The National tribune., 1891-05-14
SPRIGG CARROLL
Humorous Trait. in "Old BrIeE,op's" Character.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Much has
been said about the bravery and GOODNESS Of
Gen. s. s. Carroll but his amusing points have
not as yet been dwclt upon. He would have
his fun, and he had n staff that joined in heart
lily.
As an introduction. will say the first time
the l4th Ind. was placed under his command
was in the Shenandoah Valley az point. my
diary says, seven miles from Mount Jackson.
That would be in the vicinity of stony Creek.
The sth Ohio and 18th Ind we:c ordered to
fall in. with three days rations. When in line
Carroll rode TO the head of the column and
gave n string of commands i'm his stentOrian
voice that was all Greek to the 14th Ind,
which amused u.s. but we did tho best we could
TO execute the movements Of the 9Th Ohio. We
learned from the oth that his command was,
Attention. battalion Right face Forward!
Route step-March " all without break. The
effort to initiate this command did much to
endear the regiment to him.
This expedition was q 26-mile raid to get
in the rear OF the enemy at Mount Jackson
and to save the bridge at that point across the
Shenandoah River. Carroll's action that night
was favorable introduction To the 18th. While
the general orders were strict in reference TO
foraging, we at first thought his attention to
the matter was especially pointed, and he was
terribly savage 20 the disObediCnt who had
purloined a stray goose, pig, duck. or chicken,
and he would almost brighten the Ii fe out of u
fellow by his severe Ieprimand and actions
winding up by take 1t back; take il back
Immediately" and then ride Off followed by
his staff. except the one belonging 10 the cul-
prit's regiment who would drop TO the rear
aud say, Jim, Just you lay low few minutes
until the General gets out of sight; he never
looks back" This was enough for the old SOL
diers; they then understood "Old Bricktop"
on forasing thoroughly. / never did any Of it,
but those who did no doubt often divided
with the Generals mess.
At Stevensburg, Va, was detailed as Bril-
gade Officer Of the Day. and like most young
officers that wanted 10 make a favorable i'm
preston on the Commander, was considered
somewhat ofIicious, a beginner in that posi-
ton, by some of the officers who were not dis
posed 10 heed the orders given, but when they
found from their action the duty was increased
instead of diminished. they had the work DONE
aud / confess that l was gratifed with the
results accomplished. / was very strict with
myself, and also with the guard. Men do not
object TO perform duty when they find tho
officers exact no more from them than from
themselves.
Ny first report as Brigade Officer OF the Day
was, 10 me, large undertaking, but / deter
mined % rely on my own limited ability TO
draw IL up in full military style. handed il
TO the Orderly with evident satisfaction, and
felt confident / would receive praise from
Headquarters. In less than five minutes the
Headquarters Orderly very brusquely returned
the report, TO my utter amazement. What
could the matter be2 | could not imagine.
had done my best in writing il and folded it
very carefully. did not know what to do, but
finally hunted up the cIeancst sheet of paper
could find, Tewr0te il and folded IL as straight
as possible, aud again sent il 10 Headquarters
In less time than before 10 was returned. Then
got mad, for | knew worse reports had been
sent in than mine, and had never heard OF any
one having been dsgTaced before. took my re-
port aud went 10 Capt. Donaldson, who had the
reputation Of getting up good reports in our
regiment, and laid IL before him and asked him
10 look it over carefully, and tell me what
was the matter with it. After reading and
looking it over, he said smilingly: THE
heading. address, signature and indorse-
ment are certainly given fully, and your re-
port Is good one and / ain surprised that you
managed to get the regiments TO do all you
here report. My advice is that you send it in
again -; which did. And that same Orderly
flew back at me with the order, Report your
self Immediately at Brigade Headquarters"
This neryed me for the climax, for my ire was
mp. The General Headquarters was in a raised
Sibley tent. j tapped at the door, but no sum-
mons TO enter came. The tapping was re-
peated, and when my patience was becoming
somewhat affected / opened the door aud
walked in, and halted near the middle Of the
tent. The General was busily engaged in ar
ranging papers on the table. While standing
erect, / cleared my throat for the purpose Of
attracting attention. This action only seemed
TO enhance his interest in his work, for at least
30 minutes, which seemed hours TO me-
stood erect, with the little fingers near the
seams Of the trousers, in s5ldierly attitude, TO
receive the Teprimand the General would
doubtless give me. Finally. after much hem
ming, the General turned toward me with the
most kindly smile. ] sauted. The General
then asked, "What can / do for yOu?" TO
which / answered, ! was ordered 10 report at
Brigade Headquarters sometime ago, and have
been standing here every minute since"
What was you ordered to Tepor; for7"
That's what / came to find out"
Have you no ideaI"
Yes, sir; ! suppose in reference to my re-
port as Brigade O6icer Of the Day." handing il
10 him. He received IT, and at a glance took
in the red-tape points. After reading ID over
no smiled, ] thought graciously, as no said,
Very good call again." with a salute.
My emotions in that tent, aud on retiring,
can be better imagined than described. Hav-
ing ANTICIPATED storm, instead ! was received
and dismissed so respectfully that it set INC 10
thinking. and when asked by one Of my fellow
officers il had heard any snickering in the
Adjutant Generals tent, / was convinced it
was prank Of the Aids, in which the General
had joined.-CHAs. ii. MYERHoFF, Evansville,
Ind.