweet potatoes, and a glance showed him that these were all gone. ^ FORAGING ON THE WAY. 193 f “Dern my buttons !” exclaimed Si, as he for- got his weariness, and his eyes flashed fire. “If I am a Corporal, I kin jest mash the feller that stole my Waters, I don’t keer if he’s ten foot high. Won’t somebody show ’im to me? There won’t be ’nuff of ’im left to hold a fun’ral over?” Si pranced around in a high state of inflam- mation, and it is probable that if he had found the purloiner of his provender there would have been a harder fight than any that occurred be- tween Buell and Bragg. The boys winked slyly at one another, and all said it was too bad. It was a startling case of turpitude, and Si determined to have revenge by getting even with some other fellow, without pausing to consider the questions of moral phi- losophy involved. “Come ’long with me, Shorty!” he said to his friend, and they strode away. Just outside the camp they came upon two members of some other new regiment coming into camp with a fine pig slung over a pole and two or three chickens in their hands. Shorty suggested to Si that this was a good chance for him to even up. “Halt, there!” shouted Si to the foragers. “We’re sent out to pick up such fellows as yout” The effect was like a discharge from a masked battery. The men dropped their plunder and fled in wild confusion. 4K 194 SI KLEG& “Take hold o 9 that pole, Shorty!” said Si, and laying it upon their shoulders they made a tri- umphant entry into camp. There seemed to be no danger of immediate starvation in the ranks of the 200th. Each man appeared to have supplied himself during the day. On every hand fires gleamed brightly in the gathering twilight, and around them crowded the hungry soldiers, intent upon the simple culinary processes incident to the evening meal. A SUNDAY OFF. 195 CHAPTER XVIII. A SUNDAY OFF— SI AND SHORTY GET A MUCH-NEEDED WASH-UP. “You can take it easy to-day, boys, for we ain't goin’ to move!” said the Orderly of Co. Q one morning at roll-call. “The orders is for to put the camp in nice shape, and for the men to wash up. We’re goin’ to have an extra ration of soap this mornin’, and you fellows want to stir around lively and fix yerselves as if it was Sunday and ye was goin’ to meetin’. The fust thing after bir^akfast all hands ’ll turn out and p’leece ther camp.” “What in the world does he mean by p’leecin’ the camp?” Corporal Klegg asked Shorty, as they stood by the fire shaking coffee and warming up the fragments of chicken that had been left over from supper the night before. “J didn’t s’pose* said Si, “that we ’listed to be p’leecemexr f” Shorty replied that he didn’t know, but be reckoned they’d find out soon enough. The 20 days before, in order to lighten their knapsacks, they had taken out their extra shirts and draw- ers, tied them in a bundle, and put them on the company wagon, and this was somewhere back in the rear, owing to the confusion the cam- paign. “Seems to me,” observed Si, “it ain’t hardly a fair shake for Uncle Sam to make us do our washin’. They ought to confiscate the niggers s n’ set them at it; or I don’t see why the Guvy- 198 SI KLEGG. ment can’t furnish a washin’ masheen for each comp’ny! ’Twouldn’t be no more’n the square thing!” “The wimmen does the washing ye know, Si, up where we live,” said Shorty, “’n’ I don’t quite like the notion o’ doin’ that kind o’ work, but I can’t jest see how we’re goin’ to git out of it. It’s got to be done, that’s sure!” On the bank of the stream they quickly threw off their clothes for a bath. Si cast rueful glances at his nether garments as he laid them on the ground. “Hadn’t we better pile some rocks on ’em, Shorty?” said he. I’m afeared if we don’t they’ll crawl off into the bush. “Guess we had,” replied Shorty. “I b’lieye mine’s started already!” Having made sure of them., they plunged into the water. Far up and down the' stream were hundreds of men, swimming and splashing about. The soldiers availed themselves of every op- portunity to enjoy this luxury. Having thoroughly performed their ablutions, Si and Shorty turned their energies toward the clothes, which were in such sore need of soap and hot water. Hutting their garments into th© kettle and tilling it with water, they built a fire under it. After half an hour of vigorous boiling they concluded they were “done.” Plenty of soap, rubbing and rinsing finished the work, and A SUNDAY OFF. 199 the clothes presented a quite respectable ap- pearance “How’re we goin’ to git ’em dry?” asked Si, as he wrung out the last of his “wash.” “Hang ’em on the fence in the sun!” replied Shorty. “But what’ll we wear while they’re dryin’?” “Nothin’, I reckon!” So they spread out their garments, and then dashed again into the water. After splashing awhile they came out ajid drew on their half- dried trousers. Shorty lighted his pipe as they 200 81 KLEGG. sat down to wait for the sunshine to do its per- fect work. All along the stream were soldiers in similar stages of dishabille. It seemed like the Garden of Eden. “Say, Shorty,” said Si, “’taint very wicked to smoke, is it?” “Guess not!” was the reply. “That’s the way it ’pears to me, ’n’ I’ve been kinder thinkin’ lately that I’d learn how. The soljers all seem to enjoy their smokin’ so much* You know, Shorty, that I was always a reel good boy — never smoked, nor chawed terbacker, nor cussed, nor done nothin’ that was out o’ the straight an’ narrer way. When I jined the rigi- ment my good old mother says to me: *'Now, Si’ says she, ’I do hope ye’ll ’member what I’ve always taught ye. I’ve hearn ’em tell that they does drefful things in the army, and I want ye to see if ye can’t be as good a boy as ye’ve been at home.’ Of course, I told her I would, ’n’ I mean ter stick to it; but I don’t b’lieve there’s any harm in smokin’. Is it hard to learn?” “Wall, Idunno; Ireck’n ye can’t most always tell till ye try. Take a whiff, and see how she goes!” And handed him his pipe, which he had juat refilled with whittlings of black “navy plug.” *T)erned if I don’t try it!” said Si, as he took the pipe and began to puff with great energy. He made a few wry faces at first, but Shorty told him A SUNDAY OFF. 20* to stick to it, and he bravely pulled away while the clouds of smoke curled above him. It was not long till the color left his face, his head was in a whirl, and his stomach began to manifest eruptive symptoms. “Shorty,” he gasped, “I’m awful sick. If smokin’ makes a feller feel like this I don’t want any more of it in mine.” “Where’s all yer sand ye brag so much about?” said Shorty, laughing. “You’re mighty poor tim- ber for a soljer if ye can’t stand a little pipe o* terbacker like that. You’ll get over it purty soofr, and it won’t bother ye any next tim*5 ye try it. 1 ' Si found that he had on hand about as much as he could manage with his dizzy head and the rebellion that was so actively going on at a point a little lower in his physical system. The feel- ing wore gradually off, however, and by the time he was able to walk their clothes were well dried. They proceeded to “dress up,” and then returned to camp. During the afternoon the camp was visited by natives, black and white, from the region round about, with corn “pones,” alleged pies, boiled eggs, and truck of various kinds, which they sought to dispose of for a valuable consideratkixs. They struck a bad crowd, however, in a financial sense. The members of the 200th Ind. y&me not at this time in a condition of opulence. Most of them had spent what caoney they brought from «A .LITTLE MORE CIDER, TOO.? A SUNDAY OFF. 203 home, and they had not been out long enough yet to receive a visit from the Paymaster. The lank men and scrawny women cried their wares vociferously, but with indifferent results The boys wanted the stuff, but they were “busted,” and trade was dull. Si looked wistfully at the “pies,” and suggested to Shorty a joint investment. Their purses were nearly empty, but the temptation was too strong to be resisted. “Them looks nice,” said Si. They were the first pies he had seen since leaving home, and his judgment was a little “off.” As a matter of fact, it was only by the greatest stretch of cour- tesy that they could be called pies at all. But the word touched Si in a tender spot, and he only thought of such as his mother used to make. : Si and Shorty “pooled in” and bought a pie. Impatiently whipping out his pocket knife Si tried to cut it in two. It was hard work, for the “crust” — so called — was as tough as the hide of a mule. By their united efforts they at length succeeded in sawing it asunder. It was a fear- ful and wonderful specimen of culinary effort. It was made of two slabs of sodden, leathery dough, with a very feeble layer of stewed &pple§ sandwiched between them. Si tried his teeth on the pie, but it was like trying to chew an old boot-leg. S “I say, old lady,” said he, turning to the femal© 204 SI KLEGG. of whom he had bought it, “is these pies pegged or sewed?” “Look a hyar, young feller,” said the woman, with considerable vinegar in her tone, “p’raps you-uns-all thinks it’s right smart to insult we-uns; it shows how yer wuz broughten up. I don’t ’low yer ever seed any nicer dog-g-goned pies ’n them is. Ye needn’t try ter argify ’long *t ti me, fur 1 kin jest knock the spots off’n any woman there is ’round here in cookin’.” Si saw that it would be profitless to discuss the matter, and concluded to make the best gf a bad bargain. But he couldn’t eat the pie. On the whole, the hucksters iared rather badly. A SUNDAY OFF. 205 The Boys confiscated most of the stuff that was brought in, promising to pay next time they came that way. There was a good deal of grumbling, but the trouble always ended in the soldiers get- ting the plunder. The climax was reached when a putty-faced citizen drove into camp a bony mule tied with straps and ropes and strings to a crazy cart, on which was a barrel of cider, which he “allowed” to sell out to the boys at 10 cents a drink, or a quarter a canteen full. He had a spigot rigged up in one end and an old tin cup, with which he dealt out the seductive beverage to such as would pay. ^ A thirsty crowd gathered around him, but sales were slow, on account of the scarcity of money. Si and Shorty mingled with the boys, and then drew aside and Engaged in a whispered consul- tation. “That’ll be jest bully!” said Shorty. “If you can raise an auger somewhere we’ll git the bulge on that old chap.” Si returned after a brief absence, with an auger which he had borrowed from the driver of an ammunition wagon. “Now, Shorty,” said Si, “you git the boys to stand around and keep up a racket, and I’ll crawl under that cart and bore a hole into that ’ere barrel. Then pass in yer canteens and camg kettles ’n’ we’ll show the old man a trickl” 206 SI KLEGG. J Shorty quietly broached the scheme to a few of his comrades, who fell in with it at once. Gather- ing around the cart, they cheered and chattered so as to drown any noise Si might make yhile carry- ing out his plan, and which would “giVe it away.” It was not more than a minute till a gurgling sound was heard, and Si began to pass out to the boys the buckets and canteens which they so freely furnished him, filled with the fast-flow- ing contents of the barrel. It didn’t take long to empty it entirely, nor did the citizen discover the state of affairs until the cider no longer ran from the spigot. He had not sold more than a gallon or two, and he was amazed when the liquid ceased to re- spond. Then he resolved himself into an in- vestigating committee, and after a protracted search he discovered the trick that had been play- ed on him “Wall, I’ll be gosh-durned!’\he exclaimed. “I’ve hearn tell ’bout Yankee tricks, but dog my cats ii this ’ere don’t beat ’em all! I’d like to cut the gizzard outen the rascal that bored the hole in that bar’ll” “I declare, old pard, that was mean!” said Si, who stood looking on, with his hands in his trousers pockets, the very picture of innocence. “I'm jist goin’ to flax ’round ’n’ help ye find that feller. If I was you I’d pound the stuffin’ out of him — ye cotsSh himl” A CLOSE CALL. 207 CHAPTER XIX. A CLOSE CALL-CORPORAL KLEGG HAS AN EXCITING ADVENTURE WITH CO. Q GUARDING A FORAGE TRAIN. “Company Q’s bin detailed to go out f n’ help guard a forage train to-morrow,” said the Orderly one evening at roll-call. “You fellers wants to all be up y n y dressed bright ’n’ early, with yer cartridge-boxes full ’n’ a day’s rations in yer haversacks. Be sure yer guns is in good order, fer likely’s not we’ll have a squirmish afore we git back.” The 200th Ind. had been lying in camp for two or three days, and the ambitious heros who com- posed that regiment were getting tired of loafing about. Nothing chafed the raging patrio*ti^m of the new troops like a condition, however brief, of masterly inactivity. They refused to be com- forted unless they were on the warpath all the time. Their ideal of a soldier’s life was to take a rebel battery every morning before breakfast, storm a line of works to give them an appetite for dinner, and spend the afternoon charging with cold steel the serried columns of the k>e, and wad- ing around through seas of gore. 208 SI KLEGQ. So Corporal Klegg and Shorty and the Jk the boys betook themselves with alacrity to the work of preparation for the duties of tne morrow. Members of the other companies patched the proceedings with jealous eye. l/hey almost turned green with envy because they were not detailed for the expedition instead oi Co. Q. “Say, Si,” remarked Shorty, thoughtfully, “hadn’t we better write a letter home? Who knows but we’ll be as dead as mackerels to- morrer night!” “Fiddlesticks!” said Si. “What’s the use o’ havin’ a funeral afore there’s any borpse! We’ve bin through one fight ’n’ didn’t git hurt, ’n’ I’ve made up my mind there’s no use gittin’ into a Stew over a thing that may hap’n ’n’ may not. Time ’nuff to fret ’bout it when it comes. I recolleck one thing I learned in Sunday-school — let’s see, iV was ‘S’ficient unto the day is the evil thereof/ or suthin’ like that. Strikes me that’s a good passidge o’ Scripter fer a soldier to keep pamroi in his hat. I ain’t goin’ ter hang back fer fear a bullit ’ll hit me, nuther. If we’re goki* to be. killed we can’t help it, so let’s not Iret our gisz*ards!” And Si crammed a handful of hardtack into his haversack. Si’s cheery view of the case was not without its effect upon Shorty. Indeed, it cannot be denied that there was a great deal of common sense in his homely, good-natured philosophy. Sooner A CLOSE CALL. 209 or later every soldier who dirl not “peter out” came gradually to adopt Si’s idea as the govern- ing principle of his military career. “Shouldn’t wonder if you was ’bout right, a f ter all,” said Shorty, as he sliced up some bacon to have it ready for an early breakfast. “You’re better’u medicine, Si, to a feller w’at gits the blues sometimes!” The preparations were soon made, and Co. Q went to bed early. In the morning the Orderly came around and stirred the boys up an hour before reveille, as they were ordered to be ready to start at daylight. The primary object of the expedition was forage for the animals, the sup- ply of which had run short. Besides this, each man had a secondary purpose, and that was to gather in something on his own hook that would satisfy his longing for a change from the regula- tion diet. This was always the unwritten part ot the oftier to “go out foraging.” Daylight was just streaking over the camp when Co. Q, equipped in light marching order, leaving knapsacks behind, moved ro