Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-07-10

our brigade, and spying Col. L., he
called out cheerily:
"Good morning, Colonel. How are
ycu:"
The Colonel, who was in bad hui
NOR, brought up his sword to formal
salute, simply saying: General"
II say, L., that was a mighty
queer message you sent me last night"
continued Uncle Billy.
81 had rot the honor of sending you
any message. General" replied the
| Colonel, with studied politeness.
"The officer in command had omitted
to issue orders for foraging, and l
was obliged to address him upon the
subject"
"Oh that was it, was it" chuckled
Uncle Billy. SWELL, we'll! It's all
right now. Hope the boys got enough
to eat?"
"oh, yes, General. We know how
to forage"
cob, you do, hey? Well, that's
good" And Uncle Billy started off
at his usual headlong pace, crying
after him, "Good-by, Colonel. Take
care of yourself, old boy!" And he
was gone.
Some days after this we had again
halted for the night. when word was
brought to Col. Ewing that Gen.
Sherman wanted to see him at head
| quarters.
The Colonel proceeded at once to
obey the message, and walked down
the road to the general bivouac fire,
where he found Uncle Billy walking
up and down in the light of its blazing
fagots, evidently somewhat disturbed,
and very taciturn and reserved in his
| manner.
He listened to the Generals instruc-
tions quietly, made the interview as
brief as possible, babe the General
goodnight, and started back at once
to return to his command.
He had gone but few PAGES when
Uncle Biliy's voice arrested him.
ooh, COLONEL" he called, "will you
please come back here moment? I
must ask your pardon for speaking to
you in such an abrupt and seemingly
harsh way, but the fact is, I'm all out
of sorts! You know we started this
morning before sun-up. and had for
breakfast only some cold bacon, hard
tack, and coffee, and I haven't had a
mouthful since. Back there in the
woods this afternoon I bought fine
ham, and meant to have good sup.
per, but do you know some of those
confounded boys have actually stolen
my ham!"
The Colonel offered to send him the
best supper he could get up. But no
Uncle Billy would not hear to this.
Gust forget my rudeness tonight,
he said; Il had no right to talk to you
that way. however hungry and cross
might have been. I'll just eat some
more bacon and hard tack, and Their
we must all roll up in our blankets
and get what sleep we can, for you
know we start on our march at early
dawn tomorrow. will not detair
you longer, therefore, Colonel, so bic
you goodnight"
AS the Colonel walked back to his
brigade he passed our regiment-hold
ing the right of line-and spoke to Vi
cordially, saying: Goodnight, boys
: goodnight. Get as much sleep as yo7
= can, as we make an early start to-mo1
> row morning."
y Got tbo i1O W 1o JUL AWAY I'LL GA
ceedingly savory smell greeted hi
nostrils, and the boys called out afte.
him:
Hold on, Colonel. Won't you pleas,
come up to the fire, and we'll give 20,
bully supper?"
"No, I thank you," replied thu
Colonel. "But, bless my soul! Where
did you get that ham," as the soldier.
proceeded to spread forth the supper
to which he had been invited.
I'VE drew this ham from the commits
sary, Colonel" replied the soldier with
a hearty laugh, in which all the res
joined.
"Well, boys" said the Colonel, in
dignantly, as he thought of the brave
old General deprived thus of his sup.
per, If you ever draw another ham il
that way I'll see that you are ever,
one punished severely"
"Whv, Colonel, cried the astonished
soldiers, eve nave just learned how te
forage"