The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-22
Read Better than Pension " on page S,
FORAGING.
Capturing Pork Down in East Tennessee.

capturing foTh DONh IN last lennehsees
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Comrade Til
toms carrying his pork all night, and then
throwing il away, thus losing it, and then TO
sec another comrade tote il into camp only a
hundred yards from where he dropped it, was
rather provoking, and l heartily sympathize
with him.
Comrade Tilton's pork anecdote reminds me
OF an incident that occurred on this same march
10 Knoxville, in which pork predOminated
We had been on the march several hours, and
/ told the Sergeant that, with his permission,
would forage a little, and not only got his per.
mission, but all the boys chimed in and said /:
Strike out, 81, and SEQ what you can do"
About a mile ahead OF us we could see a sharp
turn In the road. We were marching due east
as near as | can remember, and the turn led 10
the right, or south. About a half mile beyond
the turn was large two-st0ry frame house.
with numerous out buildings, barns corn cribs
smoke house, etc. and concluded there must
be something there that ] could confscate.
Our brigade was in the advance the LIST Ohio
leading the brigade, our regiment coming next
| Before the lst Ohio had reached the turn in tho
road | jumped the fence and struck across the
| field TO get to the house ahead Of the column,
and succeeded; but there were others before me.
| As neared the house n big rooster came around
the corner making tracks as fast as legs and
wings could carry him, and close behind came
darby making just rs good time. ! started
| for the same rooster, thinking that if j sue
ceeded in catching him that Mr.. Darby and
would have a fight right there before l would
give him up. The darky called out, " You dun
let him alone; he's my rooster" / was about
10 reply, when ] looked toward the house aud
discovered something that / thought would DO
better than any rooster, and dropped tho chase.
Just a few rods south Of the house was a large
smoke house, about 20 feet square and Is feet
high. What most attracted my attention was
one OF the boys coming out OF the door with a
big piece Of pork. i made tracks for that same
door, but there were several others who had
seen what had and got in a little ahead Of me-
But there was no need of hurry, for the house
was full Of meat and the advance quite dis
lance away. / managed TO get in with the rest,
and selected two nice pieces of side meat. i
was in too much of hurry 10 look for hams or
shoulders as Gen. Hazeu was about to stop in
front of the house; but Of course he didn't sec
what wo were doing.
i walked along inside the fence, keeping the
smokehouse between myself and those in front
of the house, the family looking at the troops
passing. i had gone but short distance when
the LIST Ohio came opposite the smOke-hOuse,
and discovering what was in it, made " charge"
on ID, aud at the same time the people living in
the house discovered that their dead hogs
were walking away" aud such outcry you
never heard. Gen. Hazen in the meantime
did not stop the boys, for as they got what meat
they could carry they would jump the fence
and reiOin the ranks, each one placing his meat
on his bayonet as the best way 20 carry 10. Ny
brother, belonging TO the LIST, came along aud
asked him 10 help me over the fence, as / was
afraid 10 drop the meat over and then climb
over myself, as ! would not trust those passing,
for fear of their wanting TO divide without my
consent / wanted all had for our own COM
pany. as j knew there would be none left by
the time they came up. / kept in line with
the LIST, but a little in the rear, so that If any
one asked where / belonged, IL would be lst
Ohio, Of course"
About quarter Of mile south Of the smoke
house was a long but not very steep hill, and
from the bottom, looking up, you could sect he
full length Of the lst Ohio. Gen. Hazen had stop
ped on the side of the road at the foot of the
hill, and was near enough to him TO hear him
laugh and remark: Great heavens, look at
that walking sinOke-house," and turning 10 the
Brigade Quartormaster, he said: Don't give
the LIST Ohio any meat for three days; guess
they won't need any, from their looks ut pres
emit" The whole staff roared with laughter.
by this was assured would not DO mOlested
about the meat had, and as il was beginning
10 weigh pretty heavy as / trudged along L
concluded 10 rest until the company came up.
When the boys did find me, Tom Walsh sings
ut: Holy smokel look at the bye. It's the
loikes Of ye that caa forage"
The boys carried the meat until We halted
for rest, when il was divided equally and each
carried his own. The hogs had been killed
just long enough 10 make good eating
! wonder if the lst Ohio boys remember
when they were a " walking smOke-house ~
SILAs CRowELL, Co. ], ODD Ohio, Springfield, o..
-~ ---