Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-11-13
A MULE STORY,

| heard a good story of two of our soldiers,
at Paducah, yesterday, which will pay for its
space in repeating. When our troops first
received their teams they were troubled to pro-
cure forage SO the mules were turned loose
or tethered in the outskirts of the town. Oc-
casionally few would be missing, until Uncle
Sam found himself minus some twenty five or
thirty. Those which strayed away were caught
up by the rebel spectators and taken TO Bland
vile, back of Columbus, where they had accu-
muiated some fifty stolen and purchased ami
mails, which were under five six keepers.
The two privates mentioned (members of the
Fortieth Illinois Volunteers), hearing of the
whereabouts Of the stock, asked General
Smiths permission to attempt their recapture,
which, with soma misgivings, was granted.
The boys, dressed in the garb of Kentucky
farmers, went and surveyed the field and fold,
and set to work. They had whisky with them
whisky such as the Kentucky rebels like to
get drunk on-good old Bourbon, and the first
object was to get them as comfortably tight as
possible, which was not long in being accom-
plished. Then the boys went to the mule
yard, let down the bars and mounted two of
the best, without saddle or bride, and started
for Paducah, he whole lot followed at a break
neck pace, and braying in the most diabolical
chorus. The keepers we're not long in discov-
e.ing the trick, and gave chase as far as they
deemed it prudent TO our lines, but 20 no pur-
pose; and in good season Saturday afternoon
the boys made their appearance at Gen. Smith s
headquarters to report, their faces beaming
with glow of satisfaction hard to describe.
Their report was a condensation of Laconism
so l will give the dialogue
Gen. Smith-"Well, boys, what luck 2''
Soldier-"We got 'em, and more too"
Gen. Smith-''How many did you get 2"
Soldier-s'Forty, reckon haint counted
'em.''
Gen. Smith-ssBut that is more than we
have lost. You did not steal any, hope.''
Soldier-ssSteal K-rstopher, steal No,
Stree, but We didn't have time TO put the bars
up after we had got Uncle Sans out, and the
God damned things would foler.''
Then the General drew on an elongated
countenance, and as sternly as though he had
been Judge and was sentencing culprit to a
lifetime of imprisonment, lectured the soldier
roundly for using profane language in the
quarters and presence OF general officer.
The soldier took the lecture uneasily, twiring
his hat nervously the while, and when the
General had sssubsded'' apologized as fol-
lows -
"You see, General, We had TO cuss the God
damned things all day to git 'em into camp,
and it's mighty hard to quit off all of sud-
denly"
Then the Generals rigidity relaxed; smile,
or rather laugh, came up from his heart, and
tried to escape from the corners of his mouth !;
odt uisCipiiHe is uiSClpiluo with au olu army
officer, and il would not do to allow such a
breach of decorum TO pass unnoticed but in
consideration of the recaptured twenty five
mules, sand more too,' he did not inflict any
severe castigation or put them under arrest,
but, thanking them for the services rendered.
dismissed them with a caution to leave their
profanity behind when they came again to
headquarters, and the boys left, declaring, as
they closed the door, that esuch pious old
cuss hadn't any business to be around amongst
sojers.''