The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-19


sion. Dandy was SO intelligent that he
would stand abuse from no one. He gave
a kick for bow every time, and was at
war with all the teamsters of the train.
His owner, afraid of him, could not give
him away; so Dandy became an equine
straggler in the rear of the brigade, just
like anyone Of the two-legsed stragsiers
that made up the fag ends of every Volun-
teer organization in the first years of the
war. One dusty day he went lame in his
near front foot; next day hobbled along on
three legs and lost all desire for corn,
and the third day fell far TO the rear,
where he limped along with the mules and
supply wagons, getting cut now and
then from the mule-whackers; he was of
no more account than Il one-legged soldier
in a stampede. Here it was the Sergeant
found him. Lifting the sore foot, Dandy
looked with tears in his eyes at the Ser
geant who had spoken a kind word to
him.
The Sergeant was half horse. anyway.
ard Dandy was half man. and they came
to a quick understanding. Going our into
tie pine woods. the Sergeant got strad-
die of the leg. that was swollen to the
shoulder. then with his pocket knife he
cut away at the frog. while Dandy
watched every move. with his nose over
the Sergeant's shoulder. Finally nail
three inches long was extracted. followed
by flow of blood. Dandy trembled with
pain while the leg and foot were bathed:
then. with pitch from Il pine tree near
by. the wound was packed. That's how
Dandy was mustered into the company,
ard became forever until he lost the top
of his high head at Chattanooga, the
Sergeant's chum.
In August 'G3. the company was in
Crow Greek Valley: the Sergeant was then
Lieutenant in command of the company.
The boys were getting fat on green corn
and blackberrieS; Minty and Wilder were
over the mountains to the north with their
mounted brigades. and Sheridan wanted to
get into communication quickly with them:
so he rugged the Lieutenant out in suit OF
gray and 4 medicine case filed with salts
and quinine. so that he might cure any
sick folks he might meet on the way. With
two Colts REVIEWERS in his belt and new
shoes on Dandy's feet he was fixed for a
fight or a race: and before the sun glis-
tened through the trees that morning he
was 20 miles away from camp. in conn
try full of Confederate scouting parties
and bushwhackers. They turned along the
bank of a creek to rest in cornfeld.
Soon Dandy's ears began to talk: with
head high up amidst the waving blades
( he listened; then approached his master.
. and the two stood motionless while a
squad of Confederate cavalry came mer-
rily galloping up the road. then down into
the creek to the shallow ford where their
! horses, fiecked with foam. satisfied their
thirst. With jokes and song the troopers
I soon passed on. the sabers clanking in
time with hoofbeats on the finty road.
| Taking an angle through the field where
The corn was higher than their heads.
The Lieutenant again found the road and
rapidly passed on with watchful eye.
Again Dandy's ears told OF an enemy far
ahead. and into the woods they went,
leaving the road clear for band of bush
. whackers to pass.
A sudden turn in the road. while Dandy
was on the fope, and they were in the
midst of a party of men-"Joe Wheeler's
Cavalry''-at cabin by the roadside.
Picketed to the fence We're the troopers
horses. munching corn. Saddles and blan-
kets were about the yard, the men resting
under the trees.
They were the night patrol M from
Bridgeport. "How'dy. mister" called one
who proved to he n Sergeant ''Be You
the doctor?'' yes" said the Lieutenant.
''Then lite down off the critter: our mans
powerful weak; if yo'uns can't help him
amt got nothing but YARDS and bitters
for him."
Going into the cabin he found n man
stretched ont before the fire place with
congestive chills. He had seen the same
thing in camp several times. He soon had
one man rubbing his hands, another his
feet, while n third one dosed him with
hot whisky and quinine: for. no matter
how scant the supplies. the Confederate
soldiers always had whisky. He took
hold Of that case 10 cure or kill quickly.
and, thanks TO the good constitution of
the Confederate. he soon had him on the
mend. Then leaving some powders and
salts with directions for day. he went
outside, where Dandy was standing at
the gate. A lank specimen of mountain
Ger said: Right smart critter We got
there, Doctor; how'll We swap for that
animal o mine?'
mo. don't want to trade" said the
Lieutenant: but the Johnny went out to
pat him on the flank, when Dandy let fly
both hind feet. and Johnny keeled over
in the road. Keep away from the crit
ter said the Lieutenant. He's mighty
uncertain But the Johnny had enough,
and went under tree out of the hot sun
swearing THAT miserable, Uneasy critter
was of no count anyway; wusser FOR a
mewl colt"
III stop when ! come back" said the
Lieutenant: but he never came that way
again. A few miles down the valley the
hamlet of Stevenson was sweltering in
the sun. A wide detour was ma lie through
the woods and fields. along fences high
with brush. and again they were on the
main road, and the sun was going down
behind the mountains in the west and yet
Dandy was full of life and fire.
Occasionally a courier in gray cantered
along the road, simply greeting. 'How'dy."
They were inside their own lines, and as
safe as in their own camp.
In the evening sunset Dand,' and his
rider passed down the slope to Bridgeport,
GO miles, and turned away up the river
road, where on the far side were The tents
of Briggs infantry, white and homelike,
in the woods.
Along the river banks were hundreds of
men and animals. while down near the
flag high pole indicated headquarters
The band was playing for dress parade.
Suddenly they came upon a picket post:
half a dozen men cooking corn-cob cof-
fec in n fence corner, their guns stand
ing against the rails.
Halt there, yo'un,' came from n man
lying in n fence corner. The Yanks will
get you sure pop, if you don't watch out -
where are the Yanks?" said the Lieu
tenant.
Don't knew and don't care n cuss:
we'uns been here all day and had nary
SMELL was the reply.
We'll, I'll help you find them said
the Lieutenant. as he touched Dandy's