The Columbus journal., 1904-12-28
Eccentric Colonel Burke

Yes. said Gen. Coates. Il knew
Col. Martin Burke. who was in com.
mand at Fort Lafayette when prison
ers therein quartered made the fort
end the commander subjects of con-
tioversy. Apart from any controversy,
Col. Burke was an interesting person
ality and m old character. l remem-
Der him as one Of the old school army
officers given to some eccentricities
that made me smile then and often
cause me to smile now. He occupied
trying position. but he made mind
ing his own business a matter of pro-
fessional pride. and he never would
go near Washington for fear that some
Investigating committee would get
hold of him.
THE boys on duty at Fort Lafay-
cite had a constant reminder of the
cOlOnels kindness of heart. He found.
on occasion. dog hurt in collision
with an army wagon or a gun car
riage. The dogs leg was broken.
and he was in pitiable condition. and
the colOnel's orderly reported that he
was no better than a dead dog. The
colonel, however. ordered the poor lit
tie beast taken to his own quarters.
and in due time the dog recovered.
with a supreme disregard of all mill
tary regulations and prOprieties.
This latter quality undoubtedly
srieved the colonel. but he stood by
the mischievOns puppy through thick
and thin. and wherever the colonel
went with his traditional dignity went
Sam. the puppy. with his abnOrmally
developed bump of mischief The colo
mel always appeared on dress parade
in the full dress of the Old-time resu
lars. and he held every man in line
to most serious cast of countenance
and most dignified manner. The uni
form. as Burke wore it. was queer
enough to make any man smile. but
Sam. at these parades. was a fun
in himself.
He would caper about the coloners
legs. indulging in pranks that would
make horse laugh. and yet the colo
mel stood there in stately pose. blind
to the puppy's pranks. but watchful
as to- the expression on the faces OF
the officers and men in line These |
poor fellows nearly died of suppressed
laughter. and they were always Won
dering what Sam would do next. But
whatever they expected him to do. he |
always did something else, and no |
matter what he did. the colonel stood |
by him.
''The men on duty at Fort Lafayette
in the latter part OF the civil war may
have forgotten the most notorious pris-
Iners held there, but | will venture to
say that not one of them has forgot
.en the eccentric colonel or his pa
ient orderly or the dog Sam. Those
nearest the colonel testified that the
irritation except on one occasion. The
'o.Onel had worked late one night on
'0me perpleXing papers. and. haltiIg
or moment in his work. pushed his
pectacles up well on his head. in
tead of taking them of.
This was his regular habit, but en-
his occasion he pushed the glasses
'ack farther than usual. and when.
n resuming his work. he put his hand
p he found no spectacles This was
iscOncerting and irritating. and he
hOuted. Orderly. orderly. come here
ir,' The orderly had been sound
sleep for two hours. but he jumped
p. wriggled into his clothes, and pre-.
ented himself to his absent minded
OlOnel. Burke looked him over in
of his unusual appearance
nd snapped out, My glasses
"The orderly turned on his heel
ithOut word and in a minute placed {
efOre the colonel two glasses. a pitch c
: of water ard decanter. Burke
Oked at him in amaZemert and =
Jared. My glasses. you fool My spec
acies. my spectacles'' Then the
orm turned. 'Yure glasses. co!onel.'
lid the orderly. are On the top of o
,ur head, sOr. An We call NE from I
e bed to tell We that The colOne! \
high dudgeOn put his hand to his o
lad, bNt found the glasses. and then II
i'd. Having found the glasses. go 10 o
ID at once. | never would have Y
und them myself Any refere nee to =
otel Lafayette. or Bastile Lafayette =
Fort Lafayette always brings to- my 81
ind the figure of quaint but soliierly ol
H. Martin Burke. Inter CO
.ean. &c
The Flag at Washington. C
L.. u