Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-05-28
A LESSON IN FORAGING.
The Generals Men Adopted His Advice
With Good Results.

The Generals Men Adopted His Advice
With Good Results.
The following incident is taken from
the diary Of late veteran Of the civil
war.
''The army was in light marching
order, the general commanding Iir,ft-
ing himself to a billed shirt and an
extra pair Of socks. We had marched
nearly fifty miles that day and were
sore, tired and hungry when we halt
ed for the night. Our brigade was
commanded by Colonel L., brave sol
dier and an able officer, but whs was
great stickler for regulations, etiquette
of the corps, etc. After camp was
pitched it was learned that General
Ewing, the division commander, had
forgotten to issue the usual orders for
foraging.
"After waiting impatiently for near
ly half an hour Colonel l.. sent lieu
tenant off to General Ewing's bivouac
to ask for the necessary orders. 1t so
happened that General Sherman had
decided to make his headquarters with
seated In the tent writing dispatches,
with the lid Of an old cracker box for
a desk and sputtering candle held in
his left hand, when the lieutenant en-
tered and delivered his message to Gen
eral Ewing. He was interrupted by
General Sherman.
whats that, young man? Where
are you FROM?
"'Colonel LIS brigade, SIR
"'What? Colonel L.'s-Colonel John
LIS? And do you mean to say he
doesn't know how to forage2 That's
mighty strange. And you 60 right
back, young man, and tell him l said
So
Next day as the column was trudg
ing along General Sherman rode by
our brigade and shouted CHEEKY Good
morning. Colonel L., who was still
smarting under the rebuke from the
general sent by the lieutenant, saluted
gravely.
az say, L. said General Sherman
refining in his horse, that was funny
message you sent me last night
81 did not have the honor Of send
ing you any message said the colonel,
somewhat stif1y. The division COM
mander failed to issue foraging orders,
and ] was obliged to address him on
the subject
"'Oh, that was it, chuckled the gen
eral. We'll, it's all right now. l hope
the boys got enough to eat
"'Yes, general. We know how to
forage
Several days later General Sherman
sent for Colonel L. to give him
some instructions, which he delivered
In a somewhat harsh manner. The
colonel saluted and was about to re
tire when Sherman halted him.
81 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 were a little cold
bacon and hard tack. Back on the
road this afternoon I bought a ham
and expected to have nice supper,
but some of those coniounded boys
have stolen it. Just think Of that and
forget my rudeness, won't your
"As the colonel walked back to his
brigade he passed our regiment and
was continuing with CHEEKY Good
night, boys when he stopped and be-
gan to sniff. Something good was
cooking. Instantly dozen invitations
were hurled at him to sit down and
have something to eat
"'No. thank you, boys, but'-snifhng
again-'where did you get that hamF
Drew it from the commissary, sir
| 'eThe colonel repressed smile and
said sternly:
We'll, I'll let 1t pass this time, but
| II you ever 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 to forage '"-Boston Globe.