The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-14
prom La New York Sd

Kept at Mass by Gen. COppinger.
From the New York Sun.
Washington, July 2-When Doc Wood,
as old-timers among the enlisted men of
the regular army aifecuonately call Col
Wood of the Rough Riders, was chasing
Geronimo, one of the trumpeters, or wind
TANNERS, Of his outfit was a reckless chap.
Tom Kisgsley, by name. who had taken
part in many Indian campaigns and had
been under fire more times than he had
fingers or toes. Kingsley was somewhat
given to whisky, and his payday out
breaks rarely lasted less than a week The
officers of his commands always went light
on him, for, besides being one of The crack
ajack trumpeters of the army, he was an
absolutely fearless soldier and a good all
around man. Wood was especially fond
Of Wind-Jammer Kingsley, who rode be
side him on the campaign. Three or four
times during the march--one of the long
est in the history of the American army
which finally wound up in the corralling of
the bad Indian Geronimo, Kingsley had
scented rum from afar on lonely ranches
and for a couple Of days after he sue
pie on these occasions he had ridden along
side his commanding officer in a very
joyous state, indeed. Wood never paid
any attention to him. and waited for
.kingsieys rum to give out.
One morning, after an overnight bivouac
about three miles from big sheep ranch
which the men were positively forbidden
TO Visit-Kingsle turned up a reveille in a
most hilarious state. He was tremendous
ly good-natured. He didn't get into any
trouble before camp was broken, for his
calls went through all right even if they
did lack somewhat in understanding
Kingsley probably hit up his bottle sew
eTal times before the men were mounted
and off. Anyhow, when he took his place
UP at the front of the column, close to his
commanding officer, he was Just about
over the line of sense. He gave couple
of Apache whoops, dug his spurs into his
horse, and away he went like a Centaur
amuck, making for the opening of a canon
about mile away. He whooped at every
jump of his horse. Wood couldn't help
smiling at the wind tanners craziness
The column caught up with the trumpeter
after awhile. He was sitting calmly, wo-
man fashion, on his horse, meditating
''Why didn't you blow retreat for your
self when you got here and return to the
command, Kingsley" inquired Wood,
good naturally.
. Kingsley mutiered something about not
knowing nothing about no retreat when
savages were around"
ooh, that's all right, too" said Wood
But you stick to the column from now
on. Something might happen to you"
Kingsley wheeled into line, and the
march was Resumed. The trumpeter was
good for as much as ten minutes. Then
another ewig of the mosquito whisky told
on him, and, with a couple more wild
yells, off he started on another dash far
ahead of the dine.
II say, Kingsley" Wood called after
the crazy trumpeter, come backr'
Kingsley gave his horse. another dig
with his spurs, and he was going ike
the wind Wood gave the spurs to his
horse and started in pursuit. Woods
horse was fresh and the trumpeter's, af-
ter the first charge for the canon, was a
bit winded. Wood got alongside the
trumpeter after about half a mile of the
sand was covered. He didn't seize Kings
ley's bride, but reached over and grabbed
the yellow cord that held the trumpet
around his neck. Wood yanked Kings
ley ito the ground, the windjammer
horse keeping right on. Kingsley sat
down so hard that he broke the pint bot
tie In his back pocket.
''Too bad" said Wood, "but you can
pick the glass out of yourself in the guard
wagon. Sad waste of lquor, though"
Kingsley, after twenty-fOur hours in the
guard wagon, was returned to duty the
next morning without court martial
This is the sort of man handling that
made Wood the idol of his command CT
that long chase after Geronimo.
When Gen. Shafter was colonel of the
First Infantry, stationed at Angel Island
California, he used TO enjoy going over tc
posts Soapsuds Row and blarneying with
the washerwomen. The Soapsuds Row
ara 10 oh In
lean military posts. They say things tc
the commanding officer that make Their
husbands and sons in the enlisted ranks
shudder to hear. Shafter would take al
OF their hot shots with Falstaffian shouts
and give them back as good as they sent
He liked nothing better than to have hall
q dozen of the red-armed women-all OF
them with husbands or sons in the regl-
ment-get after him with their wit. He
always had to retreat from Soapsuds Row
thoroughly beaten, but he enjoyed these
verbal thrashngs.
One of the women of Soapsuds Row had
two sons, both non-commissioned Officers
in one of the companies of the First anC
her husband was a duty sergeant in an.
other company. BY a coincidence one pay
day about three years ago all three of this
washerwoman's soldier lads went off sep
arateIy to San Francisco TO invite thei
souls in liquor. All three overstayed theil
Time ana Nnen they returned TO the post
dilapidated and wobbly, they were slam
med into the guard house in bunch.
looked like a case of bust for all tire,
of them-that is, the chances seemed |,
be that the chevrons of Mrs. Tobin's hus
band and two sons would be cut of thel
blouses for misbehavior. Shafter turne,
up on Soapsuds Row on the morning afte
the three non-cons of Mrs. Tobin's fam
lily were corralled.
"a bad lot, those men of yours, Mrs
Tobin," said Shafter to the laundress.
''Divil's tn drap av pity in me hear
for a wan av thim" replied Mrs. Tobin
acquiescing.
Huh? How's that?" said Shafter. IN
pity for them? Why, you ought to b
ashamed of yourself-your own menu
ASHAMED me oir' said Mrs Tobin
9Th drunken blag-gayrds! Ofve enoug
throuble o. me own to moind tn loikes a
thims"
why, see here, don't you know that
an outrageous way to talk? Those boys ar
good soldiers-old man and boys botf
They've only taken drop too much acros
the way at san Francisco. I'm sorry. toe