The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-07

i TO Munsoa's Hill, Va.
= Il. e. then in the enemy's
sc bridge clear, with
troops, baggage trains
y&a in their Profusion. suit
Iers' wagons, the beer
supply for Blenker's Division, all constantly
occupying every foot Of space of the structure
by day, and At night the examination OF passes,
"Drake DeKay's," after taps challenging for
the couutersign-the whole constituting q
round OF duty that kept the boys in constant
exercise OF their faculties. The place had,
however. its " soft" feature for toll was duly
levied Oh suffers for gingerbread, etc. BY IN
sertion of the bayonet at the hind Zap OF a
passing wagon string of edible truck oil some
sort generally rewarded the wary angler
So the commissariat was helped out.
Well. ct the time under consideration, the
typical Regular officer had not acquired the
respect for the volunteer soldier that was forced
upon him later, aud kearny, the gallant Gem
eral Phil" somewhat dependent perhaps on
the loss 81 an arm in the Mexican war, when
late, would charge tmounted) the post at the
Washington end of the bridge, shouting Get
out OF the read, you - mjlitiaman!" would
ride past or over him; which example Of Kear-
nys had It's imitators. matter of course.
Our then Colonel, VIM. b. Greene, West
Pointer and participant in tire Seminole war,
thought crazy, resolved, land highly resolved"
70 put stop to this showing Of disrespect to
his men; so in pursuance of such intent, issued
an order of the following purport: That any
officer of the rank of Brigadier General cross
ing Long Bridge after taps, disregarding the
challenge OF sentry 10 halt and give the
countersign, such sentry should attempt to
empty the saddle, and the Corporal of the
Guard, caring the shot and witnessing fail
ure Gu part of the sentinel to empty the
saddle is to complete the work: but if the
challenged party be of the rank Of Colonel, and
drunk, both sentinel and Corporal Will allow
him to pass unmolesteG.
A COPY Of this remarkable order was duly
forwarded 20 the Adiutant-General, ct Wash
3ngton. and on Kearny's next visit to the
Capital. said order was shown him by Assist
ant Adj't-Geu. Townsend. WI til the in junction
70 Kearny that lie haG better look out, for he
(TowRsend knew Greene intimately, and knew
also who the order was meant for.
For month and more afterwards Gen.
kearny, than whom none were Drawer nor
more devoted 10 the country's cause, as his
subsequent career attests, passed Long
Bridge altogether, making q detour BY the
Chain Bridge miles up the Potomac.
A few officers horses were MANNED. the
result Of the order, until the proper status re-
gsrding this point ia military ethics was es-
tablishad
Col. Greene's was s rich character in sur
prises. lie was tall and soidieriy- looking, had
iron-gray hair and beard, and the keenest black
eyes ever put in mortal's head was rapid Of
speech and action impatient of any slow and
especially birndering movements in others. but
withal was kind, patient f0rgiving, and faith
eTly 10 his ealizted men. His resimenta Off
GERS perhars might not fully, as respects them
selves. indorse this description of his traits Of
character. for, / recoiect, on drills, witnessing
him during battalion tanges being pretty Sc
ffx-aa iatrd
and at such times he seemed graduate il the
art.
In the early days Ii was customary to turn
cut in line when a new regiment crossed into
Virginia, our band striking up as the approach
ing regiment reached our left, our Colonel out,
mounted. 1t was the 22l Mass. think, COM
Ing, and the band az the precise Juncture was
q little behind time when the Colonel squirting
his horse, charged the band, shouting: Why,
IN - -, don't you play march "
One Sunday q Holy Joe F" was absent in
Washington, but as usual church call sounded,
the regiment forming Immediately for services,
and, 10 tie utter establishment of ali, Col.
Greene appeared III place of the Chaplain,
prefacng his sermon By stating that after the
Florida war, he resigned from the Army and
became Unitarian Clergyman.
Apropos Uf this preaching incident one day
the Colonel was very busy with his Adjutant
over some perplexing matter, when Congre-
companies Of the regiment were raised in Law
renee entered Headquarters unannounced, and
overheard certain strong expressions applied
TO the subject just then occupying attention +;
when, looking quickly around, the Colonel said
"Ah All! Mr.. Fisher! Am glad TO see you
Since being here You heard me swear little
use the term hell. Now, do you know that |
where il would be sinful in you in such con-
nectiOn 10 use the word. ! can adapt it when |
ever il viii fit. for don't believe in the place.
you CO."
A recruit on camp guard one day. with feet |
wide apart, presented arms" on the ColonePs /
approach, mounted, with the barrel of bis gun
outward. The Colonel rode around this sentry, |
Rrimly Surveying him. Coming TO the 'front.' the |
following orders were Issued: Soldier! turn |
your gunstock outward. Soldier bring your |
feet together! So; that's better" He was very |
oextrous handling a musket, and dismount- |
ing took il and went himself through the |
manual % arms, when. passing the piece to the |
recruit, he put him through every motion; and |
thereafter that recruit was proficient in so !
much OF the technicalIty pertaining to the /
profession OF arms.
This kindly manner Of his with an end Ia |
view pertaining toward accustoming the new |
patriotic volunteer to things expected OF him 1
IN ms new lie, won the love Of the men and /
his ideas Of discipline were rot OF the Regular /
sort; Tor, While pUnctilioGs as 10 every needed |
military observance and act he could not |
treat volunteers as Regulars were treated"
HE reg ment WIS changed permanently to /
heavy artillery IN January, 80 garrisoning the |
lneoilori fcaii0Es ad jacent TO the Long Bridge,
and dnrlLs that year Col. Greene resigning on |
account OF poOr health, il had but slight oppor- |
tunity 10 snow its mettle, with the exception of |
the LIST Battalion, particularly lCo. ], which, |
detached az Winchester, served q battery with |
credit IN that battle.
We bad this slight opportunity, however on |
the outskirts Of Manassas or Bull Bun, Secoud. |
During the confusion Teieniag at that time a |
provisional brigade, Gen. Sturgis in command, |
consisting OF New York battery, L. A, the |
ID y. \. IL. y, and the LIST Mass II. A, went 10 /
the front near Centeryille, in the order named. |
a lorec Of The enemys cavalry, Fitz Lee COM |
mandIDp, turned the battery, which, with the |
regiment In advance, passed pell-meil through |
Greene ilRes, which were formed on the ercstaI
OF hi just beyond the junction Of the Lees |
burg with the Alexandria Pike Greene
promptly seized two guns Of the battery, and /
with ambulance wheels made such rcspceta- |
bic showing Of artillery, together with the fall |
line Of battle Of large regiment presented. as |
10 deter Lees farther advance; bis regiment |
here giving promise Of staying qualities, which |
were tested later at Spoitsylyania and ON other
fields
After dark the writer was sent by Col Greene
with Gigucs vouchers TO Alexandria for rations
Near morning. when within about six miles of
his Cest mat ION lie WAS stopr;pj hv \ Sarghty