The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-08-06
COMPELLED TO EAT PIE.
Story About One of Gen. Grants staff OIL
GERS.

Edmund Kirke, writing in the Atlanta CON-
stitutiOn, relates an anecdote that was told to
him by one of Gen. Grants staff officers The
occurrence took place early in the war in south
| western Arkansas, while Grants troops were
OH a march through wilderness and were
really suffering for food. This state of things
lasted for two days. Then few scattering
houses were passed, and foraging was in order
On that day Lieut.. Wickfeld, of an Indiana
cavalry regiment, commanded the advance
guard of 500 men. About noon he came upon
a small farmhouse. whose appearance indicated
that there might be some food upon the prem
ises. Hating his squad, he dismounted, and
with two OF his So coordinate officers entered the
dwelling.
Assuming stately demeanor, he accostsd
the mistress of the house with demand for
food for himself and staff To her inquiry az
to who he was, he answered, "Gen. Grant"
and at the sound of that name all the men,
bers of the family flew about, serving up all
they bad in the house with profuse expressions
of loyalty.
They were all women, the men being away
with the body of Confederates that Grant was
pursuing. The Lieutenant and his squad
feasted to their hearts content, and then de-
manded what was TO pay. Nothing" said the
mistress of the house, who protested that as
loyal woman she could not think of accepting
pay from the defenders of the country With
this, Lieut.. Wick field and his "staff" went ON
their way rejoicing.
Gen. Grant had halted his forces few miles
back for a brief rest, but he soon resumed his
march, and about the time that the Lieuten-
ant was out of sight he rode up to the house
and inquired if the good people there would
cook him meal.
NO." came from a gruff female voice on the
inside of the closed door. Gen. Grant and
his staff have just been here and eaten I'D all
We had in the house. except one pumpkin pie"
Indeed" said the General. What is
your name?"
"Selvidge." said the woman, now ysnturing
to open the door.
"Well, madam. want that pie" said Grant.
tossing the woman halfdollar. please
keep it for me. will send for it tonight"
The woman took the money, and Grant rode
on some 10 miles to where the army was to
camp. There the various regiments were noti-
fed of a full parade at half past s. This was SO
unusual that it created decided sensation,
and many supposed that the enemy was upon
them.
The parade was formed 10 columns deep and
nearly quarter of mile in length, and after
the usual ceremonies the Assistant Adjutant-
General read the following order:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD.
Special Order.
Lieut.. Wickfeld, of the Indiana cavalry. having
this day eaten everything at Mrs. Selvidge's,
the crossing of the Ironton and Pocahontss and
Black River and Cape Girardeau roads, except ono
pumpkin pie, he is hereby ordered to return with
an escort of 100 cavalry and eat that pie also.
u. 8. GRANT,
Brigadier- General Commanding.
By o'clock the Lieutenant filed out of camp
with his 100 men, amid the cheers of the entire
army. This escort returned to camp about
midnight, and reported that Wickfield had
eaten the whole pie and had appeared to relish
it.