The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-02-08
[F0r the ADVANCED
INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES
OF THE LATE WAR.
FROM THE DLARYOFA HIGH PRIYA TIE
IN THE REAR RANK
NO. VI.

IN THE REAR RANK
No. VI.
GOV. MORTON.
Shortly after the battle of Pittsburg
Landing, Gov. Morton, of Indiana,
came down to Gen. :Halleck' S leadquar-
ters, which were with the army that
was then slowly and cautiously advance
ing toward Corintll, Miss. 1Ialleck had
just taken command in person. shall
never forget Morton's personal appear
ance. lie was the only person about
headquarters dressed in citizens suit.
He wore swallow-tailed coat, plug
hat, light, dove colored vest and tight
pants, and looked altogether more like
a Southern gentleman than Il Governor
OF /; Northern State. He came alone
having lost 4 young friend on the way
by a railroad accident. He made his
home at headquarters while looking af-
ter the welfare of his troops, some of
the regiments lnyingsSuffered severe
losses ut the engagements of Fort Don
elson and Pittsburg Landing. lie was
furnished with an old gray horse and
offered an escort or orderly by the Gen.
eral, but refused the friendly offer, pre-
ferring to travel about amongst his SOL
diers unrecognized. This afforded us
real sport, and sometimes noticed Il
bland smile steal over the countenances
OF the General and his officers us the
Governor would bestride the old gray
and start out on his daily rambe alone.
There were no passable roads except
those Which had been constructed by
the army, and known as ''corduroy :"
roads, made by placing on the ground
fence rails and poles and covering them
with earth. A ditch was cut on each
side Of these roads and at this time were
filled with water from the heavy rains.
On these roads, in many places, there
was just room for one team to pass
One day the Governor, riding alone as
usual over one of these roads, met Il
train OF ro gh teamsters, when tile front
one hailed him with-'' Lock out, you
id old reble! Clear the track, for
Uncle Sam is cOming!" The Governor
got off the track us quick and as far rs
possible, but, i'll a twinkling, the Gov
eminent team took the old gray by the
right flank and turned horse and rider
completely upside down III the ditch of
muddy water. They were thoroughly
immersed, and as the Governor scram-
bled out and fished out his plug hat, he
heard shout go up equal to the VIC
tors on 4 hard fought battle field, COM
ing from the train Of teamsters us they
passed by giving vent to their mirth by
exclaiming-''T That's the way Uncle
Sam will babsouse you back into the
Union, you old Secesh! !" swell hang
Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree!'' But
the Governor remounted and rode slow
ly back after the train inQuiring the
name and regiment of the te;mster, but
could not find out by any one in that
train, until, ut the landing where they
loaded supplies, he WAS Informed that
the teamster belonged to the Governors
own State troops whom lie had himself
equipped and sent out. When the Gov
ernor arrived back at headquarters in
his sad plight, his appearance created
no little merriment with the General
and his officers, especially when he told
the whole story. The Governor took
the joke in good part and stood treat.
lie then punished the teamster with Il
Second Lieutenant's commission.
| n. V. Med.