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+ Si Klegg, by John Mcelroy. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Si Klegg, Book 1 (of 6), by John McElroy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Si Klegg, Book 1 (of 6) + His Transformation From A Raw Recruit To A Veteran + +Author: John McElroy + +Release Date: March 25, 2010 [EBook #31771] +Last Updated: October 31, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SI KLEGG, BOOK 1 (OF 6) *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + SI KLEGG + </h1> + <h2> + His Transformation From a Raw Recruit To A Veteran. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By John McElroy. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> <a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="Frontispiece " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/titlepage.jpg" alt="Title Page" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + PUBLISHED BY <br /><br /> THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE CO., <br /><br /> WASHINGTON, + D. C + </h3> + <h4> + SECOND EDITION <br /><br /><br /> COPYRIGHT 1910 + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + THE SIX VOLUMES + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31771/31771-h/31771-h.htm"><b> SI + KLEGG, Book I, Transformation From a Raw Recruit </b></a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31772/31772-h/31772-h.htm"><b> SI + KLEGG, Book II, Through the Stone River Campaign </b></a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31773/31773-h/31773-h.htm"><b> SI + KLEGG, Book III, Meets Mr. Rosenbaum, the Spy </b></a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31774/31774-h/31774-h.htm"><b> SI + KLEGG, Book IV, On The Great Tullahoma Campaign </b></a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31775/31775-h/31775-h.htm"><b> SI + KLEGG, Book V, Deacon's Adventures At Chattanooga </b></a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31776/31776-h/31776-h.htm"><b> SI + KLEGG, Book VI, Enter On The Atlanta Campaign </b></a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + "Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty, his Partner," were born more + than 25 years ago in the brain of John McElroy, editor of The National + Tribune, who invented the names and characters, outlined the general plan, + and wrote a number of the chapters. Subsequently, the editor, having many + other important things pressing upon his attention, called in an assistant + to help on the work, and this assistant, under the direction and guidance + of the editor, wrote some of these chapters. Subsequently, without the + editor's knowledge or consent, the assistant adopted all the material as + his own, and expanded it into a book which had a limited sale and then + passed into the usual oblivion of shortlived subscription books. + </p> + <p> + The sketches in this first number are the original ones published in The + National Tribune in 1885-6, revised and enlarged somewhat by the editor. + </p> + <p> + Those in the second and all following numbers appeared in The National + Tribune when the editor, John McElroy, resumed the story in 1897, 12 years + after the first publication, and continued it for the unprecedented period + of seven years, with constantly growing interest and popularity. They gave + "Si Klegg" a nation-wide and enduring celebrity. Gen. Lew Wallace, the + foremost literary man of his day, pronounced "Si Klegg" the "great idyll + of the war." + </p> + <p> + How true they are to nature every veteran can abundantly testify from his + own service. Really, only the name of the regiment was invented. There is + no doubt that there were several men of the name of Josiah Klegg in the + Union Army, and who did valiant service for the Government. They had + experiences akin to, if not identical with, those narrated here, and + substantially every man who faithfully and bravely carried a musket in + defense of the best Government on earth had sometimes, if not often, + experiences of with those of Si Klegg, Shorty and the boys are strong + reminders. + </p> + <p> + Many of the illustrations in this first number are by the late Geo. Y. + Coffin, deceased, a talented artist, whose work embellished The National + Tribune for many years. He was the artist of The National Tribune until + his lamented and premature death, and all his military work was done by + daily consultation, instruction and direction of the editor of The + National Tribune. + </p> + <p> + THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0004"> <b>SI KLEGG</b> </a><br /><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a>GOING TO WAR—SI KLEGG'S + COMPLETE EQUIPMENT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a>THE + DEADLY BAYONET <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a>THE + OLD CANTEEN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a>THE + AWFUL HARDTACK <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a>FAT + PORK—INDISPENSABLE BODY TIMBER FOR PATRIOTISM <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a>DETAILED AS COOK—SI FINDS + RICE ANOTHER INNOCENT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. + </a>IN THE AWKWARD SQUAD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER + VIII. </a>ON COMPANY DRILL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER + IX. </a>SI GETS A LETTER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. + </a>SI AND THE