Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-04
ORDERED TO EAT THE PIE
How Grant Punished a Lieutenant for
FOraxinS Under an Assumed Name.

When Grant, in August, 1861 was sent with
brigade to southern Missouri to repel threat
ened invasion of it by jeff. Thompson, an Incl
dent occurred which is thus described by one
of his staff officers 1.-THE distance from the start
ing point of the expedition to the supposed
rendezvous of the cOnfederates was about one
hundred and ten miles, and the greater portion
Of the route lay through bowling wilderness.
dured during the first two days of their march
was enormous. Is was impossible to steal or
.confiscate' uncultivated real estate, and not a
hog, or q chicken, or an ear of corn was any
where to be seen. On the third day, however,
affairs looked more hopeful. for few small
were here and there visible. On that day Lieut..
Wickfield, of an Indiana cavalry regiment,
commanded the advance guard, consisting Of
to small farmhouse, from the outward
appearance of which he judged there
might be something fit to eat inside. He halted
his command, dismOunted, and, with two
second lieutenants, entered the dwelling. He
knew that Grants incipient form had already
gone out through all that country, and it
Gen. Grant, he might obtain the best the house
afforded: So assuming very imperative de-
and told them that he must have something
for himself and staff to eat. They desired to
know who he was, and he told them that he
they ali flew around with alarming alacrity, and
served up about all they had In the house.
taking great pains all the while to make loud
much as they could Of the not oversumptuous
meal, but which was, nevertheless, good for that
country, and demanded what was to pay.
Nothing And they went on their way re-
joicing. q
an the meantime Gen. Grant who had halted
his army a few miles further back for brief
resting spell, came in sight Of and was rather
favoraby impressed with the appearance of
this same house, Riding up to the fence in
would cook him a meal.
" No.. said female in gruff voice. Gen.
Grant and his staff have just been here and
eaten everything IN the house except one
=" 'Humph,' murmured Grant; what is your
manner AZ
"'Selvidge,' replied the woman.
"Casting hal-dolfar in at the door, he asked
If she would keep that pie until he sent an off,
Ger for 1t, to which she replied that she would.
"That evening. after the camping ground had
been selected, the various regiments were noti-
fed that there would be grand parade at half
past six, for orders Officers would see that all
''In five minutes the camp was in q perfect
uproar, and filled with all sorts ofrumors. Some
unusual to have pafades when on a march.
SAT halfpast six the parade was formed ten
columns deep, and nearly quarter of mile in
"Both officers and men were amazed at this
unusual parade after such long and weary
the assistant adjutant' general rode in ffont Of
the lines, and, in agrave, loud and clear voice,
read the following order:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY In THE FIELD.
Special Order No.
Lieut. Wickfeld, of the Indiana cavalry.
having on this day eaten everything In Mrs
Selvidge'0 house, at the crossing OF the Trenton
and Pocahontas and Black river and Cape Of
rardeau roads, except one pumpkin pie. Lieut..
Wickheld Is hereby ordered to return with an
escort OF one hundred cavalry and eat that pie
also. nj.
90 -. 8. GRANT,
'Brigadier General Command3n9.,
1T is impossible to describe the effect the read
was expecting to- hear some momentous an
nouncement, and hence listened with eager
attention, and when it was finished looked ct
each other In utter bewilderment and asked.
what did It meane - :,
"The parade was over, and the moment they
dispersed each one sought an EXPLANATION OF the
strange AFFAIR. II soon leaked out and by the
time the crestMllen lieutenant was ready with
ms escort 70 leave camp, It was In q perfect mp
roar, and peals of laughter followed him e. he
denied along the road on his way back TO eat
that pie. - =,
..Grant made noexplanation OF his conduct,
ioilowe9 It by no leprimand. The order carried
ifs own lesson, administered its own rebuke,
and each one knew that 1t would not BE- 8 SAFE
business 70 pass himself of for the fenerali n-
chief, much less forage In his name for his own
beneat. When hNHeutenant returned 70 camp,
iate IN the evening. he was glad TO escape TO his
tent to avoid the numberlees questions and
Jokes about the pumpkin pio. - q