The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-09-24
SOLDIERS STORIES.
ENTERTAINING REMINlCENCES
OF THE WAR.
Graphic Account of Stirring Scenes
Witnessed Oh the Battlefield and in
Camp-Veterans of the Rebellion Re-
cite Experiences of Thrilling Nature.
General Grant Took Advice.

General Grant Took Advice.
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently
t,rinted some "reminiscences of Genera
Grant. written by Rev. ]. l.. Crane, who
was chaplain of General-then Colonel
Grants regiment early in the civil
war. One Of the anecdotes related by
Mr.. Crane brings out n noble quality OF
the great cOmmander-an ability to
change his mind under advice. The
incident occurred in Missouri. Two
young soldiers, eager to show their
zeal, started out on their own account
to put down the rebellion"
They left camp in the afternoon,
stayed out all night, and came back
with flying colors, bringing Il Confed-
crate and two of his horses. Grant
was seated by the door of his tent
when the two heroes brought the trO-
phies of their victory before him. He
did not rise from his seat nor pull his
| pipe from his mouth, but quietly ask
| ed:
who gave you permission to be alb
sent from camp?"
Nobody; we just thought we'd go
out and look after some seceshers, and
we've found this feller and brought
him up," and they pointed triumph
antly to the prisoner, who was still
sitting on his horse and looked as if
he expected to be shot before he could
say his prayers.
I'll attend to your case first" said
the colonel, and the flush of victory
began to fade from their faces as he
continued:
Captain, you take these boys and
have them tied to tree for six hours
for leaving camp without permission
The boys looked crestfallen and dis
appeared in company with the captain.
After the colonel had questioned the
trembling farmer, and found his pro-
fessioDs of attachment to the Union
satisfactory, he set him at liberty, re-
sumed his smoking, and in half Il min
ute looked as though nothing unusual
had happened. Then, turning to me,
with apparently no aim in his remark,
he inquired:
chaplain, what do you think of
camp life by this time?"
ut is entirely new phase of life to
me, colonel, and 1 have hardly been
able to come to definite conclusion
yet"
'What did you think of the conduct
of those two young men?" lie asked. as
coolly as if he were inQuiring about
the weather.
Il think they were not Intentionally
guilty of violation of discipline; the
method was irregular, but they doubt
less thought they were doing good
thing for the country"
DO you think punished them too
severely"
We'll, colonel, 1 do not know that
am prepared to judge of what is too
severe in military life"
81 don't ask you for military opin-
ion. l ask for your opinion as citi-
zen. Chaplains are not supposed to
be military men. They are supposed
to carry into camp the same feelings
and views of justice and right that
they had in civil life" And he raised
his eyes as if to see whether l appre-
ciated his remarks.
'As you have asked me for a candid
opinion 1 will give it. 1 think the pun
ishment was not proportioned to the
offense. If it We're 1, six hours tied
to n tree would be n serious business.
l think it was rather too severe ON the
boys, colonel"
But, chaplain, suppose we were
by an enemy, and men
were allowed to stray from camp, they
would be taken prisoners or lose their
lives in such a case"
''That appears reasonable, colonel,
but we are not near an enemy; besides,
the boys are in a new position, and
know not exactly what is expected of
them, and had no idea what they were
bringing on themselves"
But we should so prepare when the
enemy is at n distance that we may
be ready when he is near at hand"
THAT is true, sir; yet l still think n |
nilder punishment for unwilling Of |
lenders would as effectually work the |
same result"
The colonel stroked his beard with |
lis left hand, habit to which he was |
when there was the slight |
st interruption to the current of his
thoughts, and puffed his smoke with
enewed vigOr. Then, in moment,
lie called out:
Orderly, go and tell the guard to re-
ease those boys; they have been pun
shed long enough"