The Louisiana populist., 1897-07-09
ATTACHED TO HIS REGIMENT.

Stories ofa Regular Army Veteran Who
Wouldn't Quit the Service.
The old soldiers attachment for regi.
ment, company and officers is not with
out it's compensation, or he presumes
upon it and is indulged. A gray-haired
veteran, though something of an incor-
rigible, would have his offending met
with a leniency at which the younger
soldier or war recruit would marvel.
Indeed, it is the fact that not few old
soldiers of the past owned their regi-
ments, or believed they did, and acted
up to their belief. Jack Carpenter,
III" Company, Third Infantry, had that
belief as strong as any man who ever
wore the blue in the ranks for sixty-five
consecutive years Superannuated for
years, he would not take discharge,
but at the end of each enlistment he
would get dispensation from the wal
department, and take on again "just to
stay with the old Third" A veteran
OF the Mexican war, ne served faith
fully during the civil war, and in 1863,
with his regiment, was sent from the
Army of the Potomac to help quell the
draft riots in New York.
The regiment, having successfully ac-
complished its mission, gave ball on
Governors Island before departing for
the front. Jack Carpenter, as neat
looking soldier as ever pipe-clayed a
belt, along with veteran comrade,
Mullaney, was detailed to look after the
gentlemen guests in their retiring
room. Carpenter met every batch Of
guests with elaborate courtesy
and, conducting each to side
board, effusively protested that
each had better take nip
before lining" the ladies. Jack
the host, courteously drank with each
group or squad of visitors, and finally
he and Mullapey, who had been equally
hospitable, got into dispute. Forth
with Jack repaired to the ballroom to
find his captain and have the contro-
versy settled. The ball was at its
height, with the band playing langu-
orous waltz, while the floor was filled
with dancers impatient for the go-note
Of the music. Just at this interesting
moment Private Carpenter, III" COM
pany, Third United States Infantry,
stalked in, unsteadily, face flushed, but
determination stamped upon it. Cap
tain Andy Sheridan, his company COM
mander, espied him, and fearing some
outbreak, sought to hide him from the
crowd of gayly garbed ladies. Carpen-
ter detected him and exclaimed:
"No you don't, sonny, you don't hide
from old Jack Carpenter. 1 am after
knowing who ranks in the cookhouse;
do rank Mullaney or does Mul!aney
rank me?"
After the war Carpenter accompanied
his regiment west and took station at
Fort Lyon, Colo. There, so we'll ad-
vanced in years, he was practically ex-
cused from all duty, only being re-
quired to show up at Sunday morning
inspection, so he might be kept on the
muster roll. This he always did, look
ing as soldierly and clean as if he were
toy soldier instead of a war-worn
veteran of two wars and scores OF In
dian expeditions and scouts. 1t so hap
pened that Second Lieutenant Louis
Hamilton. a grandson of Alexander
Hamilton, was assigned to duty at Fort
Lyon and to the command of Carpen.
ter's company. Arosy-faced, beardless
and confident youngster, Hamilton
went out to his first Sunday morning
inspection at Fort Lyon. He went
down the company front, looking over
each man with scrutiny that he
hoped would impress the men with the
belief that he was an old hand at the
!, business. In turn he took each gun
: and inspected it. He came to Carpen-
} ter, looked him over, took his gun, in.
spected it, and, returning it to him, said
patr tronizingly:
What is your name, my man?"
"Jack Carpenter was the answer
delivered with the faintest suspicion
to those who knew him, that old Jack
had been early at the bar at the suffers
store.
"Well." continued Hamilton, all limo.
cent OF offense, you are the cleanesi
man in the company"
Sonny" with snort, calculated old
Jack, II was in the army before you
were born. ."-Chicago Times Herald.
AModern Appian WAY.