The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-05-07
THE FIRST MINNESOTA.
Frank Mead Relates Some
Interesting Remin-
iscences.

Bogus Bill's'' Interview
With President Lincoln
in Washington.
The defeat at Bull Run was very
demoralizing to the men who COM
menced their military experience
there. There was almost mutiny
in the ranks of some of the East
ern organizations. I do not re-
member that there was the slight,
est tendency toward actual mutiny
in the ranks of the list; but of
course we did not escape entirely
from the disafection of defeat,
hard service, poor food and poorer
raiment. There were grunts of
disapprobation after our return to
Washington, and loud demand
for back pay and better clothes
It will be remembered that the
regiment was mustered on April
30. Clothing of the poorest
quality had been issued to us
albeit we knew that it was the
best attainable. The hard cam
paign of Bull Run made sad havoc
with this shoddy outfit; and when
we returned, weather stained, tired
and ''all tore up after having
been threshed by the rebels there
was a universal demand for back
pay and new clothing. The Of
fcers were known to have gotten
their pay-some of them at least
and the growing grew ominous.
Col. German heard these mutter-
ings, and ordered the regiment to
prepare to march out Of the. city.
He called the men together and
made them one Of his eloquent and
stirring speeches; reminded them
Of their excellent behavior in the
frecent disastrous battle, and told
them that their friends in Mime
sofa were expecting to hear further
good reports from them. There
was one daredevil in the regiment,
who had not yet become suGd-
GENTLY disciplined to have the fear
( of official displeasure drilled into
him. He was known as ''Bogus
Bill" and had the distinguished
record of having been the first
man of the regiment in the guard
house. He was long Of leg, fluent
of tongue, white of head, and pug
of nose-and had the excellent
reputation of not being afraid of
anything on earth. Bill listened
to the colonePs harangue patiently
until it's conclusion and then ex-
claimed: ~" t.
ooh, that's all right, Col. Cor
man! You've got your pay,
haven't you? Just lend me. SIC
and give me pass down town!'
! The colonel was somewhat taken
aback by this retort, but answered
good-naturedly:
'sMy dear fellow, I will cheer:
fully lend you the $50, but under
no circumstances can / give you
the pass"
ssAll right" replied Bill. "Yor
lend me the money and I'll take
/ the pass
The colonel handed Bill $40 golc
piece, and looking him full in the
eye, said: II have fulfilled my
promise; now, sir, don't you leave
this camp to-day!''
| In less than fifteen minutes Bill
with three of our comrades hac
run the guard and was down il
the city enjoying life.
AN INTERVIEW WITH LINCOLN.
The unruly squad who had left
camp without a pass to enjoy
Bills hospitality, in the Afternoon
Of the same day found it's way uK
to the vicinity Of Lafayette square
opposite the White House.
While strolling along the avenue
the boys discovered the tall form
of President Lincoln walking
leisurely through the grounds 0:
the executive mansion toward the
old red brick mansion that in those
days served the use Of offices FOL
the war department.. Come on
boys" exclaimed Bill, ''Let's g
and tell Old Abe how they ar
using us!''
b No sooner said than done. The
!. squad cut across and headed thu
president off before he had reached
the war department building
The president looked kindly a
them and seeing they had some
thing to say to him, paused a
they approached.
We'll, men, what is it," h
asked pleasantly: