The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-04-27

little efficient duty; almost never in battle
oat of sight and hearing when wanted, bu
reporting in time to escape penalties; gettip
on the light details and frequently shifte
about so that good deal Of time was spen
in travelling; contrvingto lose their route
and suffer detention and delay, falling i
with regiments where were friends an
stopping to visit them for longer or shorte
periods, and getting their furloughs vise
at some General Headquarters so rs to cove
and explain against being reported as de
serters Another class, though anaging I,
be reported steadily with the regiment
would coutrve to be absent from camp, o.
to straggle on march. but be on hand at rol
call or at whatever time their absence woulC
be cause for special Investigation.
In case the regimental hospital got sepa
rated from the regiment rs it sometimes
temporarily did, they wouli often turn W
there, and the surgeon would make them
available if their services were necessary
sending request for regular detail or return
ing them with written statement of reasons
for their detention.
Some Of class would contrive in var
ous ways to get rather frequent furloughs,
sometimes from me for actual sickness and
slow conyalescences, and, after the expira
ton of the furlough, manage to get citizen
physicians certificate of continued illness,
forward them to the regiment ana so con-
tinue to keep at home for several consecu,
tive months, working at trade or on a
farm, or otherwise be employed, taking care
all the while TO be properly reported, Many
would get "sck furloughs' from the general
hospitals to which they had neen sent. The
hospitals, ever needing to reduce their mum.
bers as fast as practicable legitimately, would
thus dispose of many rs soon rs well enough
to travel.
One case in the 63i, of the kind whose
ways | have been describing, was such
g Paragon of the Play OFFS, short account
Of his career will show type of his class. 1t
follows that he WAS on the disabled list and
north in general hospital Immediately after
Piusburg Landing. lie began to "turn up"
in the pleasant season, about the time Of
which am writing, while we were hanging
upon Grand Junction and La GraBge--last
-
"mtiguo duty or any special service inyol-
wing tho least hardship, included him, he
was az once on hand to be excused. lie was
"a tall, medium figure Indifferent in appear.
luce, otherwise than exhibiting entire lack
Of energy, aud in a slow, GrozaIing tone
would give a short list Of ailments he kept
IL stock against such occasions for being ex'
,used, Preparing for march, ambuIances
always overloaded, in verifying and check
ng my list of occupants, calling for them to
their NAMES, on one of the seats
urthest back his was pretty sure to be
heard.
"But what is that man name in that fur.
hest dark corner? Cant see him" Already
become familiar, it would be pronounced
Rec ch--wid Woo-red,' or rather
lrawled out lie was cunning in his selec.
ION of a seat; often being in haste not easy
. get near for minute examination, he
would thus escape in the excitement. Have
10 recollection Of treating him for any ser.
oGs sickness, nor Of seeing much of him, ex-
ept his always showing himself as stated |
Wonder was how he was enable to find the !
egiment at first, or TO get into it when he
ad. discovered from circumstances later, |
hat this manner and tone were but disguise, |
hat he had joined with the design to play
f. his way all through, and good evidence |
ppeared to show he succeeded.
Mustered out of the SD and appointed !
tail Surgeon early in 60, was on duty as
Ward Surgeon, at Overton Hospital, Mem |
his, Tenn, that summer. revelation rs
o THE fellow was there presented. A col
octon of old registers were there stored |
which, on one occasion, had the curiosity |
o glance through. Catching the name Of !
richard Wood | traced it up; not difficult,
or the books had been systematically kept,
nd particular patients who had frequented
hat hotel, could be easily followed. | found
hat this patient, had been frequently report
d, and that he spent much time there
rom June, 1862, the month we first occu-
led Memphis, till the latter part of 1864.
would read, Orchard Wood, SD Illinois,
he complaint home on THROUGH Richard
IoOd, returned from sick furlough; sent to
egt. Richard Wood, SD H., same process
epeated."
1t appeared in tracing his case through,
nat his time was about equally divided be-
veeu his visits home on sick furlough, in
ospital and travelling, reporting to the reg.
nent often enough:to keep his account good
iere and shortly get returned to the hospi
II again | never knew the end of his
lreer, but probably he got detailed ut last
some light duty in one of our southern
ospitals, till closed up in 1865, or in some