Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-09-09
Shaking n RrIgndIer.


In the spring of 1862 Company B,
First Michigan Cavalry, was detailed
rs body-guard to Brigadier- General
Crawford. We thought we were very
fortunate ,and that we were in for
soft snap The duties were not very
severe, and tho commissury depart
mcnt was always accessible. We had
to keep ourselves and equipment in
good order and carry ourselves so
stiff and straight when riding behind
the general that il made our backs
ache. Some of the infantry boys of
that brigade in writing of those times,
even accused us of wearing paper col
lars.
Among my earliest recollections of
personal intimacy with the general
was that of one morning when was
pacing back and forth in front of head
quarters tent about 4 o'clock as = sem
try. 1t was beautiful morning.
Hardly sound was to be heard, eK-
ecpt from inside the tent, from whence
issued the melodious notes of one of
the heaviest snorers that ever came
across. AS the sky began to light up
with the rising sun there was o little
getting to work. Tho mules, too,
braying it was quite evident that they
wero ready for breakfast also. An
officer approached the generals tent
and accostcd me.
"Is this General Crawford's tent2"
"Yes, sir"
"Can see the general?"
''He Is asleep Don't you hear him
snoring?"
"My!" said he; hes agoing 1t, amt
h.?"
After listening to the music awhile
he said: well, this won't do for me-
have got to have the generals sig
nature to this requisition before the
brigade can draw rations."
So, thinking 1t shame for one man
TO sleep while thousands waited for
food, / considered the occasion Buf-
ticicntly urgent to venture on waking
him up. took the requisition in my
hand and entered the tent. There lay
tho general on his cot. his big nose
showing up In bold relief as he lay on
his back.
1 called him gently, "Geueral! Oh,
General!' but he was beyond calling.
/ put my hand on his shoulder and
gave him n gentle shake; but he.Vas
proof against gentle shakes. SO gave
him shake that nearly landed him
on the floor, and succeeded in bring
ing him to sitting posture, with a
look of eager expectancy, which was
succeeded by look of disgust when /
showed the requisition Mt him, saying
that there was an officer out there
wanted 1t signed.
Up came his long bony finger, and
in very impressive voice he delivered
himself thusly: Young man, never
shake u brigadier-general. If any
more officers come to see me, rap on
the tent-post till say, Come in"
1t makes me smile yet TO think what
beautiful timo would have had
waking him up by rapping on the tent.
pole, writes t. NJ. Watson In the M
tional Tribune But the old fellow
got oven with mo later In the day
when my next turn came for sontry
duty. The sun had got we'll up. ant
pacing up and down In the sun II
front of tho tont was warm work
Ny 1annci.liped jacket was buttonet
up tight. with my saber-belt buckleG
ON outside. and every bit of heat IL
my body bottled up tight and held In
II occurred TO me that by buckling my
bolt around my hips under the jacket
and leaving the Jacket open, that /
might make 1t slightly moro endur
able. But / hadn't enjoyed the coo
breeze under tho jacket long when
caught the old generals eye, and say
that he was bcckoning me with hi
long, boDy finger. promptly deppe'