National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-09
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SUPERFLUOUy CLOTHING.

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The Thirty-fourth Massachusetts, was famous
for its thorough discipline and strict adherence
to military usage, as well as for its fighting
qualities; and whether before the enemy or be-
hind him, in camp, on the march or in bivouac,
it was never known to relax in the observance
of that punctiious etiquette that does so much
in a military organization toward making up
the esprit dW corps. The colonel would al
ways insist on the regulation uniform being
worn by all his officers, and particularly when
they were on duty, or paying their respects at
headquarters, it was an objectionable offence
for any Of them to appear out Of uniform. In
the spring of 1864 the Thirty fourth, with other
troops, was lying at Msrtinsbdrg. The troops
there gathered were about to march out ON
what was afterwards known as ''Hunter'E
raid" and an order had just come down
from headquarters by which the line officers
of the command were prohibited from tax
ing any baggage except barely what they
could carry about their persons, and order
ing that call unnecessary baggage and super
fuous clothing" should be Immediately packed
up and sent to the rear. Capt.-was one ofthe
most intrepid officers in the regiment, and was
as particular in all the details of military life
as the Colonel himself. He accordingly, in
obedience to the order, packed up and sent
away all his best clothing, retaining only one
suit. Captain c., of the Thirty-fourth, then
serving in the brigade staff, had just been pro-
NOTED to a lieutenant colonelcy in another
regiment, and before leaving to join his new
command he gave reception at headquarters
to the officers Of the Thirty-fourth and others.
haODaUad fhaf -,
tain - had the misfortune to get the skirt
of his only remaining uniform coat accidentally
torn, so that it was beyond repair. He took
the garment to his company tailor, and had the
skirts cut OF all around, thereby transforming
it into very neat appearing cavalry jacket.
Arrayed in this nondescript garment the Cap
tain presented himself at the aforesaid recep-
ton at the headquarters of the brigade at
Msrtinsburg. When the colonel of the Thirty
fourth saw him in this rig he was not a little
chagrined to think that one of his most par
ticular officers should so appear before the
commanders Of other regiments there assem-
bled. He could not let the opportunity pass
without inquiring into the matter, and in the
presence of the whole company the following
colloquy ensued:
Colonel. "AllOw me to inquire, Captain,
what kind of q uniform that is that you have
onw
Captain. ''CertainIy, Colonel. It is the new
uniform for the line officers of the field, aud.
recently ordered for the officers of this COM
mand.
Colonel, "a little mystifed.) "Ah, indeed
And pray, Captain, where do you get your
authority for wearing such garb!''
Captain. "In General Orders No., through
these headquarters, dated April -, 1854; and,
as you see, have acted accordingly"
Col. "You must be mistaken, sir; there is
nothing in that order that could be so con-
strued."
Capt. ''No mistake about it, Colonel; there
is an official copy of the order signed BY your
adjutant in due FORM" producing it,
Col. "Wen, Captain, be kind enough to point
out the clause that refers to this new uniform
of yours"
Capt. "Certainly, sir;' and he read that
part of the order relating to the baggage al
lowed to company officers, ending with-'and
all unnecessary baggage and superfuous cloth
ing will be Immediately packed up and sent to
the rear" ''Now, Colonel" continued the
Captain, cit is very evident that the tails of a
uniform coat must come under the head of su-
perhuOus clothing, and for want of Transports
ton have had mine cut uff accordingly and
sent to the rear"
The Colonel joined heartily in the general
roar that followed, while the Captain was es-
corted by the master of ceremonies to the re-
freshment room.
1t may not be out of place to add that in the
many battles in which the regiment took part
during the following summer there was at least
one officer who never showed his coat tails to
the enemy.-TWrRer'S Falls Reporter.