The National tribune., 1889-05-16
A QUEER COMPANY.
Ohio Boys who Followed ,rashfngton's Examp

Uuiu Do1s VIM EViAOHe0 HASHAuEf0H'S Example.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Although not
a story writer, | will endeayor to relate an in
cident which happened in connection with my
army experience. In 1865 / was stationed with
my company at Danyille, KY, and / prided
myself on having one of the best-drilled and
most moral companies in Gen. Hobson's De-
partment The boys were always regular in
their attendance at church and Sabbath school
and / would have been willing to make afli-
davit that not one of them would take any
thing that did not belong to him. The citizens
of Danvile all said that it was the first com
pany of soldiers they had ever seen who would
not steal In fact. a brood of chickens belong
ing to Mr.. Hackney, who lived beside the
camp, were Matched and grew to fullsized
growers, aud not one of them disappeared.
But after having been stationed there about
six months the complaint reached my ears
that my boys were stealing milk from an old
rebel lady living two miles from camp known
in that neighborhood as THE Blue Goose"
She first complained to the Provost Marshal of
the city. He called my attention to the mat
ter, but admitted that it was certainly a mis-
take, as he did not believe that any of the bows
of my company would be guilty of anything of
the kind. The Blue Goose next called at
my quarters, and, in great wrath, demanded
that l make my boys quit milking her cows.
1 told her did not believe that had man
in the company who would be guilty of such
an act; that they had been reared by Christian
parents, and that now, while out in defense of
their country, they were regular in attendance
at church, and that a number of them had
been appointed teachers in the n. E. Sabbath.
school. She insisted that the boys were guilty..
and that she had seen every one of them milk
ing her cows Gen. Frye, whose home was in
Danyllle, was at that time in command at
Camp Nelson, and to him the old lady made
her complaint.
The General came to my camp and informed
me that an old rebel lady had complained to
hlm that my boys were milking her cows |
told him that | was very confident there was
not word of truth in the complaint and to
prove 1t to him invited him to come to inspec
ton at my quarters the next morning (Sab
bath) at 10 o'clock, and that / would ask the
boys, in his presence, whether they were guilty.
/ informed the boys that Gen. Frye would be
present at inspection in the morning and that
would expect everything to be in the best of
order, but said nothing to them about 1.-The
Blue Goose " matter
Promptly at 10 o'clock the next morning the
General was on hand. | called the eomnanv
out, feeling proud of their soldierly appearance
and still prouder that they, by their denial
would vindicate themselves from the unjust
charge of stealing. After the inspection the
General in a neat little speech, complimented
the boys on their fine soldierly appearance
and SAID that he was glad to hear of their req
ular attendance at church. 1t spoke volumes
Tor their early training and good morals. After
the Generals talk, called the companys at
tention TO the complaint of their stealing
:" The Blue Goose's" milk, and then said:
Every man who is guilty of the charge. stem
three PAGES to the 'front.'" Every darned man
stepped out except one! Corp'l White re-
manned in his place, looking as innocent as
babe. looked at the General and thought /
could detect a smile on his countenance. and
then turned to the Corporal and asked him WHY
he did not step forward with the rest of the
company. He replied that he had not MIXED
any of The Blue Goosesn cows. asked him
how in the world he resisted the temptation.
when all the others were guilty He replied
Well, Captain, | had all that could do to
hold the cows" Still proud of my company. I
turned to the General and asked him what he
thought of that company. He replied smiling
THAT is. the first company of George Wash.
ingtons / ever saw" The company was then
dismissed, and instructed by the Captain to
not forget to attend church at II o'clock and
Sabbath-school at p. MN ID. RoDocKER.
Captain, Co. D, 185th Ohio, Fairview o.