DOCTORS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. + </a>THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER XII. </a>A WET NIGHT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER + XIII. </a>SI "STRAGGLED" <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER + XIV. </a>SI AND THE MULES <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER + XV. </a>UNDER FIRE—SI HAS A FIGHT, CAPTURES A PRISONER <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a>ONE OF THE "NON-COMMISH" <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a>FORAGING ON THE WAY <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a>A SUNDAY OFF + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a>A CLOSE CALL <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a>"THE SWEET SABBATH" <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a>SI AND SHORTY WERE RAPIDLY + LEARNING <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a>A NIGHT + OF SONG <br /><br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>ILLUSTRATIONS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0001"> Title Page </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0002"> Frontispiece </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0003"> Si Decides to Enlist </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0004"> Off to the War </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0005"> As Si Looked when he Landed at Louisville + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0006"> Si's Load Begins to Get Heavy </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0007"> Si's Chum, "shorty" Elliott </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0008"> The Diverse Uses of the Good Old Canteen </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0009"> What the Bayonet Was Good for </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0010"> As Maria Pictured Si Using his Bayonet </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0011"> He Tries the Butt of his Gun on It </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0012"> The Best Way After All </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0013"> The Veteran Talks to Si </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0014"> Drawing Rations </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0015"> "All Right, Boss; Dats a Go" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0016"> Si Falls out With his Food </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0017"> Si Thinks It over </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0018"> The Trouble Begins </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0019"> The Rice Gets the Bulge </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0020"> Si Makes the Acquaintance of The Guard House + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0021"> "Right Shoulder Shift—Arms!" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0022"> "Fix—bayonets!" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0023"> Brought his Gun Down on the Man's Foot </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0024"> Don't Care a Continental </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0025"> "Right—face!" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0026"> "Forward—march!" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0027"> "Company—right Wheel!" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0028"> It's from Annabel </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0029"> Si Carries a Rail </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0030"> Si Writes to "deer Annie." </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0031"> An Army Writing-desk </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0032"> Laying the Foundation </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0033"> A Rude Awakening </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0034"> Visits the Doctor </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0035"> "Let Yer Nails Grow; Ye'll Need 'em" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0036"> "Say, Cap, What Kind O' Bug is This?" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0037"> "Skirmishing" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0038"> "Naw! Lemme Show Ye How!" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0039"> Struck by a Cyclone </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0040"> Supper Under Difficulties </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0041"> A Field Shanty </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0042"> It's the Morning </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0043"> Taking the Top Rail </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0044"> "Don't Stab Me." </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0045"> Hydropathic Treatment </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0046"> Si Defies a Regiment </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0047"> He Let Both Heels Fly </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0048"> Si Went Sprawling </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0049"> Stuck in the Mud </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0050"> It Burst With a Loud "bang." </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0051"> Si Takes a Crack at A Reb </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0052"> Si Captures a Johnny </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0053"> Corporal si Klegg </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0054"> One of the "Non-Com Mish." </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0055"> "Not 'less Ye Say 'Bunker Hill.'" