Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-09-12
A WAR REMlNiSCENCE.

General Ord and tho Twenty-Sixth Regi-
ment Infantry n. Y. Vol.
We had marched many hours over
rough country, the sticky clay of old
Virginia not adding to the pleasure.
We thought from the appearance of the
little general (Ord.) commanding the
division that it looked like fight Ger
tainly something was up. Hence this fore
ed march for the last three days-no ra-
tions, the orders being very strict, not a
fence rail to be touched or n rebel hog
sheep or OK killed on pain of punishment
About p. IN. we bivouacked upon the
plantation of Chief-Justice Marshall, a
most pleasing rural landscape, the fields
ornamented with many hogs and sheep;
but alas, they were not for the hungry
soldier. We We're in camp. 1t was
rumored that the commissary train
would soon be up, most agreeable
rumor for the tired soldier. 1t was not
long before some of the home-spun con-
federates TALL union men now came in
to the company's lines was looking
attentively from point in front of my
company. for the missing train, when a
man handed me an order written in
pencil from our colonel to detail two
men as guards for the house In con-
versation with the man / ascertained
he was the overseer and had charge of
the place. Said l, "Who owns these
hogs and sheep?" ''They belong to the
estate" said he A thought flashed in
to my head. If 1 could only buy one
and have my men catch it the meat
problem would be solved. "Do YOU
have any gold in circulation here?" 1
asked. Not seen such thing since
youuns came to war with weuns" l
had in my pocket gold dollar, 1.-The
last of the Mohicans" / showed it to
my man. "See this dollar? 1t is gen.
uine. / will give it to you for one of
your hogs" He closed the bargain at
once.
stop" said, 81 will give you this
dollar for a hog with the understand
ing that l send five of my men to catch
it,
"Only one hog" he said.
"That is all the five men will take. :"
"That's all right"
Sergeant Church"
"SirP" H
"Detail four men, the best you have,
and with them catch one hog"
They started toward the herd on a
run They had scarcely reached the
herd when the whole brigade gave a
cheer and We're on the run for the herd.
In less time than / can write it there
was not a living hog or sheep on the
plantation.
The men were supplied, but a few
minutes afterward a staff officer was at
| the colonePs tent 1 was sent for.
Col Christian appeared to be very much
ont of temper, but if / was not much
mistaken scented meat cooking in the
rear of his tent.
] told him the story, but Gen. Ord
| had directed that the officer who had
command of the men who lied the
charge" should be sent in arrest to his
headquarters.
upon appearing there he said in an
angry voice, "Who are you?"
"E. r. p. Shurley, sir, captain OF
Company G, Twenty-sixth New York
Volunteers"
"You are disgrace to the service.
shall have your shoulder straps torn of
in the presence of the brigade"
My dollar man was there, the picture
of woe.
General" said I, 'what is the Of
fense?" s,.-,-,
"Not word, sir"
"But you must listen to me-"
81 turned to the man. "Did l not ouy
hog for dollar of you? Was it no
in the bargain that five of my mer
should catch it?"
"Yes," said the man.
"Gen. Ord, am to blame if the Who'll,
of your brigade break ranks? Am re
sponsible for it's discipline? You SET
how it was"
saw his staff officers in broad
grin, and the general turned arount
and laughed.
$50 to your quarters, sir. will at
tend TO this matter"
Three years afterwara was orderet
to the general at Detroit for mastering
duty. He one day asked me If ha,
been in the hog and sheep trade lately
--Shurley, in Chicago Tribune