Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-07-10
WHOLE NO. 2649.

W teu Wu1le man DuL It's SOSpsf
truth, haint had a thing 10 ear now
for more'n eight days except few
'simmOnsp
"Well," said Grant, "that is pretty
tough story"
Eyes, it isl but I'n take my solid
oath on a stack of Bibles az high as that
house that it's every word the gospiU
truthl-Mister, esn you give me ehaH
of tobacker :"
"I have no tobacco about me-" said
the General, but can get you some;'
and turning to one of his escort he got
plug of tobacco and handed it over to
'Injianny."
He took out his knife as if to cut it,
and looking up said, Please. mister,
may l take two ehsws? l haint had a
taste of tobaeker for more'n four WeeksI
bod rot the sutIersp
80, yes" said Grant, "you may keep
the whole plug if you choose. We have
plenty"
''Now, mister, l thank you very
much. I'll give you ten pounds Of
tobseker some time. This'Il be meat,
and coffee and blankets for Jim and
me-"
"Why, don't you have blankets
enough2"
anketsl-thunderl Mister, I spose
you'll think Pm an ungodly liar; but
1 haint had no blanket nor no o7ercoat
now for Inore'n six weeks!-and Iordy !
amt it cold of nights2 wish You had
to try it as we dol Nol-thst's a lie
don't wish it neither
"How came you to be without an
oYercoat and blanket7" tie General
inquired.
"Why, sir" said the Hoosier, "Col.
-, the d-d old rip.-took Us out
of camp over here at the CInch Gap.
and while we were gone, the Johnnies
-dod rot their thieVin', rebel hearts
wish | had about six of 'em here HosOl
they made raid on our camp, and
stole all of our overeoats and blanketsi
bod darn emp A
Well" said Grant. "yoa do seem to
have a hard time of it,
81 rawther guess we d" said the
soldier; ''and that amt all hain't
never had no pay neitherl Darn me, ef
I've had dollar now for more'n four
months ~
"Whatis the reason Of that2" queried
the General. "Don't the Paymaster
ever come around hereR
.Yes," said the soldier, "the Psymas-
ter came around two months ago; and
he was lousy with greenbacks."
"Wel, them said Grant, "Ehy did
yor not get your pay 2" 80
why jist this reason, Mister. After
we'd signed the pay rolls, and the Pay
master had the ready John Davis count
ed out in piles for rs. Col. the
.d-d old rip, marched rs Of over the
Clineh Gap; and I haint seen no Pay
master since. And, IN tell N0u, Mis-
ter, when this tobacker's gone, pn be
ded rotted to thunder ef me and the
boys don't make raid on one of the
suffers, eff we're hung for it in five
minutes Darn 'emi they'reas bad as
the rebs they won't trust a fellow to
a cent 20
Now said the General, '.you look
like an honest man and if you viii Be
sure to pay me, Pl lend you dollar"
Phe Hoosier's eeuntenauee brighten
ed up. Upon my soul and bOnor, Mis-
ter, Pll pay YOU"
"Very good, here's the money! now
be as good as your word. said the
General, and he handed the soldier a
governments note.
Hello. Misterp said the soldier,
opening the-bi and looking at it,
You've made a devil OF q mistake!
This is a VI won't take that much"
"All right" said Grant, turning his
horse and starting off; Tend some of
it to Jim and the other boys-I have
nothing smaller just nog."
The soldier set his musket against
the fence, and running after the Gen.
eral, caught his horse BY the bride and
stopped him, and, while the tears
were streaming down his bronzed
cheeks, said, Look here, Mistes, you've
got soulI you're a Christiainl- ~ am
myself when Pm at home-and eff you
don't 90 to Heaven, there's no use in
havin' sich a placel Mister, do you live
in Ipjiannyi 1 want to pay you when
I get home"
''No matter" said Grant, HBhere 1
live. You'll find me some time" And
the General, disengaging the soldiers
hand from his bridle,rein, put spurs to
his horse and rode off.
"By the lordyp said the man, ''Isn't
he buster? And won't our boys have
and a good time? Pl make
him and his people richl The suffers
lod rot 'em l-may 60 90 the deVil,and
'tek their tobackerp And he walked
back to his beat, ignorant Of the name
Ind rank of the man Of whom he had
borrowed the money.
1t is but just to remark says the
gentleman who tells the story, that
'nough suffering for food, clothing and
there were no better
oldiers in any army than the 'Persim-
non BFlgade.' The officers were as
and helpless as the men; and
we're powerless to assist them. Col.
-, against whom the antipathies
# many soldiers were directed, Was a
rave and deserving officer, and was
eally IN no wise responsible for the
act that his soldiers had no cyercoats'
blankets, food, pay and tobacco. He,
limself, was but little better off.