The National tribune., 1900-08-16
ONE THAT WAS OF HIGH RANK.
How the "Roundheads Attended a Military
Funeral at Beaufort g. C.

EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: In the
| Winter of 1S61'62 the ''Roundheads'
were encamped on the sacred soil OF
South Carolina; to be specific at the beau
| tiful little town of Beaufort, on Broat
| River. We had effected Il landing al
Hilton Head on Nov. 8, after our way
had been cleared OF al obstacles by ths
| guns of Dupont's feet, and in about one
| month thereafter we took our abode II
Beaufort City. We were a long way
from headquarters, that is, from where
| our grub could be had, and we were
| compelled to use the usual army ration
| As to fresh beef, that was out of the
question, for a diligent search of the en-
tire island would have been fruitless as
| to live stock or cattle sufficient for sin
| gle meal for the regiment.
| Here we had lain for one or two months
| living on hardtack, ''sowbelly," beans, rice
and split peas, with salt horse" for des
| sert, when word came to us of the com
| ing of n schooner from Goods country
| with fresh meat. We longed to get al
| it, as it reminded us of other days. Fl
! nally the vessel came to us, and sure
enough it had fresh meat, refrigerated
| beef, by the ton.
Our genial Colonel was prompt in get
| ting the allowances for the Round
| heads" The COmmissaries of each com
pany, the cooks and about all the rest
of us went down to the wharf to help
carry the meat to shore and then Il
camp.
Even at this remote period imagine
| see that beef, for that is what they
called it, and for all the world it looked
like it: but it lacked something to prove
all this. However, the company cooks
| drew their rations, and soon the camp
kettles were on the fires and the fresh
meat put on to cook. Now, there were
some parts of this consignment that
would pass on a pinch; there were parts
that would not. The cooks served it, but
the task proved that the word fresh
was a miSnomer.
The company adjoining mine got bad
lot for their share, something like the EN-
balmed stuff sent to Tampa, l imagine.
They would not cook it, as it was too far
gone, although their mouths were water
ing for fresh beef"
Then the question arose as to what to
do with it. There it was in camp, looked
upon with distrust, and something had
to be done, and the resourceful soldiers
soon determined what was best in the
emergency.
They decided to bury it, and with all
the honors of war.
A guard of honor was placed over the
remains, and soon a private soldier with
his rifle and full equipment, was pacing
up and down the beat in front of the tent
of the deceased. The boys gathered from
the other companies to get peep at the
body lying in state and awaiting fu-
neral. Many rather rough remarks were
made-remarks not complimentary to the
remains. Some remarks were caustic,
some intammatory, some uncOmpliment-
airy, and few We're directly to the point;
but still all were in a good humor, though
sad.
The entire company was ordered out for
escorts, and but few refused, as they had
not much tears to shed, nor had they
ever followed anyone with the same
rank" to the grave.
The boys fell in promptly, In martial
array, and with drum beats took up their
march to the tomb. And there was some
cruelty in it, too; but it was to the poor
pall-bearers. Their grimances would have
been good kodak subjects, and there was
not a wet eye in the whole procession.
To the taps of the company drum the
procession marched out of company quar-
ters, and on to the outskirts of our
camp in beautiful wooded spot, where
the grave was dug, the cOfiined remains
placed therein, and as something of high
rank was being planted it was entirely
proper that the usual firing squad should
be used.
This had been provided for by the un-
dertaker. The squad came forward and
in true military style the salute was fired,
one time, two and three. The grave was
closed and a rough head board finished the
job. Some prejudiced people said it was
unmilitary, and some said it was rebellion
for the boys to act SO; but they did, and
that was all there was about it.
or course, the question arose, where
did it come from, and rumor said Massa-
chusetts, based, probably, on the we'll
known and received fact that anything
from Yankeedom was in bad odor in
South Carolina. Rumor further said that
the ice melted on the way down. In
those days they did not know anything
or much about salycilic acid, and the like
There was no court martial. and no SEN
tence and no fine-the modern way.-J.
II. STEVENSON, 352 Fifth Ave, Pittsburg,
Pa