Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-19
SOLDIERS EuN.

papers VI d ScdTcity Vi coiHidioSdiy oeoico
which came upon General Thomas forces at
Eastport. 1t is not material who wa. to
blame for the failure. 1t may have been
the Ohio river. which Unexpectedly CONCEAL
ed its forces by a superfuity OF cold. 1t
may have been Colonel Parson, who had
charge OF river transportation. 1t may
have been the contractors, who did not get
the supplies ready In season. In fact, 1t
might have been any body and every bo-
dy's tault-as some say was the fact-but OF
one thing there is no doubt-for few days
the commissary was compelled to issue to his
men rations Of shelled corn, in lieu of the
hard tack and bacon to which the soldiers
had accustomed Now, corn makes excel
lent whiskey: it is good to eat when it is
ground and manufactured into dodgers it
is savory as mush it is fair when "hulled;" !"
it is fine when parched, ground up and eat
en- with fresh milk but in its unhulled, raw
state. one would think it rather unpalitable
and indigestibe allmant, and SO it is. But
the men at Eastport had to put that in
their haversacks, one quart each day, and
transfer it thence to their stumachs, or go
hungry. Some of the men had been taught
to live on nothing before. but they had now
to learn how TO masticate corn. They had
seen horses and mules grind it up and grow
fat and sleek upon it, but their teeth had
not found out the modus operandi of the
miniature grist mill. But they soon acquir:-
ed the habit, and in one day one hundred
and sixty bags OF raw corn were issued to
Western soldiers, and by them in Sc me man
ner consumed. And the boys lived through
it.
While this corning process was going on,
the soldiers, more for mischief sake than
anything else, perhaps, took every occasion
To bring before Gen. Thomas the scanty
fare they were kept upon. One day an Of
ficer saw file of men passing headquarters,
each couple fastened together by a halter
round the neck and led by athong. Taking
them for depredators of some sort, under
going condign punishment, the officer ask
ed, What prisoners are these? Them
''They's soldiers. They We had their corn,
now We are leading them to water"
This explanation was substantiated by a
contirmatory bray from the entire squad,
and kicking up of heels in imitation of
mules, which brought all head quarters to
the scene. 1t is hardly necessary to state
that those mules soon scattered to their cor
raj.
On another occasion soldier came def
erentially into General Thomas quarters,
cap in hand and, with the usual salute, re-
quested permission 10 address the General
in person. He was allowed to do so, when
the following dialogue TOOK place:
General-''Well, my man, what may you
desiren'
Corn-fed-'.If it is in conformity with
practice I'd the army regulations, will ask
for permit to buy small quantity of
corn"
Genaral-"What corn, sir? That will be
issued to you by the proper officer: You
need not bring such request here -
Corn-fed But, sir, want permission TO
buy some.
General-''But why buy it?'
Corn-fed-"Well, to tell you the truth,
borrowed some from a mule last night, and
| wish to repay the animal.
The soldier was not punished for his ap
parent disrespect to u superior ofhcer, but
he left headquarters rather preclpitately,
and distant bray attested lis mulish pro-
pensities were not entirely wiped out, as he
retreated i'm good order to his company.
An instance is also related of a soldier
who heard bray from an adjacent mule.
The soldier said with P semi comic face that
would have done honor to frst-class low
commedian of sf-class theatre: BRAY on,
bray on, Misther 'mule!' You can afford it,
shurel Amt yez had two quarts Of corn a
day while [ have but one, entirely"
The remark was followed by roar from
the entire regiment-or from as many as
cold hear what Paddy had said