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0056"> They Had Shot a Mule </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0057"> The 200th Ind. Was Not Without Talent in + Foraging </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0058"> Si Beat a Retreat </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0059"> Si Being Worked for a "good Thing." </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0060"> Si Was Disposed to Grumble </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0061"> Showing the Old Man a Trick </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0062"> Waiting for Their Clothes to Dry </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0063"> An Assault on the Well-filled Corn Crib </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0064"> Shorty Held the Calf </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0065"> Si Sprang Upon Him </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0066"> "Shorty if We—only Git—out O' + This—" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0067"> So Straight he Leaned Backward </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0068"> Si Almost Fainted when the Colonel Stopped + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0069"> Shorty Was There—with a Guard </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED + </h3> + <h3> + TO THE RANK AND FILE + </h3> + <h3> + OF THE GRANDEST ARMY EVER MUSTERED FOR WAR. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + SI KLEGG + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. GOING TO WAR—SI KLEGG'S COMPLETE EQUIPMENT + </h2> + <h3> + AND WHAT BECAME OF IT. + </h3> + <p> + AFTER Si Klegg had finally yielded to his cumulative patriotic impulses + and enlisted in the 200th Ind. for three years or until the rebellion was + put down, with greater earnestness and solemnity to equip himself for his + new career. + </p> + <p> + He was thrifty and provident, and believed in being ready for any + emergency. His friends and family coincided with him. The Quartermaster + provided him with a wardrobe that was serviceable, if not stylish, but + there were many things that he felt he would need in addition. + </p> + <p> + "You must certainly have a few pairs of homeknit socks and some changes of + underclothes," said his tearfully-solicitous mother. "They won't weigh + much, and they'll in all likelihood save you a spell of sickness." + </p> + <p> + "Certainly," responded Josiah, "I wouldn't think of going away without + 'em." + </p> + <p> + Into the capacious knapsack went several pounds of substantial knit woolen + goods. + </p> + <p> + "You can't get along without a couple of towels and a piece of soap," said + his oldest sister, Maria, as she stowed those things alongside the socks + and underclothes. + </p> + <p> + "Si," said Ellen, his second sister, "I got this pocket album for my gift + to you. It contains all our pictures, and there is a place for another's + picture, whose name I suppose I needn't mention," she added archly. + </p> + <p> + Si got a little red in the face, but said: + </p> + <p> + "Nothing could be nicer, Nell. It'll be the greatest comfort in the world + to have all your pictures to look at when I'm down in Dixie." + </p> + <p> + "Here's a 'housewife' I've made for you with my own hands," added Annabel, + who was some other fellow's sister. She handed him a neatly-stitched + little cloth affair. "You see, it has needles, thread, buttons, scissors, + a fine-tooth comb, and several other things that you'll need very badly + after you've been in camp awhile. And" (she got so near Si that she could + whisper the rest) "you'll find in a little secret pocket a lock of my + hair, which I cut off this morning." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose I'll have a good deal of leisure time while we're in camp," + said Si to himself and the others; "I believe I'll just put this Ray's + Arithmetic and Greene's Grammar in." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, my young friend," added the Rev. Boanarg, who had just entered the + house, "and as you will be exposed to new and unusual temptations, I + thought it would be judicious to put this volume of 'Baxter's Call to the + Unconverted' in your knapsack, for it may give you good counsel when you + need it sorely." + </p> + <p> + "Thankee," said Si, stowing away the book. Of course, Si had to have a + hair-brush, blackingbrush, a shaving kit, and some other toilet + appliances. