Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-02
WAR "REMINISCENCES
powNED THE GENERAL.
How the Guard Got the Best of a Division
Commander.

How the Guard Got the Best of a Division
Commander.
During the spring of 1868 our army
was encamped at Franklin, Tenn, Cor
don Granger in command. A regiment
crossed the river from the camp, and
picketed around the town daily. One
day the One Hundred and Twenty-frst
Ohio went over, and it fell to the writer
to take a squad back to the pontoon
bridge.
The sergeant relieved told me his
was special detail made the night be-
fore from a regiment near by; that
Captain Stacy had fooled the regular
guards out of their guns, and then had
them all put under arrest
This Captain Stacy was always at such
tricks. He was Chief Of Staff to Cen
eral Gilbert, in command of our divis-
ion, and the soldiers generally hated
them because they seemed to hate the
soldiers, and were continually trying to
play Just such tricks upon them as the
above.
asked tho sergeant what his orders
were.
'Pass no man without pass counter
signed by General Granger"
''You don't mean just that; what else
have you got?" replied.
Nothing; that's all the orders I've
got to give you," he said very emphati-
cally.
"All right" l said, turning to my
guards; ''boys, there'll be fun here to-
day."
we looked for the grand rounds dur
ing the first relief, and l put our best
man on duty, with the aforesaid 'or-
ders". / regret that / can not recall his
name. 1t was a cold, windy day, and
the guards Except the one on duty
took shelter behind some boards, and L
sat down on log to leeward of them
about ten yards from the guard to note
events.
At 1890 General Gilbert, Captain
Stacy and at least dozen Orderlies
came over the hill and down toward our
post on the gallop.
If we had known that he was the Off
Ger of the day that day, we should have
turned out to salute him, according to
regulations: lat we didn't, so the guards
kept their shelter, | sat on my log, and
down laundering came Gilbert and
Stacy.
Surprising they had another good
chance to dab it to some more soldiers,
they began to rein up but just before
they stopped the guard brought his bayo-
net down till it barely touched the
horses shoulder ard demand
Got pass, Gincral?"
ne Generals face uarKened.
do you know who l am? command
these guard!''
Cant see it, Gineral," said the SOL
der, looking him in the face.
I'm officer of the day! I command
these guards! / command you to lay
down your arms.' he fairly yelled, his
face now white with rage.
The guard said nothing, but still kept
his bayonet down, while l still sat on
the log, with as Indifferent look as |
was capable of.
where's your scrgeant?' he exclaim-
ed, looking round as viciously as if he
could bite iron.
came forward leisurely, and told
him
''The guard is right, sir; we are to re-
quire pass, countersigned by General
Granger, of every man. I presume
there is some mistake, and told the SER
geant SO that relieved"
but l am general officer of the day."
sir" he said; and Stacy looked as if I
would turn pale at the thought of being
reduced to the ranks and the whole
guard arrested in disgrace.
Il have no reason to doubt your wor'i
SIR" l replied, but we have no such in
formation. and l don't see your saS.I I
suppose you should wear red sas'n.
'Eh! that's all you know about it. A
general officer wears a yellow sash.
What regiment do you belong trs?"
told him.
"Ah! that accounts f0r it: that &C
counts for it. Now, When YOU 90 back
to camp you study PIE regulations.
You'll find general o .ficer wears vel
low SASH
But he looked ro' ind for moment and
then turned tail and rode slowly toward
Granger's tent With his head down, and
all his. eavaIc' de followed.
Afser lo' 10 while here came an or.
Derry riO ng on the gallop with big
envelope in his hand.
No'T you'll catch it''-said the guard.
i don't care; we've got in good on
GlI'Dert for what Stacy did last night.
'F- eat Scott! Wouldn't the whole di
vision hold jubilee over it if they dar
, ed?"
The orderly dismounted and saluted
as if l were the General in command.
From General Granger" handing me
| the envelope. Iopened it and read:
To the Sergeant Of the Guard at the bridge:
You will pass all division copnlanders.
By order of GoRDoN GRANGER
General Commanding.
Gilbert was officer of the day; but
About'four o'clock he came over the hill
on walk, with one little orderly be-
hind him. We turned out:
"Have you any different orders?" he
asked, in sneering tone.
Eyes, sir; written orders from General
Granger to pass division commanders"
He passed over, and on his rounds
made them believe over there that the
deuce would be to pay for it, but that was
| the end of it.
The scene in Changers tent must have
been rich, for Granger was popular, and
delighted in soldier who was up to his
duty.-G. Irwin, Poncha Springs, Colo,
4 in National Tribune.
| "A citizen of Belfast, Me-, was awalc
| ened about 4 o'clock on n recent morn.