Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-12-20
General Grant and the Persim.
mon Brigade.

East Tennessee during the Winter CAM
raign OF 1868 4-and no doubt We have a
large number of them--will remem her that
the soldiers were very scantify supplied
with clothing. and i. was a common thing
to issue corn in the ear as rations to both
men and mules. each man receiving from
one to three ears per day. Fhis was es
peeially so of a brigade of Indiana six
months men, known as the Persimmon
Brigade, because, not relishing corn in
| the ear, they chose to subsist on persim-
mons. SO much were the men kept on the
alert, that though Major Ballard, a paymas-
ter, Was present, the commanding officers
would not allow him to pay Off the regi-
mcnts for more than a month.
Such was the state of affairs when Gen
eral Grant, having been appointed to the
Supreme command of the army, paid
flying visit to the forces.
Grant arrived, unannounccd and unex
Peeted, at the place, on a bitter cold day,
and forbade the firing of a salute OF maxi
ing any other demonstration.
After spending some time with General
Wilcox. General Grant went out and
mounted hishorse. The sentinel who was
an nnconth specimen of the Hoosier, was
trying to keep hitoself warm by walking
to and fro. alternately striking the butt of
his lnasket on the pavement, and testing
the soidity of the frozen earth by thrusting
/ lis bayenet into it.
General Grant appeared to be amused
at the performance, and addressing the
soldier, said:
'Nell, my man. to what command do you
beong!'
Picking np an old shoe on the point of
his bayonet, anl twirling it in the air, the
man re lied i belong to the wun hundred
and-th Injiyanny, COL, the id old
rip.
You don't seem to Ike Colonel -, ;
said Gen. Grant.
Now look here Mister, replied the sol
! die, i don't wish yon any harm, but |
wish You had to take my place under him
! for month or two.
Why, what is the matt r with him ? in
guiretl the General.
Matter why, dod rot his old SOUL he's
starvin' us all TO death.
Starving you
.1es, sir starvin' us, I don't expect
You'll bleye me, it's tough story to tell a
white man but it ) a gospiH truth, haint
/ ulu lHIli, ~ lOi I.lpIC tAbh tiS ''
/ days. except few simmons =
w ell, said General Grant, that Is q
pretty tough story.
Yes. it is, but I'll take my solid oath on
a stack of Bibles as high as that honse thai
it's every word the goSpjH truth tlistcr
can you give me chaw OF tobacker
Il have no tobacco about me said the
General, but can get you some; and
| h., N1,ilr
of tobacco and handed it over to 'Injayan-
ny.
He took out his knife as if to Gu: it, and
lookingup he said, please, mister, may
take two chaw haiat had taste Of to-
bacller for morn four weeks dod rot the
sutlers.
oh, yes, said Grant, you may keep the
whole plug il you choose. We have plen-
ty.
Now, mister, thank you very much,
III give you ten pounds of tohackcr some
time. This Ewill be meat aud coffee and
blankets Ger Jim and me-
why. is it possible you don't have
blankets enough!
BLANKETS thunder Mister ! 'sposc
you think I'm an ungodly liar; but haint
had no blanket nor overcoat HOW for more II
six wecks-and, lordy, amt it cold o
nights! wish You had to try it as we do!
No that's lie don't wish it ncith-
er!
How came you to be without an over
coat and blanket , the General inquired
why, said the Hoosier, Col. - the
Id Old rip, took us out Of camp over here
at Clineh Gap, and while we were one
the Johnnies rot their thieyin'. rebel
hearts. | wish had about six of 'enl
here noW-made raid on my camp and
stole all our oyercoats and blankets bod
darn en-!
We'll, said Grant, 'you seem to have
hard time Of it.
i rawther guess we DO, said the sol
der; and that amt all haint never
had 10 pay neither! Darn me if I've had
a dollar now for morc'n four months.
.NAat is the reason Of that : queried
the General. Docs not the PaylAastei
ever come around here
Yes, said the soldier. the Pavmastel
come arouud two months ago, and he va;
lousy with greenbaeks.
Well, then. said Grant, why diln't
you get your pay
why, jist this reason, Mister. After
we'd 81 sued the pay rolls and the PayMas-
ter had the really .J7ha Daeis counted cat
in piles for us, Col.--, the id rip
marched of over to Clinch Gap, and
haint seen no p yhaster since. And
te!.eoy9u, Mister, when this to5aker's goae,
| II be doh rotted thunder OF Inc and the
balance Of the boys don't make a raid OF
ogc Of the sHtlers, ef we're hung tor it il
five minutes Darn cm, they're as bad
as the rebs They won't trust fellow i
cent I.
Now said The General, you look like
an honest man; if you'll be sure to pay
me, Iii lend YOU dollar.
The uoosies's eouutenanca Enlightened
mp.
Upon my soul and honor, Mister, II
pay You.
Very good, here the money, Now bt
as good as your word. said the General
and he handed the soldier Government
note.
Hello. Mister!' said the soldier, open
ing the bill and looking at it. You've
made devil Of a mistake This is a V
| won't take that much.
All right said Grant turning his horse
and starting off; lend some OF it to jim
and the balance of the boys. l have Moth
ing smallerjust now, >
The soldier set his musket against the
fence, and runniag after the General
caught his horse by the bride and stoppe,
him and while the tears were streaming
down his brouzed checks, said: Look here
Mister, you've got soul! You are