where the half dozen wagons detailed from the regi- mental transportation were ready for the start. Each regiment in the brigade furnished a com- pany and the same number of wagons. The im- patient mules were braying and flapping their ears, as if they understood that they were to be the chief beneficiaries of the laid CONFISCATING THE CONTENTS OF A CLOSE CALL, 211 “Pile in, Boys!” said the Orderly, and they clambered into the wagons. The guards were permitted to ride until there were symptoms of danger. Then the muleteers, bestriding the big “wheel- ers,” cracked their long whips like pistol-shots, addressed to the mules the usual words of exhor- tation, and the long procession drew out upon the stony pike and took a brisk trot. Consider- able foraging had already been done in the vicin- ity, and it was expected the train would have to go out several miles in order to fully accomplish its object. The boys were in fine spirits and en- joyed their morning ride, albeit the jolting of the wagons gave them a thorough shaking up. “I guess they forgot to put any springs in when they built these wagons!” said Shorty, as he shifted his position so that he might catch the bumps in a new place for a while. “Jest thinkm* that way myself,” replied Si; “but all the same, it beats traylm* on the hoof all holler!” Three or four miles out from camp the train was halted while the officers in command made in- quiries of a cadaverous native w$lo was sunning himself on the fence and whose principal oc- cupation seemed to be chewing tobacco and dis- tributing the resultant liquid around in a pro- mi scucus way. , , ■ \ 212 SI KLEGG. “Good morning, stranger/'* said tlie officer; “have you any corn on your place?” “Haint got a dog-goned ear left!” was the surly answer. “Some o’ you-unses men wuz out here yisterdy ’n’ tuk every bit 1 hed.” This may or may not have been true. In- quiries of this nature always developed the fact that it was a man’s neighbors who had plenty of corn ; he never had any himself. “Ther’s ole man Scroggs,” he continued; “he lives a matte: of two miles from hyar. I ’low ye’ll git sum if ye go thar. He growed a power o’ cawn this yeah; he sold a heap, but I reckon he’s got a right smart left.” During this time a couple of men had been making a hasty examination of the outbuildings on the place. They reported that they could find nothing in the of forage. If the man had any corn he had carefully concealed it. The train started on to pay a visit to old man Scroggs.” “Say, old pard,” acked Si as his wagon drove past, “is there any rebs ’round here?” “There wuz a few Confedrit critter-men ridin’ *hmit hya~ this rn^wnin’; — mebby ye’ll run agin 'em ’afore night ” “Hvw many o’ your boys is among emf” “We’uns is all Union.” “Jest as long as we’re ’round, I s’pose!” said Si A CLOSE CALL. 213 A mile further on those who were in the lead rising to the crest of a hill, saw — or thought they saw — a few vagrant cavalrymen far ahead. The train was halted and dispositions were made to meet any emergency likely to arise. The men were ordered to ‘tumoie out" of the wagons. The main body was formed in advance. A line of skirmishers was deployed in front and flankers were thrown out on either side. Thus protected, the mule drivers again cracked their whips and the procession moved cautiously forward. “Now keep yer eyes skinned,” said Si to Shorty as they trailed along through the woods and fields and over fences, on one of the flanks. * If any of them raskils comes dodgin’ ’round here let’s try ’n’ have the first crack at ’em ’n’ git the bulge on the rest o’ the boys 5” Keenly alert, with muskets loaded and capped, they crept carefully along, poking their noses into every thicket and peering around every build- ing. It was clear that there would not be any- thing in the nature of a surprise if the whole line was as well taken care of as the particular point guarded by Corporal Klegg and his faithful friend Shorty. “It’s some like huntin’ squirrels up fn the woods of Posey County, ain’t it, Shorty?” said Si, as they forced their way through a patch ot brambles. 214 SI KLEGG. “Wall, yes,” replied Shorty; “but this ’pears to be rayther more excitin’. Ye know squirrels doesn’t shute back at a feller like them pesky rebbles does, an’ the fun ’s all on one side. I feckon ef squirrels c’d shute there wouldn’t be so much huntin’ of ’em!” It was really a disappointment to Si that he found no oppuitunitv to squint along the barrel A CLOSE CALL. 215 ©f his musket in range of a foe. If any of his misguided fellow-citizens were in the neighbor- hood they considered discretion the better part of valor and kept out of harm’s way. In due time the Scroggs plantation was reached. . A hasty examination showed that there was an abundance of corn on the place to load the wagons, and arrangements for a sudden transfer of the property were quickly made. A third of the force established a cordon of picket-posts around the marauding party, covering all the avenues of approach, with reserves at convenient points. The remainder of the troops stacked arms and entered briskly upon the work of con- fiscation. Pa/t of the harvest had already been gathered, and the first assault was made on a well-filled corn-house— one of a group of dilapidated oni r buildings a little way from the dwelling. “Old man” Scroggs protested with profane vehc-ne^oe, reinforced by the “old woman” and the entire family of children. We say “entire family.” be- cause there could not well have been a mort numerous progeny in one household anywhere outside of Utah. The head of the £a***?3y cursed and swore, and his wife and the big girls looked as if they wanted to do the same thing, as they stood wringing their hands, their eyes flashing fire: while the small-fry stood around and sobbed with % vague 216 SI KLEGG. idea that some dire calamity had Befallen them. The old Kentuckian declared that he was a "Union man,” and that he would demand of the Government full revenge for thi3 outrage. It was noticed that there were no young men around as there should be according to the economy of nature, to preserve the balance of sex in so large a family. The officer in command asked him where all his sons were. "Wall, I kaint tell yer ’zactly whar they is,” was the reply. “They ain’t to hum jest now. I Tow they’ve got a right to g’wayef they want ter.” The officer had been informed that there were several representatives of the Scroggs family in the rebel army. The old man’s avowal of loyalty was taken for what it was worth. That it was not rated at a high figure was well attested by the appearance of the plantation a few hours later. Meanwhile the soldiers kept right along in the dvLvy arraigned them. The corn-house was sur- rounded by wagons, the roof was gently lifted off, and in scarcely more time than it takes to tell the story six or eight of the wagons were heaped with the contents. The mules vragged their tails and braVed in anticipation of the picnic they would have when they got back to camp. Then the force moved some distance and at- tacked a large field of standing corn. The stalks had been “topped,” but the ears were yet un- A CLOSE CALL. 217 gathered. The men started in between the rows and swept through that held like a cyclone, plucking the ears right and left. Bags, baskets and boxes were pressed into the service, and as there were not enough of these to go round many bore the corn to the wagons by armfuls. It did not take more than two or three hours to strip every ear from the field. A visitation of over- grown Kansas grasshoppers could not have done a more thorough job. “Fo’ de Lawd, boss,” said an old darky who ‘^ad been roosting on the fence watching the spoilers, “I nebber seed de crap gaddered so quick since Pse bawn. Yova-uns all is powerful smart, dat’s shuah!” But where were Corporal Klegg and his com- rade, Shorty, while all tbis was going on? They had been stationed as sentinels near a house, half a mile beyond, on the pike. They were cautioned to keep a sharp lookout, and for a time they obeyed their instructions to Jhe letter. Their vigilant eyes swept the surrounding country, and no rebel could have crept up on them with- out getting a pair of bullets from their ready muskets. They saw no signs uf an enemy, and after a while it began to grow monotonous. “Shorty,” said Si, “I don’t b’lieve there’s any seceshers in these parts, an’ there ain’t any use’n us both keepin’ this thing up. You jest watch 218 SI KLEGG. out awhile ’n’ I’ll skin around ’n’ see what I kin find.” Shorty agreed to this, taking it as an order from his superior officer. Si threw his gun up to a “right . shoulder shift” and started off, after again urging upon his companion the importance of attending strictly to business. Si had not gone far till he saw, penned in a corner of the barnyard, a cow with a full udder, from which a frisky young calf was busily en- gaged in pumping nourishment. A violent feel- ing of envy toward that calf began immediately to rage in the breast of Si. He had no* had a draft of fresh milk since he had left home, and he felt that a little refreshment of that kind would be particularly gratifying to his interior organism. It would strengthen him and give him new courage to stand up to the rack if they should happen to get into a fight. “J say, Shorty,” he called, “cummere a minnit, quick?* v Si's conscience smote him for calling Shorty from hi^ duty and leaving the post unguarded, but the temptation was too strong for him to re- sist, and he yielded to the impulse to take the chances. Shorty came on the run, with eyes wide ''pen, thinking his comrade had discovered some rebels hanging around. “Look there!” said Si, pointing to tne maternal ftcene that has been alluded to. “Tret’s have A CLOSE CALL. 219 some o’ that. We’ll git over the fence ’n’ you jest hold the calf while I milk our canteens full. ’Twont take more’n a jiffy!” “We ort n’t to leave the post, had we?” su^ gested Shorty “Oh, there ain’t no danger, n Si .replied; “an% besides, you can keep lookin’ *>ut while you're hangin’ on to the calf. I was allers a good milker ’n’ I’ll fill up these canteens in a couple ©* min- nits * So they climbed over and leaned their muskets 220 BI KLEGG. agr-msi the fence. Shorty seized the calf and held it with a linn grip, in spite of its struggling and Idea ;ing. The cow seemed disposed at first resent the interference, but Si’ s persuasive b ss\ !” ] , . d effectual in calming her fears, ar <1 she stood placidly chewing her cud while Si, spurred on by a guilty conscience, milked with ah his might. The canteens were soon filled,, and, without stepping to drink, Si and Shorty hurried back to their posi of duty. All was quiet, and no harm had resulted from their brief absence. “I told ye ’twould be all right,” said Si. “Now, we’ll jest empty one o’ these canteens— here, take a swig — ’n J we’ll carry the other to camp. HT1 lx* jest bully to have milk in our coffee agin!” Then they betook themselves to duty with re- doubled vigilance, to attone for their derelictions. After watching for an hour without seeing any- thing, Si said he would take another little turn arouc.T the place. Bofdly advancing to the house, which was some distance in front of their post, he was met by a girl of alWut 18. She was rather pretty, but to Si's ardent imagination she was like a vision at surpassing loveliness. She greeted him pleas- antly — for Si was a comely youth — and, if the truth must be told, he actually forgot for the moment all about his duty. When she said she would get him a good dinner, and invited him A CLOSE CALL 221 into the house to sit while she prepared it, he just went right along. But his conscience began to thump so loudly that after a few minutes he told her he guessed he’d have to go,- but would be delighted to return in an hour and partake of her hospitality. “May I bring Shorty — he’s my pard — ’long with me?” he timidly asked. “Certainly!” she replied, with a sweet smile; and Si went away, his nerves tingling with pleasant emotions to the very tips of his fingers. “Shorty,” he said, as he came up to the latter, “I’ve struck it this time Over to that house there’s the purtiest gal I ever” “Wha-a-a-a-t!” interjected Shorty, with a look of astonishment; for he knew something about Si and Annabel — the girl he left behind him and he was both surprised and pained at Si’s treasonable enthusiasm. Si easily divined his thoughts, for something of the same nature had already caused his own heart to palpitate in a reproving way. “Of -c-c-course — 1 d-d-don ’t- mean th-th 'hat, Shorty,” he stammered; but she’s a nice girl, anyhow, ’n’ she’s gittin’ up a dinner fer me ’n’ you. Bet ye it’ll be a nice lay out too! 5 * Shorty did not feel quite at ease in his mind about leaving the post again, put Si assure it would be all right. The peculiar circumstances of the case had sadly warped Si’s judgment. 222 SI KLEGG. So they went to the house and were cordially greeted by their fair young hostess, who was fly- ing around, putting the finishing touches to the meal she had prepared for them. T3EE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY GETS LEFT. “Jiminy, don’t that smell good?” said! Si to Shorty in an undertone, as his sensitive nostrils caught the savory odors that arose from the nicely-spread board. A CLOSE CALL. 223 The young Hoosiers stood their guns on the floor in a corner of the room, preliminary to an assault on the edibles. “Ugh!” exclaimed the young woman, with a coquettish shiver, “be them awful things loaded?” “N — no!” said Si; “they won’t hurt ye if ye don’t touch ’em!” Si was learning to fib a little, and he wanted to quiet the girl’s fears. The boys were soon seated at the table, boun- tifully supplied with ham, chicken, eggs, bread and butter, honey, and all the accessories of a well-ordered repast. They fell to with an eager- ness that was, perhaps, justified by the long time that had elapsed since they had had a “square meal.” Si thought that never in his life had anything tasted so good While they were thus engaged, without a thought of impending danger, the girl suddenly opened the door leading into an adjoining room. A young man — who proved to be her brother — in the uniform of a rebel soldier, dashed in, and, presenting a cocked revolver, demanded t^eir unconditional and immediate surrender. They were in a tight place. But Si proved o to the sudden and appalling emergency it flashed through his mind in an instant how the girl had “played it” on him. He made up his mind that he would rather be shot than be captured under such circumstances. 224 El KLEGGL Si sprang up, and the rebel, true to his word, fired. Si dodged, and the ball only chipped a piece from his left ear. There was not time to get and use his gun. With the quickness of a cat Si sprang upon him, and with a blow of his fist laid him sprawling upon the floor. Disarm- ing him, he placed the revolver at his head and triumphantly exclaimed: “Now, gaul dum ye, you’re my prisoner. I’d like to blow the top o’ yer head off fer spilin’ my dinner, but I won’t do it this time. But you jist git up ’n’ come ’long with me!” With his complete mastery of the situation, Si’s confidence returned, and Shorty, who had been dazed and helpless at first, recovered him- self and came to his assistance. But at this instant their ears caught the sound horses’ hoofs galloping down the pike. Si’s quick perception told him that it was a dash of rebel cavalrymen, and that a few moments later escape would be impossible. '‘Grab yer gun an’ git!” he said to Shorty, at ,ne same time casting one ferocious glance at terrified gift, who stood, white and speechless, .