Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-06-01

stimulated and exaggerated the natural rest
leseness and adventurous spirit OF many
of the men composing it and thus the army
"bummer" was developed. The term should
not be COMPOUNDED. The army "bummer
was not akin, even remotely, to the lazy,
blear-eyed, bloated. worthless vagAbond
who, in civil life, is designated BY this term:
The army variety of the genus "bummer
was simply q restless, adventurous, Investi-
eating, daring foraoer; q scout not detailed
for scouting duty. an independent exploring
engineer Who had 4 natural instinct for To-
biography an poultry, and an unerring nose
for roads, by-paths, and confederate pork
and mutton. He looked with contempt on
camp guards. and regarded picket lines with
disdsin. He could, without serious difficulty,
make his way through an unknown coun-
try swsrming with deadly enemies. An
swering ''here" to his name at evening roll
call, and evading, with subtle skill, the Wig
lance of the sentries, he would travel ten or
fifteen miles, on the darkest nights, through
woods or fields he had never before seen,
and, bring back full supply of the best
the country afforded for his mess, would
answer ''here" at the roll-call in the morn
ing, and be ready for Q twenty march
that day. He would accomplish the ieat-
impossible in times of peace-of carrying
away, without being stung, beehive
loaded with honey and populated by full
swarm of angry bees. He was ubiquitous.
In camp or with the column one moment.
he was heard Of, an hour later. miles away,
| calmly inspecting q smoke house or cellar,
and retailing the most absurd inventions Of
his exubersnt fancy to the startled inhabi-
tants. Possessing marvellous powers of en-
durance, fruitful in expedients, always cool /,
courageous and alert, the army "bummer'
was at once an enigma and phenomenon.
How he did what he did, was not capable
of explanation; that be did all was won
To this class or type of soldiers belonged
James II. English, private soldier, from
the date of his enlistment until the day Of
his death, in Company l. Tall and supple.
| with not an ounce Of superfuous flesh; rest
less under restraints; having the instincts of
an explorer allied with the reckless audscity
Of an sdventurer, Jim" English was char
acter. He was born in Pike county, Mis-
souri,, q region famous for its odd specimens
of humanity; was brickmaker by trade and
| twenty-four years of age. The regimental
roster says he enlisted December l1ths 1861,
and was present for duty until January LIST,
1864, when he re-enlisted as a veteran, and
was then present for duty until December
10th, 1864, when he was killed in battle, at
Nashville.
Poor, restless, wandering, good-hearted,
| illiterste "Jim;" always "preeent for duty
that was all. Always asking to 20, and
going whether he had permission or not.
Always keeping on good terms at regimen
tai headquarters SO as to shield himself from
the wrath of his Captain if the latter dis
covered his nocturnal absences from camp.
staff, his voluntary duty was discharged with
jealous faithfulness and tenacity. Queer
old "Jim,"-I should have gone hungry
many q time if his daring and skill as fora-
ger had not been exerted in my behalf.
Many were the faults of this odd, slouching,
observant, predatory, old-young fellow, but
he had many good qualities also, not the
least of which were his shy friendliness and
his quiet good nature. In ths: other and
better land hope he is not only present for
duty" as he always was on this earth. but
that be ia serene and content, as he never
was.
Another and an entirely differen: type
of our volunteer soldiers was Orderly Ser
gent John w. Long, whose military history
Is thus recorded in the brief annals of the
regiment:
John w. Long enlisted AS private,
September Both, 1861. Born ut Lemoy,
Ohio; farmer; single; twenty years old 1T
enlistment. Promoted Corporal, May LIST,
1862. Wounded At Chicamauga, Septsm-
Der 18th, 1868. Re-enlisted as q veteran
January LIST, 1864. Wounded at Peach
Tree creek. near Atlanta, July Goth. 1864
Promoted First Sergeant, October 2lst, 1864
Killed at the battle of Nashville. December
10th. 1864"
a universal favorite was Johnny" Long
as he was called He WAS always in his
superior to the longest tramp or the most
years of my service with him am sure that
l never SAW q frown on his face, nor heard a
complaint from his lips. If extra duty was
to be performed, johnny" Long was always
ready for it. II a forage detail was needed
after long days march, the bright con-
tented lace oil johnny Long, II ne was a
corporal or sergeant Win tne SQUAD gave
assurance that ihe work assigned the detail
would De vigorously ana inteiisehtiy at
,ehueo TO- ~ camp, always neat gooo-
prompt, tireless ana ihte,llgen'; IN psttie,
always steady reisoie anu ora'e- johnny
Long WAS at Ill times and everywhere an
Ideal soldier
twice the enemy puiiets struck MN, IN
hctihg nrs. shsnt' ana tneh severe
wo1ho, ana ME e"hrades Joked nun ABOUT
Inc tIira tiine, ana out put ne only
,.usheG' rs ne dia =! All snihgs personal 70
h''hsei- oyHpstne'ic anu oenoer WIN Inc
troubles or m'sioftuhes OF others, MS own
ne msds hght OF. But, aia-. the ''third
Tune a'u put OUT inc hShI .! TINS gay
hearted ana fearless young soiohr. In the
last oattie IN Wnien ms regiment took part,
ahd whlie galianiiy charging the enemys
works NJ NsshViiie, ne was instantly killed.
some OF ms couraoes say 'hat ms lace IN
death toId no story OF pam OF horror. IL
was smiiing, Ms IN me. narasnips' priVa-
lions ana toii couid not sour me sweet cur
ren@ OF MS nature, ana even death iaiied 70
chill the generous ardor OF his .oui. lie
died, rs he mad hved, win smile on MS
young lips ana content In his heart
Right in the van,
On the red rampart's slippery swell,
With heart that beat charge, he fell
Forward, as fits man.
But the high soul burns on to light mems
feet
Where death for noble ends makes dying
sweet"
Not all the heroes of the war whose
graves will be wreathed with flowers today
fell in battle 1t has been said that "the
crowning glory of our soldiers was their
peaceful disbandment." One day they stood
in line. the absolute masters of this land
its length and breadth there
was no power, no authority, thxt they did