Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-05-05
A BuMMER's HORSE TRADE.
How an Ohio Man Saved His Scalp il
South Carolina.

How Ohio Man Saved His Scalp in
south Carolina.
1t was in the fall of 1864. when Shel-
mans army was lying at Atlanta pre-
pairing for the famous march to the sea,
that great number of recruits, drafte d
men and substitutes were sent forward
to join the depleted ranks of veteran
regiments that had borne the brunt of
heavy campaigns. The writer was one
of the number thus assigned to an old
regiment from Ohio. and well remem-
bers the shouts of Fresh fish" that
greeted the squad on its arrival among
the bronzed and toughened veterans.
Considerable of feeling of caste exist
ed among the soldiers and the recruit
was always a target for the jokes and
jibes of the old boys, and so continued
until he became accustomed to the
duties of soldier and learned how to
r take care of himself
Among the gang of recruits of which
| speak was one deserving particular
mention. We called him Billy NJ, and
he was a substitute that had been sent
from one of the lake cities of Ohio. and
though young, was finely-built fellow,
tall, heavy-set. with a cool bright look
about him that indicated he had been
educated along the wharves and alleys
of his native city, and was up to snuff.
Being fresh fish had no draw backs
for Billy. He at once took his place
among the veterans with an air of being
at home which soon commanded of them
degree of respect not often shown
recruit; but after one or two attempts
on Billy they found out to their cost that
he was not to be fooled with. In short,
he was soon one of them, and they could
not help talking to him as if he had al
ways been one of them.
| can not say much for Billys real
soldierly qualities. / am afraid he
would not have made good regular. ..
He had no decided taste for drill or duty,
and was soon as expert in knowing
chow not to do it, as any of the old
timers. But Billy's special talent de-
veloped a little later when the army
was finally launched on that famous
promenade from Atlanta to Savannah.
He was a splendid hummer" or for
ager. In recognition of this peculiar
talent he was at once detailed as one of
the company of foragers. and speedily
became known as one of the bravest
and most successful in the regiment
Billy maintained this position during
the whole raid and so improved upon
his talent that by the time we had got
well into South Carolina, on the north
ward march, he was the main depend
ence of the regiment, and the special
ID l.,,r,,
He had a good eye for horsefesh. He
often went out of the camp in the early
morning on foot, and returned late in
the evening mounted on good horse or
mule. and rarely returned twice on the
same animal. If he could not swap
with the natives, he was sure to get up
a trade with some Of his fellowbum-
mers. and generally managed to get the
best end of the bargain, too.
One night he came whooping into
camp. at a late hour, with quantity
of excellent forage loaded on a fine gray
mule We all admired his load, as we
were hungry enough to appreciate that,
but even more did we admire his taste
in the selection of mule. 1t was no
use to ask him where he got il, or how
he got it. for Billy was not good hand
to explain all the why's and wherefores
of his numerous trades. In fact, he cul-
tivated reticence on those delicate
points. and it was no use to pump, So
You can imagine our surprise the next
evening when Billy returned to camp
without his mule. Instead he was
mounted on an animal of the horse kind
that looked as If he had been keeping
company with the guests If tho rebels
ar Ander~onyille It was Tank, bony
ana plaved-out sort Of ray mare. The
bows made lots Of sport over this trade.
and hred al sorts Of queer remarks at
him. but al the reply they could get
ont IF him was, "You Fellows never
mind. guess know hass when ! see