Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-05-24

good to see YOU as Ii did when we run up
the old flag Mt Vicksburg. Thirty-eight, come
here and shake hands with your Colonel
He knows You, sir, and all about
you, except some things you used to say
when the fight was hot; and when | see
you coming 1 says: Thirty eight get into
line, mind your drill and salute your
Colonel like man and soldier And
didn't he Just do it, eh?n
took the hand of the great-eyed, brave
boy in my own and watched him while he
intontly studied my face.
Now, Thirty eight, run on ahead and
tell them I'm coming back with our
Colonel You got to ration with me this
one time, sir, if | carry you to my quarters.
I've wanted long to see you and can't and
won't let you go.n
1t was on the evening of Memorial Day
that this meeting occurred. l had visited
the town by invitation of the G. A. r., and
certain matter had written for the occa-
sion was read during the ceremonies After
dinner / had again stolled toward the
church-yard and it was Just outside the
gate that / encountered Sergeant Sam and
the hoy.
Sam Shngle was about the bravest most
reckless man in the old Thirty eighth reg
iment volunteers, which for thres
years of the late war l had the honor to
command
Brave they all were, but Sam was the
leader, and color-sergeant also, but he was
likewise the most troublesome man; in the
discharge of his duty none eXcelled him.
but his profanity was fearful, he would
drink to excess, and when drunk was n
demon.
During one of our assaults upon Vicks-
burg, Lieutenant Sidney Foster, slight,
1..EN.
the enemy's works when We were driven
back and the gigantic color-sergeant had,
resigning his flag for time, rushed be-
tween cross fires, picked Foster up and car
ried him, as n mother would child, back
into safety. The act was no noble, SO dar-
ing, that oven the gallant foe those who
could see 1t, cheered for the brave fellow
and exulted in seeing him succeed.
But he was terribly wounded before
he did reach our lines, and shortly after re-
ceived his discharge for disability resulting
from wounds received in action. Together
with Foster, mustered out for the same rea-
son, he had gone to the Western home of
the Lieutenant, and here it was i met him
on the occasion mentioned for the first
time since
Tho boy had started ahead, as ordered,
though it was evident he would have glad
ly remained
He's thoroughbred, Colonel-truo blood
through and through, that boy is-and I'm
training him for a soldier, l am. See how
he obeys ordersy I tell you when Uncle
Sam gets Thirty eight Foster for soldier,
old glory won't wave over better or
Drawer one"
Then that is the son of your great friend,
Lieutenant Foster isitg"
"Thats his son, sir, and hcr's."
looked more closely than ever at Sam
how his voice trcmbled as he spoke the last
word How changed he was. There was
10 trace of the old riotous living, no touch
or hint of profanity in his language; not a
taint of the beast about him.
WAITED patiently for developments.
why do you call that fine little fellow
Thirty -eght?" asked.
Sam laughed. We'll, you see Colonel,
right after he came here took the old fig
ures off my old cap and polishes em up and
put 'em onto little blue cap that the
mother made for HIM. You never see any
thing or anybody 80 tickled in your life as
he was. and he ulster cry Tor that cap, and
then put his hand up to make folks sec them
fgures-and 80 we got to calling him
Thirty eight and he knows that name
best and Is best known by that name, and
don't you fear, Colonel he don't nowise,
noway disgrace the old Thirty-eight, he
don't; lie never picks fight, hut he fights