Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-09-17

| hoDerls! Ihree years later, as SER
geant of his regiment he was honora.
bly, discharged at Fort Morgan, Ala.
Sergeant Roberts could tell you
many tales of interest in connection
with his army life. of his being the
man begind the gun at the age of 2.
and much else. but he has almost worn
them out telling them at reunions and
campfires, so he will spare you-all
but one. 1t may please you TO know
that the regimental chaplain was one
Comrade Jenkins. Chaplain Jenkins
was 3 fighter. but not profane, De-
| spite all this Little Mac, Junior" was
an adept pupil OF his elder comrades,
| and he learned the art OF swearing to
degree eQualed by few of his elders,
| When asked who taught him TO say
such bad words he would blandly re-
ply, "oh. Cap'n Jenkins did" II the
tiny soldier was disloyal 10 his chap
lain he was not to the rank and file
He feels sure that the good chaplain
would to-day forgive his early accuse
| tons
For several months prior to the
close of the war the Twenty-first Mis-
souri, Regiment was quartered at Fort
Morgan, Ala, on Mobile Bay. II was
at this post that the 3-yearold ser
geant received his discharge.
BY the time the regiment had moved
to Fort Morgan the lad had Become
of interest. indeed, to his older com
! rades. he then being between 2 and 3
and rather precocious, perhaps. be
cause of his association with his cid
ers. He here found a warm. close
chum In Gunner Ephraim Jones
On one occasion the gunner thought
10 have a bit of fun at the expense Of
the juvenile comrade, hoping to give
him more big noise" than he would
relish. In close proximity with the
coast gun. Accordingly Jones asked
the young patriot If he would like to
fire the sunset gun for him.
Sure" said the lad in gleeful an
ticipation When may fire it
now"
No. not now; it isn't sunset yet
This big gun, you know is the one
that makes the sun go down. Come
around in an hour and wen give the
old sun a glorious send-off.'
An right" Ed replied; you can
count on me-"
In an hour Little Mac, Junior, APP
! peared.
Gunner Jones placed the lanyard in
the small hands of the lad, held him
aloft of the coast defender and com
manded, "Fire!'
Bang" went the big gun, which
had little extra food" for the event,
The baby gunner dropped the lanyard
to applaud the music made by the
war dog.
Didn't 1t scare your" asked the
regular.
No, it's better'n a drum. II you
are 'fraid Of 'er. just send for me any
time. I'll do II for you"
Eph" took occasion to be fraid"
quite often thereafter, and Little Mac,
! Junior, enjoyed the privilege OF help
ing him out"
! For ten years Sergeant Edward Me,
| Clellan Roberts has been resident of
New York City deyoting his time TO
writing and literature. On a recent
evening he was invited by L. r. Fet-
| ger to visit the Fourteenth Regiment
camp, United Spanish War Veterans.
at their armory in Brooklyn, A
spread followed an installation OF of
ticers. and after responding 10 urgent
| calls for a speech Sergeant Roberts
was voted an honorary member OF the
camp, then in command OF William J..
Prendergast and was decorated with
| a button of the order,
Often has the claim made for him
| that he is the youngest soldier of the
war of 1876, and the youngest mem
| Der of the G. A. II. been disputed, but
a simple recital of the foregoing facts
has promptly and easily settled each
! such dispute Chicago Inter Ocean
| band Music on the battlefield
| ITduord y Tnhie into garuaont Mo.