-j^mplabng the scene. hi and Shorty dashed out of the house and stated lor thk reserve, at die highest ?peed of which their legs were capable. On clattered the horses, and a few shots from the carbines of the switt-riding horsemen whistled through the air. A CLOSE CALL. 225 Six feet at a jump, with thumping hearts and bulging eyes, the fugitives almost flew over the ground, throwing quick glances back at their pursuers, and then ahead, in the hope of catching a glimpse of succor. ’Shorty, if we only g$t out o’ this ” but Si found he hadn’t any wind to spare to finish the sentence. We must leave to the reader’s imagination the good resolutions as to 226 SI KLEiGrGk his future conduct that were fl ting in Si’s mind at this critical juncture. He saw the awful con- sequences of yielding to the influence of that al- luring young woman and her seductive dinner. What he had read about Adam and the trouble Eve got him into, in pretty much the same way, flashed before him. It was a good time to resolve that he wouldn’t do so any more. Shorty, long and lank, was swifter on his feet than Si. Hardtack and bacon had not yet re- duced the latter’s surplus flesh to a degree that enabled him to run well. Shorty kept ahead, but would not desert his comrade, slowing up for an instant now and then to give Si, who was strain- ing to the utmost every nerve, and puffing like a locomotive on an up grade, a chance to keep within supporting distance. The soldiers of the reserve taking the alarm, came out at a double-quick and were fortunately able to cover the retreat of Si and Shorty. The half dozen cavalrymen, upon the appearance of so large a force, turned their horses and galloped away. “Iloilo. Si,” said tW Orderly of Co. Q, “yer epr’s bloodin’. What hurt ye?” “Fell down and scratched it on a brier!” said Si, as soon as he was able to speak. That night Si and Shorty sat on a log by the campfire talking over the events of the day. A CLOSE CALL. 227 "Don’t ye never blow on this thing,” said Si. "It’ll be a cold day for us if they’d find it out.” "There ain’t no danger o’ my tellin’,” replied Shorty. "But, say, ain’t that a nice girl out there?” "She’s a mean rebel, that’s what she is! But that was a smart trick o’ her’n, wasn’t it?” "Come mighty near bein’ too smart fer us!” replied Shorty. "I don’t want no more such close shaves in mine. You ’member the story of the spider and the fly, don’t ye? Wall, she was the spider ’n’ we was two poor little fool flies!” "Shorty,” said Si, "I’d a mighty sight ruther be an angel an’ have the daisies a-bloomin’ over my grave, than to have been tuk a pris’ner in that house. But that dinner waa good, anyhow — what we got of it!” 228 BI KLEGG. CHAPTER XX. “THE SWEET SABBATH ” — HOW THE BLESSED DAT OF REST WAS SPENT IN THE ARMY. “To-morrow’s Sunday, ye know,” said the Orderly of Company Q one Saturday night at roll- call. This was in the nature of news to the boys. But for the announcement very few of them would have known it. The Orderly was not dis- tinguished for his piety, and it is not likely that the approach of Sunday would have occurred to him if the Sergeant-Major had not come around with orders from the Colonel for a proper observance of the day. The Colonel himself would not have thought of it either, if the Chap- lain had not reminded him of it. Everybody wondered how even the Chaplain . old keep track of the days well enough to know when Sun- day came — but that was chiefly what he wore shoulder-straps and drew his salary for. It was the general impression that he either carried an almanac in his pocket, or else a stick in w r hich he cut a notch every day with his jack-knife, and in that way managed to know when a new week began. “THE SWEET SABBATH.” 229 "There’ll be guard-mountin’ at 9 o’clock,” con- tinued the Orderly, “regimental inspection at 10, preachin’ at 11, an’ dress-parade at 5 in the even- in’. All of ye wants to tumble out right promp’ly at revellee an’ git yer breakfast, an’ then clean up yer guns an’ put all yer traps in apple-pie order, ’cause the Colonel’s goin’ to look at ’em. Tie’s got sharp eyes, an’ I reck’n he’ll be mighty pertickler. If there’s anything that ain’t jest right he’ll see it quicker’n litenin’. Ye know we hain’t had any inspections yet, an’ the Cap’n wants us to be the boss company. So ye’ve got to scratch around lively in the mornin’.” “Say, Shorty,” said Corporal Klegg, after the company had broken ranks, “seems to me there wa’n’t no use in the Orderly tellin’ us to ‘scratch around,’ fer we’re doin’ that purty much all the time, now that the graybacks is gittin ; in their work on us.” Shorty smiled faintly at what he seemed to consider a rather feeble joke,* even for Si. The 200th Ind. had been in the field three or tour weeks, but it had been continually can- tering about the country, and the Generals had kept it particularly active on Sundays. Probably this regiment did not manilest any more than the average degree of enthusiasm and fervor in re- ligious matters, but there were many in its ranks who, at home, had always sat under Gospel ministrations, and to tramp on Sundays, the 230 SI KLEGG. same as other days, was, at first, a rude shock to their moral sensibilities. These were yet keen; the edges had not been worn off and blunted and battered by the hard knocks of army life. True, they could scarcely tell when Sunday came, but they knew that they kept right along every day. “Shorty,” said Si, after they had curled up under the blanket for the night, “’pears to me it’ll seem sort o’ nice to keep Sunday agin. At the rate we’ve bin goin’ on we’ll all be heathens by the time we git home — if we ever do. Our Chaplain haint had no chance to preachify yet. The boys of Comp’ny X, w’at knows him, says he’s a staver, ’n’ I b’lieve it’ll make us all feel better to have him talk to us once. ’Twont do us no harm, nohow. I’d like to be home to-morrer ’n’ go to church with mother, ’n’ sister Marier, , n > — er — I mean the rest of the folks. Then I’d jest eat all the afternoon. I ain’t goin’ ter git homesick, Shorty; but a feller can’t help feelin’ a little streaked once ’n’ a while. Mebbe it’s a good idee fer ’em to keep us on the jump, fer then we don’t git no chance to think ’bout it. I don’t suppose I’m the only boy ’n the regiment that ’d be glad to git a furlow jest fer to-morrer. I sh'd want ter be back bright ’n’ arly to fall in Monday mornin’, fer I’m goin’ to stick to the 200th through thick ’n’ thin, if I don’t git knocked out. Say, Shorty, how d’ye feel, any way?” “THE SWEET SABBATH.” 231 But Shorty was already fast asleep. Si spooned up to him and was soon, in his dreams, away up in Posey County. The sound of the bugle and drum, at daylight, fell upon unwilling ears, for the soldiers felt the same indisposition to get up early Sunday morning that is everywhere one of the charac- teristics of modern civilization. Their beds were hard, but to their weary limbs no couch of down ever gave more welcome rest than did the rough ground on which they lay. But the wild yell of the Orderly, “Turn out for roll-call!” with the thought of the penalties for non-obedience— which some of them had abundant reason to re- member — quickly brought out the laggards. Si and Shorty were, as usual, among the first to take their places in line. They were pleasantly greeted by the Captain, who had come qut on the run at the last moment, and wriggled himself into his coat as he strode along the company street. The Captain did not very often appear at morning roll-call. But one officer of the com- pany was required to be present, and the Cap- tain generally loaded this duty upon the Lieu- tenants “turn about.” If he did show up, he would go back to bed and snooze for an hour while the cook was getting breakfast. If one of the men did that he would soon be promenading with a rail* on his shoulder or standing on a barrel with a Stick or a bayonet tied in his mouth SI KLEGGk 232 “I think that’s a fust rate notion to mount the guards,” said Si to Shorty as they sat on a rail by the fire making coffee and frying bacon. “It’ll be so much better ’n walkin’ back ’n’ forrard on the beats. Wonder ’f they’ll give us hosses or mules to ride.” “I’d like to know what put that idee into ye r head,” said Shorty. “Why, didn’t the Ord’ly say last night there ’d be guard-mountin’ at 9 o’clock this mornin’? I s ’posed that fer a man to be mounted meant straddlin’ a hoss or s ’mother kind of an animilv’ “Ain’t ye never goin’ to lam nuthin’,” said Shorty, with a laugh. Guard-mountin’ don’t mean fer the men to git on hosses. It’s only the name they gives it in the Army Reggeiations. Dunno why they calls it that, ’nless it’s ’cause the guards has to ’mount’ anybody that tries to pass ’thout the countersign. But don’t ye fool yerself with thinkin’ yer goin’ to git to ride, ^e’ll keep pluggin’ along afoot, on guard'or any- where else, same we have all the time.” Thus rudely was shattered another of Si Klegg’s bright illusions. The whole regiment turned out to witness the ceremony of guard-mounting. It was the first time the exigencies of the campaign had per- mitted the 200th lnd. to do this in regula- tion style. The Adjutant was the most important personage, and stood so straight that he nar- “THE SWEBt SABBATH.” 233 The next thing on the program for the day was the inspection. The boys had been industriously engaged in cleaning up their muskets and ac- couterments, and gutting their scanty wardreber* rowly escaped falling over backward. In order to guard against making a mess of it, he had spent half the night rehearsing the various com- mands in his tent. Thus prepared, he managed to get through it in very fair shape. " SIB, THE GUARD ® FORMED!” 234 81 KLEGG. in presentable condition. In arranging his knap- sack for the Colonel’s eye, each man carefully laid a clean shirt, if he had one, on the top. The garments that were not clean he either stowed away in the tent or put at the bottom of the knap- sack. In this he was actuated by the same principle that prompts the thrifty farmer to put the biggest apples and strawberries at the top of his measure. The clothing of the regiment was already in an advanced stage of demoralization. It was of the “shoddy” sort that a good hard wind would almost blow to pieces. Corporal Klegg was anxious that not only his person, but all his belongings, should make as good an appearance as possible. He put on the best and cleanest garments he had, and then betook himself to fixing his knapsack so it would pass muster “Them duds is a bad lot,” he said to Shorty, casting rueful glances at the little heap of soiled and ragged clothes. “Purty hard to make a decent show with them things.” “Wait a minutb,” said Shorty, “an’ I’ll show ye a little trick.” Taking his poncho under his arm, Shorty went to the rear of the camp, where the mules were feeding, and presently retuned with a bunch of hay “THE SWEET SABBATH.” 235 ‘‘What ye goin , to do with that?” asked Si. “You jest do ’s I tell ye, and don’t ask no questions. Cram some o’ this hay into yer knap- sack ’n’ fill ’er up ’n’ then put a shirt or suthin’, the best ye kin find, on top, ’n’ the Colonel ’ll think she’s full o’ clothes right from the laundry. I’m goin’ to fix mine that way. “Shorty, you’re a trump!” said Si, approvingly. “That ’ll be a bully s .heme.” It required but a few minutes to carry out the plan. The hay was stuffed into the knapsacks, and all vagrant spears were carefully tucked in. Then a garment, folded so as to conceal its worst features, was nicely spread over the hay, the flaps were closed and buckled, and the young Hoosiers were ready for inspection. “S’posen the Colonel sh’d take a notion to go pokin’ down into them knapsacks,” said Si; “don’t ye think it’d be purty cold weather for us?” “P’r’aps it mout,” answered Shorty; “but we’ve got ter take the chances. He’s got seven or eight hundred knapsacks to ’nspect, ’n’ I don’t b’lieve he’ll stick his nose down into very many on ’em!” At the appointed time the battalion was formed and the inspection was gone through with in good style. The Colonel and the field and staff officers, escorted by the Captain of each suc- cessive company, moved grandly between the ranks, their swords dangling around and getting mixed up with their legs. The soldiers stood ◄ DAY 1T0I4 8H0STY. “THE SWEET SABBATH.” . 237 facing inward like so many wooden men, with their open knapsacks lying upon the ground at their feet. The Colonel looked sharply right and left, stopping now and then to commend a soldier whose “traps” were in particularly good condi- tion, or to “go for” another whose 'slouchy ap- pearance betokened untidy habits. If a button was missing, or a shoe untied, his eye was keen to detect it, and a word of reproof was adminis- tered to the delinquent. As the Colonel started down the line of Company Q Si watched him out of the corners of his eyes with no little anxiety. His heart thumped as he saw him occasionally stoop and fumble over the contents of a knapsack, evidently to test the truth of Longfellow’s declaration that “things are not what they seem.” What if the Colonel should go down into the bowels of Si’s knap- sack! Si fairly shuddered at the thought. Si, being the shortest of the Corporals, was at the foot of the company, while Shorty, on ac- count of his hight, was well up toward the head. Si almost fainted when he saw the Colo- nel stop in front of his “pard” and make an ex- amination of his fat-looking knapsack. Military official dignity gave way when the removal of the single garment exposed the stuffing of hay. The officers burst into a laugh at the unexpected revelation, while the boys on either side almost 238 SI KLEGG. exploded m tlieir enjoyment of Shorty’s dis- comfiture. ‘'Captain,” said the Colonel, with as much sternness as he could command, “as soon as your company is dismissed detail a guard to take charge of this man. Have him take the hay out of his knapsack and nil it with stones — and see that it is filled full. Have this man put it on and march him up and down the company street till church-call, and then take him to hear the Chaplain. He needs to be preached to. Per- haps, between the knapsack-drill and the Chap- lain, we can straighten him out.” Corporal Klegg heard all this, and he wished the ground might open and swallow him. “These stripes is gone this time, sure!” he said to him- self, as he looked at the chevrons on his arm. “But there’s no use givin’ ydurself away, Si. Brace up, ’n’ mebbe the Colonel ’ll skip ye.” Si had been badly shaken up by the Colonel’s episode with Shorty, but by a great effort he gathered himself together and was at his best, externally, when the Colonel reached him, though his thoughts were in a raging condition. His face was clean and rosy, and his general make-up was as good as could be expected un- der the circumstances. The Colonel had always remembered Si as the soldier he had promoted to be a Corporal for his gallantry in the little skirmish a few days before. “THE SWEET SABBATH.” 