Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-02
HOW GENERAL GRANT
Got Even with Lieutenant WickfeId
OF the Indiana Cavalry Regiment.

When Grant was brigadier in Southeast
Missouri he commanded an expedition
against the rebels under jeff Thompson IN
northeast Arkansas. The distance from
the starting point OF the expedition to the
supposed rendezvous of the rebels was
about one hundred and ten miles, and the
greater portion Of the route lay through a
bowling wilderness. The imaginary suffer.
ing that our soldiers endured during the
two first days Of their march was enormous.
It was impossible to steal or couhscate un-
cultivated real estate, and not a hog OF a
chicken or an ear of corn was anywhere to
be seen. On the third day however, affairs
looked more hopeful, for few small specks
Of ground in state of partial cultivation
were here and there visible. On that day
Lieutenant Wiek6eld, Of an Indiana cavalry
regiment commanded the advance guard,
consisting of eight mounted men. About
noon he came up to a small farm house
from the outward appearance Of which he
judged that there might be something fit
10 eat inside. He halted his company, dis
mounted and with two second lientenants
entered the dwelling He knew that Grants
incipient fame had already gone out through
all that country, and II occurred to him that
BY representing himselfto be the general
he might obtain the best the house afforded
So, assuming very imperative demeanor,
he accosted the inmates of the house and
told them he must have something for him
self and staff to eat. They desired to know
who he was and he told them that he was
Brigadier General Grant. AT the sound Of
that name they few around with alarming
alacrity and served up about all they had in
the house, taking great pains all the while
to make loud professions of loyalty The
heutenants ate as much as they could of the
not over-sumptuous meal, but which was,
nevertheless, good for that country, and de.
manded what was to pay Nothing" And
they went on their way rejoicing
In the meantime General Grant, who had
halted his army a few miles further back
for brief resting spell, came in sight Of,
and was rather favorably impressed with,
the appearance of the same house Riding
up to the fence in front of the door, he de-
sired to know If they would cook him
meal.
mo" said a female in gruff voice;
General Grant and his staff have just been
here and eaten everything in the house, but
one pumpkin pie"
"Humph, murmured Grant What is
your manner"
'Selvidge, " replied the woman
Casting a half-dollar in at the door, re
asked if she would keep that pie till ne
sent an officer for it, to which she replied
that she would
That evening, after the camping ground
had been selected, the various regiments
were notified that there would be grand
parade at halfpast six, for orders. Officers
would see that their men all turned out,
etc.
In five minutes the camp was in a perfect
uproar, and filed with all sorts of rumOrs;
some thought the enemy we're upon them,
it being so unusual to have parades when
on march.
At half-past six the parade was formed.
ten columns deep, and nearly quarter of
mile in length.
After the usual routine Of ceremonies the
acting assistant adjutant general read the
following order
Headquarters, Army in the Field
Special Order, No -.
Lieutenant Wickheld, of the In
diana Cavalry, having this day eaten every.
thing in Mrs Selvidge's house, at the
crossing Of the Ironton and Pocahontas and
Black River and Cape Girardeau roads,
except one pumpkin pie, Lieutenant Wick
field is hereby ordered to return with an
escort Of one hundred cavalry and eat that
pie also. U. S. GRANT,
Brigadier General Commanding.
From that day, and ever afterwards, Wick
field had no exceptional relish for pump
kin pie