The National tribune., 1896-05-21

they made all the noise possible in singing
"John Brown" On account of the disturb.
ance Gen. Grant, all his staff and his Order
lies were out to keep the thing quiet
ali without avail. So the LIST Kan, 31st
H., 9TH Mo, and Bssell's Engineers took
three long freight trains on the Mobile &
Ohio Railroad, and pounded along all night
20 Big Bethel, where bridge was burned
and we were compelled TO take it afoot for
% miles Grant said he wished he cosld
degrade the LIST Kan. All day was hard
forced march. We could hear the sounds oil
battle far away. Late in the afternoon as
we entered Corinth, in the suburbs, march
ing as an Irish Brigade" with the harp and
Stars and Stripes carried by the 9Th Mo-.
here and there could be seen dead men, shot
in all conceivable ways. One where shell
exploded just when he was struck: another
where Parrot 12-pound shot carried away
his shoulder and arm.
These things were tri6ing compared with
the carnage in town. In front of Fort
Robinett, in the space of 100 feet square,
were 400 rebel dead. A forlorn hope led
these brave boys 10 their death.
But what wanted TO tell you was about a
little joke on Grant. You remember what
we used to say, and some people meant it
Ans AliluE " BCsAN Oldut w llGu we lCll
Jackson, Tenn, the regiment heard of a
sighting remark uttered by Grant. SO they
had il in for him." Along in December.
1862, when The army was going 10 capture
Vicksbnrg by going down the Mississippi
Genital Railroad, while Sherman would
take in the garrison, who might surren-
der 10 him at Chickasaw Bayou, Grant was
with bis army, and in touch with all.
However, at Oxford, as the army passed
through the little towr, the division and
brigade commanders would march a block or
two out of the way, halt their troops in
front OF Headquarters, and give three hearty
cheers for Gen. Grant; and they were all
given Justify.
The time came when our brigade came up
70 encourage our great chief with applause.
In front of Headquarters was the General !;
on the street was the LIST Kan. facing their
old friend. Lieut.. Col. Tennison. while the
boys were at parade-rest, proposed Three
cheers for Gen. Grant" Not a sound or
audible whisper was heard. Then Capt.
Tucker, on the left, proposed a cheer, but all
were dumb. teams,er, passing with his
ak mules, said Hooray!"
II is mos, remarkable 10 me. out of SO
many men there was not che to raise his
voice. Not that they didn't like Grant, but
for little unguarded remark they had him
slated Just for fun. Then We were even.
Tom Higgins, of Co. A, LIST Kan, was a
good soldier, and, like many good soldiers,
was full of iuD. He was known among the
colored people within a hundred miles Of
Nicksburg, while we were near there, in Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana, as " Mr. Patterson"
When a conirsband came in he would il =
quire for Mr.. Patterson. They looked upon
him as Messiah, and he carried out his
role. As a practical joker the whole army
had few OF his equals.
At Natchez, one Sunday afternoon, he
gave il out that there would he preaching at
a plantation a short distance out of town.
and all the colored people for miles around
were invited to be present. In the regiment
was an intelligent mana modest printer
named Busby-and Higgins induced him to
accompany him to the meeting. A great
crowd greeted Mr.. Patterson and his friend.
but Busby was greatly embarrassed when
Higgins introduced him as the preacher.
Soon, however, Busby took in the situation
and gave his auditors most elegant sermon.
Another story of Tom is concerning a
joke he played on Jim Liddle of his own
company. Jim was great ladies' man. and
was very careful that his personal appear
snce should not suffer from any little dust
on has clothes or the lack Of an extra curl to
his hair. While stationed at Black River,
II miles east Of Yicksburg, during the VIM
ter Of 1863, it was the custom 10 send a
Sergeant and 10 men beyond the river as an
outpost. Here passed into the lines many
people, mostly women and children, who
were allowed TO purchase supplies at Nicks-
burg. Serg't Biddle one day mad charge Of
the detail. day or two after he received
a letter from young lady who signed the
name of Alice Simms She thanked him for
the courtesy and kindness shown her in
passing through the lines; said she had
taken kindly interest in him; that her
mother was a widow, with a large planta-
tion in Mississippi and one in Louisiana,
both being neglected. She had spoken 10
her mother about the bright young Sergeant
that the mother joined heartily with her in
proflering him charge of their business.
Jim had been a raiiroader under Gen.
Mcpherson, and the General was his good
friend. To him he took the letter, and re-
quested that he be mustered out 10 enable
him 10 assume the new relation Of planter
and prospective bridegroom. Mcpherson
took the matter under Amusement
At an appointed date the Sergeant put on
an extra polish TO his appearance, as lie did
several times later, when he appeared at the
pcket-post to meet the young lady, only tc
receive letters of regret" written by Tom
Higgins. -RoBERT TRACY, St. Joseph, Mo.
Drunkenness is a Disease.
VIII send free Book of Particulars. How TO
Cure Drunkenness or the Liquor Habit with or
without thc knowledge of the patient Address