239 As he came up he greeted the Corporal with a smile and a nod of recognition. He was evidently pleased at his tidy appearance. He cast a glance at the voluptuous knapsack, and Si’s heart seemed to sink away down into his shoes. CORPORAL KLEGG, THE MODEL SOLDIER. But the fates smiled on Si that day. The Colo- nel turned to the Captain and told him that Cor- poral Klegg was the model soldier of Company Q. Si (He happiest man in the universe at hat 240 SI KLEGG. precise moment. It was not on account of the compliment the Colonel had paid him, but be- cause his knapsack had escaped a critical in- spection of its contents. The inspection over, Company Q marched back to it§ quarters and was dismissed. Poor Shorty was soon tramping to and fro, under guard, hump- ing his back to ease the load that had been put upon it. Si was very sorry for him, and at the same time felt a glow of pleasure at the thought that it was not his own knapsack instead of Shorty’s that the Colonel had examined. He could not help feeling, too, that it was a great joke on Shorty to be caught in his own trap. - Shorty took his medicine like a man, marching up and dowm the row of tents bravely and pati- ently, unheeding the gibes and jeers of his hard-hearted comrades. * The bugle sounded the call for religious serv- ices. Shorty was not in a frame of mind that fitted him for devout worship. In fact, few in the regiment had greater need of the regenerating influence. He had never been inside of a church but two or three times in his life, and he really felt that to be compelled to go and listen to the Chaplain’s ssrmon was the hardest part of the double punishment the Colonel had in- flicted upon him. The companies were all marched to a wooded knoll just outside the camp. Shorty went by “THE SWEET SABBATH.” 241 himself, save the companionship of the guard, with fixed bayonet. He had been permitted to leave his knapsack behind. He was taken to a point near the Chaplain, that he might get the full benefit of the preacher’s words. Under the spreading trees, whose foliage was brilliant with the hues of Autumn, in the mel- low sunshine of that October day the men seated themselves upon the ground to hear the Gospel preached. The Chaplain, in his best uniform, stood and praj^ed fervently for Divine guidance and protection and blessing, while the soldiers listened, with heads reverently bowed. Then he gave out the familiar Methodist hymn, “Am I a soldier of the cross,” and all joined in the old tune “Balerma,” their voices swelling in mighty chorus. As they sang, “Are there no foes for me to face?” there came to the minds of many a practical ap- plication of the words, in view of the long and fruitless chase after the rebels in which they had been engaged for nearly a month. The Chaplain had formerly been an old-fash- ioned Methodist circuit-rider in Indiana. He was full of fiery zeal, and portrayed the terrors of eternal punishment vividly that his hearers could almost feel the heat of the flame and smell the fumes of brimstone that are popularly be- lieved to roll out unceasingly from the mouth of the bottomless git. It ought to have had a salu- 242 SI KLEGG. tary effect upon Shorty, but it is greatly to be feared that he steeled his stubborn heart against all that the Chaplain said. SHORTY HEARS THE GOSPEL. It was always difficult not to feel that there was something contradictory and anomalous about religious services in the army. Grim- visaged, hideous war, and all its attendant cir« cumstances, seemed so utterly at variance with thejprinciples of the Bible and the teachings of “THE sweet SABBATH.” 243 Him who was meek and lowly, that few soldiers had philosophy enough to reconcile them. The soldiers spent the afternoon in reading what few stray books and fugitive, well-worn newspapers there were in camp, mending their clothes, sleeping, and some of them, we are pained to add, in playing eucher, old sledge, and other sinful games. Dress parade closed the day that had brought welcome rest to the way-worn soldiers of the 200th Ind. “Shorty,” said Si, after they had gone to bed that night, “I sh’d be mighty sorry if I’d ha’ got up that knapsack trick this mornin’, ’cause you got left on it so bad.” “There’s a good many things,” replied Shorty, “that’s all right when ye don’t git ketched. It worked tip top with you, Si, ’n’ I’m glad of it. But I put ye up to it, ’n’ I shouldn’t never got over it if the Colonel had caught ye, on account of them stripes on yer arm. He’d ha’ snatched ’em baldheaded, sure’s yer born. You’re my pard, ’n’ I’m jest as proud of ’em as you be yer- self. I’m only a privit’, ’n’ they can’t rejuce me any lower! Besides, I ’low it sarved me right, *n’ I don’t keer fer the knapsack drills so I didn’t git you into a scrape ” 244 SI KLEGtt CHAPTER XXL SI KLEGG’S CHRISTMAS— HOW HE SPENT HIS FIRST ONE IN THE ARMY. r "IPs purty nigh Christmas, Shorty,” said Si Klegg one day in December, as the 200th Ind. was tramping along through the slush that was ankle-deep in the road. “Goin’ to hang up yei stocking?” "Stocking be blowed!” replied Shorty. "What’s the use o’ doin’ that here? Old Santa Claus’ll never come nigh the army. He’s no fool!” "I’m ’fraid you’re ’bout right!” said Si, sadly. "But, say, Shorty, I seen Bill Jimson this mornin. You knowed him, didn’t ye? He’s bin trampin’ ’round an’ carryin’ a musket goin’ on two years. He told me we’d be all right Christmas, anyhow, as the Govyment always gives the soljers a bully lay-out — roast turkey, ’n’ cramberry sass, ’n’ eyesters, ’n’ mince pie, ’n’ sich. Ye know when the tellers cum ’round speechifyin’ to git us to ’list they told us this was the best Guyvment in the world.” “Bill Jimson was only a stuffin’ of ye!” said Shorty, with a smile of derision. "Don’t ye fc’lieve it, Si; fer I tell ye he’s foolin’ ye, sure’s SI KLEGG’S CHRISTMAS. 245 ye r bawn!” Shorty knew more of the world than Si did. Si whistled softly for a minute or two, as the possible truth of what Shorty had said crept over his mind and clouded his bright visions of a Christmas picnic. “Wall, I dunno,” said he, musingly; “mebbe 246 SI KLEGG. that’s so. But me ’n’ Bill Jimson used to go to Sunday-school together, ’n’ I wouldn’t s’pose he’d lie to me in that way.” ‘‘You’ll git yer eye-teeth cut after a while, and then you’ll know more’n ye do now!” said Shorty, with a glance of pity at Si for his simplicity. “Wonder if I’ll git so I can lie like Bill Jimson by the time I’ve bin in the army as long as he has?” observed Si, as the regiment halted and they sat down in a fence corner to rest. “I reckon ye will,” answered Shorty; “I guess they all do.” That night another mail reached the camp. It brought Si a letter from home. His sister Maria wrote that they had heard the army was going to Nashville, and they were filling up a big box with lots of good things which they were go- ing to send him for Christmas. In the letter was a slip from Annabel, telling Si how glad she was to have a chance to send him something. She had made a big fruit cake all herself for him, and she hoped the mean grillas she had heard about, whatever they were wouldn’t get it. If she really believed they would she’d fill it full of kyen pepper, or pizen, or some- thing that wovli make them wish they had left it alone. Si told Shorty, with a good dual of enthusiasm, about the box he was going to get, running over a list of the “goodies” that would be in it, and 81 K LEGO'S CHRISTMAS. 247 which he would be so glad to share with Shorty on Christmas. *‘1 ain’t goin’ to open the box before Christmas mornin’,” said Si, in joyful anticipation of the dawn of that auspicious day. “I don’t much think ye will, myself,” replied Shorty. “From what I’ve hearn the old soljers tell I ’low ye’ll be durned lucky if ye get a chance to open that box at all. The grijlas gathers in a good deal of that trash, and what gits past them is gobbled up by the mulewhackers.” But Si had an abiding faith that his box would get through all right, however sad might be the fate of others. As Christmas drew near he be- gan to watch for it daily. The 200th Ind. was camped two or three miles out from Nashville. Si watched every train of wagons that brought supplies to the regiment, and whenever he got an opportunity he sent to town to see if he could get any tidings of it. Once or twice he got a “pass” himself, and hunted the city over for that box. The day before Christmas the brigade to which Si’s regiment belonged was ordered out on a reconnoissance. It was a sloppy day. The brigade went charging over the fields and tearing through the woods and thickets, sometimes on the double-quick, trying to itch a squad of rebel cavalry, and then creeping up to get the bulge on some of the enerov’s pickets. 248 61 KLEGG. It was late in the evening when the Brigade re- turned to camp. Si thought he had never been so tired before in his life. All day his drooping spirits had been cheered by the hope of finding his box when he got back. But it hadn’t come, and this broke him up completely. SI’S VISIT FROM SANTA CJLAU& “Ef I was you I wouldn’t open yer box before Christmas morning,” said Shorty, as he and Si stood around the fire, making coffee and frying bacon for their supper. “And what d’ye think now about Bill Jimson’s turkey ’n’ mince-pie?” Si didn’t say anything. His grief was too deep lor utterance. He didn’t care whether the old SI KLEGG’S CHBISTMAS. 249 flag had any stars left at all or not. Wet, weary, footsore, and thoroughly disgusted, he went to bed as soon as his hunger was appeased. He curled up under his blanket and was soon asleep, dreaming of Christmas at home, and mother, and Annabel, and turkey-stuffing, and plum pud- ding, and things. “Hello, Si, wake up here! Merry Christmas fco ye!” It was Shorty, routing out Si, soon after day- light. As soon as Si opened his eyes he saw his stockings, full of something or other, pinned to the tent just above his head. He sprang up with as much eagerness as when in his juvenile days he used to find candy apples and jumping-jacks sticking out of his well-filled hose. The average army stocking was fearfully and wonderfully made. A new one, after being worn a couple of days, looked more like a nosebag for a mule than anything else. Si soon found how the boys had played it on him. They all knew about the box which he had so anxiously expected, and which none of them believed he would get. So, after he went to sleep that night, they slyly pulled off his stockings— for Si slept with them on, as did nine-tenths of the soldiers— filled them with wormy hardtack, bacon-rinds, beef-bones, sticks, and bits of old harness, pouring in beans and rice to fill up the chinks, and pinned them to the tent above him. 250 SI KLEGG The greatest mistake a soldier ever made was to Ipse his temper on account of a harmless joke. Si was wise enough to take it good-naturedly as he emptied the “nosebags” and drew them on his feet. It was a raw December morning with a keen, nipping air. As Si skirmished around for his breakfast he realized that all his festive antici- pations of a few days before were doomed to utter and irremediable disappointment. “It’s tough, fer Christmas, ain’t it, Shorty?” said Si, as he gnawed bis hardtack. If his box would only come he might yet be happy, so to speak; but hope had given way to despair. The forenoon of that Christmas day was dull enough. The boys were let off from drill, and spent the time chiefly in writing letters and hunting graybacks. Soon after noon the Sergeant-Major of the 200th was seen rushing along the line of the officers’ tents with orders. He had the air of a man who bore important tidings, and such proven? to be the case. His errand turned out to be strictly “busi- ness.” In a few minutes it was known through the camp that “Old Rosey” had issued orders for an advance on Murfreesboro, and the army was to be ready to move at daylight next morning. Tents, wagons, and everything that men did not choose «4I KLEGG’S CHBISTMAS. 251 to carry on their backs were to be left behind. “Are we going to have a fight,” said Si with some solicitude. “Looks that way!” said Shorty It looked very much that way six days later! The quiet of the morning was followed by the bustle and confusion of getting ready to move. There was hurrying to and fro. Feet and hands and tongues were busy. The officers made the usual fuss, and kept everybody in a stew. The Orderly-Sergeants had their hands full, as they always did at such times. There were rations to be drawn and issued — for the men were to march with full haversacks; cartridge-boxes to be in- spected and replenished; the sick to be sent to hospitals in the city; needed articles of clothing to be supplied; all company outfits and personal baggage to be packed and sent back; frequent details of men to be made for this, that and the other duty, and all the numberless things that appertained to the beginning of a campaign. The army had not yet acquired the mobility of a year or two later, when it was in “light marching order” all the time, and could get ready in 30 minutes to go anywhere or do anything, j So it was that during that Christmas afternoon and evening 45,000 men were busily engaged in the work of preparation, and Si hustled around with the rest. Once in a while he thought how dif- ^ient it was from all his previous Christmases* 252 SI KLEGG. and even from the one he had hoped to have this time. But Si was fast learning to be a good sol- dier and take things as they came. It was late that night when the work was fin- ished. Then the soldiers wrapped themselves in their blankets to get a fe^ hours of sleep before the reveille should awaken thnm for the march to battle. 'SI KLEGG’S CHRISTMAS. 253 r That was the way Si Klegg and all the other soldiers of the Army of the Cumberland spent the Christmas of 1862. Si managed, hs did most of the others, to snatch a few minutes to write a brief letter or two. A great mail started north- ward the next day. Many a poor fellow never ■wrote again. It was more than four weeks after that time, when the debris Of the battle of Stone River had been cleared away, that Si’s Christmas box found its way to the front. Its contents, what was left of them, were in a condition to make angels weep. The teamsters had pried it open and rioted upon the toothsome dainties that lov- ing hearts and hands had prepared for Si. A small section of Annabel’s cake was left, and the ravagers, with a refinement of cruelty, had written on the paper wrapped around it . “This is bully cake. Try it.” Almost everything in the box had been eaten c and what remained was in a state of utter chaos and ruin. Rough handling, that would have done credit to a railroad baggage-master, had broken bottles of pickles and jars of fruit, and the liquids had thoroughly baptized the edibles that the mule-drivers had spared. It was a sorry mess, and Si’s heart ached as he gazed upon the wreck. 