Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-07-22
a STORY oF GRANT.

Il
ciplinarian. and a perfect ironsides il the
discharges of his official duties, could enjoy a
good joke, and is always ready to perpetrate
one when an opportunity presents. Indeed, :,
among his acquaintances. he is much renown-
ed for his eccentric humor, as he is for his
skill and bravery comma lander.
When Grant was brigadier in southeast
Missouri, he commanded an expedition against
the rebels under JEFF. Thompson, in northeast
Arkansas. The distance from the starting
point of the expedition to the supposed rem
dezvons of the rebe Is was about one hundred
and ten miles, and the greater portion of the
! route lay through how ling wilderness. The
imaginary suffering that our soldie RS endured
during the first two days of their march
was enormous. 1t impossible to steal or
s'confscate' uncuitivated real estate, and not
a hog, or chicken or an ear of corn was
anywhere to be seen. On the third day. how
/ ever, affairs looked more hopeful, for a few
small sTecks of ground, in a state OF partial
| cultivation, were here and there visible. On
/ that day Lieutenant wickfeld, Of an Indiana
/ cavalry regiment, commanded the advance
gnard. consisting of eight, mounted men.
Aoont noon he came up 10 small farm house,
! from the cntward appearance of which he
Judged that there might be something fit to
eat inside. He halted his company, dismoun-
! ted, and with two second lieuteuants entered
the dwelling. He knew that Grants incipi-
| ent fame had already gone out through all
that country, and if occurred to him that bs
representing himseIf to he the General he
Z might he bas IN hons. affo-i..d x,
assuming very imperative demeauor, he ac-
coSted the inmates of the house, and told
them he must have something for himself
and staff to eat. They desired to know who
he was, and he told them that be was Bbriga-
der General Grant AT that name they few
around with alarming alacrity, and served up
about all they had in the house. taking great
pains all the while to make loud professions
Of loyalty The lieutenants ate as much as
they could of the not over sumptuous meal,
but VIII ich was, nevertheless, good for that
country, and demanded what was TO paw.
'sNothEg." And went ou their way rejoic-
ing.
In the meantime General Grant, who had /
halted his army few miles further back for
a resting spell, came in sight of, and was /
favorabIy impressed with the appearance of.
this same housa. Riding up to the fence
in front Of the door, he desired to know il they
would cook him a meal.
'No" said female IN gruff voice, ssGen.
Grant and his staff have just been here and
eaten everything in the house except one
pumpkin pie.''
s'Humph - murmured Grant; sswhat is
you name p;
s'Selvidge," !" replied the woman.
Casting half-doiar in at the door, he
asked if she would keep that pie till he sent
an officer for il, to which she replied that she
would.
That evening. after the camping ground
had been selected, the various regiments were
notified that there would be a grand parade
at half past six, for orders. Officers would
see that their men all turned out, &c.
In five minutes the Camp was in perfect
uproar, and filed with all sorts OF rumors.
Some thought the enemy was upon them, it
being SO unusal to have parades when on
march.
At half past six the parade was formed
ten columns deep, and nearly quarter OF
m lie in length.
After the usual routine of ceremonies the
A. A a. @. read the following order:
HEADoUARTERs, ARMY rHE FIELD.-Sge-
ciai Order No---Lieutenan Wickfeid, of
the--IndiaHa cavalry, having on this day,
eaten everything in Mrs Seividge's house,
al the crossing OF the Ironton and Pocahontas
and Black River and Cape Girardeau roads, !
except one pumpkin pie, Lieut. Wickaeld is
hereby ordered 10 return with an escort of
one hundred cavalry, and eat that pie also. :
u GRANT
Brig. Gen. commanding.
Grants orders were law and no soldier ever
,