Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-11-05
A WAR "REMINISCENCES.
General Ord and the Twenty-sIxth Regt
ment Infantry N. Y. Vol.


ment Infantry N. Y. Vol.
We had marched many hours over q
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
cd march for the last three days-no RAJ
tioRs, the orders being very strict not q
fence rail to be touched or rebel hog.
sheep or OK killed on pain of punishment.
About p. m. we bivouacked upon the
plantation of Chief-J ustice Marshall, a
most pleasing rural landscape, the fields
ornamented with many hogs and sheep;
but alas, they were not for the hungry
soldier. We were in camp. 1t was
rumored that the commissary train
would soon be up, a most agreeable
rumor for the tired soldier 1t was not
long before some of the home-spun con-
fedora tes (an union men now came in
to the company's lines. l 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 a con-
versation with the man | ascertained
he was the overseer and had charge of
the place. Said |, '.Who owns these
hogs and sheep?" They belong to the
estate" said he. A thought flashed in
to my head. If l could only buy one
and have my men catch it the meat
problem would be solved ''Do you
have any gold in circulation here?"
asked. Not seen such a thing since
youuns came to war with weuns."
had in my pocket a gold dollar, 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 l said, 81 will give you this
dollar for hog with the understand
ing that 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"
"Sir?"
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
cheer and were on the run for the herd.
In less time than 1 can write it there
was not living hog or sheep on the
plantation.
The men were supplied, but few
minutes afterward a staff officer was at
the colonePs tent | was sent for.
Col. Christian appeared to be very much
out of temper, but if / was not much
mistaken l 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 c, Twenty-sixth New York
Volunteers"
You are disgrace to the service. 1
oh0AA A1FO y OAA SASAAACA obAoPS Wa "A OAA
in the presence of the brigade"
Ny dollar man was there, the picture
of woe.
General" said 1, what is the of
fense2"
mot word sir"
But you must listen to me-"
~ turned to the man. Ibid not buy
hog for dollar of youP Was it not
In the bargain that five of my men
should catch it?"
Yes" said the man.
Gen. Ord am to blame if the whole
of your brigade break ranks? Am re-
sponsible for its discipline? You see
how it was"
l saw his staff officers in broad
grin, and the general turned around
and laughed.
go to your quarters, sir. will at
tend to this matter"
Three years afterward was ordered
to the general at Detroit for mastering
duty. He one day asked me if / hsa
been in the hog and sheep trade lately.