Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-26
THE COLONEL's sSEEzE
That saved Tive Regiments Of
Soldiers In the Laie War.
KnOrrill. Tribune, "a.

Yesterday, while engaged in con-
versation with Major -, in front OF
the postofice, a Tribune REPORTER no.
ticed a man Of fine physique and
handsome, intelligent features, walking
leisurely along on the opposite side Of
the street, when all at once there
passed over his face the painful and
puzzled expression Of idiotio helDless
ness. He reeled 10 the outer edge Of
the pavement like a man with an
apoplectic ct, and, bracing himself, lent
over the curbing with all the despera,
ton Of a sea sick woman. He stood
half bent as if an Iowa cyclone OF
Krakatoan earthquake was playing
sad havoc with his interior organiza.
ton. Suddenly the disturbance came
to head in his nose in the shape Of o
prolonged and chopped up sneeze
which startled everybody within three
squares.
"Ash.oo- Whoopee- hoo" rang out
again and again as the stalwart stran-
gers heels would fly up and the tails
Of his Prince Albert would fly over his
head. The very ground that be stood
on trembled and the crowd Of loafers
at the postoffce steps beat a retreat,
fearing that the building might
tumble down.
After the storm, the sneeEer slraight-
ened himself up, mopped his face with
large silk handkerchief and took
soundings. About this time the Major
left US, crossing the street embraced
the stranger, and with tears in bis eyes
sobbed, How do you do, Colonel"
They shook each others hands and
shoulders, and made US understand
that they hadn't seen each other for
20 years. The Colonel had changed
very much, and he asked In bewilder.
ment how the Major knew him.
Know you'll BY your snoeze, Colo.
mel. There is no other sneeze like
yours in the country. you know. When
heard it | thought Of the time At
Fishing Creek"
Turning TO Us, the Major said:
That was about our first scouting
expedition and all Of our men were
green. II was on the eve Of the bat,
tie Of FishingCreek, the second battle
Of the rebellion in Virginia, and our
two regiments had been ordered to
search the country for struggling Fed.
eral sharpshooters and skirmishers.
Il was night and neither regiment was
acquainted with the topography Of the
county. Moving forward in line the
night black as the chamber Of dark.
ness In "Dante's Inferno" our regi.
ment suddenly came up on a body VI
troops ready 10 receive them, With
skirmishers out. Neither men
nor officers were clear as Ia
what the regulations called for in
such a case, and there was hurried
and excited conference. The troops
might be our own men, but they X.
hored every challenge, and We knew
that they like ourselves were ready "a
FIRE. There was momen' Of terrible
suspense. Everybody oxcited--every
bedy in doubt. Then suddenly there
rang out along tho ghostly line in the
distance tho Majors double barrelled
snceze II was joyful sound, and in
our relief both regiments fairly danced
as raar alter roar OF laughter followed
each succeeding sneezo. II was 4
narrow escape from a mistake toe
common then Of one Confederate reg.
iment pouring q murderous ere into
another. The Majors sneeze saved vi
then, and don't you forget it.