The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-29
ARMY ANECDOTES.

United States disseminate very favorable
reports in relation TO the part he had
taken in the war. Unfortunately they had
formed an adverse opinion in reference to
his share in the action Of Buena Vista, blam-
ing him severely for losing two Of his guns
on that occasion. They gave rs no credit
iVrhaving whipped The best-appointed army
ln~Mexico, $4,000 strong, with our 5.0Oo
men. Most of the party refused TO respond
to the Generals Invitation TO call at ms
headquarters, bat finally two, more curious
than the rest, thought they would 90 and
see
WHAT THE OLD FELLOW WANTED"
The General received them in some state,
surrounded by his stafi, and complimented
them on their achievements at Sacramento
Their manner, however was anything hut
cordial, and they answered in n contemptu-
Gus way, Yes, We didn't lose none OF our
guns"
This was rather a sumner for the General,
but he rallied and said:
That's right, men; stand mp for your
own victory"
To this they replied, TO the great amuse-
ment of the spectators:
General, you don't know nothing about
fighting Mrxicans. You must crowd 'em,
They then walked out Of the tent.
was not present myself, but this was the
scene as il was described to me at the time
il occurred.
The negro is not usually credited with
wit, although he, too, frequently amuses
others by his misconceptions and want OF
general knowledge. In my experience can
only recall two instances OF attempts at
humor on the part Of our colOred brethren.
In the advance against Monterey, Mexico,
we halted in grove three miles from the
city, while our Engineer officers, supported
by the cavalry, went out on recOnnois-
sance When the fighting commenced one
of the negro servants left camp and went as
far 10 the front n he dared, To see what was
going on. On his way back he met several
Of las colOred companions, who were also
going 10 the front to
CRAFTY THEIR CURIOSITY.
| He said 10 them:
Go right ahead, and down dar at de turn
of de road you will find six cOlored gentle
men waiting for you
What do you mean nigger?" was the reply.
Never mind what | mean. You 60 right
| ahead. Dcy waiting for you"
So they kept on until they came upon six
| turkey -huZZsrds sitting on a fence.
/ Kayeit, Tex, the negro troops had a grand
4 dinner, and colored orator was appointed for
Il the occasion. One passage IN his speech ex-
/ cited great hilarity. lie said:
when all desc brave culored men went ont
! 10 strike for freedom and dc Constitution, what
/ did dOg ] struck Tor home"
A negro came into camp during the latter
! part Of the war TO apply for Tatious for his
destitute family. lie was told that he could
have them, provided he took the oath Of ale
/ gieuce.
What am dc oath OF legia?" he inquired.
"IOu have % swear 10 support the COnstitu-
ton OF the United States
Lord bless you, Massalr he replied. il Is
more thar ] eau do 10 support the old woman
and the children"
Another one complained to an officer that he
had been told that 'dere was provisions in dc
Constitution for de colored people, and he bad
not had the first m1uthful."
never heard Of any attempt at
WIT OF THE PART OF An INDIAN.
Their idea Of huInor is some hideous device TO
torture their enemies; like buTyiDg man
alive up 10 bis neck and leaving him 20 die a
slow death. Like the negroes, however, they
sometimes make peculiar speeches.
An Indian in ATizgna, whose field OF corn
had been destroyed by the troops. said to Gen.
I Crguk " Planting no saodi Plant corn. s0dger
man come along with Lorse aud eat 'em up
Plant corn again, aud - - locust cat
'em up
The officers present laughed heartily, but the
! Indian preserved an impressive c0uuteuancc,
and was evidently surprised at the merriment
he excited.
There was an outbreak of the Seminoles inst
before our civil war began. ] was in command
Oi post at Fort CapTOn. aud several companies
/ OF Florida volunteers were ordered 10 report 10
me- with a view to force the hostile tribe to 90
ou a reservation in Arkansas. One Of the Cap
tains Of the State troOps sent out by me came
upon an Indian trail, which led into the Ever
Piades. aud proved 10 be that Of a warrior and
his family. Ire tracked them to an island, and
came upon them "a break OF day. The Indian
that IL useless 20 resist, so he held up his
right hand as a token Of surrender; the squaW
held up her hand, aud the little children did thC
same. As the officer approached the Indian
said:
"How you do?"
Thanks" was the reply, "my health Il
pretty good at present. hope you and your
family are well. How would you like 70 90 e
Arkausas2"
"Arkansas cold too mueh" was the poo
Indians protest
Another Indian incident has a touch o
humor ia il, and seems TO be worth recording
ABOUT 1854 AZ UPRISING or THE sioux
was Threatened in Dakota aud battalion o
i
10 the point where the savages were concen
/ lTating. The infantry officer ranked the com
mander OF the battery by breyet aud was en-
titled to the command, bat unfortunately. bein;
/ exhau ted by the forced march, he had taken
, drop too much, 50 that when the troops reached
their destination and formed opposite the hos
| tile force he WAS not in condition TO give tn
, necessary orders. The Sioux had on their wa
paint and were eatlyexeited. Some Of thei
warriors were trotting up aud down in front o
their line with OK-hOrns full Of water with
! view 10 make dash at the cannon aud put on
the portires which were used in those days &
FIRE the guns. At this crisis. when everything
betokenod bloody encounter, gallant yOunI
= officer, whose name, IL remember rightly, wa
: Fleming. did a very bold thing. lie uudid hi
; \ sword and belt. threw them down with his pis
! | tolls on the grass walked over 10 the Sioux am
! | offered his hand to the Head Chief Thi
softened them, aud they agree to hold parle
; | half way between the lines and state thei
q grievances conference took place, whie
proved satisfactory, but the Sioux Chief, VIII
: had been scanning the shOulder-straps Of th
l' artillery officer aud those of the infantry of
u Ger who was sitting on the grass i'm a half uI
G conscious state, asked which of the two ranked
: / The interpreter was obliged 20 confess that th
y y artillery officer with whom the Indian ha
been comforting was only
THE SECOND Is COMMAND.
! The Indian drew himssIf up haughtily an
a | said that he WAS the Head Chief Of the Siou
, | aud did not wish 10 dealwi any sub-chief
linz, ,f,,