Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-01-07
xaX&44NAfF4AfR
THE MAN In !
BUTTERNUT
A Story of the War ]
For the Union
Nv CAPTAIN F. A. mitchell ]
Nv CAPTAIN F. A. mitchell
ttttttx&tk ttttttktttt


There are natures to which danger
10 too fascinating to be resisted. This
cropped out especially in our own war
nm both the Union and Confederate
sides There was another faculty akin
m the love for danger, though much
more rare. This was that cool assur-
anee some men used in carrying out
their operations. especially when cor
pered. Perhaps the most famous of
these men was General Morgan when,
rs untitled John Morgan. with small
hand of some fifty rangers, he was
constantly harassing the Army of the
Ohio. at that time advancing south
ward through middle Tennessee. lie
would walk up to Union picket who
was of his guard, rate him soundly
for his carelessness. take his gun from
him and make him prisoner.
Hanc Barton when he went into the
Union service was green Kentucky
had never worn anything better than
"butternut." His brothers had Joined
the Confederate army, and Hanc, be-
ing on the other side, thought 1t his
duty TO balance up so far as he
could by enlisting for the Union. 1t
took time to make soldiers out of farm
ers. and there were cases wherein 1t
was impossible. This was because
there Is nothing In farm work that Is
akin to military, life.
Barton was one of those who could
never be turned into shipshape sol
diers. He was slow at learning the
manual of arms, slow at learning to
march, slow at every methodical duty.
Soldiers are not allowed to leave camp
limits without permission. yet Barton
would make his way out between SEN
tries, steal through the pickets and
wander about on the enemy's terri
tory,
The matter having been reported to
his captain, he was called up before
that officer and. when questioned as
to where he had been, told so much
about the enemy. their camp. their
movements. their forces, their arma-
ment that the captain spoke of the
matter to the colonel. The colonel
mentioned it to the general command
ing. and the result was that the de-
linquent was directed to report him
self at headquarters.
Barton supposed that he was sent up
to the general to receive reprimand
for his unsoldierly conduct. Instead,
the general made him tell all about
where he had been when he had sur
reptitiously left camp and what he
had seen and, when he had finished
told him that he was appointed scout
under the commanders own orders
and need not return to his regiment
except to get his effects. Since Hanc
mad no effects except what he had on
his person he did not return at all.
The arms of an infantryman would
not serve him In his new duties, and,
as to uniform, he was to wear the
"butternut'' to which he had been ac-
customed, except when in camp. when
ne could wear what he pleased.
Hane Barton breathed a sigh of re-
lief at the change in the situation. He
was henceforth relieved of the inter
mlnable duties of soldier no an
swering of his name at reveille roll
eau, no guard mounting, no inspection,
no turning in at tattoo and lights out
at taps. All this irksome routine had
Deem exchanged for the inestimable
privilege OF running the risk of getting
himself hanged.
Barton was just the man for the re-
qulred service. His accent was distinct
" southern, he had been accustomed
10 the people of the south, and, as
% getting about over a country region,
he mad learned 1t so perfectly in his
NAIVE state that he did not need to
learn 1t again in Tennessee. The gen.
erai sent him on several minor scout
ing expeditions. but it was not till the
army OF the Cumberland was confront
ing the Conference.-The former at
"urfreesboro, the latter at Tullahoma
-that Hanc got in his most remark
able work.
de left Murfreesboro one evening
An VII uofStOdCk WIFI an OFucF
pirecung the guards to pass Richard
'ehaDies. He was mounted on a high,
'eah morse. furnished by the quarter
naster from a lot that had not yet
oeen branded. He found no trouble In
pefsonating poor white citizen of the
country, for that was exactly what he
was Indeed, no one would have taken
MIN for anything else.
when he reached Confederate We
dette he said:
MI. sojer, Pm goin' south To- to get
outen the way O. the Yankees that's
comm down yere Do you mind my
ridin' right on%
ION can so back there to the picket
post and they'll take charge Of you,"
SAID the vedette.
hahc rode on to the picket and was
Questioned by the officer of the post.
laSing orders to send any citizens
OIllnR SQnfh xxvh 49, ~