Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-18
A WONDERFUL DOG.
This Animal Marched with the Sol
diers aud Saved His Regiment.

| To the Editor of the Dispatch:
1t has been a long time since we have
had the pleasure of reading those glowing
| tributes TO the valor and the intelligence
( Of that noble animal, which, next 10 the
| horse, has always been esteemed the pc
| culiar friend of man. which once adorned
| the columns Of the Dispatch.
/ / am sure that you have not ceased 70
have an interest in the dog, FOR 1 have
read several times quite lately with sor-
row your aspersions on his character and
your denunciations of the dreadful man
ner by which ne contrives TO make him
self an object Of terror by day and or
torture by night to the unhappy people
'~who are exposed to his ferocious assaults
and compelled to endure his dismal howl
ings. TO redeem his character in some
measure from your animadversons 1
will venture to present TO your considera-
ton, and l hope 10 make an acceptable
addition to your collection, a very re-
markabe specimen of this interesting
genus whose life and works have lately
come to my knowledge, though he lived
and moved and had his being IN the
troublous times of our civil war. Allow
me TO preface this narrative by saying
that had no personal acquaintance with
your attention. and, therefore, have no
claim to a partnership in his fame, and
must rely for the facts which l shall give
on the statements of his owner, and these,
as you may perhaps De aware. are some
times not altogether trustworthy.
This dog suddenly appeared one day In
camp-nobody knew why or whence--and
on account of his unsightly ana unkempt
condition was received with contempt and
derision, and subjected to all manner G
ill-usage-kicks and buffetingS on all oc-
casions-whch he bore with such unre- |
sisting humility that at las, he aroused |
the sympathy and commiseraton OF his |
prosecutors.
His personal appearance greatly i'm |
proved under kind treatment. and he de- |
veloped such remarkable intelligence that |
he soon gained the admiration and the |
friendship of everybody who knew him. |
and his fame quickly extended through |
the whole regiment
In a very short time he learned the |
bugle calls, reveille taps, the assembly. |
the charge. and at tire first sound would |
head Of the regiment. where he estab-
lished himself, and would execute the
various movements with the accuracy |
OF the well-trained soldier, and on dress
parade. when the officers were called TO
the front and centre, would take his
place along with them. and salute the |
colonel with as much dignity and grace |
as any one. On two occasions certainly,
probably more. he saved the regiment
from serious disaster. ON the first, when |
IL was marching TO meet the enemy. he
suddenly rushed forward some distance |
in advance, barking furiously. and then.
back, Selling some of the men
by the legs, apparently attempting to stop
and hold them back 1t was soon dis
covered that the enemy were in ambush.
and but for this timely warning the
regiment would have suffered heavy loss.
on another occasion. while 1t was
of forest. in the rear of and supporting
a battery of artillery. which was engaged
i'm fierce conflict with the enemy's guns.
the dog was observed in the open field in
front scratching the earth. and barking
furiously, and looking anxiously back 10
the regiment as If asking them 10 come
IN The colonel had sufficient penetration
10 understand the signal. and at once or
Tered an advance, and had scarcely
.eached the place indicated by the dog
when n tremendous explosion occurred |
ust where they had been drawn uD.
which would inevitably have been fatal
o many of them
In his first battle he manifested all the
OF the most abject terror. as
-oung untried soldiers are very apt to DO |
rembling and Quivering with excitement,
mi held firmly TO his position by self
aspect and his sense OF responsibility.
Rrothsrs." cried Jack. who was indeed
Always the one to take the lead,
Fall in behind and follow me.
Until ind what this can be-"
His voice was trembling, yet his tail
Disdeined between his legs 10 trail.
But. Mr.. Editor. fear that am ex- !
ending this narrative to an unreasonable
sreth although not the half OF the Won I
erfuI deeds OF this remarkable dog have /
cen told, some OF which l Will reserve, :
nth your leave, for another chapter. :
Resnectfully, b. NJ. PARHAM.
II the Baby II Cutting Teeth t
Q sure and use that Old and well-tr1ed
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Dr. children teething. 1t soothes ths C
hild. softsns the gums. allays all pain. $
ares wind collie. and is the best remedy a