The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1872-05-10
Written for the Toledo Blade
THEBLAZE OF THE CAMP FIRE.

Charley B. was q potteriDg littl
Dutchman, reckless as 4 French Aou
ave, but stubborn as mule. He wa
always last in retreat, not becaus'
be was more courageous tnan othel
men, but because be had more con
trariness in his composition. Ont
day about daylight, scouting party
of which Charles was member, were
moving up 8 mountain road (toward
the main detachment THE regiment
posted securely above,) pursued by
rebels. Suddenly from above came
the order, "Bear off to the right, men
lively, there" and they saw the
CLEAN OF the mountain howitZers as
they were unmasked and wheeled
quickly into position. Comprehend.
ing the situation at once, the great
mojority of the men darted off quick
ly to the right, leaving the road clear
to be raked by the howitzer.
Charley with his stubborn spirit.
reused by the order without an ex
PLANTATION, and being intent on shoot
ing reb, with red comfort about his
neck, and having never seen noun
tain howitzer, ,and not seeing any ress-
on for the sudden detOur, moved
slowly after his scrembling comrades.
Curses from the impatient artillery
men above, failed to hasten Charley's
movements The moment he was
out of range, the two howitzers were
discharged, demoralizing the enemy
below, who commenced a precipitate
retreat and astounding Charley, who,
half-stunned by the whistling mis-
siles that came very near him, drop
ped flat and CALCULATED, "Hail-vat's
dat" He was informed that it was
the "Jackass" battery, and after
reaching the main line, he examined
the two little guns that formed our
section of the battery with the great
estinterest, and observing every shot,
would exclaim, "Beautiful! Beauti-
full" The "Check-ess'' battery be-
came a standard thing with him, and
when in the winter, the command
was transferred to Kentucky, and
the boys were given a three days
furlOngh, Charley was taken home by
a squad of Ohio boys.
1t was the midst of the war and
they were honized, Charley, with his
quaint, broken English ard his nsr-
vous manner receiving fair share of
attention. The "cute little Dutch
man. was generally the center of
group of ladies', telling stories of his
army life, always in demand. One
evening he brancheG off on his noun
tain adventures, and the boys in other
parts of the room head. I'VE was
bin gone up only leetle ways, wen
der Z6onnies dey comes scootin after
US. We was den run off NIT de side
of the road, oond de 'Check ess' first
syllable very emphatic and the last
short and almost part of the first
battery, he blaze away, oond how
does Zhonnies did tumble.'' As Char
ley paused for moment, lady said
s'Tumbled What made them tum-
BILE, l don't understand, Mr. B."
Charley turned toward her, and with
the greatest earnestness repeated
"Vy de Check ess battery, don't You
see," and seeing that she still did not
understand he gave her II look as if
her education had been neglected,
and somewhat excitedly, "Check ess,
Cheek-ess, Check ess battery, you
know! Dam leets, short A laugh
from his companions notified Charley
that there was something wrong
somewhere. In some way it was ex-
planned 10 the ladies, and their laugh
ing SO angered Charley that he told
no more stories. On his return to
the regiment the story was told and
retold with variations, and Charley
B. became the "ChecE- ess" of the
company, name that stuck to him
through the service.