The National tribune., 1885-05-21
That Goose Again.

To THE EDITOR: In your issue Of April 30,
1885, see that Comrade p. I. Powers, OF 20. L,
Sd Ohio, replies to the inquiry Of Comrade Nc
Clure, of the nth Ind, as to who captured the
pet goose Of the 14th Ind claiming that MEM
Der of Co. j, Sd Ohio, had the honor-Or dis
honor. whichever it may have been-of captur-
ing said goose. In your issue of April 3D. 80,
] appeared in note stating that Comrade Nc
Clure was in error as to the regiment; that it
should be the sd Ohio, and that James A. Nor
row, of Co. A Of said regiment, was the soldier
who appropriated the l4th's pet.
Now. unless the 18th Ind. had more than one
pet goose, it is evident that either Comrade
Powers or myself is in error, and with your
permission, Mr.. Editor l will relate the story
of the goose TO which / referred in my note be-
fore mentioned.
/ cannot give the exact date, but the circum-
stances occurred between the 25th of Septem-
her and 18th of October, 1861, on Cheat Noun
tain. W. Va. At the time, TO the best OF my
recollection, the only Ohio regiment encamped
on Cheat Iuntain besides the 32d was the
25th, and the other regiments were the 9Th,
18th aud 18th Ind. The Sd Ohio, list and I'd
w. Va. and possibly some others, were at Camp
Elk Water. some miles southwest OF Cheat
Mountain Camp. One evening about dusk, as
COmradc James A. Morrow WAS returning to the
quarters of Co. A, Sd Ohio, from stroll
through the camp, he had occasion to pass a
flock of geese, which We had frequently OBJ
served, and which vas supposed to belong 10 a
man by the name of White, living OH the Noun
tain. Comrade Morrow when within few
feet of the geese, was suddenly seized with
desire for goose meat and with stick when
he was carrying he knocked over the most con-
venient goose without stopping to inquire to
whom it belonged The bird was brought to
camp where some of the boys proceeded to
divest it of the feathers. which was done by re-
moving the hide with the feathers.
Early next morning quite connection was
noticed in the camp of the 14th Ind, and at
the same time Comrades II. G. Thompson and
Daniel Campbell of CO. A. 32d Ohio, were
experimenting the cooking of the goose. We
were not long in discovering that the cause OF
the racket was the loss of the goose. and we
immediately set to work to fOrtify against DIS
coyery. The kettle containing the goose was
removed from the fire and taken into tent,
where the boys had made floor of pine brush.
The brush was raised and the contents of the
kettle deposited on the ground and the brush
again laid down and two or three blankets
spread over it. Matters We're, pretty soon. be-
ginning to look ominous. The 18th boys were
coming into camp making all kinds Of direiui
threats against the party who had had the au-
dacity TO kill their pet. 1t was not long until
the hide and feathers were discovered, and at
once suspicion seemed to be settled into tact as
to the company which was guilty. demand
was made on Col. Ford, of the SD, that he
should have the guilty party ferreted out and
punished. The Colonel entered into the matter
with a great deal Of outside Indignation, but
failed, of course. to make any discoveries.
In the meantime Capt. Lucy, of Co. A, had
been informed as to the true state of affairs, and
in the presence of about half of the 18th he
mounted a stump and in very strong language
denounced the atroclous deed and the villain
who had committed the act. and that if he be-
longed to his company nothing would be lett
undone to discover and bring him to punish
ment. This appeared TO be wonderfully salts
factory to the enraged 14th, and they began
leaving for their camp. but it was not until
near noon that our camp was clear of them.
AS soon as the coast was clear the goose was
resurrected, and the preparations for the feast
went on.-J. PINNoCK, Washington, d. G.