The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1873-06-19
Nc Nllitia Rlg.

@e>e~~
- Every survivor Of the command
which Gov. Sholby led from Kentneky
in the war of 1919 has at some time or
other told the we'll authenticated story
Of "the militia pig" Tho singular
campaign of tho patriotic porker has
been recorded in more chan one history
Of Tho State, but the local press has re-
Gently revived the story in statements
from some of the few remaining witness
rs OF its truth. They differ only about
TRIES and the undlsputcd facts are as
follows:
The day after the command left their
rendezvous on the march for the seat OF
war, . couple of shoats were observed
fighting furiously in lane. The col
umn halted, of course, to see it. There
was some betting and excitement 10 the
battle ragged, and q loud cheer greeted
the victor when he chased his antago-
mist from the field. When the march was
resumed it was observed that the con-
queror, with foaming chops and bristlcs
erect, was accompanying the column.
Pleased with the applause he had 70
ceiycd and fond Of martial company, be
soon made Il known that he had v0Iun-
tccred for the war. When night came
he supped bountifully of the grain the
horses wasted, found himself y bed i"
some one of tho tents and turned in.
The next morning when the bugle sound
ed for the march he was found ready
and waiting for the signal. Before
reaching the Ohio river at Cincinnati he
had discovered that the front was tho
best place in tho column of the cavalry
when the roads werc dusty, and that
place be insisted on keeping. At the
river no squcaled 30 pitcously tor o
place in the boats that he was hoistcd IN
and ferricd over with tho rest. On he
went through Cincinnati, across lndi-
ana into Illinois, back to Sandusky,
thence to Fort Meigs, thence 10 tho riv-
or Raisin, Pigcontowcr, to Detroit
wherever Shclby's mounted volunteers
were ordered the warlike pig attended
them. These long marches in the wilder
ness were attended with many hard
ships and privations, but the pig bore
his share without y murmur. When
streams were to be fcrricd he asked and
obtained place in the boats, but when
the troops had to swim their horses over
rivers or wido reaches of swamp, he
chccrfully swan with the horses. He
was the pet Of the camp, and the soldiers
began TO take q supcrstitiOus interest IN
caring for him. They would not go in
TO camp at night till the pig was known
to 30 safe and snug. They were often
out of meat, and not over puctilious
about picking up chance roasts on their
bayoncts, but with that pig they were
willing to share their last crust, and he
won their admiration for good breeding
by never sticking his nose in their plat.
tcrs or meddling with their provcndcr till
he was invited.
At last Shelby's men were ordered to
invade Canada, and then for the first
time tho pig refused to follow. As the
men entered tho transports he showed
no disposition to visit the foreign shore
across the waters of the lake. All At
temtts to tako him aboard met with
loud squeals and determined resistance.
Some one called out "Put down that
pig! lie has got the Massachusetts, mi
litia's scruples against crossing the line y
His friend, Capt. Watkins, interfered
and sent him back to Detroit. When
tho army reached that point on its re-
turn from the Canadian battle field, the
pig was waiting at the landing; singled
out the home-spun hunting shirts OF his
own Kentucky boys and was soon grant-
ing his satisfaction IN their midst. From
that timo forward no was known as
"the Militia Pig" He continued with
tho command until it was honorably
mustered out at Marysvillc, Kentucky,
when his career as public character
terminated. His subsequent history
partakes of tho obscurity Of private life,
and there arc two stories about it. 1t is
certain that tho soldiers voted him pen
sion but accounts differ rs to whether
he spent the remainder Of his days in
peace and plenty on the farm of Capt.
Watkins, in Shelby county, or on that Of
Gov. Dcsha in Harrison.