The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-05-25

OlunleeT OlllCeTS, Sdiu tut zap
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. | remember young fel-
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 colone! regarded him failure.
''One day the captain, who had not
fully mastered the school of the SOL
dier, and who was a little afraid OF
the big roistering men Of his COM
pany, was ordered to look after some
rebel cavalry threa tenlng our outposts.
Just as he ordered his men into line
along fence the cavalry opened nre
across very large field, and the cap
tain's company replied. No harm was
done on either side, ana the rebs SEEM
ed to he 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 cut OF
thatr started at a full run across the
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 disorderly charge
was a great joke. but the young cap
tain rose to the occasion and by audac-
ity and energy drove the cavalry in dis
order from the field.
From that day his company was
was afraid of him and 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 drlii
master. When it came to crossing a
river, or getting q 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 train stuck in the mud. Gen
eral Nelson was swearing and drivers
and mules were nervous. The captain
ordered his men TO stack arms, and
said: We are going TO get them out
Ten men 10 wagon, and out they go.
He put his own shoulder to wheel,
directing his men as he did so. The
wagons went out. ana before Nelson
could say word the men had taken
arms and were marching off. But the
general never forgot the young cap
tain. who was major after Shiloh
There was Colonel !. L. 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
ma ior 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 it with the skirmishers.
4 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
and not in the rear. and he suppered
with his men on the fighting line.
Things like that caused the men to
freeze to the major
Only the other day met Colonel \.
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
ed 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
| dier
Just before daylight the next morn
ing one of the coloners regiment was
| moved to get FIN early start in making
coffee, and hiking for water in the
dark. ran over the colonel. stepping
souarely on the sleeping officers head.
The shock to the colonel was like that
of being hit by shell. The pain was
excruciatirg, and coming suddenly
from a sound sleep the colonel gave
voice to imprecations and 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 tile colo
mel seemed to he nursing his wrath
But as the high stopper stammered
along he said: Never mind, my boy
Accidents will happen in the best OF
regiments. Go ahead with your coffee
making. but remember yOu have a
heavy foot and the nett time you bring
it down OH a head select the head of a
reb.' Not many officers would have
accepted such situation so gOod-nat
uredly.-Chicago Inter Ocean.