Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-06-25
General Grant as a Joker.
BY AN OFFICER OF HIS STAFF.

.The hero and veteran, who was citi-
gen, Captain, Colonel, Brigadier and
Major General, within a space of nine
months, though rigid disciplinarian.
and perfect Ironsides in the discharge
Of his official duties, could enjoy good
joke, and is always ready to perpetrate
one when an opportunity presents. In
deed, among his acquaintances, he is as
much renowned for his eccentric humor,
as he is fer his skill and bravery as a
commander.
When Grant was Brigadicr in south
east Missouri, he commanded an expe-
dition against the rebels under Jeff.
Thomson, in northeast Arkansas. The
distance from the starting point Of the
expedition to the supposed rendezvous
of the rebels was about one hundred
and ten miles, and the greater portion
of the route lay through bowling
wilderness. The imaginary suffering
that our soldiers endured during the
first two days oftheir march, was enor-
nous. 1t was impossible to steal OF
"confscate' uncultivated real estate, and
not hog, or a chicken, or an ear of
corn was anywhere to be seen. On the
third day, however, affairs looked more
hopeful, for few small specks OF
grorud, in state Of partial cultivation,
we're here and there visible On that
day, Lieutenant Wickfeld, Of an Indi-
ana cavalry regiment, commanded the
advance guard, consisting Of eighty
mounted men About noon, he came
up to small farm house, from the out
ward appearance Of which he judged
that there might be something fit to eat
inside He halted his company, dis
mounted, and with two Second -Lieuten-
ants entered the dwelling. He knew
that Grants incipient fame had already
gone out through all that country, and
it occurred to him that by representing
himself to be the General he might OBJ
tain the best the house affored SO, as
suming very imperative demeanor, he
accosted the inmates of the house, and
told them he must have something for
hinlself and staff to eat They desired
to know who he was, and he told them
that he was Brigadier-General Grant.
At the sound of that name they few
round with alarming alacrity, and served
up about all they had in the house, tax
ing great pains all the while to make
loud professions Of loyalty, The Lieu
tenants ate as much as they could Of the
not over sumptous meal, but which was,
nevertheless, good for that country, and
demanded what was to pay" Nothing. ;"
And they went on their way rejoicing
In the meantime General Grant, who
had halted his army few miles further
back for brief resting spell, came in
sight of, and was rather tavorably i'm
pressed with the appearance of this
same house Riding up to the fence in
front of the door, he desired to know if
they would cook him meal.
mo, said female in gruff voice,
General Grant and his staff have just
been here and eaten everything in the
house except one pumpkin pie"
"Humph," musmured Grant "what
is you name ?"
"Selvidge," replied the woman.
Casting a half dollar in at the door,
! he asked if she would keep that pie till
he sent an officer for it, 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 grand parade at half-past 6, for or
ders. Officers would see that their men
all turned out. &c.
In five minutes the camp was in per-
feet uproar and filled with all sorts of
rumors some thought the enemy were
upon them, it being so unusual to have
parades when on march.
At half past six the parade was form
ed, ten columns deep, and nearly quar-
ter Of a mile in length.
After the usual routine of ceremonies,
the A. A. A. G. read the following or
der:
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY IN THE FIELD.
Special Order, No.
Lieut.. Wickfeld, of the-Indiana
Cavalry, having on this day eaten every
thing in Mrs. Selvidge's house, at the
crossing Of the Ironton and Pocahontas,
and Black River and Cape Girardeau
roads, except one pumpkin pie, Lieut..
Wickfield is hereby ordered to return
with an escort of one hundred cryalry,
and eat that pie also.
-" u. S. GRANT,
Brig. Gen. Commanding.
Grants orders were law, and no sol
der ever attempted to evade them. At
: o'clock the Lieutenant filed out of