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/017.jpg" alt="Si Decides to Enlist 017 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Then it occurred to his thoughtful sister Maria that he ought to have a + good supply of stationery, including pens, a bottle of ink, and a + portfolio on which to write when he was far away from tables and desks. + </p> + <p> + These went in, accompanied by a half-pint bottle of "No. 6," which was + Si's mother's specific for all the ills that flesh is heir to. Then, the + blanket which the Quartermaster had issued seemed very light and + insufficient to be all the bed-clothes a man would have when sleeping on + the bare ground, and Si rolled up one of the warm counterpanes that had + helped make the Indiana Winter nights so comfortable for him. + </p> + <p> + "Seems rather heavy," said Si as he put his knapsack on; "but I guess I'll + get used to it in a little while. They say that soldiers learn to carry + surprising loads on their backs. It'll help cure me of being + round-shouldered; it'll be better 'n shoulder-braces for holding me up + straight." + </p> + <p> + Of course, his father couldn't let him go away without giving him + something that would contribute to his health and comfort, and at last the + old gentleman had a happy thought—he would get the village shoemaker + to make Si a pair of his best stout boots. They would be ever so much + better than the shoes the Quartermaster furnished for tramping over the + muddy roads and swamps of the South. Si fastened these on top of his + knapsack until he should need them worse than at present. + </p> + <p> + His old uncle contributed an immense bowie knife, which he thought would + be of great use in the sanguinary hand-to-hand conflicts Si would have to + wage. + </p> + <p> + On the way to the depot Si found some of his comrades gathered around an + enterprising retail dealer in hardware, who was convincing them that they + could serve their country much better, besides adding to their comfort, by + buying from him a light hatchet and a small frying-pan, which he offered, + in consideration of their being soldiers, to sell them at remarkable low + rates. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0004" id="linkimage-0004"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/019.jpg" alt="Off to the War 019 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Si saw at once the great convenience a hatchet and a frying-pan would be, + and added them to his kit. An energetic dealer in tinware succeeded in + selling him, before he reached the depot, a cunning little coffee-pot and + an ingenious combination of knife, fork and spoon which did not weigh more + than a pound. + </p> + <p> + When he got in the cars he was chagrined to find that several of his + comrades had provided themselves with convenient articles that he had not + thought of. He consoled himself that the regiment would stop some time in + Louisville, when he would have an opportunity of making up his + deficiencies. + </p> + <p> + But when the 200th reached Louisville there was no leisure for anything. + Bragg was then running his celebrated foot-race with Buell for the + Kentucky metropolis, and the 200th Ind. was trotted as rapidly as unused + legs could carry it to the works several miles from the center of the + city. + </p> + <p> + Everybody who was in that campaign remembers how terribly hot and dry + everything was. + </p> + <p> + Si Klegg managed to keep up tolerably near the head of the column until + camp was reached, but his shoulders were strained and blisters began to + appear on his feet. + </p> + <p> + "That was a mighty tough pull, wasn't it?" he said to his chum as they + spread their blankets on the dog-kennel and made some sort of a bed; "but + I guess after a day or two we'll get so used to it that we won't mind it." + </p> + <p> + For a few days the 200th Ind. lay in camp, but one day there came an order + for the regiment to march to Bardstown as rapidly as possible. A battle + was imminent. The roads were dusty as ash-heaps, and though the pace was + not three miles an hour, the boys' tongues were hanging out before they + were out of sight of camp. + </p> + <p> + "I say, Captain, don't they never have resting spells in the army?" said + Si. + </p> + <p> + "Not on a forced march," answered the Captain, who, having been in the + first three months' service, was regarded as a veteran. "Push on, boys; + they say that they'll want us before night." Another hour passed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/021.jpg" + alt="As si Looked when he Landed at Louisville 021 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Captain, I don't believe you can put a pin-point anywhere on my feet that + ain't covered with a blister as big as a hen's egg," groaned Si. + </p> + <p> + "It's too bad, I know," answered the officer; "but you must go on. They + say Morgan's cavalry are in our rear shooting down every straggler they + can find." + </p> + <p> + Si saw the boys around him lightening their knapsacks. He abominated waste + above all things, but there seemed no help for it, and, reaching into that + receptacle that bore, down upon his aching shoulders like a glacier on a + groundhog, he pulled out and tossed into the fence corner the educational + works he had anticipated so much benefit from. The bottle of "No. 6" + followed, and it seemed as if the knapsack was a ton lighter, but it yet + weighed more than any stack of hay on the home farm. + </p> + <p> + A cloud of dust whirled up, and out of it appeared a galloping Aid. + </p> + <p> + "The General says that the 200th Ind. must push on much faster. The enemy + is trying to get to the bridge ahead of them," he shouted as he dashed off + in another cloud of dust. + </p> + <p> + A few shots were heard in the rear. + </p> + <p> + "Morgan's cavalry are shooting some more stragglers," shouted some one. + </p> + <p> + Si was getting desperate. He unrolled the counterpane and slashed it into + strips with his bowie. "My mother made that with her own hands," he + explained to a comrade, "and if I can't have the good of it no infernal + rebel shall. He next slashed the boots up and threw them after the quilt, + and then hobbled on to overtake the rest of his company. + </p> + <p> + "There's enough dry-goods and clothing lying along in the fence corners to + supply a good-sized town," the Lieutenant-Colonel reported as he rode over + the line of march in rear of the regiment. + </p> + <p> + The next day Si's feet felt as if there was a separate and individual + jumping toothache in every sinew, muscle, tendon and toe-nail; but that + didn't matter. With Bragg's infantry ahead and John Morgan's cavalry in + the rear, the 200th Ind. had to go forward so long as the boys could put + one foot before the other. