The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-10
REPORTERS IN THE WAR
ANECDOTES, MOSTLY HUMOROUS.
ABOUT THE CORRESPONDENTS.
English Quill Pusher Who Thought
More of His stomach than News
of Grants Operations.
Francis G. Long, in National Tribune.

Mr.. Wilkeson visited the Army of the
Pontoons" in the spring of 1864. There were
no livery stables in the army, and he de-
sired to ride around the surrounding coun-
try and visit old acquain' noes. So Mr..
Gray, of the Tribune, CONSIDERABLY loaned
him horse. Now, Gray was a splendid
correspondent and letter writer but as
hostler it had never appeared in evidence
that he was any kind of a success, and L
have serious doubts as to whether he was
the owner of card ard currycomb; if he
was, it certainly had never been suspected
that he used them The animal in question
was what is known as "cribber," and if
given opportunity to amuse himself
would eat up an army wagon in one night,
and clean out an entire ambulance train in
couple of weeks, and still look harmless
and innocent. Owing to an insane pro-
pensity to bite and gnaw everything within
reach, Gray was in the habit of tying it to
the small pine trees near the Barbour
House, where we were quartered.
The trees were covered with wounds and
scars made by the vicious teeth of the rest
less and Unlocking quadruped, and the
warm rays of the spring sun caused the tur
pentine to exude in considerable quantities.
Then the perverse beast would lean and rub
until his hairy coat was smeared with crude
turpentine from withers to fetlocks and
from ears to tail. The exasperating creature
would calmly and deliberately lie down.
stretch himself and enjoy quiet siesta;
meanwhile straws, bits of hay, twigs Of
trees and pine leaves and cones would ad-
here to his TANKS and limbs which gave
him an appearance at once unique and pic
turesque. We called upon Hon. John Minor
Bolts who resided between Brandy Station
and CuIpepper Courthouse, and spent some
time in conversation with that distinguished
gentleman (now dead, and when we left
him he insisted upon our imbibing some
thing that did not at all resemble apolli-
naris water.
Then we rode to the Fifth Corps, and
called upon General Warren, it's comman-
der, and before we got away Wilkeson and
myself had been quite convivial with GER
tain members of his staff After this we
called on General WadSwOrth, the gallant
soldier and accomplished gentleman who
gave up his life to his country in the VIII
derness a few weeks subsequently. We
dined with General Wadsworth
OFF FOR PONY MOUNTAIN.
The dinner being finished. we decided to
ensburg, at which point had been erected
an observatory for the use of the signal
corps, from whence one could look into the
Confederate lines. General Patrick had CIV
en- the writer a permit to visit the signal
station mentioned some time previously,
but my comrade had no pass. However, I
promised that he should experience no
trouble if he would leave everything to me,
as would represent him as being MEM
Der of the Christian Commission, as / had
one of their ribbons, and no one would
think of stopping him. Arriving at the foot
OF Pony mountain our advance was checked
by a dilapidated gate as we'll as by a cor
poral on guard. Remember about the
companion as handed my pass to the cor
poral The young fellow read it, and said
1t would do but for one. told him that it
tache of the Christian Commission. The cor
poral then called out the sergeant of the
guard and the sergeant in turn called out
the lieutenant from the guardhouse near
at hand. The lieutenant examined my pass
heard my explanation and said he thought
1T was all right to pass the venerable par
son.
BY this time dozen or more of the re-
serve guard had gathered around us, and
Sans horse grew excited and restless, and
kept paving the ground and champing his
bit, and lodging from the men whenever
they came too near. But my friend had not
forgotten that he was to be a Christian
Commission man." He spurred his quantity
ornamented Steed close to the lieutenant
and, much to the establishment of the lat
49, - SSAASSA NClSS
somewhat in this manner: MY son, hearken
unto the voice of wisdom. MY son. look not
thou upon the wine when it is red, when it
giveth it's color to the cup, when it moveth
itself Alright, for at the last it h!teth like
a serpent and stingeth like an adder. My
son, be virtuous if you would be happy
At this point the horse suddenly SHE'D
from the lieutenant. nearly throwing his
rider. Wilkeson jerked the bride rein with
good deal of secular vim, and in a furious
passion struck his fantastic steed over the
head with his fiat hand, while he roared in
a voice of thunder. and with bad word
as further emphasis 'Who-a-a! you infer
nal brute! We did not ascend Pony mount
ain that day. The emphasis of Sans last
utterance settled the matter.
In the fall of 1868 the Boston Traveller
sent an elegant young gentleman to the
Army of the Potomac in quest of news. He
was handsome modest, affectonate and al
most girlish in appearance. On his haver-
sack. note book and gripsack were in
scribed, in large letters; John Hayes; Re
absolutely nothing about the army. and
being honest and rather credulous wwithal.
little lust for the fun of the thing. Capt.
E. A. Paul Of the New York Times,
veteran of the Mexican war while not in
delight in misleading the young Bostonian.
.STRINGING" REPORTER.
One afternoon Paul rode into camp from
an extended foraging expedition. Hayes
approached him and in a confidential man
ner inquired if he had picked up any news
Of Importance during the day. Paul grave
Iy drew him aside, and after pledging him
not to give the news away, informed him
that there had been a most sanguinary en-
gagement that day at Leesburg. Hayes
was greatly excited by this fable. for he
was exceedingly ambitious to write up
battle for his paper. and show his en-
blowers the kind of mettle of which he was
made. and he eagerly inquired how far
Ieesburg was from Brandy Station and in
what direction it lay. His tormentor as
sured him that 1T was about twelve miles
distant, and in direction nearly south
west of our camps:
with many thanks for the information
the Young gentleman from the Hub"
mounted his horse and rode off in the early
twilight toward the upper fords of the Rap
idan river Had l known his errand /
did not see him again for several days, but
he afterward informed me that he had ridden
about the country all night. Having wan
dered away from the main road, in sad
state of bewilderment he had passed through
forests and swampS and over the rough
ing dawned and he was discovered by our
cavalry patrol near Raccoon ford, on the
Rapidan once during the night he had gone
TO a good-sized farmhouse and after arous-
ing the proprietress inquired how far it was
to Leesburg.
an. .sWhy. bless yo' heart, sah Leesbug
isn't up this away at all. Deed, sab, I've
nevah been thar, but from what I've yeard
tell reckon I4eesbug is about seventy miles
right smart down that away" and the
woman pointed in the general direction of
the pole star.
long with the Army of the Potomac, but in