The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-01-11
THE N PlR.

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Mr.. Edmund Klrke, writing in the
Atlanta Constitution. relates an anec-
dote which was told to him by OF
General Grants staff officers. The oc-
currence took place early in the war,
in southwestern Arkansas. while
Grants troops were on a march through
a wilderness, and were really suffer
ing for food. This state of things
lasted for two days. Then a few scat
tered houses we're passed, and foraging
was in order.
On that day Lieutenant Wickfield.
Of an Indiana cavalry regiment. COM
manded the advance guard of eight
hundred men. About noon he came
upon a small farmhouse, whose ap-
pearance indicated that there might be
some food upon the premises. Hating
his squad, he dismounted, and with
two of his subordinate officers entered
the dwelling.
Assuming a stately demeanor, he
accosted the mistress of the house with
a demand for food for himself and his
staff To her enquiry as to who he
was, he answered, "Brigadier General
Grant, - and at the sound of that name
all the members of the family few
about, serving up all they had in the
house with profuse expressions of 10y
atty.
They were all women, the men be-
ing away with the body of Oonfeder.
ates that Grant was pursuing. The
lieutenant and his squad Toasted to
their hearts content, and then de-
manded what was to pay. Nothing"
said the mistress of the house, who
protested that as a loyal woman she
could not think of accepting pay from
the defenders of the country. With
this, Lieutenant Wickfeld and his
staff went on their way rejoicing.
General Grant had halted mis- forces
a few miles back for a brief rest, but
he soon resumed his march, and about
the time that the lieutenant was out Of
sight he rode up to the house, and in
CURED if the good people there would
cook him a meal.
NO." came from a gruf female
voice on the inside of the closed door.
General Grant and his staff nave just
been here and eaten up all we had in
the house, except one pumkin pie"
"IndeedI' said the general. "What
is your name9"
"S3Ividge," replied the woman, now
venturing to open the door.
"Well, madam, I want that pie"
said Grant. tossing the woman a half
dollar. please keep it for me. will
send fc1 it tonight"
The woman took the money, and
Grant rode on some fifteen miles to
where the army was to camp. There
the various regiments were notified of
a full parade at half past six This was
so unusual that it created adeeided
sensation, and many supposed that the
enemy was upon them.
The parade was formed ten columns
deep and nearly aquarter of a mile in
length, and after the usual ceremonies
the assistant adjutant general read the
following order:
headquarters, Army Of the Field,
Special Order. -Lieutenant Wickfeld,
of the Indiana cavalry, having on this
day eaten everythingat Mrs. Selvidge's,
at the crossing of the Ironton and
Pocahontas and Black River and Cape
Girardeau roads, except mi pumkin-
pie, Lieutenant Wickheld is hereby
ordered to return with an escort of one
hundred cavalry and eat that pie also.
"U.S GRANT,
"Brigadier.G General Commanding"
At seven o'clock the lieutenant filed
out of camp with his hundred men,
amid the cheers of the entire army,
This escort returned to camp about
midnighs, reporting that Wick1eld
had eaten the whole pie, and had ap-
peared TO relish it.-Ex.