The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-12

familiariZed ourselves with the more ponderous
and famous events and men of the great war;
Are there not vast numbers prone, and prompt,
and eloquent to write or sing or talk of Sher-
mans triumphant march to the sea- or Sheri-
dams dashing ride to gloryg And of the imper-
ishable honors of that silent hero who was, above
all men,
Patient in toll,
Serene amidst alarms
Infexible in faith
Invincibe in armsw
the beloved and lamented Grant,
SO let them sing, and speak, and write they
thrill out hearts and bring to eyes the tears
sacred to such memories alone,
But there are other and lighter themes to
which we may turn with different satisfaction
Camp life, like poverty, made strange compan-
ionships, and when we reflect that every hour
had its little history. with tragedy and comedy
closely josting elbows, thousand items spring
up to remind us of the brighter sides of duty
and of the peculiar characters who made us
laugh in spite of ourselves throughout the en-
tire war.
have in mind just such one most unhe
roic fellow of mine, whose roguish tricks, I'M
conscious wit and Unsuitable appetite for mis-
chief and punishment, was at once the delight Of
the regiment and the perpetual despair of the
unhappy rascal himself.
call him SAM" partly because it's an easy
name to get hold of, and partly because it really
was his name.
first distinctly remember him az Memphis,
along about tine middle of the war, just as we
were getting ready one evening for dress parade.
l was standing in front of regimental head
quarters with number of the officers, all In the
glory OF full uniform, when a green, gawky-
looking fellow, evidently one Of our new re-
cruits, edged into the party and with familiar
nod prodded his thumb gently into my ribs. say
| ing:
BE you captain O. Company BIZ"
| It was rather a surprising question at that
time in the war, when almost every man. woman
| and child in the country was familiar with uni
| forms and badges of rank, and the eagle perched
| on my shoulder strap was staring him in the
| face as he spoke. However, / answered, mo,
| sir"
A faint smile on the faces of the other officers
must have raised doubt in his mind. for he
persisted, Eyes. you bel"
mo, sir! You are mistaken" said again.
and earnestly that with a half apologize grin
on his queer face be responded:
| "Be iingo they said you belr and then he faded
| away backwards into camp among the jokers
| who sent him.
| And this turned out to be SAM He never
| especially meant to be funny, and was rarely
| known to smile; on the contrary he seemed az
| simple and serious in manner as he was cadaver-
Gus in appearance. Tall, very slim, freckled and
homely, awkward, born poacher, controlled in
stantly by his slightest impulses for mischief,
and apparently without knowledge of wrong
from right he passed his days between devil
mont and plunges into spasms Of repentance and
renorse when confronted. as he was almost
daily, by the various punshments in vogue in
camp
next remember him short time afterwards
| in camp just above New Orleans.
The day of our arrival there party of some
| eighty soldiers was marched into quarters for
| assignment to duty with our regiment
| strange lieutenant had charge of Them and as
| our adiutant was not present at the moment to
call and verify the roll took it, and, stepping
out in front of the line. called and checked it of
myself. While doing so | felt that some one,
| presumably the lieutenant was close behind me-
breathing heavily over my shoulder as he
watched the interesting process. Name after
name called, with some little haste and annoy
ance at the face could feel rather than see, at
| my shoulder, and as the last response was noted
turned abruptly to the left and fairly bumped
noses with this same Sam who had SO recently
| insisted that was captain OF Company B.
We were standing out alone, at least twenty
| feet from any others. he staring me in the face
| with innocent curiosity. | didn't speak, buf1
looked at him steadily until he seemed to realize
| that one of Us had committed some improperly,
and as before he sought quiet refuge back.
| among his comrades, who rolled upon the
| ground laughing at his freshness.
| We had scarcely gotten straight in camp and
/ begun to discipline and instruct our new mon
| when an officer arrived from general head
! quarters to make close inspection of to
drill, discipline and general condition. He gave
notice merely by calling at my tent in full para
phernalia with the announcement that he was
| ''ready," and OF course the Colonel few around
and got the regiment ready also. The inspector
was regular army officer, strict, sharp and
| determined to learn in a. very brief time all
| that searching inspection could reveal
| Anxious for a favorable report from him. ac-
| companied him through the entire inspection
| suggesting and explaining as seemed wise. and
| when finally through. inviting him TO head
| quarters for such consultation and refreshment
| as might be profitable and pleasant. The day
| was exceedingly hot our uniforms, with sword
| belt and SASH especially burdensome and as we
neared the tent suggested that we remove our
| harness and heavy coats and take things easy
| awhile, to which he assented, and we walked in,
unbuckng our sword.belts.
| And there to my horror, with his little port
| folio and writing kit spread out. sat this same
atrocious Sam at my desk, laboriously writing
| letter.
! had been leneur with him heretofore for
knew his troubles would begin soon enough. and
/ that the military polishing process would be suf-
| fcently rapid and severe without any special
aid from me- but this last performance of his
| upset me. To think that this inspector should
| find the Colonels tent apparently general con-
| yenence for the raw recruits was not only hu-
| initiating but very nearly infuriating, and
| mentally marked the obtruslve sam Tor early
| discipline | presumed that he would immedi-
| atsly withdraw account of lack of room II for
| no other reason; and SO. with fine diplomacy, [
| affected to be busy taking off my things chat
ting feverishly the while with the inspector. aud
hoping he would suppose it was my clerk so
/ busily engaged.
But had not yet learned to forecast Sans
probabilities correctly. and he didn't bulge
Seeing that exposure was Inevitable, tapped
him on the shoulder, and asked him what he was
/ doing there.
! I'm writin,' he answered pleasantly Look
| ing around. but making no effort TO move.
go out!' said pointing the way for him.
sTAeres room hero If you want to write, ht