The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-05-30
Phil Sheridan's Apology.

On this particular morning of which I
write, for some good reason, the hour APP
pointed to move was earlier than usual.
Four O'Clock found tho headquarters tents
struck and the general and staff mounted
ready to move out, but no escort. A mo-
ment or two later, and amid the blare Of
bugles and roll of drums the troops start
ed, and the road was filled with the march
ing army. Still no escort.
Turning impatiently to his chief Of staff,
Colonel J. w. Forsythe the general said
"What does this mean? Where is the es-
cortp Was the commanding officer noti-
fed?"
Certainly" was the reply.
"Send an aid and find out the trouble. "
An officer dashed off to where the escort
was oncampcd on a little stream few
hundred yards away and returned saying
that the escort was saddling in haste and
would be there in a few moments. Shortly
after the squadron dashed up at gallop
and fronting in line almost on a run Cap
tain Clatflin saiuted, and turning to the
chief of staff was about to speak when he
was interrupted by General Sheridan, who
said:
captain Clafflin, when issue an order
to move at o'clock, it means 60 minutes
must not occur again, sir"
"But, general began the captain.
''No excuse, sir. We have lost time
enough already. Move out" And the gen
eral urged his horse into trot to overtake
the corps with which headquarters was to
march during the day.
A few moments afterward one of the
acting aids turned to the officer he was
riding beside and said: Great Scottl All
this delay was really my fault. D."
What do you mean?"
1.-THE chief of staff ordered me to inform
Clafflin of the hour of march, and 1 neg
lected to do it.
1.-The mischief you did,
"What shall dof" He knew well
enough, and in minute more he had
| pushed to the head of the staff and report
ed his dereliction of duty to the command
ing general himself.
On his return the question was asked,
'Well what did the chief sayf"
"That's the worst of 1t" was the reply,
mot a single word. "
"Nothing?"
absolutely nothingl" Then, after q
pause, Il wonder If he will send me back
to my regimentS"
Il don't think SO, was the response.
|
ing the day to my knowledge, but after
ward learned that the officer spoke to the
chief of staff regarding his failure to de-
liver the order and apologized to Captain
Clafflin for the position he had unfortu-
nately placed him in.
The next morning after the general and
staff were mounted he suddenly rode out
toward the front of the escorting squadron
as it stood in line awaiting orders, and
facing Captain Claf1lin he leaned slightly
forward and said:
Captain Clatllin, yesterday morning
reproved you sharply in the presence OF
your command and of my staff for what
thought was neglect Of duty. I have
since ascertained that you were not at all
in fault in tho matter, but that the fault
was on the part of one of my staff who
neglected to deliver an order to you, and
raising his cap and bowling courteously
~ beg your pardon, sir"
General" began the captain, II al
ready knew but the general had re
placed his cap, and touching it in answer
to tho captains salute turned quickl.
away and gave the order, Move out D."
l do not think that the officer In faul
ever forgot the occasion, and l know tina
Captain Clafllin never did, for we talke'
the matter over in his camp In northern
Texas the year before he died. Turning t.
me at the close of our conversation, h
said: only think Of It'll The commanding
general of the army publicly apologizin
to the captain commanding his escort TO
having mistakenly reprimandcd him tn
day before. l could have died for him tina
day."-Geo. a. FOrSythe, in Chicago Tribnt