The National tribune., 1899-09-21
A I'D KY. REMINISCENCE.
Stories Of Sherman and Osterhaus and Q Night or
Picket.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: During
the Nicksburg campaign Gen. Sherman
commanded the Thirteenth Corps. Pre-
paratory. to starting to Vicksburg he and
staff reviewed us at Memphis, Tenn. We
were drawn up in battle-array. AS soon
as he put in an appearance he was cheered
greatly by the army. This was the first
experience we had with the General COM
manding. He was followed by staff and
body-guard, whose implements of war
glittered in the sunlight, and presented
a very imposing scene. Sherman spoke
pleasantly to the men in plain English.
Irecollect that Harvey Wilburn, of our COM
pany, had on boots. He asked him if he
preferred boots to shoes. He asked George
Reedez how many cartridges he had in his
cartridge-box. After he went along
says: George, what made you tell Sher-
Il understood him to ask how many cards
| had" 1 expected to hear Sherman repri-
mand George for not having cartridges,
but he did not, as perhaps his attention
was attracted elsewhere.
De Courcy, Colonel of the 10th Ohio,
and commanding our brigade, was a safe
commander in war, but was very hard on
the men in camp. Osterhaus commanded
our division during the Vicksburg cam
paign. One day one of our men was on
camp guard, fully equipped, ready to
march.-knapsack on his back, neatly pack
ed, walking to and fro soldierly- iii. when
Osterhaus rode up. Says he to the soldier:
What you got that damt thing on your
back for?" The soldier replied it was by
De Courcy's orders. He was in marching
order. Take it off your back and sit on
it," replied the General. The soldier was
willing to obey, as the day was hot. Os-
terhaus galloped over to De Courcy's
Headquarters, called him to his tent door,
and reprimanded him for having soldiers
carry kpapsacks on ring and camp guard.
De Conrcy said it was the tactics of the
English army. "By Gott," says Oster-
army" and rode away, making one private
soldier happy. Gee, which was his name,
sat on his knapSack until relieved.
Another incident figured in as princi-
pal actor. During our march from Cum
berland Gap to the Ohio River in the Fall
OF 1862, we stayed few days at Man
chester, KY. We were in the enemy's coun-
try. One day Capt. Scott's company was
all sent on picket. During our absence a
man was shot for killing comrade. We
missed seeing the execution by going to
front or rear,-both were dangerous,-as
the Johnnies were in our advance and
also hung in our rear, ready to devour and
capture all that fell into their hands.
After Capt. Scott placed his picket we
settled down to watch all roads that led
into Manchester from the east or by the
Cumberland route. Serg't Dommer was
bIttC'tl Siutil IOdu 10 WdbCfl, WIFI seven
privates. / was one. We had no counter
sign that night, which made me nervous,
because | thought it dangerous to chal-
lenge anybody after dark without the
counter5ign. However, Dommer stood first
turn, and walked me up as second relief
took my gun, and accompanied the Ser
geant to his post. His instructions were
to stand still, and if any person put in an
appearance, if mounted, make him dis
mount and be recognized.
After Dommer left me considered this to
be dangerous undertaking, should the
rebels come, to make them come up and be
recognized, as might not know them; so
concluded if anybody should come would
fall back on the reserve, rally them, and we
all together could hold him or them back
or try, until further orders. My hair tried
to stand on end as | leaned up against a
tree and studied the matter
Presently heard the clanking of sabers
| thought rebels were coming sure enough
So fled back to the reserve as fast as my
legs could carry me, but before | could
wake them the newcomers rode up, they
being Officers of the Day and the Colonel of
our regiment 22d KY. They asked: "Are
you asleep" 1 replied NO" Then I
screamed rebels, which alarmed George
Smith, who, instead of trying to get his gun
and fall in, jumped headforemost into a
brush pile, down over an embankment,
from where he was sleeping.-A. j. JA-
CoBs, Co. d, 22d KY, Wesleyv;lle, KY.