The National tribune., 1898-11-24
wheelwright, you stand behind Brad

Wheelwright, you stand behind Brad
shaw, Just rs he does"
And so ST went painstakingly through the
whole squad, until he came to Abel Waite,
whom he found did not need any instruction,
for he had profted by hearing the lectures to
the others, and was standing as stiff and
correct as veteran could have done.
" Great outfit" remarked Shorty, walking
down the line, gun in hand, and surveying
it critically. Looks like mourners' bench
froze stiff. Here, you red-headed man there,
take in that corporation. You won't have
so much bay window after you've lived on
army rations awhile"
Now" commanded ST, "when l say
Count twos from the right, / want YOU to
begin and count. The first man-you, Brad
shaw-says one and the next man on your
left says two, and so on. The men in the
rear rank do the same. Count twos from the
right. Count"
"One, two; four, six; seven, nine; ten.
'leven, shouted the boys, in all manner of
tones and general bewilderment
Stop it; stop it, ~ yelled ST, his temper
again rising Great day, can't You fellers
understand plain English when it's talked to
you? What's the matter with you, anyway?
Here, Bradshaw, when / give the order to
count you count one. Wheelwright, you
count one at the same time. Williams and
Talbot, you each count two. Then Aldrieh,
you and Reynolds count one, and so on"
At last he got them to count off TO his
satisfaction, and then proceeded to the next
lesson.
Now, at the command right face every
body face to the right. The No. men in
the front rank stand fast The No men In
the rear rank take a side step to the right.
The No. 2 men each take o side step to the
right, and places himself on the right of No.
IL
Great Jehosephat, ST." demonstrated
Shorty; ''it'll take 'em month to learn all
that
Don't care if it does, 4" said ST desperately
They've got to learn it sometime, and they
can't learn no younger. Might as we'll begin
now as any time. 'Tention. Right face -
ST had hard work restraining the angry
words which fumed up when he saw the
execution of his command. Only few had
turned to the right. The rest had either stood
still, turned to the left, Or were turning first
one way and then another, to adjust them
selves to those nearest them.
Looks like political primary just before
the votes called, Z" remarked Shorty. ''Better
git red rags to tie around their right hands, SOS
they'll know 'em.''
It'll be shame to take them across the
Ohio River in this shape, said ST in deep
vexation. 'They'l II shoot one another's heads
off in the first fight if they've guns in their
hands,"
Don't worry" answered Shorty consol-
ingly. They'll pick it up mighty fast
as soon as they see other fellers doing it,
and'll be in purity good shape by the time we
git 'em to the regiment. We was just as
green as they are"
ST repressed his petulant words with an
effort, and started in to give them an ocular
demonstration OF the way to execute fright
face, but was interrupted by the Lieutenant
coming up and saying:
Here, we've got to move right out to
catch the ferryboat and the train on the other
side. 'Tention Pick up your bundles.
Forward march,"
Tactics were forgotten in a go-as- please
rush on to the ferry-boat, through the streets
of Louisville. and or to the cars for Nash
vile. Everybody else was doing the same.
The boat and streets were filed and the
depot yard packed with men all pushing for
ward for the 'front.'" While ST, walking
alongside the Lieutenant, led, Shorty and the
rest of the detail brought up the rear After
they had scrambled into the old freight cars
and slowed themselves away, ST looked
over his squad and counted it.
Have you got them all aboard, Ser
geant? :" inquired Lieut.. Bowersox.
'1Fve got the right number, sir,n ST
answered saluting land if they amt all
the same men they re just as good
ALI right" returned the officer. " / had
103 put in my charge to take to the regiment,
and 103 men | must have when l get there :"
You shall have the full 1O3, Lieutenant
assured Shorty, if we have to snatch in a
native or two to take the place Of some that
fall through the cracks"
At Nashville the crowd and confusion were
excessive; detachments of men of all kinds,
sorts and conditions-armed and unarmed-
recruits, convalescent veterans, men coming
back from furlough, stragglers under guard,
squads of Quartermaster's employees, gangs
of railroad laborers and bridge-builders were
all surging around, while their officers,
superintendent, foremen, etc, shouted them
selves hoarse in trying to get their men to-
gether and keep them so. When 81 at last
got his men on board, and the train had
moved out, he was dismayed to find that he
was five short.
'They was lost in that shuttle back there
in the depot" said Shorty. Lucky it
wasn't more. Wonder that We ever got
through as well as we did"
What in the world am going to do?"
inquired ST dolefully. "There's no use send
ing back for them. They've probably got
mixed up with some other squads, and gone
the Lord knows where. They haven't sense
enough to find their regiment in such ruck
as this.
ST counted his men over again, with no
better result.
"pye got an idee," said Shorty, as ST
came up to commune again with him as to
the misfortune. s. | noticed five mighty
lively young Irishmen in that bridge gang
that's on the rear car, and I've got pint
flask OF whisky that some fellow was green
enough to lay down while we was there in
Nashville. Pm goin' back to that car on re-
cruitin' duty"
ST, unable to think Of anything better,
NJ mi w.
RA T/LZs 1-s5gZ>x H.