The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-21

weight Of the rider, which was a trifle
over three hundred and twenty pounds.
The major whipped up the Morgan, and
was soon some distance ahead of the
general, which had the effect of making
the latter's horse put forth all its strength
to catch up with him.
"Stop" Numbered General Nelson,
in his deep bass voice. Keep by my
side. Would you ride in front OF your
general p
Cant helpit, general called out the
delighted major, horse won't let me
stop now, at the same time giving the
animal a sly dig with his spurs, thereby
causing him to fly over the ground faster
than ever.
Then he turned his head to see how
his companion was getting on. The
generals horse had his neck stretched
out to the utmost extent and as for the
general himself, the tall military cap
that he wore, full OF feathers at the top,
had fallen down over his eyes so that
he could not see, and he was see-sawing
at the reins, first one and then the 9th
er, while his insides were shaking just
like blanc mango.
The major laughed, and urged his
horse faster, and laughed again, racing
in this mBnner mile and half, until,
fearing he would kill the old fellow, he
considerably drew rein. When Gen
eral Nelson reached him he was so blown
with the unusual exercise, and over
come by the circumstances altogether,
that he had not a word to throw at
person. The rest Of the ride was as
commonplace as usual. If
On the succeeding morning, at 4
o clock, the major carried out the gen
erals orders with the same enjoyment
as before. Again he walked into the
darkened room, fared up the gas, and
aroused the unwilling sleeper to receive
an insignificant order. For three days
the general bore it serenely, but on the
fourth morning he started up with an
awful oath.
What do yon mean by waking me
up in the dead Of the night, like this?
roared the general.
"Why, general said the unabashed
major, "it was your order. You told
me to do it."
MY ORDER disdainfully echoed the
general. " Hereafter you will please
not followu my orders quite so closely,
especially this one"
So saying, he settled himself among
the pillows for another nap. And this
was the last time that General Nelson
was unnecessarily awakened at so early
an hour, except on one OCCASION which
| am now going to relate.
The army was soon after marched
into the interior Of Kentucky, and it was
at Mudrose Hills that the incident oc-
Cured. 1t had been raining for several
days before the advent of General Mel
sons division, and the state of the mud
was somewhat wonderful. am sure it
is not exaggera,ing to say that it was
three feet deep The general designated
tolerably solid piece of ground
on one side of a sixty feet wide
pike as the place where he wished his
tent to be set up, and the chief wagon
master, casting about for spot where
his trains could halt without the proba-
bility of their disappearing entirely, ap-
proved of the opposite side Of the pike,
and settled them there He had one
hundred and fifty teams under his com
mand, with six mules to team, and
enough more OF the animals detached
10 swell the number up to thousand.
The general sought soft repose, uncon-
scious OF his near neighbors. A person
might have heard some noise in said
locality that night, particularly at four
o'clock in the morning, when the crea-
lures got hungry, and wanted their
breakfast. One thousand mules picketed
in a close space. stamping and tracking
like mad, and all of them lifting uptheir
voices together. Fancy the concert for
the generals ears.
Music hath charms to sooth the say
age breast" says Shakespeare, but it
did not seem to have the right kind OF
effect upon General Nelson, for he arose
at daybreak great deal more savage
than when he retired, and sent for the
quartermaster, uttering meanwhile so
many words of evil report that rather
think the Recording Angel had a good
time Of it blotting them ont with his
tears.
"Who is your wagon-master? de
manded the general, endeavoring to as
sumo that difficult appearance for man
en- dishabille-a stern, dignitied, impos-
ing look.
Ferris answered the major.
Ferris" groweled the general, the
rolls on the ~ sounding like distant
thunder. 81 might have known as much.
What does he mean by luartering those
id mules before my tent? Tell him
to take them ont OF that forthwith.
And he swore.
But, general said the major, You
are on the only solid ground around here,
and the mules cant be placed in the
mud. Their small feet would sink into
it. so that each one would have to be
dug out separately.
The answer that the general made was
to swear vehemently, deep-voiced eJacu-
lations that chimed in beautifully with
the melodious chant waited towards
them on the morning breeze.
Perhaps suggested the major, see
ing how very earnest his superior in
command was, "perhaps there might
some dry land be found in the timber
vonder,' Indicating with his hand dis
tant wood. eff Won will give me an
order, I'll see t" it.
The order was written Immediately,
but it is a long task to move a number
of mule teams, and work as hard as the
teamsters would, there were still fifty OF
4 1 Il IL L.