The National tribune., 1891-04-23
Read Better than Pension 4" on page 8.
ONLY LITTLE THINGS,
But the Impressions Made by Them StiI Llnger
With O..

But the Impressions Made by Them StiIl Linger
With IL.
EDITOR NATIoNAL TRIBUNE: Comrade
Hewitt's account IN your issue Of Jan. p, Of
how certain wild fellows" were "discipliued Z"
brings yiydly 10 mind a little thing that
transpired in june, 1863, while the command
sent out under Gen. Frank J.. Blair was on the
return march from HainCss Bluffs TO EiclSs-
burg, about three weeks prior TO the surrender
OF that stronghold.
Surviving comrades who participated 10 that
wild goose chase f" will remember something
Of the discomiOrts not 20 say "hard ships"
endured on account OF scarcity Of water the
dense clouds Of dust ia which we had 10 march,
aud the absence Of timber TO afford shelter
| from the scurchIug rays Of q June sun: and If
still living j am sure that some Of those who
were near the head Of the column one excess
lively hot day, have not forgotten how refresh
ing II was 70 those Of US in tho ranks 10 see
Gen. B, and staff take shelter under the lcafy
bOughs OF large tree which stood near the road
call a halt aud then disuOunt and quickly
assume spread eagle" posture upon the
yelvety sward underneath; particularly when
some of those wild fellows who had been
with Grant at Forts Henry aud D0uelson. az
Shiloh and IN northern Mississippi presumed
10 occupy a little Of the untitled shade of
said tree, how Gen b.. with an the kindness
and courtesy has soul possessed Cor the private
soldier, called for guard 10 keep the boys out
Strange isut d. that after almost 30 years have
passed and mauy Of The more important events
Of our campaigns have been forgotten, the
memory OF these little things should still. lingcr
with us2
Are there any among your readers who care
70 know why Gen. Blair never became very
popular with the rank and fle Of lis com
maud Another little incident comes yiyidly
20 my mind.
One halmy afternoon in the Spring Of 1853,
while experimenting IN person the embarka-
ton Of bis " little Old Third Division on the
transports from one Of the banks Of the Father
Of Waters Gen. Logan walked slowly out 10
where little company Of half a dozen or more
soldiers were stretched upon the grass telling
anecdotes and amusing themselves generally
aud asked pleasantly, Boys, which Of you
carries the best tobacco 20
In an instant and in about "one time and
two motions there was display Of the arti-
Gle called for By those who carried the weed
aud after tokiug sample or two and an inter.
change Of p!easHntues, the General walked
lcisurc.y back toward Tie boat which was then
taking on board iis cargo Of human freight.
Are there any who have yet to learn why II
was that "Oid John A "-as he was Familiarity
callcd-was idoizcd by bis soldiers aud that
they were ready al any time 10 follow him,
even 10 the lannon's mOutAy
Only littlc things but il was very LARGELY on
these, or rather tic spirit that prompted them.
that opinions, good or bad, were based resDect.
ing those who were 10 be our leaders. and in
some instances having been formed early In
cur experience as soldiers, proved 10 be not
only surprisingly accurate As "A rule, bat so well
established in our tbou youthful minds. that
years aud all The yici-7itudcs al life combined
have failed 10 change or erase tho impression.
j. T. Ross First Lieutenant, Co. II. 7sh
Ohio, IHdiauola, Iowa