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/023.jpg" alt="Si's Load Begins to Get Heavy 023 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The unloading went on even more rapidly than the day before. + </p> + <p> + "My knapsack looks like an elephant had stept on it," Si said, as he + ruefully regarded it in the evening. + </p> + <p> + "Show me one in the regiment that don't," answered his comrade. + </p> + <p> + Thenceforward everything seemed to conspire to teach Si how vain and + superfluous were the things of this world. The first rain-storm soaked his + cherished album until it fell to pieces, and his sister's portfolio did + the same. He put the photographs in his blouse pocket and got along just + as well. When he wanted to write he got paper from the sutler. A mule + tramped on his fancy coffee-pot, and he found he could make quite as good + coffee in a quart-cup. A wagon-wheel lan over his cherished frying-pan, + and he melted an old canteen in two and made a lighter and handier pan out + of one-half of it. He broke his bowie-knife prying the lid off a + cracker-box. He piled his knapsack with the others one day when the + regiment was ordered to strip them off for a charge, and neither he nor + his comrades ever saw one of them again. He never attempted to replace it. + He learned to roll up an extra pair of socks and a change of underclothing + in his blanket, tie the ends of this together and throw it over his + shoulder sash fashion. Then, with his socks drawn up over the bottoms of + his pantaloons, three days' rations in his haversack and 40 rounds in his + cartridgebox, he was ready to make his 30 miles a day in any direction he + might be sent, and whip anything that he encountered on the road. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE DEADLY BAYONET + </h2> + <h3> + IT IS USED FOR NEARLY EVERYTHING ELSE THAN FOR PRODDING MEN. + </h3> + <p> + IN COMMON with every other young man who enlisted to defend the glorious + Stars and Stripes, Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., had a profound + superstition concerning the bayonet. All the war literature he had ever + read abounded in bloodcurdling descriptions of bayonet charges and + hand-to-hand conflicts, in which bayonets were repeatedly thrust up to the + shanks in the combatants' bodies just as he had put a pitch-fork into a + bundle of hay. He had seen pictures of English regiments bristling with + bayonets like a porcupine with quills, rushing toward French regiments + which looked as prickly as a chestnut-bur, and in his ignorance he + supposed that was the way fighting was done. Occasionally he would have + qualms at the thought of how little his system was suited to have cold + steel thrust through it promiscuous-like, but he comforted himself with + the supposition that he would probably get used to it in time—"soldiers + get used to almost anything, you know." + </p> + <p> + When the 200th Ind. drew its guns at Indianapolis he examined all the + strange accouterments with interest, but gave most to the triangular bit + of steel which writers who have never seen a battle make so important a + weapon in deciding contests. + </p> + <p> + It had milk, molasses, or even applejack, for Si then was not a member of + the Independent Order of Good Templars, of which society he is now an + honored officer. Nothing could be nicer, when he was on picket, to bring + buttermilk in from the neighboring farm-house to his chum Shorty, who + stood post while he was gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/026.jpg" alt="Si's Chum, 'shorty' Elliott 026 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Later in the service Si learned the inestimable value of coffee to the + soldier on the march. Then he stript the cloth from his canteen, fastened + the strand with bits of wire and made a fine coffee-pot of it. In the + morning he would half fill it with the splendid coffee ihe Government + furnished, fill it up with water and hang it from a bush or a stake over + the fire, while he went ahead with his other culinary preparations. By the + time these were finished he would have at least a quart of magnificent + coffee that the cook of the Fifth Avenue could not surpass, and which + would last him until the regiment halted in the afternoon. + </p> + <p> + The bully of the 200th took it into his thick head one day to try to "run + over" Si. The latter had just filled his canteen, and the bully found that + the momentum of three pints of water swung at arm's length by an angry boy + was about equal to a mule's kick. + </p> + <p> + Just as he was beginning to properly appreciate his canteen, he learned a + sharp lesson, that comes to all of us, as to how much "cussedness" there + can be in the simplest things when they happen to go wrong. He went out + one day and got a canteen of nice sweet milk, which he and "Shorty" + Elliott heartily enjoyed. He