The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-07
DOWNED THE GENERAL.
The Guard Got The Best OF the Division Com
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EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: During the
Spring OF 1863 our army was encampcd at Frank
lin, Tenn, Gordon Granger in command. A
regiment crossed the river from the camp, and
pickotod around the town daily. Ono day the
l2lst Ohio went over, and il fell to the writer
to take squad back to the pontoon bridge.
The Sergeant | relieved told me his was a
special detail made the night before from a
regiment near by; that Capt. Stacy had fooled
the regular guards out of their guns, and
then had them all put under arrest
This Capt Stacy was always Mt such tricks.
He was Chief of Staff to Gen. Gilbert, in COM
mand of our DIVISION and the soldiers gener-
ally looked upon them both rs rebels, and hated
them because they seemed TO hate the soldiers,
and were continually trying TO play just such
dirty tricks upon them as the above
j asked the Sergeant what his orders were.
Pass no man without n pass countersigned
by Gen. 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 emphatically.
All right" / said, turning 10 my guards !;
boys, thcre'll be fun here to-day"
We looked for tho grand rounds during tho
first relief, and ] put our best man on duty,
with the aforesaid Orders" | regret that can
not recall his name. IL was a cold, windy day,
and the guards Except the one on duty took
shelter behind some boards, and sat down on
a log TO iccward of them, about 10 yards from
the guard, TO note events.
Al 1890 Gen. Gilbert Capt. Stacy, and ut
least dozen Orderlies came over the hill and
down toward our post on tho galop
If we had known that he was the Officer of
the Day that day, we should have turned out to
salute him, according to Regulations; but we
didn't, so the guards kept their shelter, sat on
my log, aud down laundering camc Gilbert
and Stacy.
Surprising they had another good chance to
dab 1t to some moro soldiers they began to
roin up, but Just before they stopped the guard
brought his bayonet down till il barely touched
the horses shoulder and demanded
Got pass, Gineral2"
The Generals face darkened
DO you know who ann command these
guards
Can't see it, Gneral," said tho soldier, look
ing him in the face.
I'm Officer of the Day! ! 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 / still sat on the log, with
as indifferent a look as was capable Of
Where's your Sergeant" he exclaimed,
looking round as yicousIy as if he could bite
iron.
came forward leisurcy, and told him
The guard is right, sir; we are to require
pass, countcrsigned by Gen. Granger Of every
man. presume there is some mistake, and
told the Sergeant that | relieved"
But am General Officer OF tho Day. sir"
he said; and Stacy looked as II would turn
pale at the thought of being reduced TO tho
ranks and tho whole guard arrested in dis
grace.
have no reason to doubt your word sir"
replied, but We have no such information.
and J don't sec your sash. / suppose you
should wear red sash"
En- 4! that's all you know about IT, A gen.
eraI officer wears yellow sash. What regi-
ment do you belong tor"
! told him.
All that accounts for It; that accounts for
II. Now, when you 70 back to camp you study
the Regulations You'll find a general officer
wears yellow SASH"
But he looked round for n moment and then
turned tail and rode slowly toward Grangor's
tent with his head down, and all his cayalcade
followed.
riding on the gallop, with big envelope In his
hand.
Now you'll catch -" said the guard.
don't care; we've got in good on Gilbert
for what Stacy did last night. Great Scott!
wouldn't the whole division hold a jubilee
over IL IL they dared 2"
The Orderly dismounted and saluted as If
were tho General In command.
: From Gen. Granger" handing me the en-
velope. opened it and read
TO the Sergeant of-thc Guard nj the bridge.
You will pass ali division commanders
BY order Of GoRDoS GRASoER
General Commanding.
Gilbert was Officer of the Day but about
o'clock he came over the hill on a walk. with
one little Orderly behind him. We turned out.
Have you any different orders2" he asked,
In snecring tone.
" Yes, sir; written orders from Gen. Granger
10 pass division commanders"
lie passed over, aud on his rounds made them
believe over there that the devil would BIO 10
pay for II all but that was the end of it.
The scene in Changers tent must have been
rich, for Granger was popular, and delighted
IN "a soldier who was up 10 his duty.-G.
IRWIN, Poncha Springs, Colo.