The San Francisco call., 1896-02-14
THEIR BEST DRESSED MAN.
Why Captain Langworthy Was Sent on
an Important MISSION.

an Important Mission.
1t is no reflection on the bravery or
other soldierly qualities of Captain Lang
worthy OF the Twelfth Wisconsin to say
that he was not fop. He never pur-
chased an officers uniform, and when he
was commissioned his rank was modestly
designated by bars sewed on each shoulder
of the coat which had served him while a
sergeant. 1t need only be added that his
commerce with the sutler did not betray
any extravaganza in the matter of soap.
Sherman had marched from Atlanta to
Savannah and desired to inform the ad-
miral commanding the flotilla on the river
of his arrival. 1t was perilous duty, in
yolving trip through q region daily ira
versed by bands of Confederates and more
than an even chance of being captured.
In view of these facts it would have been
in the highest degree imprudent to give
the scout any written message, and he had
TO be trusted to deliver his orders bv
word of mouth. An order for the detail
of an officer to perform this service was
sent through corps, division ana brigade
headquarters until 1t reached the colo
mel of the Twelfth. He had no hesi-
tation in selecting Captain Langworthy
who was q natural scout, as wary
as be was brave. With great difficulty he
made the, trip on foot through marshes
and underbrush and when he reached his
destination it can be imagined that he was
thing of shreds if not of patches.
Arriving at the bank of the river he sig
nailed the flagship and the admiral sent a
small boat and took him aboard. He was
ushered into the presence of the admiral,
whom he found surrounded by officers
dressed in the handsome uniforms of the
navy. He gave his name and rank and
stated that he bore an order from General
Sherman for the fotilla to effect a juno
ton with the land forces. The admiral
looked at him with amaZement and heard
the message with suspicion, then he sent
him out under guard.
After an interval he was again sum-
moned into the presence, when the Rdmi-
raj addressed him as follows:
Captain Langworthy, if you are cap
tain, we have decided to act upon the order
which you say you were sent to convey /;
but we have decided also to put you on
the prov OF the first gunboat to go down
the river"
1t was thought that if he was Confeder-
ate in disguise, sent to lure the fotilla on
TO torpedoes or other agents of destruction,
he -Eould weaken on hearing this an
nouncement; but he betrayed no uneasi,
ness, and the suspicious OF the admiral
were in a measure allayed. After some
general conversation he addressed the cap
tain as follows:
Captain Langworthy, will you please
inform me how you came to be selected
for this duty2"
Certainly, admiral" replied the cap
tain. General Sherman recognized that
this was mission of great dignity. Our
army has had hard march from Atlanta
and our baggage train has not yet over
| taken us. In short, the fact is, admiral,
l was chosen because l was the best
| dressed man in the army"
The admiral looked at his associate
officers, clad in their bright uniforms, then
at his own apparel, and then all of then
laughed, while Langworthy looked hurt
as if he thought they were laughing a
him.
Laugh, gentlemen. Some day real in
stead OF play service for your country may
undo some of your fine feathers and gid
ings," said our hero in rage.
''Why, captain, we were not laughing al
you. The dawniEg of the real situation
made us laugh. We no longer doubt you
that explains our merriment. We are al
your service. You can have this whole
fotilla if you want it."
Then the admiral gave orders to move,
and at the same time directed that Cap
tain Langworthy be supplied with the best
there was to eat and drink on the vessel
and such clothes as he needed. A.
Watrous in Chicago Times Herald.