New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-24
THE THREE BUMMERS.
BONE ADVENTURES ON THE MARCH TO
THE SEA.

ing TO an infantry regiment of the regular army and
served under General Sherman from the Vicksburg
campaign to the capture of Savannah. Consequently
l saw q good deal of active service, both marching
and fighting. All old soldiers will agree with me
in saving that tine movements of any body of troops
larger than division could not be seen by soldiers
in the ranks, and, generally speaking. We saw or
knew very little outside our own regiments. But
there was one TOPIC common to officers and men
alike, and of paramount importance to botn, that
was lin campaign parlance) grub. And to get enough
10 eat was often q very serious problem NOW, AN
and ALWAYS have been of lean and hungry nature
and soon learned to become an expert forager 10
exc out my sometimes scanty ratons
sherman's order TO (" forage literally on the coun-
try was hailed with delight by the troops and
never were orders more promptly obeyed.
Inst before tho march to Savannah began / re-
coved an order TO report to Headquarters 18th Corps
I was very much surprised and not little alarmed
as had only the day before been out foraging on
nv own account aud was afraid OF tho conse-
uuences of that trip. was some four or live miles
from camr and while sitting down to rest heard
the tramp of horse down the road. Looking up
saw horseman approaching, and immediately
stepped behind tree to recOnnoitre for thought
perhaps it might be one of Wheeler's scouts. But
as he approached saw that he was apparently I'M
seemed to be unconcerned and was riding very
leisurelv and as he drew nearer heard him hum
ming song or hymn. AS there were no Others IN
sight OF hearing made no my mind TO halt him
and ride that brown mare TO camp myself
stepped out from behind the tree. covered him
with my musket and called out Halt !" He
looked up quickly. threw his mare almost on
Der launches and his right hand made quick
movement TO his side as though In search OF
weapon.
Hands up. JOHNNY" said I. cor I'll shoot
Don't shoot" said he, :" surrender"
advanced. keeping him covered, and inquired if
he was armed.
No" said he; II am a non-combatant am
minister and am exempt
During our little conversation had discovered
be was wearing an extraordinarily tue par OF
bigh.topped alligator boots. and / made up my
mind at once that those boots ought to go with
that mare and In fact decided they should, though
felt it was good deal like highway robbery.
well. your reverence" said ], las you are
minister you must of course be charitable. and as
the Bible tells you Do good to them that hate you
and love your enemy yourself"
"Yes" said he. q trust am humble follower
of the Lord, but please let me pass, as | am III
hurry to visit a very sick parsh!oner"
Il am very sorry. elder, but you will have to go
the rest of your Journey Cd foot dismount."
He complied very reluctantly, and threatened to
report me at headquarters. l made him turn his
back to me and hold up his hands, and searched
him thoroughly for arms, but found none. Now"
said |. Elder you will obllge me by taking off
your boots, as have concluded to trade with you.
/ should be ashamed to ride that fine mare into
camp with this old pair OF shoes on"
He slowly pulled of the boots and walked away
in the direction he had come; and | mounted my
beautiful brown mare, wearing the beautiful boots.
and gallopped back to camp.
We'll, of course / had to tell the story TO the
boys and now was afraid / had construed Sher-
aan's order rather too literally and, In conse-
quence was ordered up for an overhauling But
imagine my surprise and delight when 1 was
ordered to select any two men of my regiment
fancled and report for duty in the morning TO Major
c. Adjutant- General of the 18th Corps decided
very quickly to select Billy Wilson and George
Schoonhoven, and in the morning We reported TO
the Acknowledgement. From that time to the end
of my term of enlistment went by the name of
Boots OF the Elder. We Immediately got our traps
together and the next morning began that memoir
able tramp that "cut the COrtederacy in two'
and IN which Billy, George and l figured as bold
bummers as Sherman's forogers were called.
Everything was hustle and hurry in the morn
ing Generals and their staffs riding up to head
quarters to chat with the corps commander; or
derlies galloping here and there with orders for
different divisiOns the rumble of artillery as 1T
pulled out of camp and stretched along the road;
the fearful and uncomfortable oaths OF the " mule
whackersn getting their refractory teams in shape;
the strains of martial music from regiments al
ready Oh the march. tramping gaily along to the
tune Of "The Girl Left Behind Me"; the laugh
and lest of the sturdy veterans In the ranks-all
combined to make an exhilarating scene. Billy,
George and had all our preparations made the
General he told to go to the front and see Il we
could pick up something for the mess; And see
here" said he, remember to pick up all the horses
and mules you can and turn them Oyer.to the Quar-
termaster; we are of for long march and shall
need all the horses we can pick. up. Make that
your principal duty and If you notice another pair
them to me. That's all, be off,
Our first days march was dry Of piokings having
following we did little better, but we did not
get enough to divide with the adjutants mess,
kept it for ourselves. Billy had gobbled a, jug
of ''mountain dew" and we were loling round the
fire very comfortably that night when an orderly
came up and said to me: Boots, the General
what Generain said I; "not odd Dutchy'f"
four namo for General Osterhaus, who COM
Eyes" said the orderly, odd Dutchy' told me
to tell youto come to his tent"
Boys" said !, somebody has given us away
sure; I'll take the jug with me-" moment later
stood in the generals presence
"Vell," sajdhe, IVA have you got in dat chugf"
Mountain dew sir. l thought perhaps you
would like little"
"Tank you, tank you, my man yoost set de chug
down and tell NE all about dem boots and how you
got 'em.n
/ told him the story as briefly as possible for /
was a little afraid of Old Dutchy"
"VellD said he, you will neafer pc shot You
are born TO pc hanged / think you will make a
goot fOrager. and will expect goot many fine
tings from you you can g. .,
to the fire appeased the curiosity Of my comrades
Boys" said /, we must light early IN the mOrn-
ing and try for good haul so as to keep Major g.
and the old man good-natured. Pll go over to
the Engineers Department and see if can find out
the route for tomorrow"
II was important for us to know the line of march
for we frenrentlv IA did all tho hummera want off