The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-12
A WAR ADVENTURE.

ing in the army Of West Verginia as a
lieutenant of volunteers. I was con-
nected with a regiment of State troops,
and was acting us adjutant. The COM
manding officer Colonel Richard Trev-
click Tor General as I shall call him
throughout this story, for he became a
General soon afterward, and by that
title most dear to meg, and at the time
write was in charge of the garrison
station at W. The General was in
many respects a most remarkable man;
remarkable physically and mentally.
He was about SIS years of age, six feet
two in his army boots, we'll proportion
ed. and as straight as pin. His hair
and beard were gray almost to white
ness, but his eye had the snap and fire
in itof a young man of 20. He had serv-
ed with distinguished honor through
the Mexican war, and was devoted to
the profession of arms. His nerves
seemed made of iron, and yet his heart
was as tender as a child's. Inever saw
such scrupulous honor, such heightened
moral excellence, in any mortal man.
10 be soldier was to him to be the
representation of chivalry, the incar-
nation of truth, the very soul of honor
and integrity. To him the man who, hay
ing plighted his word failed to keep it
was wretch unworthy of association
with decent men, and he never failed
to punish with severity any act of per-
sonal dishonor. Such a man was the
General. As'for myself, 1 was young
man of %, impulsive, rather vain, in
many things weak, but always his de-
voted and humble servant.
The town of which our regiment
formed the garrison was small but
rather lively, and contained many in
habitants who, if their word was to be
taken, were the first people of the
South. call to mind at least half a
dozen heads of families whose position
as regards the rebellion I never Learn
ed, though | was thrown much with
them tried my best to ascertain their
sentiments. Their wives and daugh-
ters were generally outspoken rebels,
though in many cases this seemed to
be more a matter of amusement than
principal. It was SO easy to get up
conversation when a lady and gentle
man met who maintained opposite
opinions, that it was almost dissap-
with you. Some way, too, the little
tilts that followed the introduction of
such people seemed to pave the way
to such delightful flirtations that the
boys always welcomed them. Life at
garrisoned post grows rather weari-
some after a while, no matter what
the social charms may be, and espec-
tally is this true of the active or am
bilious soldier anxious to distinguish
himself. The General had entered the
war, feeling that he must more than
satisfy the expectations of his friends.
and to be held here in quiet duty chaff-
ed him exceedingly.
However, he submitted like a good
soldier, and occupied his time in put
ting his regiment in the best possible
trim. The daily drills was very thor
ough, and when the town was turned
over to his successor, he led into the
field about the best regiment of volun-
teers ever saw in the service. The
foregoing and some incidents that fol-
low may look as if was preparing to
write a story based upon military ex-
perlences, but this is not the case. [
am relating these facts as preliminary
simply, and shall get out of the camp
and the field before great length is
reached.
The General was made much of by
the leading citizens of the town, and
now and then so-called Union man,
living some miles in the country,
would call to pay his respects and
wish us success. Some of these were
undoubtedly sincere, but many of
them were not to be trusted, and but
for the generals great confidence in
human professions, not few might
have been arrested, and this without
injury to the Union cause. It was not
unusual for us to receive pressing in
vitations from the gentlemen to visit