The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-08-06
SOLDIERS STORIES.
ENTERTAINING "REMINISCENCES
OF THE WAR.
Graphic Account of Stirring Scenes
Witnessed on the Battlefield and In
Camp-veterans Of the Rebellion Re-

Camp-veterans Of the Rebellion Re-
cite Experiences Of Thrilling Nature.
General Crook, when the Army OF
West Virginia knew him, said the
Doctor, did not wear a long beard. He
wore full beard, but it was short
and trim, and not Mt all like the long,
full beard he wore in the last twenty
years of his life. He was regular
army officer. 33 years of age, when the
war came in 1861, and took command
of the Thirty-Sixth Ohio with the
prestige of a man who had seen hard
service and knew what he was about.
'He certainly lived up to this rep
utation, because no brigade or division
or corps in the Union army was more
active than the one he happened to
command. Officers and men, however,
like him, as did people generally,
including John T. Raymond, who car
ried a theatrical company to the bord-
ers of the military district commanded
by Crook.
Il remember Crook with his short
beard, but 1 remember him better with
the long, full beard he wore In the
7Os and SOs. was with him at the
battle Of the Rosebud, June II, 1876,
and remember on that day he wore
his beard in two braids, one hanging
down on either side of his face like
the braids Of a girls hair. This did
not give him a grotesque appearance
but contributed in some way to en-
phasize his unique Individuality. 1t
did not suggest femininity or eccentric
lty, but rather rugged sort OF
independence and a dignifled aloftness
that had marked influence over our
officers and men.
"He was the center Of a notable
group that day and was the coolest
man on the field. His chief Of stan.
Major Nickerson, wore a long black
beard and was more picturesque
figure than Cook himself. While the
battle was in progress, General Crook
desired to send personal message
Of vital Importance to Major Royal
Of the Third cavalry. who, with one
battalion of his regiment. was on one
flank enfilading the Indian line. Ma
ior Nickerson carried the message and
rode at gallop along the Indian
front, black horse and black-bearded
rider making a picture that no one at
Rosebud ever forgot.
Bullets from Indian rifles struck
the ground in front raising a little
lust like smoke from n puff ball, but
On went rider and horse, we about
General Crook holding our breath. the
soldiers of the distant battalion
cheering him on. The message was
delivered. and Royal knew what he
was to do when Major Lawton. COM
manding another battalion. and Major
Anson Mills. commanding third,
proceeded to carry out their orders.
mills swept toward the other flank,
went up ravine. and burst suddenly
IN the Indians, breaking their line.
To strengthen Mills for this attack,
Crook sent with him nearly all the
cavalry on escort duty, and taking
advantage of this, the Indians near
pressed in between the General and the
battalion operating under Mills. The
latter, however, OWNED the purpose
of the Indians, and sent one Of his
companies to cut off the raiders. and
Crook himself moved quickly up to the
battalion in motion. The result was
1efeat for the Indians and victory
for the quiet soldier who wore his
beard in hraids."
Some men," said the Captain, ''re-
member the incidents of battle and for
get the anecdotes of their associates.
Others remember the anecdotes and
forget the battle Incidents, but Judge
]. s. Anderson of the Fifth Wisconsin
remembers incidents and anecdotes.
Some of the stories, at our regimental
reunions, are worth repeating. Speak
ing Of General Hancock, reminded
him of Hugh O'Niel, Of ready wit.
Hugh was coming into camp with hav-
arsack and arms full Of sweet pota-
toes and garden vegetables. and, in
sneaking past Hancock's headquarters,
was confronted by Hancock himself.
"The General asked Hugh where he
got the vegetables, and pressed the
question in such a way that Hugh
became ratified. and, In answer to tne
Where did you get them,
sir? stammered: Il drawed them.'
Thereupon Hancock thmdered:
Don't answer me that way, sir.
There has not been a vegetable ration
issued to this command for q month.
How did you draw them? Hugh was
himself again, and answered meekly:
Why by their tops, General He was
permitted to go his way.
This story was probably common
in the army of the Potomac,
but had forgotten 1t and Anderson
had remembered 1t. Here is another.
pertaining to an adventure Of Ander-
son himself. After the battle of Get
rysburg, in pursuit of Lee, troops were
sent over South Mountain. A storm
came on and 1t was very dangerous
in the darkness and among
precipices and gullies. Late at night
The column was halted simply because
It could not go forward, and the tired
men dropped down along the roadside
and under the trees, too tired, most
If them, to take cognizance of the
heavy rain that was falling.
Anderson noticed a little distance in
'front.' a good-sized fire with a log be-
'ore 1t on which were seated two or
hree figures with their rubber ponchos
,ver their heads and with their feet
o the fire. He went toward the fire
md the men on the log sat like stat
les, the rain beating on the rubber
blankets. Not one Of them made a
to indicate that he was
live. Anderson asked If he might
make coffee at the fire. and one of
he men, without turning his head,
aid yes