Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-22
Four Military Stories.

From the New York Tribune
At the club the other day they were recount
ing some "reminiscences of the war; when an old
general on the retired list of the army re-
marked:
Il will illustrate to you the amount of infiu-
ence Possessed by officers over men, and the
high state Of discipline that prevailed during
the first months Of the war. by the following
incident that occurred at the battle of Bull
Run: In the heat of the action an officer. who
has since become prominent and well known
throughout the country. was then in command
of a brigade on the right of the line While
riding over the field he discovered a soldier
concealed in hole in the ground, which was
OF just sufficient dimensions to afford him
shelter. The general rode mp 10 him, inquired
as to his regiment. and ordered him to join it
at once. The man looked him full in the face,
placed his thumb upon his nose. and replied:
oh, no you don't, old fellow. You want
this hole yourself
This reminded another old veteran of a pecu-
liar military dialogue he listened TO in the
course OF one of the battles of the rebellion I
forget which. The soldier was going eff the
held too hastily. and the provost guard cried:
Halt"
Cant"
''wounded?'
No"
.'Siek?"
mo"
What's the matter?''
Il am scared, and want to go to the rear to
rally"
These military anecdotes remind me of a
story i heard Gen. Sheridan tell once, and
which do not remember having seen in print
before The general at the time was in com
mand OF some western troops fighting the In
dams. band of the latter had made sudden
attack on a detachment OF his men. but fOrtu-
nately they had a mountain hOwitzer mounted
On mule. Not having time 10 take it OFF and
put IL in position, they backed up and blazed
away at the Indians. the load was so heavy
that the mule and all went tumblng down the
hill toward the savages. who. not understand
ing that kind Of fighting. took TO their heels
Afterward one of them was captured. and when
asked by Sheridan why he ran replied:
Ne big Injun, not afraid of little or big
guns, but when white man fires whole jackass
at lnjun he don't know what to do"
Another story which Gt II. Sheridan was fond
OF telling at the dinner-table. after the coffee
had been served and the ladies had retired
went somewhat like this. am told:
There was a jealous chaplain OF the Army of
the Potomac who had called on a colonel noted
Tor bis profanity, to talk of the religious inter
est OF his men. After having been politely mo-
toned TO seat on the chest, the chaplain
began:
Colonel, you S-<e one of the finest regi-
ments In the army"
Il believe So" said the colonel in reply.
DO you think" pursued the chaplain. that
you pay sufficient attention to the religious in
struction of your mem"
We'll, don't know" doubtfully replied the
colonel
a lively interest has been awakened in the
- Nassac husetts, the parson went ON to saw
THE Lord has blessed the labors of His sery
ants. and ten have already been baptized"
is that SOP excitedly cried the colonel and
then turning to the attendant. added: Ser
geant-major. have fifteen men detailed imme-
diately for baptism; I'll be blanked if I'll be
outdone by any Massachusetts, regiment"
The gala week at Charleston. q. C. il t1,rn-
ing out well, despite Of bad weather. The
trades display last night was the finest ever
seen there, and was Witnessed by an immense
throng.
D. +. Adams, city treasurer of Macon, Ca.
vas reported yesterday as being about S20O00