254 SI KLEGGr. Dd AT THE ENB OF SIX MONTHS / OTHER STORIES. A BRAVE DASH. A GALLANT CORPORAL AND HIS MEN CUT THEIR WAY THROUGH A MASS OF ENEMIES. By Capt. J. M. Rife, 7th W. Ya. Cav., West Jefferson, O. Editor National Tribune: The war through which our Nation passed in lSSl-^ was accompanied by so many personal incidents, daring adventures and hair-breadth es- capes that they cannot all be recounted. The modesty of many a veteran and his inability to set down in writing his experiences deprive us of many things worth knowing and that are equal in soldierly prowess to the most daring deeds of the knights oi old. Tftia leads me t~. write of as Adventure con- nected with the cavalry command of Gen. W. W. Averell, which lay *,t Beverly, \xi Randolph Co., W. Va., In October, 1863. One morning Capt. E. B. Powell, of the 7th W. Va. Cav.. was ordered on picket duty with 100 men 12 miles to the front, near the base of Cheat Mountain. His advance gost was at the base of the mountain, where the 256 OTHER STORIES. road passed 15y the battlefield and works of Gen. Reynolds. Picket duty in the mountains of West Virginia was by no means pleasant. The country was full of rebel spies and bushwhackers, who watched for every opportunity to steal upon and shoot down the unhappy man whose duty it was to stand guard far to the front. During the second night of outpost duty a de- tail was made from this company for escort duty. Saylor, from Gen. Averell’s headquarters, came to the front with an order for an escort to ac- company him over the mountain, where they were to leave him and a comrade and he was to go on in the performance of his mission. The man chosen to lead this party was Corp’l A. J. Sprad- ling, of Co. A, one of the bravest and truest men and soldiers I ever knew. I allow him from this point to tell the story of his adventures in his own words: “We made ready to go as soon as we got proper orders from the Captain of the Guard. Saylor said we would start in time to reach the top of Cheat Mountain by daylight. But we started a little too soon, however, and it was not light 1 when we arrived at the summit. We dismounted and lay down, shivering with the cold. Those Cheat Mountains are awfully cold at that tim© of year. I shivered so I thought I would crack my teeth. “We waited fc>i day because we had season te A BRAVE DA&iL 257 suppose the Johnnies might be on the mountain and in the works, and our scout was not willing to pass until we knew no rebels were there. When we found they were not there we moved forward down the mountain, crossing the wonder A CAVALRYMAN. ful Cheetgt River on the bridge and passing on toward the vailey and across it, until we could see th* rebel fortifications beyond Jackson Bhret. OTHER STORIES. m “Before we had gone thus far I saw signs on the road that the rebels had been that way quite recently. We had now gone about 15 miles from the top of the mountain. We were far in the enemy’s country, and only six of us. The road looked as though a regiment had been passing. I said to my brother that we would be sure to get bushwhacked before we got back. We turned to go back, leaving Mr. Saylor to go on. We could not go farther toward the enemy without a fight and pos- sible capture. As we turned to go the rebels could see us as plainly as we saw them, and I expected to be followed. I sent the two led horses in advance (the scouts had dismounted here) and remained in the rear. But we were not followed, for the rebels supposed they had the sure thing on us, anyhow, and were noways anxious or in a hurry, but waited for us to ride into the trap they had set for us. “When our advance got back to where we had seen the signs on the way out, the rebels were round across the road fronting of us. They fired a volley at Seth Spurlock, who was leading the horses. They were so sure of us that they did not fire to hit, but to compel us to surrender, be- cause they needed horses so bad?y. One of them aimed too low and killed the horse Spur- kick was riding. L^e immediately mounted one ofc the other*. A BRA YE DASH. 259 “The rest of us were coming up rapLIly. I saw something had to be done mighty quick or they would get us; so I ordered a charge right on to them. I said ‘Boys, let’s go through them. Come alofcg, all that will go with me!’ We drew revolvers and dashed among them. W© fired and they fired and clubbed their guns; some took 260 OTHER STORIES. hold of our horses and ordered us to surrender, but the boys drew sabers and let them have it right and left until we were nearly past, when another trouble met us. They had felled a large tree across the road from the upper side. I saw we might pass by cutting out a few branches from the top. I dismounted and began to tear away, while the boys were holding the rebs at bay. I soon forced my horse by, and some of the others had got through by this time, and we were in the road again, with a clear track and the rebels all behind. Only one of our party showed the white feather. He dismounted and took to the woods. “There were but six of us. We captured some of the same rebel party a few months afterward, and they said there were 83 of them, but they were so sure of us that they did not take pains to put every man on the road. We surprised them by our dash and beat the whole lot. “One of our party was wounded — a member of the 14th Pa. Cav. After we all got past the rebels I saw him fall from his horse. He was shot through the hips. It may be if we could have got him into the hospital he might have lived. He lay there two days and nights. The unfeeling rebels brought ambulance and got their own a^ad and wounded, but x stl this poor tellow lying there unti 1 his own regiment went A BRAVE DASH. I 261 and brought him to Beverly, where he died. Ac- cording to the statement of the prisoners we did the rebels a great deal of damage, as we killed seven and wounded four.” This is the plain story of a man who has been too modest to urge that this incident be made & matter of record. The story, as I heard it at the time, impressed me as one of the boldest and bravest acts ever performed by a soldier. It was not mentioned in any orders, nor do I know that Corp’l . Spradling and his heroic party ever re- ceived the thanks of the Commanding General. Similar events were somewhat common in the cavalry service of West Virginia. A scout was hardly possible in that country without ex- changing shots with the enemy, and so in the multitude of thrilling scenes and adventures this, one of the most notable of them all, was lost sight of. ' ' , \ 265 OTHER STORIED GEN. EWELL. AN OFFICER OF THE SIXTH CORPS TELLS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS CAPTURE. By Maj. H. W. Day, tfirst Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps. JEditer National Tribune: The soldiers of the Army of the Potomac have been very quiet, leaving to history their deeds o* valor and the duty performed on so many hard- fought fields. There has been a wide scope given by our Western comrades, and an unlimited per- spective to their grand and wonderful compaigns My lot as a soldier was with the Army of the Potomac — one that battled with the flower and strength of the South. History will record thal two such armies have rarely met in battle. i must correct Lieut. J, P. Allum, who makes the claim that a Sergeant-Major of his regi- ment captured Gen. Ewell. It w T as not so. The following **re the facts : Gen. Ewell was not cap- tured on April 5; nor do I think the battle-ground bears the name he has given it. I was then, and had been some years, serving upon the bri- gade staff to whom Gen. Ewell, Custis Lee and others surrendered, and was as near that point GEN EWELL. 263 as any other living man, although I never made claim of having captured them nor either of them. Gen. Ewell surrendered to us and our corps. In the afternoon of April 6, 1864, our (Sixth) Corps, after having made a tedious and circuit- ous march during the day and night previous from the right of the army to the extreme left, came up with the cavalry, Gen. Sheridan com- manding. We were his pets and he was our idol. Wherever he directed we would go. At this junc- ture we were informed that the Confederates were strongly posted at Sailor’s Creek, a muddy stream leading to a little no-place, Deaconville. We were ordered to form and charge tnem out. That’s all. We formed, the First Division, Gen. Wheaton, on the left. Ours, the Third, was Ricketts’s old division. He, however, was not in command, being still an invalid from that ter- rible wound he received at Cedar Creek Oct. 19 the year previous. Gen. Truman H. Seymour was in command. We were to form on Gen. Wheaton’s left. Our Second Brigade, Gen. J. Warren Keifer, formed on his left, and our First Brigade, Gen. W. S. Truax in command, was t He extreme right. Away we went in two fines up over an un- broken, bushy field* and cleaned the grass as we went. We soon gained the hight and dro^e that line of the enemy out. As we reached the hight another field presented itself, sloping to 264 OTHER STORIES* the west. Down this slope the rebels were re* treating. On we charged, and as they swung to the left we kindly conformed to their movements and soon captured a large portion of their first line. The balance swung to our left flank west- ward and retired across Sailor’s Creek into a thicket of low pine and oak. The field was open to this creek, which ran along in our front nearly north. The First Division struck the enemy’s solid line. The ground was low, gradually rising in front of the Second Brigade, and in our front was a pond and slough 75 to 125 yards in width, flooded with water from a dam some 400 or 500 yards further to our right. There the enemy were also posted and confronted by the cavalry. We were too far down this slope and too near this slough to retire. Gen. Andrew J. Smith, then our Division Adjutant-General, came with orders for our First Brigade to charge across that pond and take the hill beyond, which, commenc- ing at the westerly margin of the pond, rose to a distance of 40 to 60 yards from the slough. Wheaton’s and Keifer’s commands were soon xapon the enemy, only a part of Keifer^s Brigade having to be retired to avoid the slough in its front. “Unsling cartridge-boxes and prepare to charge,” was the order. At this moment Gen. Smith received a bullet in his leg and fell from his horse. I have never had the pleasure of meet- ing that gallant comrade since. t > 265 GEN. EWELL. "A confederate officer and a WHITE FLAG.” On we went. No mounted officer could ride through that mira I left my horse stuck in the mudf and, clashing hands with comrades, charged 266 OTHER STORIES. through the pond. Many of the brigade fell to rise no more. In this charge the 10th Vt. was on our left, the 106th N. Y. on its right, and the 14th N. J. on the extreme right, to protect that flank. We soon reached the top of the hill with a hurrah. At this point, and in our front, was a field three or four hundred yards wide, with a little clump of woods beyond. The enemy’s line retired into the woods in front of the Second Brigade. We soon pushed forward our flankers, the enemy breaking, and those to our right retiring upon the road in that direction. Our line swung to the left, and with bayonets fixed charged at a double- quick. The left of our line soon reached the enemy and drove them down a slope. As our right swung still around we saw we were com- pletely in the rear of the enemy, and were wheel- ing to fire, when two of our skirmishers who had reached the little clump of woods, with others, appeared running toward me with a Confederate officer and a white flag. I ran to meet him. He offered the surrender of Gen. Ewell and his com- mand, and asked that we would stop firing. I wheeled, halted the line, sent down the word, which was answered with such hurrahs that ©urs and the enemy’s whole fine seemed to cease all at once from firing. Then I turned to this officer. He said he was Maj. Pegram, Inspector-General upon Ewell’s staff, and that he surrendered Gen. EwaJl, Custis GEN. EWELL. 267 Lee, Commodores Tucker and Simms and others, and desired our commanding officer to take charge of them. At this moment Maj. Leonard, Adjutant-General of our brigade, came with his- horse and mine. He took charge of Maj. Pegram, and I rode along the line to stop some firing, which appeared to be more for glory than fight. At this point some cavalry came up on our flank in rear of the 14th N. J., and riding to these woods seized Gen. Ewell and some others, who were then in charge of our infantry, t took them along, I presume, as trophies of war. But who captured them? That evening we camped near the battlefield, and upon the claim being made that the cavalry captured these of- ficers Gen. Ewell emphatically denied having surrendered to the cavalry, and said he sur- rendered himself and command to the infantry of the Sixth Corps. If I remember right history bears me out on every point. Lieut. Allum does not seem to make a solid claim for his Sergeant-Major hav- ing captured this General, but only a presump- tive one. I loved Custer as a soldier, and all his men. I went with him, guided him down through that fosse at Cedar Creek to the right of the pike at the time Early had a battery commanding that pike on the evening of Get. 19, 18&4 T j saw the charge made upon Early’s retreating column in rear of that battery, and saw the enemy flee to 268 OTHER STORIES. the swamp and woods on the left of the pike. Custer’s noble charge there was one of his grand- est deeds, and won for us all more than we had lost — won the key of the Confederate left and insured the destruction of Early’s army. It was the grand turning-point of that day, made glori- ous first by that determined, solid old Sixth Corps, and finally completed by this dashing, daring, determined Custer. But Lieut. Allum and his men were only guards to take charge of the distinguished captives they received at Sailor’s Creek after they had surrendered to a stronger of the army— the Sixth Corps. GEN. GRANT. 269 GEN. GRANT. HE TAKES A SMOKE FROM A PRIVATE’S PIPE. By Wm. F. Smith, Co. L, 4th Iowa Car. Editor National Tribune: On the trip from Grand Gulf to Vicksburg, my company (L, 4th Iowa Cav.,) had the advance one day, and Private Chas. W. Lash was severely wounded in a fight at or near Raymond, Miss., and was left in the hospital with other wounded. Soon afterward a rebel bushwhacker came along with his company and paroled all the wounded. Lash, as soon as he could travel, joined the regi- ment at Vicksburg, and was ordered to report tc a Lieutenant who had charge of paroled pris- oners. The smart Lieutenant told him he would not recognize ,his parole, as the rebel who gave it to him was a bushwhacker, and ordered him to re- port to his company for duty. The Captain told him it would not do for him to violate his parole* and he said he had better go and see Gen. Grant about it. So Lash went to Grant's head- quarters. Grant was busy at the time, but sent him word by the guard to wait, and he would see 270 OTHER STORIES. rum lit & lew minutes lie was in iie General's ten*, and staled his case. Grant talked very GEN. GRANT, 271 kindly to him and asked about his wounds, etc., and then said: “So the Lieutenant would not recognize your parole. Well, Gen. Grant will.” He added that he thought that would make it all right, and that some of those Lieutenants felt more important than the Major-General. As Lash started out of the tent Grant accom- panied him, and saw one of the soldiers outside sitting on a log smoking a pipe. He stepped up to him and said: “Young man, have you not smoked long enough?” Taking the pipe he sat down in the group to enjoy a smoke from the pipe of a private soldier. Is it any wonder that the soldiers loved Gen. Grant? He had time while the cannon were thundering away at Vicksburg, and while he had thousands of grave matters to call his attention^ to see that his common soldiers were not mis- created, and to sit down amongst them and chat and smoke out of one of their pipes. m OTHES ST0ETE3. ABOUT A “JACK.