The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-10-07
FUN FOR A TEXTS Bulb.
A Comrades Story of an Amusing
Experience on the Border.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / will give
you little OF my personal experience with
Texas cattle without having been drilled in
COW punching previously. 1t was while
lying in camp near Brownsville, Tex About
October, 1865, theSeparate Brigade, composed
OF the 2Sth ILL.,, 35th Wis. and several other
regiments. were eamped near Brownsville,
Tex, on the banks of the Rio Graude. The
brigade had gone into camp across the main
road leading into Brownsville, which was
Travelled great deal by the Mexicans and
farmers living below in the country to bring
their produce to the city. We cut new
road around our camp.
The Mexieans at that time used nothing
but cattle for draft purposes, and the
cattle, where they used more than one at .
time, were yoked by tying piece of wood
across from the horns of one to the other. The
Mexicans usually went to town in the morn
ing and came back in the evening. and of
course had to pass our camp each way. As
they came within sight of our camp ono
would notice them begin to brace themselves
on the back part of their wagon running-gear
preparatory to quick passage through the
Separate Brigade camp.
You see, our boys were a great set for fun
in any shape, consequently when those poor
greasers would make their appearance on
their way home with an empty wagon and
woodrack, they were always met by self
constituted reception committee, who escorted
them through the limits of camp with as
little delay as possible.
If the occupants of the wagons did not care
to get left behind, why, they lay down and
Rugged the coupling pole or back bolster, and
the reception committee did the rest by start
ing an old-time war whoop, pulling off their
hats and coats, and waving them at the team.
The cattle waited upon needed no whip, fox
it was clean heel every time.
But of all the cattle that had to pass us and
had never Leen lucky enough to pass that
way before, wa, bull. Two Mexicans had
him harnessed in cart, one held a rope
through ring in the nose, and the other q
lariat around pair of sharp horns, such as
Mexican bulls usually wear. They were
just breaking him to work in harness.
The Greasers came down the line seemingly
| happy, but about midway of our camp their
| hilaTity was cut short by the sudden appear
ance of the reception committee As tho
team came they made rush up in q body.
| The bull ran to one side of the road, which
was high, and spilled the Mexicans out. over
| turned the cart, broke loose, and started of
with the Mexicans sliding along on their
stomachs, holding ON like grim death. The
| ring was torn from the bulls nose, but
the man with the lariat had the presence Of
| mind to take turn around stump, which
brought him up standing. But oh, wasn't
the bovine mad He frothed at the mouth
as if he had been eating laundry-soap and
all. This was all something new for our
boys, and there was great deal of noise
| made, which attracted the notice of about
300 or 400 others, who soon surrounded his
bullship.
was Officer of the Camp Guard, and was
neatly done up in my 800 uniform and large,
fashy silk sash. The noise and crowd run
| ming made me think there was some mis-
understanding among the boys, and, to place
the dignity of my office beyond question, I
went rapidly to where the excitement was,
and elbowed my way through the crowd to
the front rank.
found nothing but an awfully mad bull.
| was about as green as any of the other fell
lows az to Texas cattle. / loitered near,
watching the boys throw sticks and stones at
him, making him dash at them. They kept
probing his maestys hind quarters
One of the men got himself a long, sharp
pointed stick and made grand lunge at him,
while we were all doubled up in laughter.
He made one herculean movement at tho
audience, which dispersed Vsithout notice.
1t seemed queer to me during the break to
the rear why his lordship should single mo
out of 400 or 500 good men when had not
done a single thing to him. / broke file from
the right and to the rear as rapidly as possi-
bic, but the bull insisted upon making my
acquaintance. / tried to throw dust in his
eyes with my heels, but shake him could not.
Concentrating my whole force at the inter-
section of very narrow path and edge of
cleared spot, and looking back, observed
the head of his column and rear of mine
were only, you might say a few inches apart.
took in the situation, and with my whole
force / moved to the left into ambush, letting
the pursuing force pass by. remained in
hiding until / was satisfied of my safety
beyond a doubt.
That country was full of thorn bushes. I
could not change my position without sore
inconvenience. L called the guards to assist
me in getting out of my unpleasant position,
and take gleat pains In extricating me, and
with as little delay as possible. They got
poles and forced the thorny brush off me, and
L shot up like jumping jack out of a box.
After getting free took stock of my remain
ing clothing and skin. / found my face and
hands looked like I had been attending an
Irish wake. i also found my fine sash pulled
out in strings; my fine coat and trousers torn
in 135 distinct pieces. / borrowed a blanket
until L could get to my tent. | became able
for duty two weeks later. A mad Texas
bull does not admire pretty red sashes.-
PHIL NJ. WAGNER, Tyler, Tex.