The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-07-01

It Was About an Arkansas Pie, and . Licr
tenant Was the Butt.

tenant Was the Butt.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Gen. Grant,
although. rigid disciplinarian and per
feet ironsides in the discharge of official
duty, could enjoy joke, and always ready
to perpetrate one when an opportunity pre-
sented. Among his acquaintance he was a.
much known for his eccentric humor as for
his skill and bravery.
When Grant was Brigadier in southeast
Missouri he commanded an expedition
against the rebels under jeff Thompson in
northern Arkansas. The supposed rendez-
vous of the rebels was about one hundred
and ten miles away, and the greater portion
of the route lay through a wilderness. 1t
was impossible to steal or confiscate uncul-
tivated real estate, and not a hog, chicken,
or ear of corn was for the first two days to
be seen. On the third day, however, affairs
looked more hopeful, for few small specks
of ground in q state of partial cultivation
were here and there visible on that day.
The Lieutenant of an Indiana cavalry
regiment commanded the advance-guard,
eight mounted men. About noon he came
up to a small farmhouse, from the outward
appearance of which he judged that there
might be something fit to eat inside. He
halted his men, dismounted, and with two
Second Lieutenants entered the dwelling.
He knew that Grants incipient fame had
already gone out through all that country,
and it occurred to him that by representing
himself to be the General he might obtain
the best the house afforded. So, assuming
an imperative demeanOr, he accOsted the In
mates and told them he must have some
thing for himself and staff to eat They de-
sired to know who he was, and he told them
that he was Brig Gen. Grant
At the sound of the name they flew
around with alacrity, and served up about
all they had in the house, taking great pains
to make loud professions OF loyalty. The
Lieutenants ate as much as they could of the
nOt-over abundant meal, and demanded what
was to pay.
Nothing" was the answer, and they
went on their way rejoicing.
Meantime Grant, who had halted his
army few miles farther back for brief
resting spell, came in sight of and was
rather favOrably impressed with the appear
ance of this same house. Riding up to the
fence in front of the door he desired to know
if they would cook meal. NO." said a
female, in sharp voice; "Gen. Grant and
his staff have just been here and eaten
everything in the house, except one pump
kin pie"
Humph." murmured Grant; "what is
your name 2"
"Selvidge," replied the woman.
Casting half-dollar in at the door he
asked if she would keep the pie till he sent
an officer for it, to which she replied she
would.
That evening, after the camping-ground
had been selected, the various regiments
were notified that there would be parade
at $50 for orders. In five minutes the camp
was in perfect nprosr, and filed with all
sorts of rumors.
The parade was formed, 10 columns deep
and nearly quarter of mile in length.
After the usual routine of ceremonies the
Acting Assistant Adjutant-G General read the
following order:
Headquarters Army in the Field.
Special Order No. -. Lieut.. W., of the -
Ind. Cav, having on this day eaten every
thing in Mrs. Seiyidge's house, at the cross
ing of the Ironton and Pecahontas and
Black River and Cape Girardeau roads, ex-
cept one pumpkin pie, said Lieut.. w. is
hereby ordered to return with an escort of
100 cavalry and eat that pie also. U. S.
Grant, BrigadierGeneral commanding"
An hour later the Lieutenant filed out of
camp with his 100 men, amid the cheers of
the entire army. The escort c0ncurred in
stating that he devoured the whole pie, and
seemed to relish it.-DANIEL p. DONNELL,
I'd Iowa, Newburyport, Mass.