The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-05-27
BLOODY-SHIRT PAPERS!
NUMBER xxx.

Who, of the Army of the Tennessee OF
Cumberland, does not remember "Old
Leather-Breeches," and his battery of
ten-pound Rodman guns? This man
was said to be Prussian officer, on leaye
serving in the Union Army. A charac-
teristic of this officer was the strange
method of his firing. You could always
tell where Leather-Breeches was by the
sound of his guns. When the first Sec
tion, or gun, was discharged, the other
five would follow in regular but rapid
succession-thus, one, two, three, four
five, six! This battery of light guns was
always on duty, being easily handled, and
not infrequently gun or two would be
crowded forward to the skirmish line
and bang away for while, then get back
The commander-whose name we do not
now recall-wore a nondescript uniform
of blue jacket and beaverteen pants, and
other goods quite as odd. His beaver
teens gave him the name by which he
went. The Rebs soon learned to know
where Leather-Breeches was, as well as
we did.s One of those incidents which
blend the solemn and ridiculous in an in
comprehensive manner, occurred one
day near Leather-Breeches' battery. A
number of US were passing along the line
noticing what was called an ARTILLERY
duel" between Rebel battery and Lea
ther-Breeches' little guns. AS we passed
the battery we observed an old German
some distance to the rear, who was spin
| nil or011r,1 lilo a t0r O would falyo q
step or two, then whirl around, shaking
his fists and gesticulating in the most lrl-
dicrous manner. Of course we went up
to him and inquired the cause of the
strange maneuvers, but could only get an
indistinct jabbering about "dot Repel
Pattery und dot Yankee Pattery!" Upon
closer examination it was discovered that
shell or shot from a Rebel cannon had
passed between his arm and side, tearing
away a portion of his blouse. The force
of the shot of course stunned the man,
but there was scarcely a break of the
skin. Yet as the cannon continued to
roar within few rods of him the old
gentleman executed a war dance that
would have put Geronimo on his mettle
to beat.
At the same place was noticed tall
young colored man who was stealing
along from tree to tree, as though ex-
pecting every moment to be his last Be-
coming emboldened at last by the appar-
ent safety-as the shots were flying high
this man boldly stepped out and started
across little open space. just at this
moment shell from the Rebel battery
skipped over the top of the Union para
pet, and exploded, making terrible noise
among the trees. The young colored
man gave an unearthly leap into the air,
and fell upon the ground. Going up to
view the dead body Of the young man, it
was discovered that he was not touched
that fright had literally tossed him
three feet in the air, then threw him
fiat upon the ground.
After Atlanta was taken, we found
that large brick building which had
been used as a sort of arsenal had been
burned to prevent the supplies from fall
ing into the hands of the Yankees This
building was a smouldering heap of ruins,
for days after the real destruction of the
building. We noticed one day a good
natured Dutchman, now of Mercer Coun-
ty, this State, walking along by this build
ing. It chanced that a few old shells had
been buried beneath the debris. Just as
the Dutchman was walking calmly and
contentedly by this place, not knowing
that any one saw him, some half dozen
shells exploded, throwing pieces in all
directions. The Dutchman instantly cast
his eyes about in all directions, but saw
nobody. then suddenly threw himself full
length upon the ground. and fairly hug
ging the ground, and shouting, "Lie town
Lie town" 1t was fully minute before
the Dutchman realized that he had not
been attacked in the rear by thirty-two
FOUNDER.
Such scenes were constantly occurring
While there was hardship, and danger,
the same indomitable will and courage
which did not shrink from these were
calculated to enjoy in it's fullness the mo-
ment of relaxation when it came. The
weary march was enlivened, and the bur-
dens lightened by the merry joke or the
harmless trick. Sometimes, however, the
pranks of the boys went little beyond
point of propriety and safety. In COM
mand of four companies of us at Chatta-
nooga, during the cold winter of '63- A,
was Capt. G. M. Barber, of.this State He
had an abundance of stomach, but neither
brains nor courage. He persisted in put
ting on as much style as a Major General,
and was cordially hated by the boys be-
cause of his general worthlessness as a
soldier. One cold winter night, as afore-
said, the Captain was moving about in
his tent, having bright light, when, on
nearing one side of the tent, a boulder
made short and swift voyage from the
body of the camp, across the parade
ground, and diyed at the shadow. There
was an investigation, but the dear boys
were all sound asleep. Going back into
the tent he tried it again, but a second
rock thumped the tent and produced an
effective call for "lights outW The Cap
tain fixed the boys on that point, how
ever. He took to sleeping in the middle
of his tent, and keeping guard on at the
/ door, The old fellow seemed to realize
| what he deserved, and took precaution
against a repetition of the attack-but he
never found out who threw the rocks
There was much that was funny ard en-
joyable in the army life-but we are not
prepared to say that this man enjoyed it
to any great extent.
| ---A11H------
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