Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-10-14
shaklng ! IsrLgadler.

In the spring of 1862 Company b.
First Michigan Cavalry, was detailed
as body-guard to Brigadier- General
Crawford. We thought we were verv
fortunate and that we were in for a
soft snap The duties We're not very
severe, and the commis>ary depart
ment was always accessible We had
to keep ourselves and equipment in
good order and carry ourselves 50
stiff and straight when riding behind
the general that it 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 sen.
| try. 1t was a beautiful morning
Hardly sound was to be heard, ex-
cept 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 a little
stir about the fires, for the cooks were
getting to work. The mules, too,
woke up, and by their tumultuous
braying it was quite evident that thew
were ready for breakfast also. An
officer approached the generals tent
and accosted me.
us this General Crawford's tent?p
Yes, sir
''Can | see the general?'
''He is asleep. Don't you hear him
snoring?"
Ny said he; "he's agoing it, amt
ht?"
After listening to the music awhile
he said: We'll, 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 it shame for one man
to sleep while thousands waited for
food, l considered the occasion suf-
ficiently urgent to venture on waking
him up. | took the requisition in nv
hand and entered the tent. There Law
the general on his cot. his big nose
showing up in bold relief as he lay on
his back
] called him gently, General! Oh,
General.' but he was beyond calling.
put my hand on his shoulder and
gave him gentle shake; but he was
proof against gentle shakes 50 gave
him a shake that nearly landed him
on the floor, and succeeded in bring
ing him to sitting posture, with
look of eager expectancy, which was
succeeded by a look of disgust when |
showed the requisition at him, saying
that there was an officer out there
wanted it signed.
Up came his long bony finger. and
in very impressive voice he delivered
himself thusly: young man, never
shake a brigadier-genera 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
a beautiful time l would have had
waking him up by rapping on the tent
pole, writes IL. NJ. Watson in the Ma
tioual Tribune. But the old fellow
got even with me later in the dav
when my next turn came for sentry
duty. The sun had got well up, and
pacing up and down in the sun in
front of the tent was warm work
My fannel-lined jacket was buttoned
up tight. with my saber- belt buckled
ON outside, and every bit of heat in
my body bottled up tight and held in.
1t occurred to me that by buckling my
belt around my hips under the JACKET
and leaving the jacket open, that it
might make it slightly more enaur-
able. But | hadn't enjoyed the cool
breeze under the jacket long when !
cIught the old generals eye, and saw
that he was reckoning me with his
long, bony finger. promptly stepped