The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-04-23

at the low-hangiDg clouds. he put spurs to
his horse and pushed on to the front amidst
a perfect storm Of yells, jeers and, / grieve
TO say it, not few misses. The incident
was worth more 10 the jadcd troops than
supply of waterproof cloaks, keeping us all
ia good spirits the rest of the day.
A tempting crossroads gave the writer n
hint Of Southern ham, with probably other
articles not issued by our Quartermaster,
4 with prospective not supper at close of the
days march. / struck out and was not n
little surprised that Corpl H followed
me. He had never been known before TO
take part in foraging raid, and felt called
upon then to excuse himself, saying that he
was not well, aud felt that he must find a
change of diet.
] assured him that misery loved company
and he was more than welcome, and we GER
tainly had no cause to complain, as we soon
came to house that had hitherto wonder
fully escaped attention, as the smokehouse
was full of such hams as are only found in Ar
kansas. We also found quantity of fine -four
and honey. We loaded quickly, and started
back highly elated with our success At
tempting TO pass the Colonel at head OF regi-
ment, we were halted and asked if we had
been foraging. Our general appearance
would have belied any but an affirmative
reply, and we were told to fall in in rear and
we would be taken 10 headquarters al close
of the days march.
j wonder how many Of my old comrades
ever found themselves in such a predca-
ment? 1t was distressing; in fact, a culmi-
nation of disaster. And yet / derived the
first grain of comfort from the distressed
wall of Corp'l H.
"oh, Jack" said he, this is judgment
on me for going on n forage raid"
/ retorted that it was certainly a calamity
unless got out of il.
How can we get out? There is no
chance, and j shall be reduced to the ranks"
i confess j was sorry for Ike, for he was a
coed boy. Loosening one of my half-Gozen
hams, remarked TO the men in the midst
of whom we had fallen in I" Pards, it would
lie shame for the officers 10 get all this
good meat, and they shall not" As talked
j rapidly cut the ham up in pieces knew
could be hidden in their bayersacks and
passed them round as far as could reach,
telling Ike to do the same. Someone well
back called ont to pass the bone back to
him.
Then / whispered to Ike: "When turn
out you follow me until halted.D And
hardly was The word Jassed when an inyit-
| ing cowpaib seemed to fairly beckon us. /
struck out closely followed by Ike and, as
bad expected, the comrades were so busy
/ putting away their rations that they never
saw u.s. Yet for Is or 20 minutes we dashed
| through wet brush in a reckless manner,
until quite sure we had fanked the rear
guard which, il my memory serves ne right,
was The 1st Mo. Cav. If this catches The
eye Of any who got q cut Of ham / will be
pleased 10 hear from them.
We made our company without farther
adventure, well supplied for a few days.
That night The power of the rain seemed TO
eliminate in perfect deluge, but Serg't
Wildasin. who was my bnnkmate, and /
were fortunate that awful night, as we had
selected knoll where an old pine had fallen,
crushing an ash in its fall. We gathered
the top and spliniers together and made
rOusing fire, built our bed high with young
pines, put up our gum blankets on lean
TO frame, and were for that night most com
Portable after a supper of ham, coffee, pan
cakes aud honey.
Some time in the night was aroused by
someone stirring the fire, and saw Maj Tom
Bereman standing out in The rain warming
one side into steam, while the other was
running v alter. j asked him what on earth
he was doing out there. 1t would be hardly
fair 10 report The emphatic language used
but gathered that his negro hostler had
! put up his tent carelessly, and il had come
down on him. j told him TO come in ont of
the ~ t, an invitation as promptly accepted
as given.
Knowing that this mess-chest must be in
| a Geplorable condition. when had prepared
the best breakfast possible, from results of
the previous days adventure, / called the
Major. Certainly j can now understand
/ bousewifely pride from the satisfaction /
experienced as j noted the Majors express
sion of blank surprise, followed quickly by
one Of keenest satisfaction. In response 10
my invitation he seated himself and pro-
ceeded to test the quality of the bounteous
spread. Later, while breaking camp, over
heard him Boosting TO Col. Thompson of the
pleasant ending Of the miserable night lie
| said: =" i awoke 10 hear the sentry shrek,
not To arms but To breakfast and, Colo
mel, such a breakfast-positiyely the best
one ever enjoyed"
Well, Major" said Col. T., lyon will for
give gy curiosity, but what was the bill of
fare in this wonderful breakfast after the
deluge?"
The reply was brief but enthusiastic.
What? Ham, coffee pancakes and
honey" exclaimed the astounded listeners.
Where on earth could soldiers get such
proVcnder nnGer the circumstances"
Maj. BERGMAN replied: I'm sure have
no idea, and felt all the force Of ST. Paul's
command 10 eat what is placed before you,
asking no questions was too well pleased
with results TO be inqusitive."
Another weary days march brought ms to
Pine Bluffs where, after resting two DAYS,
we received orders 10 ship 10 Memphis
Here within GO days we had the pleasure Of
escoring Gen. Forrest into The city as
prisoner.
] selected this raid as the subject Of my
sketch for two reasons First, there was no
great battle or stronghold captured, hence
no danger OF an after discussion rs 10 who
planted the first flag or other matter Of vital
import; and, finally, because the writer
while maintaining a reasonable reputation
for honesty for 81 years since the conflict
never having been convicted of stealing a
hot stove or similar article of tempting
nature, still contends that a soldier while
an invader of hostile territory violetas no
moral obligation if he confines his foraging
strictly TO provisions for himself, horse and
comrades.-J. r. MARTIN, list Iowa Cav
New Hartford, Iowa