The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1891-08-13
WAR TINE HEROES.
UNCLE e,LLY's

light marching order'-that is, the gen
cral commanding carried only a "biled
shirt and an extra pair of socks in his
saddle valise-no tents, no camp inn
pedimenta of any sort; and, of course,
we soldiers carried only Our blankets
and Il few tin cooking utensils.
We had just accomplished one Of a
great many of the good days marches"
tsome forty-two miles), which we were
accuStomc | to make in those days. and
the column having halted, we had gone
into bivouac in the woods alongside of
the road, and through which we had
been passing all the latter part OF our
days march.
Col. l., owing to his seniority of
rank, had been for q long time cons.
handing our brigade. lie was one of
the bravest- soldiers and most accom-
plishcd officers in our army, but, when
he did not like his superior officer, was
a little inclined to he in a measure in
subordinate, or rather n great stickler
for regulation etiquette"
Our division commander was Col
Ewing IA brother-in-law of Gen. Sher-
mani, and that night, it so happened,
Col. Ewing had forgotten to issue the
usual orders for foraging, since, having
swung loose from our base of supplies,
we were forced to live off the coun-
try through which VIC were passing
by borrowing from our dear 'Secesh'
friends.
For n quarter of an hour Col. L.
waited impatiently for the usual order
to arrive. None came.
lie then sent n lieutenant along the
road ahead of us to find Gen. Ewing,
present Col. LIS compliments, and ask
for foraging orders.
1t so happened that Uncle Billy had
halted at Gen. Ewing's bivouac fire for
the night, and just rs the lieutenant
came up he was seated on a log, with
the top of an old cracker box across his
knees for II table, and, holding in his
left hand one of those old sputtering
candles, was busily engaged in writ
ing one of his voluminous dispatches.
After giving the salute the lieutenant
commenced delivering his commuuica-
ton to Gen. Ewing, when Uncle Billy.
lifting up II corner of his eye toward
him, bluntly interrupted him with the
inquiry:
"Eh, young man, what's thatP Where
are you FROM"
From Col. LIS brigade, sir" re-
turned the soldier.
'Col. l.? Col. John l.? And
he don't know how to forage, hey?
Well, now. l think that's n mighty
strange story! You just go right back
and tell Col. l. | said so. A mar
that's been in the service as long as he
Well. we'll! Do you know who / am,
young man? Well, then you go right
back to Col. L. and deliver my mes.
sage commanded Uncle Billy, not Civ
ing Gen. Ewing n chance to say a word
or explain matters in any way.
The next day, as the column was
tru Lying along the road, Gen. Sherman,
with his usual accompaniment of one
or two aids, passed along by our brig
adc and spying Col. L. he called out
cheerily:
Good morning, colonel. How are
you?"
The colonel, who was in a bad hu.
NOR, brought up his sword to a formal
salute, simply saying, General"
II say, l., that was a mighty
queer message you sent me last night
continued Uncle Billy.
II had not the honor of sending you
any message, general" replied the colo.
mel, with studied politeness. THE gen.
eral of the division had omitted to issue
orders for foraging, and ! was obliged
TO address him upon the subject"
'Oh. that was it was it?" chuckled
Uncle Billy, Well, we'll! it's all right
now. | hope the boys get enough to
eat?"
'oh! yes, general. We know how tc
forage"
oh! You do, hey? Well, that's good!'
and Uncle Billy started off at his usual
h%eadlong pace, crying after him: Good,
by, colonel. Take care of yourself, old
boy" and he was gone.
Some days ai:er this we had again
halted for the night when word was
brought to Col, Ewing that Gen. Sher,
man wanted to see him at headquar.
terS.
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 uI
and down in the light of it's blazing
fagots, evidently somewhat disturbed,
and very tactiturn and reserved in his
manner.
He listened to the generals instruc'
tons quietly, made the interview as
brief as possible, bade the general good
night, and started back at once to re
turn to his command.
He had gone only a few PAGES wher
Uncle Billy's voice arrested him.
"Oh, colonel!" he called, will yo,
please come back here a moment?
must ask your pardon for speaking t,
you in such an abrupt and seemingly
harsh way; but the fact is I'm all GU
of serts! You know we started thi
morning before sun up, and ! only hac
for breakfast some cold bacon, hare
tack and coffee, and l haven't had
mouthful since. Back there in tn,
woods this afternoon / bought q fin
ham, and ! meant to have a good SUP
per, but do you know some of thos
COMPOUNDED boys have actually stolel
my ham,
The colonel offered to send him tn
best supper he could get up. But, nc
Uncle Billy would not hear to this.
Just forget my rudencss tonight,
he said: II had no right to talk to 20
that way, however hungry and cross
might have been. III just eat som
more bacon and hard tack, and then W
must all roll up in our blankets and &c
what sleep we can, for You know W
start on our march. at early dawn e