Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-20
WHO ATE THE DOG?
An Incident in the Camp of RanSe
Wrgbf'S Brigade
Wrigbt'S Brigade

get their troubles. a rule to which our
command was no exception. General Lee
had always had stringent orders against
molesting private property, such as rails
or trees. poultry. sheep, hogs, etc, but In
proper season a soldier could appropriate
sheep sorrel, poke said and wild onions
10 his hearts content, II he could only
stand the effects and his messmates the
perfume. While none Of the brigade had
heretofore been guilty Of depredating to
any great extent, when we had been set
tied fer a few days at Hungry Hill'' the
more adventurous began TO explore their
surroundings Pretty soon complaints
began to come I'm OF missing fowls, pigs,
etc, and a bill for the same was handed
in TO General Wright to foot. The matter
becoming troublesome. he determined to
get at the matter judicially. and for the
purpose appointed Judge CLIFFORD Ander-
son, a lieutenant IN our company, as In
spector Judge Anderson was not only
learned lawyer and an impartial judge.
but a man whose amiable disposition and
upright chracter won the respect Of every
man in the command. But the judge in
this new position was not to find II a bed
Of roses. she land upon which we were
camped belonged to a Mr.. Holiday, one
OF those typical old Virginia gentlemen
whose pictures in large gilt frames you
can still see hanging on the walls OF their
old homesteads, and from those you have
known in life. suggestive of the old-time
mint julip for summer or an "egg-hip''
for winter discussion. Mr.. Holiday had
been extremely kind to US ALL Many OF
our sick had been carried 10 his house and
cared for as II they were his own.
To rob such a man was base ingratitude,
but that was what some of them did
In addition TO destroying his wood lands
his rails went up in smoke. Nothing was
said about the wood. but when the rails
began TO go then there was trouble In
camp. Judge Anderson tried to ferret out
the guilty, but / do not remember that
he was at all successful But he had ac-
auired the subriquet OF "Old Rails and
BY that designation was generally known.
When he would start out from headquar-
ters in the direction of the camp, some
fellow was sure 10 call out, Look out,
boys! Old Rails Is a coming" Among Mr..
Holidays other possessions was quite a
flock OF sheep. These gradually began TO
disappear, TIL finally one lone sheep was
all that remained. Complaint was made.
Judge Anderson promptly had them paid
for This last sheep disappeared like the
ones preceding had done, also a finea
large New Foundland dog, the family pet
The loss OF the sheep was reported and as
some indications pointed TO the camp of
the Third Georgia, thither the judge made
his way, announced OF course by the
usual cry. Lookout boys, Old Rails. Is
a coming" Looking into each hut on his
rounds, he saw no mutton, nor signs Of
any. and had turned. baffled from the
hunt, when he was accosted by an indi-
vidual who seemed to be full OF something
he was anxious to get rid OF. Say,
jedge." holding his hand over his mouth.
is you looking for them fellows what
stole that Sheep" Yes. my good man."
replied the judge. 'can you tell me any
thing about it?' Il can. Judge, II you
will promise not to give me away" "All