Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-10-31
BOBTAIL JOE.
CHRIS. AMMAN, JR.

The subject of this sketch was a war
horse of the rebellion. Just when he en-
tered the service is not known, but at
the breaking out of the war he and his
mate were already veterans in the service
of Uncle Sam. He was attached to Glib
bons Battery, which was assigned to our
brigade at the reorganization of the army
after the first Bull Run battle. Our &C.
quaintance was more particularly with
the battery, though in tho drills of camp
we were often brought in close proximity
to the battery in supporting it in
brigade charge of the enemy. On these
occasions we noticed the fire of these
veteran battery horses, whose eyes flashed
and nostrils dilated and quivered from
the excitement aroused by the quick
changes of positions and the bleching of
the cannon in rapid succession to sustain
a position or hew away the columns of
the advancing imaginary enemy, usually
some companion brigade of infantry.
At the second battle of Bull Run this
battery was called into some close work
in holding important positions. On the
last day it got in between cross-fire and
suffered great loss in horses. Bob
tail Joe on that day got his name by hav-
ing his tail cut neatly off and at the
same time losing part of his launches,
all being done in one fell swoOp by
large piece of shell, which had exploded
over the battery and had caused death
and destruction from its fragments. After
Withdrawing from position and taking
up march for Washington, the wounded
horse was allowed to wander at will. He
would hunt up grazing grounds, feed all
day, but return regularly every evening
for his oats, which he partook of with
his veteran mate, who came out of the
battle unscathed. The battery boys
would wash his wounds and the boys of
the brigade would show him every at
tention until "Bobtail Joe" became
hero of the war, and was noticed in the
letters which were written in camp to
the folks at home. There was just lack
ing the power of speech to express his
affection for the battery andbrigade boys,
for in every other way Bobtail Joe evinced
t, and for his mate, who had now new
companion on the caisson, he would show
an attachment that was touching in
it's tenderness and loyalty.
After the army of the Potamac was put
in shape, commenced the march to inter-
cept Lees advance into Maryland. At
South Mountains the battle in theEmoun-
tains fired up Joe's war spirit; but he
could not get up to the front, ind all
through the battle of Artietam he was
not permitted to come near the field of
action. His wounds were not healed,
and being left to himself on the march
he was not chafed by the harness or irri-
tated by the heavy battery works.
The fierce, sanguinary Battle of Ante
tam was over, and the many brigades
and batteries had gone into camp. The
dead and wounded were being looked
after by squads detailed for that purpose.
The work was being continued into the
night, which was lit up by strong light
from tie moon. Joe wandered over the
fields listening for the bugler's call, by
which he could always find his battery,
and in his preambulatiens came upon the
very spot held by the battery during the
fight. Squads were digging holes for
the burial OF the dead, but this was an
old scene to the veteran horse. Perhaps
he might have moved off unconcerned
but for plaintive neigh from wounded
horse. Joe listened with ears pricked up.
1t came again fee5lY.
He was now all excitement, and NOV
ing up to the PROSTATE animal, Joe rec
ognized his veteran mate, badly wounded
and disabled for further service. The
meeting was affecting and the grave dig
gers who witnessed the scene, and who
knew Joe and his battery, were moved tc
tears. Joe would put his head lovingly
up to that Of bis mate and by soft neighs
express his sorrow. It was not long
when couple of carbineers came along
from patrol duty, and moved also by tht
pitious action of the wounded beast end
ed its suferings. For days after Jot
wandered around expressing his sorrow
by his indifference to food and the caress
es of the battery men. He lost his wont
ed regularity and would be gone fer som'
days and would be seen lying in thu
shade of some tree, Indifferent to the ami
nation of the camps or the call of tn
bugle. When orders were at last receiv
ed for renewal of the march to Richmond
there was stirring hustle in camp ant
the echoes were awakened by the shril
bugle and loud drum. Joe heard it ant
walked into camp. To honor this ex
treme loyalty to duty, the captain Of tn
battery honored Joe by using him a
"the captains horse" OF course Joe fel
deeply the honor of the position as h
pranced al the head of the battery in tn
onward march, and though he had n
tail to erect, be proudly arched his nee
and tossed his head in the full measur
of his pride, and that ends this tale.-