The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1906-02-22


the diary of late veteran of the
civil war, and who served under com.
mand of Gen. Sherman In the Army
of the TENNESSEE
The army was In light marching
order, the general commanding limit
ing himself to billed shirt and an
extra pair of socks. We had marched
nearly fifty miles that day. aud were
sore, tired and hungry when we halt
cd Tor the night. Our brigade was
commanded by Col. L., brave
soldier and able officer. but who was
great stickler for regulations, ETH
quette OF the corps, etc. After c.mp
was pitched II was learned that Gen.
Ewing, the division commander. had
forgotten To issue the usual orders for
foraging. In the absence of such or.
ders. Col. L. refused to let his
men go out and borrow supplies
IRON the neighboring farmers.
After waiting impatiently for near
~ half an hour. Col. L. sent a
lieutenant on To Gen. Ewing's bivouac
To ask for the necessary orders. II
so happened that Gen. Sherman had
decided to make his headquarters with
Gen Ewing that night. and was seat
ed In the tent writing dispatches. with
the lid OF an old cracker box for a
desk and suffering candle held I'm his
left hand, when the lieutenant entered
and delivered his message To Gen. Ew-
Ing. He was interrupted by Gen. Sher-
man.
hat
are you from?'
"'Col. LIS brigade, sir replied
the lieutenant.
What? Col. Is? Col John
Is. And do you mean to say he
doesn't know how to forage? That's
mighty strange. Aud you go right
back, young man, and tell him | said
so. A man that's been In the army
so long as he has and doesn't know
how to forage and Gen. Sherman
shrugged his shoulders disgustedly.
Next day, as the column was trudg.
Ing along, Gen. Sherman rode by our
brigade and shouted Il CHEEKY good
morning. Col. L., who was still
smarting under the rebuko from the
general sent by the lieutenant. salut.
cd gravely.
81 say, L., said Gen. Sherman
reigning in his horse. That was a
funny message you sent me last
night
~ did not have the honor of send.
ing you any message said the Col.
onel somewhat stiffly. The division
commander failed to issue foraglng or
ders, and ] was Obliged to address
him on the subject
oh, that was it, chucklel the
general. Well it's all right now. |
hope the boys got enough to eat.
Yes, General. We know how to
forage
Several days later Gen. sherman
sent for Col. L. to give him some
instructions. which he delivered In
somewhat harsh manner. The colonel
saluted and was about To retire when
Sherman halted him.
~ must ask your pardon. colonel.
for speaking so abruptly. but the fact
Is we were on the march before. day.
break this morning and all I've had to
eat since then was a little cold bacon
and hard tack. Back on the road
this afternoon bought ham ano ux.
pectcd to have nice supper but
some of those confounded boys have
stolen 1t. Just think of that and for.
get my mderess, won't you?"
As the colonel walked back to his
brigade hc passed our regiment, and
was continuing with cheery good
night. boys when he stopped and be-
gan to sniff. Something good was
cooking. Instantly dozen invitations
were hurled az him 10 slt down and
have something TO eat.
No, thank you boys; but -snif.
ling where did YOU get that
ham?'
Drew it from the commissary.
sir
"rhe colonel represscd smile and
said stcrnly:
Well, Ill let Il pass this time. hut
II YOU over draw" another ham that
way I'll have You drummed out of
the regiment
why. colonel drawled one of the
boys. YOU see we have just learned
how 10 forage