hung the canteen upon the ridge-pole of the + tent, and thought no more about it until the next day, when he came in + from drill, and found the tent filled with an odor so vile that it made + him cough. + </p> + <p> + "Why in thunder don't the Colonel send out a detail to find and bury that + dead mule? It'll pizen the hull camp." + </p> + <p> + He had been in service just long enough to believe that the Colonel ought + to look out for and attend to everything. + </p> + <p> + "'Taint no dead mule," said Shorty, whose nose had come close to the + source of the odor. "It's this blamed canteen. What on earth have you been + putting in it. Si?" + </p> + <p> + "Ha'int had nothin' in but that sweet milk yesterday." + </p> + <p> + "That's just what's the matter," said the Orderly, who, having been in the + three-months' service, knew all about war. He had come in to detail Si and + Shorty to help unload Quartermaster's stores. "You must always scald 'out + your canteens when you've had milk in 'em. Don't you remember how careful + your mother is to scald her milk pans?" + </p> + <p> + After the company wagon had run over and hopelessly ruined the neat little + frying-pan which Si had brought from Posey County, he was in despair as to + how he should fry his meat and cook his "lobscouse." Necessity is the + mother of invention. He melted in two a canteen he picked up, and found + its halves made two deep tin pans, very light and very handy. A split + stick made a handle, and he had as good a frying-pan as the one he had + lost, and much more convenient, for when done using the handle was thrown + away, and the pan slipt into the haversack, where it lay snug and close, + instead of clattering about as the frying-pan did when the regiment moved + at the double-quick. + </p> + <p> + The other half of the canteen was useful to brown coffee, bake hoe-cake, + and serve for toilet purposes. + </p> + <p> + One day on the Atlanta campaign the regiment moved up in line to the top + of a bald hill. As it rose above the crest it was saluted with a terrific + volley, and saw that another crest across the narrow valley was occupied + by at least a brigade of rebels. + </p> + <p> + "We'll stay right here, boys," said the plucky little Colonel, who had + only worn Sergeant's stripes when the regiment crossed the Ohio River. + "We've preempted this bit of real estate, and we'll hold it against the + whole Southern Confederacy. Break for that fence there, boys, and every + fellow come back with a couple of rails." + </p> + <p> + It seemed as if he hardly ceased speaking when the boys came running back + with the rails which they laid down along the crest, and dropped flat + behind them, began throwing the gravelly soil over them with their useful + half-canteens. In vain the shower of rebel bullets struck and sang about + them. Not one could penetrate that little ridge of earth and rails, which + in an hour grew into a strong rifle-pit against which the whole rebel + brigade charged, only to sustain a bloody repulse. + </p> + <p> + The war would have lasted a good deal longer had it not been for the daily + help of the ever-useful half-canteen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE OLD CANTEEN + </h2> + <h3> + THE MANY AND QUEER USES TO WHICH IT WAS AT LAST PUT. + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0008" id="linkimage-0008"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/029.jpg" + alt="The Diverse Uses of the Good Old Canteen 029 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + WHEN Josiah (called "Si" for short) Klegg, of the 200th Ind., drew his + canteen from the Quartermaster at Louisville, he did not have a very high + idea of its present or prospective importance. In the 22 hot Summers that + he had lived through he had never found himself very far from a well or + spring when his thirst cried out to be slacked, and he did not suppose + that it was much farther between wells down South. + </p> + <p> + "I don't see the use of carrying two or three pints o' water along all day + right past springs and over cricks," he remarked to his chum, as the two + were examining the queer, cloth-covered cans. + </p> + <p> + "We've got to take 'em, any way," answered his chum, resignedly, "It's + regulations." + </p> + <p> + On his entry into service a boy accepted everything without question when + assured that it was "regulations." He would have charged bayonets on a + buzz-saw if authoritatively informed that it was required by the + mysterious "regulations." + </p> + <p> + The long march the 200th Ind. made after Bragg over the dusty turnpikes + the first week in October, 1862, taught Si the value of a canteen. After + that it was rarely allowed to get empty. + </p> + <p> + "What are these grooves along each side for?" he asked, pointing out the + little hollows which give the "prod" lightness and strength. + </p> + <p> + "Why," answered the Orderly, who, having been in the three-months' + service, assumed to know more about war than the Duke of Wellington, "the + intention of those is to make a wound the lips of which will close up when + the bayonet is pulled out, so that the man'll be certain to die." + </p> + <p> + Naturally so diabolical an intention sent cold shivers down Si's back. + </p> + <p> + The night before Si left for "the front" he had taken his musket and + couterments home to show them to his mother and sisters—and the + other fellow's sister, whose picture and lock of hair