The National tribune., 1901-01-31


noticing for some time these men philan-
dering around in a suspicious manner with
| this bunch of cattle. They came from the
direction of the cattle corrals, didn't seem
| to belong anywhere, or be going any place
in particular. Finally they turned and
started out of camp with the cattle, and l
arrested them, and am taking them up TO
the Provost Marsbars headquarters, to
give an account of themselves"
"You were quite right" answered Col.
Dayton. "And the prisoners would rather
discuss the matter with Gen. Sherman
than with the Provost Marshal, eh? Well,
that's matter of taste. Depends also on
the humor the Generals in. He's not
| in n Sunday-morning-c church frame of
mind today, and they'd much better go
right up to the Provost-Marshal-Gen
and have it out with him. They'd better
keep rs far away from the General as they
can until things straighten out little up
| the road"
Il don't care how mad he is" said Shad,
resoutely. Gen. Sherman's never so
mad that he'll be unjust. After all the
good work we've done, we're not going to
be yanked up before the Provost Marshal
like gang of deserters and bounty-jump-
ers. Gen. Sherman ought to give us fair
hearing. We deserve il"
Dayton" called the General from in
side the house, get through with that job
! and come in here. | want YOU"
In moment, General" answered the
Colonel. Look here, boys; you'd better
go right on up to the Provost-Marshals s.
He's straight and fair, and will give you
as long n hearing as you want. Don't
bother the General today. He's crGsscr
than bear with sore head. I'd as lief
deal with old Nick himself. I'd be mighty
glad if | were you to get off with turn
with Col. Ruggles. Take my advice and
go on
well, we will not, unless we're
forced" said Shad, stubbornly, and design
reach the General inside. Its no way to
treat men who have done so much good
service. We don't propose to be sent back
to our regiments from the Provost-Mar-
shal's headquarters. 'Tis'nt fair, nor even
decent, after all we've been through. Gen.
Sherman wouldn't allow it for a minute
if he really knew it."
Come, we've talked enough" said the
Captain. We'll have to start. Move out,
there"
Hold on minute, Captain" said Col.
Dayton, as a thought struck him. Say,
Lieutenant, aren't you Shad Graham?"
That's my NAME" answered Shad.
81 think | remember yOu," said Col.
Dayton. Weren't you the Ohio Sergeant
that pulled me out of the creek, into
which my horse had fallen, the night of
the first day at ShilohF'
II was"
"And weren't you the Sergeant who
went out with squad and me, few
days later, on a scout, and fixed cross
ing over Owl Greek, so that we got over
and captured those rebels?'
Il was"
Hum" said the Colonel to himself; 81
guess that n mans got the right to pick up
a piece of fresh meat now and then, il he
wants it. But 40 or so cattle is rather
7 t,,o In,,
his business if it'd been only one or two"
Then aloud: Captain, present my com
pliments to Col. Ruggles, and tell him that
| know this man, Lieut.. Graham, and
that he's first-class soldier, and request
him to consider everything as favorably
as he can"
But / insist, Colonel" repeated Shad,
loudly, that we should not be sent to the
Provost Marshal's at all. It's all wrong,
and we don't deserve it. It's matter
that Gen. Sherman ought to look into him
self"
Dayton, why don't you come in hereW
inquired Gen. Sherman, angrily, striding
time out here for, wrangling over this
matter? Send them all up to the Pro-
vost's and let him settle the matter. It's
his business"
Gen. Sherman" said Shad, desperate
ly, I'VE don't want to go to the Provost
Marshars"-
Nobody does; nobody does" broke in
the General; but they go all the same"
Gen. Sherman" continued Shad, 1--WE
didn't want anything to do with those
catte"-
mo excuse; no excuse, sir. Men don't
do what they like in the army, but what
they are ordered to. You can't pick and
choose your duty, sir"
1--WE had no intention of doing so, Gen
eraI. We did that duty faithfully, and
brought through every head all right.
Then we had some others, which the Com
missary refused to receive, and"--
Likely story. Likely story. But 1
haven't time to hear it. The Provost
Marshall Generals the man to hear such
tales Go on up to him."
Gen. Sherman" said Shad, desperate
ly. "This isn't fair nor decent. We're
the men who brought the pontoons through
with all that trouble. Then we brought
the cattle through, according to your or
ders, instead of going to our regiments.
Now you want us to go up to the Pro-
yost's, to be sent back to our regiments
under guard, like lot Of bounty jumpers