* A GENTLEMAN with long eabs too much foe A BOY IN BLUE. Editor National Tribune: The expedition that started from Alexandria, La., accomplished what it was sent to do. It found the rebels posted on both banks of the river, tearing and breaking up the steamers and blockading the river, with cannon planted ready to give us a warm reception. Their forces being far superior to ours, after exchanging a few shots with them, the object of the expedition satisfactorily accomplished — that is, to find oui what they were doing and what forces they had— we fell back about a mile and went into camp on large plantation. Hers comes in the funny part of it. The writer had made a contract to furnish a party in Alex- c*ne at the barn, I began to take observations. Sure <»*Kragh, I found a long-eas^d animal, but on my attempting to go by him to untie him, he let fly one of h xs slippers and came very near taking By V. B. Kolb, Co. 3, 3d Md. Car. andria with jacks, and thinking there might be ABOUT A JACK. m off one of my shins; 1 but $50 ap’ * - i°cks was too good to give it up without : . i struggle. So I crawled up over the stall and came down in front of his lordship. He reared back, and the DID HE HAVE THE JACK. OR THE JACK HIM? way that rope halter cracked was a caution. It was getting so dark I could hardly see him, but 1 managed to get him loose and led him out. fi© went nicely until he espied the horses tied to the 274 OTHER STORIES. picket-line, when he threw up his head and gave one of those brays that sounded like a steam- boat whistle. He started on a run, but I held on, for I was thinking of that $50 and the luxuries I could get when we got to New Orleans. I might as well have tried to hold a locomotive, and let go I did, or I would not have been writing this. Into the picket-line he went like a shot out of a 100-ton gun. It took about one hour of solid club- bing to get him started, and where he went only the pickets can tell, for if there was one shot fired at him that night there must have been 20. We expected every minute to be attacked, but the next morning we found it was our long-eared jack that was making the grand rounds. We re- turned to Alexandria the next day, but, 1 am sorry to say, without Mr. Jack. CAPTURING A SKILLET. ;75 CAPTURING A SKILLET. THE BOYS WOULD OCCASION ALLY STEAL FROM NE ANOTHER. " By John T. Frederick, Co. C, 10th Ohio Cay. Editor National Tribune: I will narrate an incident which happened near Gordon’s Gap at the opening of the Atlanta cam- paign. There were seven of us in our mess — Geo. and Joseph Hankinson, Hector Looker, John Grimm, Chas. and Joseph Elston, and myself. We had no skillet in our mess, and had to de- pend on other comrades for the loan of o.ne when they had finished cooking. As marching orders would frequently come before we had finished our meal, we were not allowed to enjoy our rations as we would like. This could not last always St we held a council of war and decided that we must have at least two skilkJs. The loi fell upon Comrades George Hankinson and Hector Loo^r to get them. TW»y made a reconnoissance in force about 9 o’clock ». m. Finding the 955*i Hi. M’t’d Inf. in y'^t across yjie areek s dista»e« tr im 276 OTHER STORIES. us, they made the necessary dispositions to ath k that w an regiment. Seeing two skil- lets carelessly exposed in the camp, Comrade AST POUT IN A STOBM. Looker seized one, and returned to our mess with- out accident. Comrade Hankinson attempted to obtain the other. The skillet lay by the head of a sleeping man, whose head was pillowed on hid CAPTURING A SKILLET. 277 saddle, propped on a rail. This was Comrade Hankinson’s chance. He grasped the skillet, but the pan would not come. There was a string tied to the handle, and the other end appeared to have caught fast on something. He gave it a jerk, bringing the rail and saddle from under the sleeper’s head, who, suddenly awaking, and see- ing his pan about to depart, jumped up, giv- ing a Comanche war-whoop. He started after Hankinson, who dropped the skillet and ran for dear life. Several of the 92d boys joined the pur r ult, shouting at every jump, “Halt, you rascal!” Our comrade was chased within a bend of the creek, which was deep in places. Being unable to get around to another point, he made a desperate spring, alighting in the middle of the stream and receiving a good ducking. He clambered out on the opposite bank and returned to cur mess. His pursuers did not follow him beyond the creek, where they stood and showered curses on his head until he disappeared .horn their Sight, We had a good laugh at our comrade’s expense. I think he will remember it yet. He was a good soldier, always ready and willing to do his duty* 273 OTHER STORIES. A NEW YEAR IN DIXIE. THE MICHIGAN BOYS HAD A TROUBLOUS TIME GETTING AMMUNITION TO ROSECRANS. By Capt. John Algo*, 10th Mich! Editor National Tribune: At the time of the battle of Stone River we had ,een for some time at Nashville, Tenn., doing all kinds of duty. It was rumored that the rebels '/d captured and destroyed our ammunition zain and supplies, all of which had to be con- veyed by wagons from Nashville to Murfreesboro, a distance of 27 miles, and the road was liable to obstructions in the shape of rebel cavalry and guerrillas, which infested the country. Our regi- ment formed a guard to an ammunition train to go through as quickly as possible to Gen. Rose- cra&s, who was fighting at Stone River. We started from Nashville at 2 o’clock in the morning oi the 31st of December, 1862, and marched rapidly until within about four miles of the battlefield, wUere we halted ior dinner. It was here that we drat learned of the fighting that day and the ru- mor oi Rosecrans’s defeat. The scene even four A NEW TEAR IN DIXIE. 279 miles back from the front was very distressing Men with and without guns were making for the rear, completely demoralized; ambulance horses -Bfroppraa .3*1 »ut." and drivers, artillery horses, with pieces of har- ness and often without any harness, came tear- ing through the woods. Wounded and bleeding 280 OTHER STORIES. men were running or being brought back in am- bulances and otherwise. All told the tale of a terrible battle. A line was formed at this point at a creek, and the 10th Mich, assisted for several Lours to stop the horror-stricken soldiers from passing farther, and soon the same troops were being marshaled to make another dash to the front. A small house by the wayside was used for a hospital, and the wounded were here attended to- Our Assistant Surgeon, Rouse, rolled up his sleeves and “worked like a nailer,” dressing wounds, as long as we remained. At 6 p. m. we moved forward with the ammunition train over the very road that our stragglers were coming, pleading with us to return and save ourselves and them by getting back to Nashville, as they believed our whole army was killed or taken prisoners. But we pressed steadily on, passing the remains oi seme of ths vragwcj that had been captured the day before, and finally delivered *our train safely to the Ordnance officer, and were thanked publicly for this work by Gen. Rosecrans. We lay on the field that night, near the dead and wounded, where the fierce battle ?aged during the day. We were ordered back early New Year’s morning, and made our camp in safety at H a. m., both tired and hungry. This wag a big march for the time, 54 miles in 33 besides assisting in stopping the stampede. A NEW YEAR IN DIXIE. 281 Twice on our way to the dont that day were we obliged to get our cannou in position and keep off the rebel cavalry from our train; and thrice had we to do the same on our return, in order to keep our road clear. It was shortly after our re- turn past Lavergne that the rebel Gen. Wheeler attacked Col. Innes’s regiment of Engineers and Mechanics, and, after a fight of two hours, gave up and left in disgust. Col. Innes and his regi- ment behaved most admirably, making a barri- cade with their wagons and felling trees to con- nect them, and thus keeping at bay over five times their number of trained and well-mounted South- erners. Thus was spent a New Year’s in Dixie long to be remembered by the 10th Mich, and the 1st Mich Engineers and Mechanics. m OTHER STORIES. AT FTtANTOJN. THE TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER OF THE REBELS IN FRONT OF THE HASTILY-CONSTRUCTED WORKS. By Willard Musson, First Sergeant, Co. H, 107th 111. Editor National Tribune: It was afternoon when our brigade — the Second of the Second Division, Twenty-third Corps — ar- rived on the Columbia pike at the outskirts of Franklin. We filed to the left and halted on a low, level piece of ground, built fires and made coffee. While we were eating, some wagons were driven, along our front, from which picks and shovels were thrown. Hastily swallowing our crackers and coffee, each company, without or- ders, went to work in its own way to intrench the line indicated by the scattered tools. Our company — H, l<)7th 111. — procured sufficient rails to construct a breast, or fence, covering our front, «oad dirt was piled against this on the outside. Meanwhile Hood’s men could seen manu- vering on the hill west of us. It was evident that we v^ould build the works as begun to the proper hight in time* and a ditch was dug AT FRANKLIN. 283 on the inside, m which we could stand with our heads on the level requisite for our protection. While some were thus engaged others tore down buildings, and from the materials obtained con- structed boxes or troughs — “head logs,” we called them. These were placed on the embankment, filled with earth, and rested on supports, leaving a space of about four inches through which to point our muskets. James Burch, or “Uncle Jim” — so-called by reason of his being the oldest enlisted man in our regiment — went to town while we were at work, and there found his brother, a citizen of the place, whom he had not seen for years. His visit was short. He came back as we were com- pleting the works. Then he, “Laie” Wise and myself, seated on the works, were discussing the probabilities of the coming engagement, and watching the movements of the enemy. Uncle Jim said, pointing to the ground at our feeteT/ Tf * “Boys, right here I did my first drilling. This is where I was brought up, my old home, and here we met to drill on muster days.* Soon our skirmishers were driven in and we hurriedly completed our preparations, each indi- vidual arranging his accouterments as best suited his own judgment. Uncle Jim, Lafe and I plan- ned our share of the defense in unison, Lafe fixed hie hat conveni ent l y in the rails, into 284 OTHER STORIES. which we three emptied all our cartridges. A tin taken from a cartridge-box was placed be- side the hat and all our caps poured out of our pouches into it. Poor preparation for a retreat, the reader may think. The 183d Ohio, just from home, took its position a few yards in our rear. Col. 0. H. Moore, commanding our brigade, now rode along the line, telling the men to hold their fire until he gave the word. The enemy’s skir- mishers came rapidly forward, without firing or being fired at. They walked up ©n our works, and were told by our boys to get out of our way. Some jumped down on our side, and others back on their own. There was no time to take care of prisoners, and we let them shift for them^plves. The Confederate lines, three in number, in plain view, marched at quick time and in gootf order. Those directly in our front were mostly dressed in “butternut.” “How nicely their yel low legs keep the step! How wed they main tain their alignment.” These wp my thoughts as I stood at a ready, looking out under the head-log, scanning the advancing faces. Where is Col. Moore? Why don’t he order us fire? Nearer they come. Has he forgotten? Stalk nearer! Won't it be murder to fire ink* such closv ranks? Nearer yet! Are we going to sur- render? The order, “Fire!” rings out. I fire with the rest, and while biting a cartridge look to see what AT FRANKLIN. 285 “HERE I SUSTAINED MY WOSlST SCARE.’ execution our volley has done. The smoko rises and reveals a fearful scene. Barely a good , ]X mish-rme is left standing of their first Irne-oi- battle. Thereafter the smoke obscures all view OTHEK STORIES, in. our immediate front until darkness covers the scene. The enemy are now replying to our fire, and the shots that pass over our heads are telling in the ranks of the 183d Ohio. They are ordered up to our support. Our men make them lie down in our rear, take their loaded guns, and pass them our empty ones to reload. Our hatful of car- tridges and the caps are also handed back, and thereafter the front line of our boys attend only to firing the muskets handed them from the rear. Here I sustained my worst scare. As the 183d came up, a glance to the rear revealed a Ger- man Sergeant of that regiment standing behind me, his bayonet almost touching my back. He was trembling with excitement, had his gun cocked, and his finger on the trigger. I invited him to sit down in a hurry. I took his gun and fired it, and set him to reloading. I also drank his canteen of water, for which I would like to tl?jank him personally if he is yet living. He soon cooled down, and after dark, realizing that my shoulder was becoming lame from the re- coil of the musket, I gave him my place in front, wh"«*« he acted like a veteran. Earlier in the engagement my attrition was t lifted to our >eft, where , Jie enemy h^d broken ovpf Sne and were pouring ©nr work®. They wet# rapidly forming a line at a right angle to ours, and were delivering a murderous enfilading AT F2A$K:L£S. 2a? fire. I thought the day lost, and looked for the nearest street leading to the river, intending to abandon my personal camp and garrison equi- page and try swimming. At that instant I sighted a brigade of the Fourth Corps advancing to retake the works. Its rapid movements, determined cheers, and entire absence of stragglers assured the safety of that part of the line. I turned to my work with no further thought of retreat. About dark our ammunition was exhausted, and orders came to send a detail for more. I hastily selected for the duty three comrades that I knew would return, if living, through that ter- rible storm of bullets. Lafe Wise was one, and, if memory serves me, Elsbery Quick and Serg’t McGraffey were the other two. Each returned in safety, bringing a supply of cartridges. The bag Lafe carried was perforated with one or more bul- lets while in transit on his shoulder. It may have been 10 o’clock or later when < a t. Kidd, of our company, instructed me tn look sharp for a movement of the company on our right, and to follow it in retreat. But my musket was out of fix, and while I was groping in the ditch, feeling for a better one, the regiment had silently moved off in the dark, leaving three companies behind. Word was hastily passed aiong the line c and we moved in the direction of the nve r. Meau while I found, as I thought, Henry Kidney ? one oi our last recruits, a mere boy, who had 288 OTHER STORIES. been with us through the Atlanta campaign. I had made him the object of my especial care, and was then pulling him along, keeping him close to my side. As we neared the light of a fire burning at the bridge I was dismayed to find that I was piloting a strange boy of Henry’s size, belonging to another regiment. A hurried search disclosed the fact that Henry was not with us. After the battle of Nashville we passed back over the same ground, took up our dead and reburied them. Henry was identified among the number. Daylight next morning found us on the road to Nashville, and revealed a number of Confeder- ates marching contentedly in our ranks. Ques- tioning one of them I elicited the information ths,* he belonged to the 33d Miss, and was in the skirmish-line, and their reason for coming up on air works as they did was that they expected us co surrender without firing a sLot. It also revealed the fact that the boys of the 107th HI. were nois willing to let an opportunity pass for making a good trade, even in an engagement like this, Wk went into the fight with our old Enfield fifies-, now, many of us had new Springfield murikets, and instead of a collapsed knapsack or a roll of blankets over our shoulders, many of us were now seen loaded with fat knapsacks cd which were printed in conspicuous letters Co, A, C or G, 183d Ohio. AT FRANKLIN. 