The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-25
A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.

A peculiarly of all soldiers is that they
think their own arm Of the service the most
inn ortant. and that its position in battle is
more dangerous and its effect on a contest
more decisive than those of the other
branches.
l am willing to concede that, by virtue
of its numbers, the infantry do more than
the cavalry or artillery, but even an in
fantry man will, l think. agree that the
opportunities for the display of individu-
aliiy are greater in the cavalry than in any
other line.
The cavalry in both the Federal and
Confederate armies did not suffer from
inconsistencies. owing to the monotoDy of
their lives; and think the troopers of the
West enjoyed more of that variety, that is
said to be the spice of life. than did those
of the East.
/ belonged to John Morgan's command,
and / am willing to bear the charge OF
vanity 1t may bring on me by asserting
that in no place and in no army were there
soldiers who were kept more continually
on the move or VITO did more promiscuous
hustliDg than ourselves.
Now, that my memory is stirred to retro
spection, believe could fill gnod-siZed
book with the "reminiscences OF individu al
deeds OF daring that came under my own
notice, during four years of fighting
to the men who, like myself, wore the
gray and gave their best efforts to the es-
adjustment of a southern republic.
1n the spring of 1862. we were in Gen.
trail Tennessee, doing our level best TO
keep the railroads, leading north. in need
of repair. and making it unsafe. If not i'm
possible to navigate the Cumberland,
when we were joined by Captain George
st. Leger Grenfel. Grenfel was an
Eugiishman, who bad read in his own
country of Morgan's exploits, and who
determined to come out and join fortunes
with him.
l was still in my. teens, bu. never be-
fore or since have ! met a more pictur-
esque. daring or ideal soldier of fortune
than this same George St. Leger Grenfel
de had been in the English. Turkish and
Chinese service. and short time before
joining us he had served in South Africa,
in the Cape Mounted Rifles. He was cap
tured on our raid into Ohio. got mixed up
IN the E0rtiDougas conspiracy at Chicago.
IL 1864. was tried and sentenced to the
DRY Iortugas for life. ana was drowned
whilettryiDg 10 escape after the war.
Being trained soldier. in the prime OF
life, about forty, and full of dash and
energy. General Morgan-then colonel
commanding brigade-was glad to meet
him and appointed him his adiutant-g-ne-
raj. With full beard. of medium height.
raw boned, gray-eyed, strong as bull and
alert as tiger, Colonel Grenfel soon made
his presence felt In our brigade. His con-
splcuous courage and seeming indifference
to danger made him favOrite with the
troopers of the Blue Grass Country, who
at first did not take kindly 10 the rigid
discipline be sought in vain to enforce, or
to the arrogant bearing that might have
passed with ordinary enlisted men, but
which would not down with young gentle
men, who outside of matters military
regarded themselves as the peers OF his
master, the Prince of Wales.
In August, September and October, 1862,
we were back with Bragg in Kentucky,
where we hoped we should remain, but
found it too hot TO do so. We Keniuckians
were sent here. there and everywhere. so
that some did not have chance to visit
their friends. In early September we were
| ordered north to threaten Covington and
make things as unpleasant az possible for
the Yankees along the Ohio.
On the way we struck Cynthiana, be-
tween Lexington and Covington, and here,
to our surprise. we backed no against
a lot of Union Kentuckians under COM
mand of General Landrum.
We supposed there were only few CON-
panies rresent and that we conld ride over
them rough shod, but they turned out to
be quite as many as ourselves and Just as
eager for fight.
The rattle of muskestry always trans