Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-05-20

tain, were of all sorts. and in the first
year of the war | wondered how they
would maintain discipline when ii
came down to the things that tried
mems souls. l remember a young fell
low, overconscientious as to his own
deficiency, who was elected captain of
a company. He made mistakes and
was laughed at TO his own misery, and
the colonel regarded him a failure
Zone day the captain, who had not
fully mastered the school of the sol
der, and who was a little afraid of
the big roistering men of his COM
pany, was ordered to look after some
rebel cavalry threatening our outposts.
Just as he ordered his men into line
along fence the cavalry opened fire
across very large field and the cap
tains company replied. No harm was
done on either side, and the rebs seem
ed to be laughing at the wild shooting
of the Yanks.
AT this juncture the captain climbed
over the fence, and, shouting. Come
on, boys. Let's drive them out of
a
| field. His men looked at him In amaze
ment, and stood still. Then a dozen
of the bravest climbed the fence and
ran after him. and they were followed
by the rest of the company. The rebs
thought at first the disorde-ly charge
was great joke, but the young cap
tain rose to the occasion and by audac-
| lty and energy drove the cavalry in dis.
order from the field
'From that day his company was
was afraid of him ana he held aloof
from the men. He devoted himself to
tactics and after taking lessons of an
old regular sergeant promoted to lieu
tenant he became a most exacting drill
master When 1t came to crossing
river, or getting a battery up hill, or
charge, his company always acquitted
itself well. The men expected him to
lead in whatever they We're called
upon to do. One day he came at the
head Of his quick stepping company
upon n train stuck in ne mud. Gen
eral Nelson was swea' D., and drivers
and mules were ner The captain
ordered his men to arms, and
said; We are going ; got them out
Ten men to a wagon. and out they go
He put his own shoulder to a wheel,
directing his men as he did so. The
wagons went out, ana before Nelson
could say a word the men had taken
| arms and were marching off. But the
general never forgot the young cap
tain, who was n major after Shiloh"
There was Colonel j. T. Holmes"
said the major, who on duty was a
strict disciplinarian for the good of
the service, and off duty the friend and
comrade of every man in his com
mand. On July 10, 1864. when he was
major of the regiment. in command of
the left wing, he was the first man
across Peach Tree Creek, and charged
with his men. When night came the
major was with the men on the firing
| line, roughing 1t with the skirmshers.
A message came to him saying that
supper was ready at headquarters in
the rear. He sent the orderly back to
say that headquarters were in front
with his men on the fighting line.
Things like that caused the men to
freeze to the major"
Only the other day I met Colonel A.
l.. Fahnestock of the Seth Illinois In
the city, purchasing his annual stock
of dry goods. He tod me that he
found in the older wholesale houses
only one salesman who was with the
firms 80 years ago, and that reminded
me of a story. After we charged the
rebel works at Jonesboro and captured
General Govan's brigade. we camped
In line, and Colonel Fahnestock picket
cd his horse in the rear of his regi-
ment, selected a clean, grassy spot for
his bed rolled himself in his blanket,
and slept the sleep of the tired sol
der
Just before daylight the next morn
ing one of the coIonel's regiment was
moved to get an early start in making
coffee. and hiking for water i'm the
dark. ran over the colonel stepping
squarely on the sleeping officers head.
The shock to the colonel was like that
Of being hit by a she'll The pain was
excruclating. and coming suddenly
from a sound sleep the colonel gave
voice to imprecations ana other things
not down in the books.
Recognizing the colonel and realiz-
ing what he had done in his haste and
awkwardness. the poor fellow OF the
coffee bucket began an explanation and
an apology. Not man in the line
would have excused him. and the colo
mel seemed to be nursing his wrath.
But as the high stopper stammered
along he said. Never mind, my boy
Accidents will happen fin the best Of
regiments. Go ahead with your coffee
making. but remember you have
heavy foot and the ne.t time you bring
II down on a head select the head Of