289 Writing of Uncle Jim recalls an incident tin J occurred later. We were in Washington en routj for North Carolina, aiid had just piled out of c train of freight cars, in which we had been hauled from Cincin«@M* Our regiment was gassing thrt 290 OTHER STORIES. Capitol Building, on the steps of which stood President Lincoln. When just opposite him Uncle Jim looked up and, recognizing in the Presi- dent an old-time acquaintance, ‘saluted him in these words: “How are you, Abe?” He did not for a moment think of the differ- ence in their rank. Nor was it apparent that the President, as he stepped down and warmly grasp- ed “Jim’s” hand, kindly drew him from the ranks and detained him for a few moments’ conversa- tion, realized the difference any more than did Uncle Jim. The latter subsequently informed us that his shoe store in Springfield was next door to Mr. Lincoln’s office, and that he had made many pairs of boots for him there. PODUNKSBURG. 201 PODUNKSBUEG. A MODEL REPORT OF AN EPOCH-MAKING AND SANGUINARY ENGAGEMENT. Bt Ctn Bono, 107th Oshkosh Vols. Editor National Tribune: The literary event of the past year has Been the publication of numerous treatises on the battle of Podunksburg. The bald-headed literati have certainly performed their task with neatness and dispatch. This assertion may be considered cum grano salis. I am actuated by no Base motive in presenting my views of this battle. The pen, when man- aged by a person of long experience and sound judgment, is generally a success. My views may not exactly dove-tail with history; but that’s history’s fault, not mine. ! was there, and his- tory did not show up until after the trouble was over. This Bat£e is unparjlleled ifi thfi annals o! warfeifc — they aw %dting it <>#? yet; Bcsi I shall be as modest in my statement of facts as circumstances will permit. Without fear of 292 OTHER STORIES. successful contradiction, I boldly assert that what I don’t know about the battle of Podunks- burg will puzzle the professional critic — every- thing goes. Podunksburg is situated in a valley rich in re- sources and organic matter. The topography of the country is such as to impress one with the belief that if a battle was fought here somebody would probably get licked. On the south is a ridge of high ground called Raccoon Ridge, and on the east a hill, its base washed by Goose Creek. Near the western base of Raccoon Ridge is a well-defined grove. From this grove, nearly due south about a mile and a half, rises Oval Top Mountain, ir. This mount- ain resembles a huge abdomen, thickly inter- spersed with rocks. It was the key-note of our success. Gen. Reade’s army was so well concealed that for several days the enemy searched the country over before he found any portion of it. Finally he succeeded in flushing a covey near Podunksburg. The fighting was severe, with the usual results. Late that evening Gen. Buncomb safely con- ducted his troops to Raccoon Ridge, where he selected a position. During the night Gen. Pea- cock arrived on the field, with orders from Gen. Reade to select a position and hurry up the bal- ance of our troops. You will please observe (hat our army was well supplied with positions, with- PODUNKSBUKG. 293 out mentioning several good ones in the rear. Our corps arrived on the field next morning in time for breakfast. Let us briefly pause and study the surroundings. Behind us Raccoon Ridge gracefully winds its way through the val- ley. To our left majestically rises the steep wall of Oval Top, jr., its peak glimmering in the sun- light like a wart on a mule’s nose. In front is the shimmering green of the fields, and beyond the undulated meadow T s the fence-corners stand clear-cut against the blue sky. To our right the village of Podunksburg nestles upon the bosom of mother earth. This may seem improbable, but it’s a fact. The soft, warm air gently fans our locks, while the industrious caterpillar rambles amidst the recesses of our trousers. Oh! ’twas just splendid! After a desultory examination of the field, Gen. Reade directed his corps commanders to prepare for a hostile movement and to postpone all offens- ive operations. Gen. Pickles, our corps com- mander, was generally found moving about in the best society. He was as courageous as J. Cesar. At the battle of Podunksburg he was left to his own resources. The line was expected to oc- cupy was n«>t i* good o&e— the ground was low and unhealthy. Circumstances pointed to a “salient”; his troops demanded a “salient,” and even the "‘salient” itself, with an air of enticing mystery, beckoned him forward. Should he let 294 OTHER STORIES. the prize slip from his grasp? Several t«u.es no! This “salient” subject had corrugated many noble intellects, but £ am free from personal con- cern in this respect, and believe that “salient” was an important factor in the events about to transpire. The forces which dispose the sur- face of the earth generally so act as to produce “salients.” This was a fighting “salient,” con- trolled by the contour of the ground, and affording many advantages. A rapid movement forward, a readjustment of the lines, and the “salient” was ours. PODUNKSBURG. 295 Nature had dealt kindly by this “salient,” and dressed it in the garb of an orchard. As we gazed upon its manifold charms we drew our breath in great gulps of happiness, and swore we would cling to it — until temporarily robbed of it. The old smoothbore brigade was happy. Our line-of-battle resembled a barbed-wire fence; its right resting in air, its left refused. The student will observe that our formation was what is com- monly termed a double-header, enabling us to fight either end to — a favorite coup de grace. While we lay in waiting the moments sped by just as they always do. Finally, Gen. Pickles sent the following dispatch to Gen. Reade: “In the Field. “Gen. Reade — Sir: If not attacked, shall I hold my position? It’s getting late, and I am anxious to finish up this job and get home in time to do my chores. “Respectfully, PiekJcs.” Gen. Reade replied as follows? “Dear General: Don’t do anything rash. If you have in your possession some first-class finecut, pleas* me a chew. “Tours, Reade.” It is proper to state, ia this connection, that these dispatches — “slender threads upon which the fate of Nations hung”— have never before been given to the public. 296 OTHER STORIES. About 4 p. m. Gen. Von Unocker dashed up to the 107th Oshkosh and, saluting, said: ‘‘Private Bono, arm yourself with a mustard plaster, step five paces to the front, and endeavor to draw the enemy’s fire. I will support you with my entire command if necessary. Now, Bono, steel thy fearful thoughts, And change misdoubt to resolution. I immediately obeyed, when suddenly the enemy uttered a shrill yell that jarred the County- seat and made our blood run cold. Then the ar- tillery opened with a roar that shook the earth and filled our socks with sand. The goose- flesh rose on my body until you could hang a cart- ridge-box on me almost anywhere. It was just simply awful. The onset was so violent that where the lines came in contact they bulged up in the middle, lifting several regiments off their feet. I had several very iiair-breadth escapes. A shell burst in my canteen, and another cut my shoe-strings. My clothing was perforated 27 or 28 times, yet I escaped injury. Capt. Q. Cumber’s battery fought valiantly. When their ammunition became exhausted the gunners fired post-hole^ a*zh prcdanivj *mh as- tonishing results. Generally speaking, a “salient” has a point. Ours had several; at least, we thought it had aa we saliented back toward Raccoon Ridge with PODUNKSBURGK 297 the enemy’s bayonets caressing our coat-tails. Shortly after we dropped astern the struggle ceaS'ed — throughly worn out on the point of the ‘salient.” If we had not retired, I have no doubt the result would have been different. In its gen- eral results the advantage was with the “salient.” While we w T ere feeding the flames of heroism at whe altar of devotion our loss was terrible. That evening, amidst the hush of the stilly twilight, that sort of thing, our Captain reported one man for duty, and as he was suffering with acute attack of metaphysics, it was thought ad- visable to send him to the hospital for repairs. All the rest were killed, wounded or missing — probably missing. I will now give the second day’s fight a rest and pass rapidly to the third. The fracas on the third opened mild and gentle in its inception, fet latsr on it cpits boisterous. The principal assault was made against that part of our line commanded by Gen. Peacock and his As- sistant Adjutant-General. Gen. Peacock was one o$ nature’s noblemen. Evgn to this d&y his sob dierly reputation has an enormous circulation. Previous tt> the assault the artillery ®awed the air and split the horizon with its clarion notes. Shells dropped in among us and rolled around i&ke footballs, reducing to a minimum the prob- ^SBIity that any of us would ever again be called to i^y poll-tax. The air was so full of mis- Oil 1 1 : 1 . STORIES. 2D« silos that it was impossible for them all to pass each other in their maddening flight When our Chief of Artillery discovered this fact, he ordered his batteries to fire grape and canis- ter, with a view of sifting his small shot through the larger projectiles of the enemy. We were soon enveloped in clouds of smoke which smelled like the muzzle of an old shot-gun. Most writers on military ethics claim that the advance of the enemy on the 3d was an inspiring sight. I fail to see it. In fact, we wished the enemy would retire and leave us in comfortable possession of the field. As for myself, I do not remember that I ever experienced a more severe attack of nostalgia (see Webster) in the same period of time. Of course, if victory didn’t perch on our side of the fence we wanted to die, but we were in no great rush about it — we preferred to die of extreme old age. The heroes of to-day are different. They are just as courageous, but they generally write a book or die of political malaria. While we ax$ flinging our opinions over toward history’s altar, expecting them to catch on some unoccupied corner, we should re- member that truth is the foundation ol every vir- tue. The enemy’s assault failed to connect, with more or less disaster as the result. The prime fault was in the fact that we refused to vacate the premises. Finally the enemy abandoned the / PODUNKSBURG. 299 attempt to dislocate us, and started his impedi- menta off at a gallop. This naturally compelled us to remain where we were untih we got ready to move. “Was the battle a decisive one?” We should Be considerate and forgiving in little matters, but I hope the critic who asks this question is not a candidate for any office within the gift of the American people. It may not have been a regu- lar up-and-up knockout, clad in a winning smile; still, it was decisive enough for ordinary mortals, with several back Counties to hear from. Per- haps it was not quite as shapely about the waist as other armies might desire, but it suited us tip- top. There was victory enough won at Podunks- burg to go all ’round. I have thus touched lightly some of the salient points in the numerous contributions to the his- tory of this battle. If my account fills a niche in the archives of the .controversy, I shall feel tickled. When a man frankly points out the er- rors and irregularities of the less informed, if there is any way of letting him off easy it should be adopted. 300 OTHER STORIES. TROOPERS IN TROUBLE. CAMPAIGNING IN THE FAR SOUTHWEST WAS FULL OF VICISSITUDES. By Robert W. Miller, Co. E, 6th M. S. M. Cav. Editor National Tribune : In the Winter of 1863-4 my regiment was sta- tioned at Springfield, Mo., and during the latter part of the winter Capt. S. E. Turner, of Co. D, was sent with about 96 men to carry dis- patches from Springfield, Mo., to Batesville, Ark. I was one of the boys detailed for the trip. We had no trouble until we had made about half the distance. I think we had been out about two days, and were in the vicinity of the State line, when our advance-guard suddenly came face to face with two rebels in the road. Both parties being taken by surprise, it was a moment before either spoke. The spell was at last broken by one of the guards leafing his gun at the Johnnies and or^eiing an unconditional surrender, jfhis was obeyed by on** of the reb*, but the Other turned his horse abruptly around and “lit trot.” Private A. Kayser gave chase, and an exciting race followed. Tho rebel Captain would soon TROOPERS IN TROUBLE. 801 have Been Kayser’s “meat” if it had not been for an accident which surprised the whole com- mand. Kayser’s mare stumbled, and in falling struck her head against a rock, crushing her skull. So the Captain got away, and Kayser had to pro- vide himself with a fresh horse. This was the beginning of a series of adven- tures which ' lasted through the entire trip to Batesville. From our prisoner we learned that the rebel Col. Freeman, with about 800 men, was between us and our destination ; a piece of news which was by no means encouraging. It looked a little like madness for 90 men to attempt to force their way through, in the face of such over- powering numbers. But our brave Capt. Tur- ner was equal to the emergency, and mounting his horse and placing himself at the head of the column, he gave the command to go forward, which was obeyed with a will. Our route lay through a broken, rocky country, and it seemed to me that the farther we went the worse it got. At almost every house the John- nies could be seen “skipping” out when we put in our appearance. We occasionally “took one in,” but did not go out of our way after them. It seemed that Freeman’s men had enlisted from this part of the country, and were all at home on furlough. It was the most exciting trip I ever made. We were in a tight place, and we knew it, but trusted to the good sense of out 802 OTHER STORIES biare Captain, and he took us through to Bates- rille in safety. We came suddenly upon one of Freeman’s picket-posts one night, running the men into their camp, which was only about half a mile away. We passed by and rode seyen or eight miles to a house, where we found plenty of feed for our horses, but we had scarcely got our horses unbridled be- fore bang! bang! went the guns in our rear. We fell in and stood the Southern gents off until our almost-exhausted horses had eaten and rested up a little, when we again mounted, and that day rode safely into Batesville with ten or a dozen prisoners. We lay in Batesville some three'days, took a good rest, and the commander of the post sent an es- cort of 400 of the 1st Neb. Cav. to help us through the dangerous part of our journey back to Spring- field. On our way back we ran foul of the rebel Freeman and his command and scattered them to the four winds, We captured many of them and burned their train. We then left our escort, and the original 9Q started for Springfield by way of Forsythe. Before we reached the latter place, however, we learned that the White River was high, and know- ing that there was i«o ferry at that place, we turn- ed to the Ich and stiisck the river in a bend some distance ; the wes* It was aV ut sundow \ wkN ?q arrive*? i ifce river found i^y TROOPERS IN TROUBLE. SOS of crossing, as the river was too full to think of fording. We had nothing to do but to go into camp for the night. The next morning found U3 in a bend of White River somewhat in the shape of a horseshoe: our position being at or near the “toe” and the space between the “calks” occupied by a band of rebel bushwhackers, whose 304 OTHER STORIES. numbers were rapidly increasing every hour. Here we were in a trap, as it were, but not des- tined to stay caught. Our Captain was a Yan- kee, and had no doubt in those grand old days “before the wah” palmed off many a wooden nut- meg upon the Southern gentry, and why not out- wit them now? We soon took in the situation, and each one cast an anxious look to the opposite bank of the stream. For my part, I felt that I had business in Springfield which needed my im- mediate attention, but between pie and Spring- field there seemed to be an impassable gulf. The Captain realized the fact that there was a chance for us to do much worse than to cross White River, even though it was nearly at full banks. The fact is, it was a “ground-hog case” — the river had to be crossed. We managed to obtain two old dugout canoes, with which three men could manage to cross in each at once. But there w T ere 90 of us, with horses and equipments — how would we get them over? This question was solved by the Captain, who ordered a raft constructed large enough for the saddles and other equipage. In about an hour we had the satisfaction of seeing all our blankets, saddles, etc., safely landed on the op- posite shore of the river. The next thing was to turn the horses loose and whoop them into the river. They all swam across in safety, and were TKOOPERS IN TKOUBLE. 