Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1903-12-03
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A SOLDIERS PASTIME.
Won His Money ut Poker, But Was
More Trustworthy Than
His Successor. -n

aAU Iuc 4upuOeuCS VI 0dldu. IL Was OAc
Of Hoyt's duties to take charge of the
generals private purse, and any moneys
received or expended went through the
young aid-de-camp's hands, writes Be-
van Young Bedding, in Sandy Hill Her
aid. wiz
One night the general left his tent
without an attendant to go the grand
counds." It was long after "taps," and
lights were out in the tents of the men
and there were few in those of the Off
GERS. When the general was returning
from his tour he noticed light in one
Of the tents occupied by his staff and
heard voice say: "Raise you 20.'' 1t
was evident that there was party
within playing poker. The general
sang out: Grand rounds" and imme-
liatsly appeared at the tent flap. In
side sat Hoyt, with three other men,
bers of the staff, gambling with dollar
bill greenbacks in lieu of chips.
All rose, standing respectfully, wait
ing the expected rebuke.
Lieut.. Hoyt," said the general, "you
will report for duty to the colonel OF
your regiment"
'~ This being reduced from the position
Of an aid-de-camp to be second lieuten-
ant in the line was greater change
than to be reduced from second lieu
tenant in the line to the ranks. Hoyt
would no longer be on terms of equal
ity with men far above him in rank, he
would no longer know of doings at
headquarters that generals would be
glad to know. Instead of being mounted
he would trudge along with the others
a mere unit in an army. Nevertheless
he accepted his fate without a muir
muir and in the morning reported to his
colonel for duty.
Hoyt's place was supplied by Lieut..
Eben Bayliss, who also succeeded to
the generals private exchequer. Bay
liss was considered an extremely moral
young man and soon won the generals
entire confidence. He was never known
among the officers of the union army
playing poker with greenbacks- and
attended all religious services. Soon
after his appointment as the generals
confidential aid paymaster came along
with funds, and the general directed
Bayliss to make out his pay accounts
and present them to him for signature.
This was done and the money paid to
Bay>:ss.
It was at this time that the confed-
era.es, just before daylight one morn
ing, swooped down on the troops of
Gen. x, and there was a desperate
fight, in which the headquarters bag
gage was captured by the enemy. After
comparative quiet was restored Bay
liss went to the general with lugu-
brious countenance and reported that
the money, some $500, which had come
from the paymaster had gone to the i'm
pecunious Johnnies. Gen. K begged
his aid not to distress himself, since such
were the fortunes of war. Nevertheless
the general was placed in financial diff
culties by the loss.
The first official paper that caught
Gen. KS attention after the fight
was regimental order hOnorably men,
tioning Lieut.. Hoyt for gallantry during
tie recent fight. Then one evening when
tla general was sitting in camp chair
be fore his tent up comes Hoyt. with
pleasant smile, salutes respectfully and
tells the general that he has heard of his
loss and if the general will accept of a
loan of the amount lost he will confer