The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-05-16
THE.REGIMENTAL
LAUNDRY
BY AMBROSE MENDENHALL
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

This story has one merit.-the Incl
dent really happened.
When the Army Of the Cumberland
was lying at Murfreesboro, Tenn.
waiting for the corn to ripen, General
G., brigade commander. established
his headquarters on a knoll. On his
right was the tent of his chief Of staff
and on his left was tent in which
dwelt his aids-de-camp. Before these
three tents paced the sentry of the
headquarters guard. Scattered about
below the eminence were the camps
of the different regiments composing
the brigade.
s. Before one of the tents Of one of
these regimental camping grounds a
young soldier, Billy Olcott, was clean
ing his musket. He was the wag of
his regiment and never let an oppor-
tunity pass to perpetrate joke on any
of his comrades. He was especially
hard on the recruits that came in from
time to time, sending them on all
kinds Of errands that a veteran would
know to be ridiculous. He was well
liked, except for this propensity, which
he carried too far. His veteran asso-
ciates laughed heartily at his practical
jokes. But every greenhorn who came
to be trained soldier itched for an op-
portunity to take a good natured re-
venge.
One day a body Of patriots who had
just exchanged their ordinary habili-
ments for uuthams arrived from the
north and were turned in on the sea-
soned men Of BmyAs regiment like
uhuveifdiB Of soft earth thrown on
wen trampled ground. One Of these
umfoztunates, seeing Billy cleaning his
musket and desiring Information.
walked up to him and said:
"Say, can you tell me where I can
get any washing done around here?'
Billy looked up at him with a stare.
Now, it must be remembered that to
4 soldier at the front in wartime a
washtub is as far away, as much OF
luxury, as a table d'hote menu. Sol
diers' clothes in war are seldom wash
ed, and when they are they are taken
to a creek, rubbed between the knuc-
3les in lieu Of washboard and tie
dirt spots blurred over the whole gar
ment But even this laundering is
S1aciticed only till the soldier learns to
get on with flannel shirt that shows
little dirt and can be worn for months
without looking very disreputable.
Billy, as I was saying, looked up at
the greenhorn with stare. The re-
cruit surmised that the veteran was
thinking where he could send him to
get his linen Numbered. and so he
was. Finally, having concentrated his
mind on just where the regimental
laundry was located, Billy said:
+ DO you see those three tents up
there on that knoll?'
The recruit admitted that he did.
"Well, you go up there and wait till
that sentinel walks to one end Of his
beat, and while his back is turned you.
Just before he turns. 60 into the center
tent, and there's where the washing is
done. Mind. don't try to 60 in when
the sentry sees you, or he'll stop you.
There's lot Of red tape up there"
The recruit thanked Billy for his
courteous information and started up
the hill. Billy watching him. Follow
ing directions implicitly. the greenhorn
waited till the sentry reached the end
of his beat. then stepped quickly into
the center tent. A man with star
on his shoulder was sitting at pine
table writing. At the recruits entry
he looked up. surprised that the in
truder had passed the sentry and en-
tered unannounced.
lis this the place where the washing
Is done p asked the visitor
The general stared at him in some
such fashion as Billy had done.
ibid some one tell you to come here
to get your washing done?"
'Yes'
"Could you take me to the man who
told you that?"
II think l can
The general picked up his hat and
strolled down the incline accompanied
by the recruit Billy was Sti.! cleaning
his gun and chnckling at his joke
when. looking up. be saw the recruit he
had directed to headquarters coming
with the general. As they approached
Billy stood up straight as ramrod and
saluted.
THAT'S the man." said the recruit to
the general.
"Call the corporal Of the guard" said
the general to Billy.
Corporal OF the guard" yelled Billy.
The corporal came. saluted. and the
general said to him. Corporal. take
j couple Of the guard and escort that
man" pointing to Billy. down to the
creek and have him wash this mans
clothes. See that the laundering is
well done!'
The general returned to his tent,
the corporal brought the two men. the
recruit produced his soiled clothes, and
q procession Of jeering men escorted