305 caught and tied up by the comrades who had been set across for that purpose. During all this time the bushwhackers were busily banging away at us from an eminence in TIOS CAPTAIN MAKES REMARKS. i,uY rear, but our skirmishers managed to hold them back during the entire day while those old, dugouts were ferrying us oyer. I was not used 306 OTHER STORIES. to riding in such magnificent style, and the Boat being inclined to rock I was ordered to lie flat down in the bottom, which I did. I could not swim, and I knew that if I was spilled out in that stream I would be a goner. You may imagine the state of my mind while making the voyage. 1 was so excited that no sooner had the bow touched the shore than I arose and got out, but in doing so managed to upset the thing, giving my comrades a thorough wetting. For about five minutes the air was thick with compliments from all on both sides of the river. Even the Captain spoke of the event in such a way that I was ever afterward constrained to look upon him as a strong believer in a place of future punish- ment “where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched/’ and it seemed that there was at least one of his soldiers that he was willing to consign to that place. Just at sundown the Captain with the last boat load landed safely, and we immediately mounted and gave three cheers for the Union in the face of the disappointed foe. Then we matched away toward our Headquarter* in Springfield, where landed in due time, thus ending a most eventlul trip. HEADING OFF LEE. 807 HEADING OFF LEE, THE GRAND HUNT OF THE CAVALRY FROM PETERSBURG TO APPOMATTOX By C. W. Wiles, 10th N. Y. Cav.. Cortland, N. Y. Editor National Tribune: Wednesday morning, March 29, 1865, found the Cavalry Corps prepared to abandon its comfortable Winter quarters on the Jerusalem plank road and under command of that best of all cav- alry officers, Sheridan, ready for the final campaign of the war. Five days’ rations and four days’ forage were distributed and each man supplied with ail the ammunition he could stow away. The column took up its line of march on the Jerusalem plank road and thence across the country to Reams’s Station. Just at night we reached Dinwiddie Courthouse and went into camp. The next day found us inactive, but supporting the First Division of Cavalry, who were having some fighting in ou? front. Having changed e-amp a s-kv-rt aistano©, we tvere compelled to pass the night in a cornfield that had been tramples into a vernujle mud ho**. Rails S08 OTHER STORIES. Backloads of tobacco made places for us to sleep. The next worning (March 31) we were ready for business, but were not called upon until about 2 p. m., when we moved out, and after several counter-marches formed in a small field. Numbers 1, 2 and 3 dismounted and No. 4 held horses. Heavy firing was heard on our right. While the dismounted men were forming I re- member hearing a Confederate band over in the woods in our front playing “Dixie,” while in our rear our bands discoursed National airs. Soon we were advanced down to the edge of the woods near a rail fence, which we had hardly reached when a volley of musketry from an infantry line- of-battle was poured into our thin line of cavalry, that nearly took them off their feet. In a very brief space of time we were swept back across the field and into the woods, where we made a stand and checked the Confederate advance. We soon discovered that our left flank was threatened, and a portion of our command swung back and faced to the left. The enemy now had covered the road in our rear and cut off the re- treat of our ambulance and wounded men. \ A correspondent of the New York Herald, who was with our regiment, doubted the report that the enemy was on our left and rear, and deter- mined to ride back and see for himself, against the advice of the officers. Away he galloped down the road and over a knoll, when we heard HEADING OFF LEE 309 three or four shots, and he came back with a bullet in his shoulder. His first remark was: “I found them!” ‘•I FOUND ’EM.” Skirmishing was kept up for sometime, and just at night we w r ere withdrawn by a circuitous nweJa to the right. We halted in the rear of Dinwindie Courthouse, &adly broken up. Nearly the entire safght was consumed in rallying the different sediments f&ound their colors. Tha next morning we marched past the Courthouse and formed in an open field, where we remained all day, while the divisions of Custer, Merritt and S10 OTHER STORIES. Kautz, with the assistance of the infantry, fought and won the splendid victory of Five Forks. Monday, April 3, we marched over the battle- field of Five Forks and on faT Sutherland’s Sta- *L. tion. Pushing on past the infantry we started on the race for Appomattox. We marched until midnight, and were on the warpath again the next morning at 4 o’clock. Marching in a south- westerly direction we crossed the Danville Rail- road near Burksville and bivouacked for the night near Jetersville. April 5, Davis’s Brigade, consisting of the 1st Me., 1st N. J., 10th N. Y., and, I think, the 1st Pa. Cav., left camp at daylight. Near Painsville we struck the rebel wagon trains, capturing five pieces of artillery and destroying about 180 wagons. Some of them were Lee’s Headquarter wagons. We also took many Confederate battle- flags and other trophies, and about 400 prisoners. With these and the captured cannon we started back, our regiment being ordered to guard the prisoners and guns. My diary shows that I had two Confederate officers in charge — Capt. E. A. Semple and Lieut. R. H. Sims, of the Confederate States Quarter- master Department, both of them polished gentlemen, who took their capture with the best possible grace. On our return our regiment took the advance with the prisoners and guns, while the *est of the brigade covered the rear. When IEADINO OFP I. EE 311 about half way to camp, with only a small squad of men ,for advance-guard, we heard tiring in our front. Gen. Davis ordered up the 1st N. J. and tlie 1st Pa., who passed us at a gallop. Forming a line they gave the enemy a mounted charge in gallant style, driving them completely back, so that we passed in safety with our trophies. But the 1st N. J. met a sad loss in the death of its brave and gallant Colonel, Hugh Janeway,, who fell while leading his men. When near camp we met a brigade of infantry coming to our aid. Re- turning to our night’s camp we found the entire army had arrived. The next morning we encountered the enemy near Sailor’s Creek. Closing around the Confed- erates and their wagon trains, the divisions of Crook, Custer and Devens cut off their advance, while the Sixth Corps crossed upon their rear. Their struggles to cut their way through the en- veloping cavalry lines were desparate, but in vain, and when night closed over the scene Gen. Ewell and 6,000 m6n were prisoners. Twenty pieces of artillery were captured and 400 wagons destroyed. We rested for the [night, [conscious that the end was near. We met but little resist- ance from the rear-guard of the enemy the next day. The straggling and wornout soldiers were found in great numbers— so many, in fact, that we made no attempt to gather them in. On our approach to Fari&ville grand sight met out OTHER STORIES. eyes. Almost at our feet lay the Beautiful town, with the Appomattox River winding through it. Just below the village was the long, high railroad bridge spanning the river. This bridge was filled with railroad cars and locomotives, and all on fire. As one span after another burned through the [mass fell into the river be- low. Beyond the town was seen the retreating enemy. Our battery was soon in position and shells were thrown over the town into the fields and woods beyond. Our regiment was ordered to charge into the town, but the only foe they found wf s in the large hospitals filled with sick and wounded Confederates — sad reminders of the many hard day3 of fighting past. Our command soon passed through the town, fording the river, which was up to our hoises’ sides. We formed on the plain beyond and boiled coffee while other troops came up. Gregg’® Brigade passed us and pushed into the woods beyond. In a few moments a terrible storm oi shot and shell and the rattle of small-arma brought every man to his horse. We eoon learned that the enemy had formed an ambuscade up the road in the woods, and the head of Gregg’® Brigade had ridden squarely into it. The entire head of the column was killed or captured* Gen. Gregg and most of his staff were prisoners. Our lines were soon formed and the wood® were cleared. Repressing the river we pushed HEADING OFF LEE. 313 on, hoping to reach the head of their column. It was near midnight on the' 8th when we halted for a short rest, knowing that early dawn must find us on the march. Men and horses were worn and tired. While we were bivouacking for a short rest the shrill whistle of locomotives aroused us. Then came a few carbine shots; then rose the loud cheering of many voices. We soon learned that Lee’s supply trains from Lynchburg had run into Custer’s command and had all been cap- tured. The exciting events of the night al- lowed us but little rest, and at early dawn we were again in the saddle. We soon passed the captured trains and the debris of Custer’s fight the night before. A little farther on we came upon a Confederate wagon train standing in the road. The pursuit was now so close and hot that no one stopped to disturb or destroy. We were not after empty wagons, but Lee’s army. Forming a line-of -battle, we advanced across a field and down through the woods beyond. Now the battle opens and the sharp reports along the skirmish-line denote that we have found *the enemy again. Our thin line of cavalry is long drawn out to the left, but we must hold them back until the infantry comes up in the rear as they did at Sailor’s Creek. A desperate strug- gle along our line is made to force us back, but 314 OTHER STORIES. the men .were never at better advantage in the flush of victory. In a short time, to our astonishment, heavy columns of infantry appear on our right and re- lieve a portion of our line. Where did these fel- lows come from? Did they march all night? But they are here and we feel sure that we have HEADING OFF LEE. S15 /he Confederate army in our grasp. Now that the infantry is up we move to the left and as- sist our hard-pressed comrades there. Gen* Davies to-day commands the division, our own Col. Avery the brigade, and Maj. Blyun the regi- ment. One of the last moves made that day was a charge of our regiment across the field up to and into the woods, driving back the Confeder- ate cavalry and I believe capturing some artil- lery. Soon the white flag of truce fluttered along our lines. - While the surrender was pending a report was brought to Gen. Davies that the Con- federate cavalry in our front were withdrawing from their line.' An officer was sent out to in- quire the cause. The Confederate commander informed him that his men were riding away to save their horses, and he had no means to pre- vent them. About four o’clock loud cheering on our right denoted something important, and soon word came down the line that the surrender had been completed. Then we all cheered! Our lines were with- drawn; our work was done! Our men hardly knew what to do. After four years of active campaigning, and now no mor^ scouting not picketing nor fighting; ne enemy — nothing to The next thought was of the friends vl the far North. Sow they would rejoicel Eow we would like to take them by the hand that bright aftqg* noon and shout with them. 316 OTHER STORIES. THE 130TH IND. A COMRADE WRITES OF NASHVILLE, AND TELLS A PERSIMMON STORY. By Lem Jones, Co. K, 130th Ind. Editor National Tribune: I notice an account of the part taken in the battle at Nashville, Tenn., by the 3d Tenn. and 25th Mich., by John Savage, of the 25th Mich., and also an account of the same battle in The National Tribune of Dec. 9, by Ignatz Fauz, of the 6th Tenn., which calls to my njind very vividly the scenes which were happening many years ago. Both comrades speak in eulogizing terms of the old First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, and especially the three regiments above mentioned; but it seems that they have forgotten that the 130th Ind. always was on hand, from Resaca to Atlanta, and at Nashville. I do not wish to take from them th© laurels justly earned, but one would infer from reading the articles referred to that th© 25th Mi^h* and 3d and 6th Tenn. constituted the First Brigade ol THE 130TH IND. 317 the Second Division. I only wish to add to what has already been said in regard to the First Bri- gade, that the 130th Ind. can justly claim a share of all the honors won by the brigade after the battle of Resaca. Comrade Savage does not say in his article whether it was during the first day’s fight at Nashville or the second that the 3d Tenn. charged without orders. I would here state that it was • on the morning of the second day. The 15th Ind. battery was replying to the compliments of a rebel battery that was making it too uncomfort- able for the 3d Tenn., and during the artillery duel the 3d Tenn. rose out of the works, soon followed by the balance of. the brigade, and cap- tured the battery. Comrade Fauz is just a little off in saying that we came to the front east of the Granny White pike, for we were to the right of the pike and did not strike the pike till the second day; but that is immaterial. I recollect the stone wall he speaks of, for the 130th was just to the right of it and next to the 3d Tenn., and took a hand in capturing the battery referred to by him. I wish to state for the information of all concerned tha* the 130th Ind. was on the front line-of-battle both days ot tne fight, and will refer them to Gen. J. A. Cooper, of St. John, Kan., for the truthfulness of my statements. 818 OTHER STOEIES. I wish ^>ake mentis of how Maj. H. Dunn, of the 3d Tenn., served