New-York tribune., 1902-07-20
VETERANS MEMORIES.
Captain WHO MARKED TIME-COM-
PANY LINE LIKE "VON CROOKED
COWS TAIL"-HARD TIMES
WITH HARD TACK


.eu when he comes home. Some of them will be
tragic and some will be funny but of them
viii equal the stories which the who served in
the Civil War has told and is still telling In the
arst place, the latter had more interesting ad-
yersary. one whose brave deeds were well worth
reoounting in the second place war story needs
the glamour Of time to season it We'll"
How about of yours, captain?" suggested
the reporter; and with that the military man lit a
fresh cigar, poked the fire and began recalling
some OF the interesting incidents which marked an
army life of more than three years faithful SER
vice.
Just after we enlisted" he began. ''our COM
many was put under the command of Captain -.
3 soldier in the regular army for five years. He
understood army tactics thoroughly. but he
an old tyrant. He seemed to expect the re-
cruit 20 know at once all that he knew after five
wears Of service. All sorts OF ignominious punish
,nents were put upon the men for trifing failures
or mistakes Tie boys all hated him. One night
Mike Flanagan, new man. detailed for
picket duty. Captain obliged leave
camp on some errand. When ne came back the
Irishman halted him with. Who goes there@ The
reply came A friend with the countersign.' Mike
having received the required signal. recognized
captain, and was. of course. unsuspicous and off
his guard Captain seeing this. with a quick
spring snatched the gun from the hands OF the n
suspecting soldier. Instantly the thought flashed
through Mixes mind that this a trick to
catch him. and would furnish for some
humiliating punishment Quick the thought. he
drew his pistol pointed il his superior and stern
ly ordered him to mark time until the relief guard
came. And the tyrant of a captain had no choice
but to obey. For two hours he marked time under
the watchful eye of his picket man. When nearly
time for the relief TO appear Mike said Now IL
You report for this will kill you in first
battle The affair never mentioned by the
captain, but he disliked that a petition
circulated asking him to resign. He refused TO pay
any attention TO it, and was finally killed in camp
by some one of his own men. though no one ever
knew whose hand fired the shot
IN command of Company * old German.
He a splendid dscplinarian. and critical and
strict in drill. In lining up every mans buttons
must just to the line. ard he could sight as
gun barrel His company was one of the
best trained in the regiment. One day il happened
that he drilling the regiment and in lining up
ali did very we'll except Company K. Their line
was a little crooked. Stepping away from the men
and waving his sword he shouted in his rich Ger
man brogue. Hi. there! Company K. What for
you shneaking pack like Won crooked cows tall
To this day old comrades OF that regiment when
they meet from Company K, delight to re-
mind him Of the crooked cows tail
The longest engagement was ever in was OF
about five hours duration. It was just after the
defeat of General Banks in the famous Red River
Expedition. Our troops TO join his army. but
after his defeat were ordered to fall back IL
began TO rain, and it rained as have never seen
II rain since. We thoroughly drenched.
When we reached the Sabine River It was so
swollen that could not cross Just behind US
was a low marshy country for about two miles,
then higher ground, and all was covered with tim
Der. On the bank of that river passed one OF
the most uncomfortable nights of my life. In the
morning word came that our rear guard had been
attacked and we ordered to go TO their sup
port. Back struggled through that two miles
of marshy country, wading through water some
times waist deep. The shortest men had to take
of their cartridge belts keep their ammunition
dry.
when we reached the rising ground the Confed-
crates were in battle array the ridge above US.
They had every advantage. and the leaden hail
came thick and fast. Down we dropped behind
some huge fallen cypress trees which made excel
lent breastworks. Our company formed the ex-
Of the regular army. but 70 our left, and
forming an angle with our line, was battalion Of
loyal Northern Arkansas mountain men whom the
government had armed. These men were COM
Inanded by their own officers. Pretty soon the
whispered down the line, Prepare TO
resist a charge
IN few minutes that solid line OF gray began
10 move. Down the hill they came, whooping and
yelling The woods seemed full Of men. They did
not come straight toward US, but in such drec-
tion that saw at once their object was TO turn
our flank and get in our They evidently had
not seen the battalion Of mountaineers. We could
see the captain Of these mountain men, tall raw
boned son OF Arkansas. He seemed to have held
hasty consultation with his officers, but now all
were waiting quietly. Not man stirred until that
line Of yelling ;Johnnies' was almost upon them
Then their captains big voice roared out. NOW.
give 'em hell, boys! Instantly springlng TO their
feet their voey moved down the enemy like grass
Nothing could stand before that murderous, unex-
pected fire The rebels broke and fed. leaving US
in possession of the field t.. o 49,,
An experience have always regrettea was @ Ine
loss Of boat and its load OF PROVISIONS foE ,e our
from Fort Smith 10 Fort Gibson On top OF the
boxes Of army Tations were piled a lot or empty
G sa woTfs to- Sn b n @ WITH & 70 and to
BE ed % TO- on ~ me s reTgTn nev t We're near ana there
was no thought of any trouple: put more as a
in command Of a second lieutenant. was sent with
from Fort smi h, and were expecting a quiet un
eventful trip. Some of the boys and l was one @ OF
the low edge of the boat. were trailing their feet
IL the wate Suddenly we s we're haasa 9y ana Ts
followed by an >ther, and then another. such
scrambling for guns! To our boots we gave scarce
liver and We quickly discovered three pieces OF
s5eG so e hae 90 only our Ened res and
could offer little resistance The gunae1s soon t sot
TsIs! The 1 slaves s few in ali directions The din
was deafening The captain Of the boat wanted to
surrender but onr lieutenant said Never! Mean
carried directly toward our assaiiants i daIi h
captured; so obeyng command from our heuteaa ten
ant We dropped quietly into the water on the side
away from Lhe enemy, and, scattering out. Haoe
for the shore The water came only TO our waists,
but II is easy 10 run in deep water: we were ere
water al about did not tend to slaGken l. II our
speed However we reached 5he & Daa on M,'o out Of
range. The boat drifted ashore, was loo1ea
boxes OF comissary stores were PiLsa on dt,nS % no
put the rebels much 70 our satlsiaet@Si @ t orks
h IG 6e 5eeIn regiment Of loyal had
heard the firing and sent out par 70 I'm hIt
The Confederate on the opposite shore were scared
away. and the supplies aoanooleo.., md The
stores were swept away When we Ieacneo ,, CO.. or
shnth the next day. atter Ia W ns mai for hours