The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-10-28

is a sick man no good to the Government, but
he is a burden Oh the others.
You must take those tents down, set
them up again OH line with the others,
with proper spaces between for the air to cir
culaie, and then get some brush and sweep
up ali the dirt that has gathered aud burn
it"
"We'uns we had the dog gonedest time
with them e'er tents, Jineral, said Web
Brainard, despairingly. "We'uns We taken
them down. or they've bowed down u q zen
times, an we'uns can't make nothing outen
them, try ez hard ez we kin"
Tents are pulling things to men not ac-
customed to them, said the General with
grave kindness. Pull down that first one
there. and | II show you how to set it up.
Pollock and the others instantly sprang at
the tent and pulled it down.
- Hit comes down easy enough, " said Pol
lock. grimy
:" Yes; tents have that way" replied the
General. But it can he made to go up
again almost as easily. Two of you catch
hold OF those poles, lift the tent up and bring
ii forward here
He stepped to where he could get g sight J"
on another line of tents There, set your
front pole down there at my toe. You two
/ hold the poles while the others stretch the
| tent and drive in the pegs Give me that AK
and I'll show you how to set your pegs and
drive tllem'
He set the PIN and drove it home with a
few skillful blows.
Handles an AK ez if he'd had one in his
hands every day, " murmured Web Brainard.
Wouldn't We believed hit
The General carefully watched the driving
of the other pegs, criticising and directing.
Seems firm ez rock" said Pollard, test
ing it.
- 1t is firm enough to resist any storm that
! blows" said the General. "A little care will
always insure you shelter. But you must
remember that when a rain comes up you
must loosen these ropes 4 little this way"
and he showed them the method of easing up
/ the ropes, . for the water makes them shrink ;
they II pull the pegs out of the ground, and
let your tent down OH you. Now, bring me
| that shovel. You must always dig q little
ditch around your tent this way" and he
turned over a few of the sods. to keep the
water out if a rain should come up. Now
that tent is all right. Let me see you put
! up the next one"
The tent went up with surprising ease. All
became strongly interested in doing it just
| right, and Pollock mentioned under his
nearly IN inch out Of line
| The General watched them put up others
until he was satisfied they had learned their
lesson. and then as he turned 10 go said:
You have done very well, indeed. Now,
hang your blankets over your tents. where
they'll get the sun, and keep them there as
long as the sun shines. 1t will help pre-
serve your health TO sleepin summed blank rs.
Your health is very important to the Gov
eminent, for you'll be worse than no account
Ii sick | II send down Il wagOn-load of straw
presently to put in the bottom of your tents
You must take it out every few days and sun
1t. To get lid OF the dampncss. Get some
brush and clean up all the dirt III front Of
your tents, to avoid sickness. Remember hat
II IS very Important to keep your health, for
the sake of the Government"
Dog my cats, calculated Web Brainard,
| turning around to his companions as they
stood looking open mounted after the General.
. Don't that beat you. Talks Jest like your
daddy, an VII 70 feel that yO'ye got t mind
him great deal more'n yo' ever did yor
daddy Not a crossword all the time, even
when Bill Weatherwax sot the pole down on
his tee
Somehow, I feel that we've got t. mind
him a great deal more'n we ever did old
Joab. y said Pollock Hit amt Do this Jest
bekase / say so, but Do hit bekase hits
common sense and right / wish the Elder
could see him."
Wonder eff he'll font like old Joab p"
ventured Amos Beckwith.
Don't waste no time wOnderin bout
that, said Pollock. 81 tux good look at
his eyes several times, t. measure him up, like.
Hit haint none o the wild cat in hit, like ole
1.,x4 l.
right up t grizzly bar, say good mornin' to
/ him, ketch him by the throat an choke the
life outen him. He'll 90 wharever he once
starts fur though IA million rebels try T. stop
/ him.
A different atmosphere soon pervadcd the
camp.
Men set about learning their duties in
different spirit when it was made apparent
to them that these would increase their sol
derly efficiency. Gen Thomas was patient
in explaining that everything he required of
them was based on good and sufficient
reasons, and not merely the arbitrary whim
of Il man who happened TO have the power
and this melted their zeal i'll learning He
had none OF the customary arts OF the day to
make himself popular with his men. lie
made no speeches and INDUCED in no fiatier-
les He was always earnest, serious, almost
severe. in word and manner.
He was seen everywhere in camp and pay
ing attention 10 the smallest details. Moth
ing-irom the boiling Of a pot of l,eans or
the tying of Il shoe 10 the nlanuvering of
battalion escaped his attention, and he was
patient in teaching how it should be done in
the best possible way. He kept constantly
before them that the supreme object of every
thing was to promote the comfort and health
of the soldier and develop his efficiency as a
fighting man.
IniieXibe as to essentials, he permitted the
greatest indifference to non. essentials In a
surprisingly short time the whole body of
men came to understand and appreciate all
this and to regard Gen. Thomas as a most
extraordinary embodiment of wisdom, power,
and patriotic purpose.
He was a most startling revelation to the
many who Thought soldier must neces-
sarily be
Full of strange oaths"
His voice was never raised in anger, and yet
he was incompirably more i0rceful than Gen.
Nelson in his widest rage
- WAS surprised and panied to hear YOU
swearing at your men to-day Colonel" the
Tennessecans overheard him say in his calm
measured way. Do not do it again Bad
temper is always a sign of weakness in an
officer, or anyone dealing with men, and oaths
arc objectionable They take away the effect