he had safely stowed + away. They looked upon the bayonet with a dreadful awe. Tears came into + Maria's eyes as she thought of Si roaming about through the South like a + bandit plunging that cruel steel into people's bowels. + </p> + <p> + "This is the way it's done," said Si, as he charged about the room in an + imaginary duel with a rebel, winding up with a terrifying lunge. "Die, + Tur-r-rraitor, gaul durn ye," he exclaimed, for he was really getting + excited over the matter, while the girls screamed and jumped upon the + chairs, and his good mother almost fainted. + </p> + <p> + The attention that the 200th Ind. had to give to the bayonet drill + confirmed Si's deep respect for the weapon, and he practiced assiduously + all the "lunges," "parries," and "guards" in the Manual, in the hope that + proficiency so gained would save his own dearly-beloved hide from + puncture, and enable him to punch any luckless rebel that he might + encounter as full of holes as a fishing net. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0009" id="linkimage-0009"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/033.jpg" alt="What the Bayonet Was Good for 033 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The 200th Ind.'s first fight was at Perryville, but though it routed the + rebel force in front of it, it would have taken a bayonet half-a-mile long + to touch the nearest "Johnny." Si thought it odd that the rebels didn't + let him get close enough to them to try his new bayonet, and pitch a dozen + or two of them over into the next field. + </p> + <p> + If the truth must be told, the first blood that stained Si's bayonet was + not that of a fellow-man. + </p> + <p> + Si Klegg's company was on picket one day, while Gen. Buell was trying to + make up his mind what to do with Bragg. Rations had been a little short + for a week or so. In fact, they had been scarcely sufficient to meet the + demands of Si's appetite, and his haversack had nothing in it to speak of. + Strict orders against foraging had been, issued. It was the day of + "guarding rebel onion patches." Si couldn't quite get it straight in his + head why the General should be so mighty particular about a few pigs and + chickens and sweet potatoes, for he was really getting hungry, and when a + man is in this condition he is not in a fit mood to grapple with fine-spun + theories of governmental policy. + </p> + <p> + So when a fat pig came wabbling and grunting toward his post, it was to Si + like a vision of manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness. A + wild, uncontrollable desire to taste a fresh spare-rib took possession of + him. Naturally, his first idea was to send a bullet through the animal, + but on second thought he saw that wouldn't do at all. It would "give him + away" at once, and, besides, he had found that a single shot on the + picket-line would keep Buell's entire army in line-of-battle for a whole + day. + </p> + <p> + Si wrote to his mother that his bright new bayonet was stained with + Southern blood, and the old lady shuddered at the awful thought. "But," + added Si, "it was only a pig, and not a man, that I killed!" + </p> + <p> + "I'm so glad!" she exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0010" id="linkimage-0010"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/035.jpg" alt="As Maria Pictured si Using his Bayonet 035 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + By the time Si had been in the service a year there was less zeal in the + enforcement of orders of this kind, and Si had become a very skillful and + successful forager. He had still been unable to reach with his bayonet the + body of a single one of his misguided fellow citizens, but he had stabbed + a great many pigs and sheep. In fact, Si found his bayonet a most useful + auxiliary in his predatory operations. He could not well have gotten along + without it. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam generally furnished Si with plenty of coffee—roasted and + unground—but did not supply him with a coffee mill. Si thought at + first that the Government had forgotten something. He saw that several of + the old veterans of '61 had coffee mills, but he found on inquiry that + they had been obtained by confiscation only. He determined to supply + himself at the first opportunity, but in the meantime he was obliged to + 'use his bayonet as a substitute, just as all the rest of the soldiers + did. + </p> + <p> + We regret to say that Si, having thrown away his "Baxter's Call to the + Unconverted" in his first march, and having allowed himself to forget the + lessons he had learned but a few years before in Sunday-school, soon + learned to play poker and other sinful games. These, at night, developed + another use for the bayonet. In its capacity as a "handy" candlestick it + was "equaled by few and excelled by none." The "shank" was always ready to + receive the candle, while the point could be thrust into the ground in an + instant, and nothing more was necessary. This was perhaps the most general + sphere of usefulness found by the bayonet during the war. Barrels of + candle-grease flowed down the furrowed sides of this weapon for every drop + of human blood that dimmed its luster. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE AWFUL HARDTACK + </h2> + <h3> + THE HARD AND SOLID STAFF OF MILITARY LIFE. + </h3> + <p> + "APPETITE'S a queer thing," said Si to Shorty one day, when both were in a + philosophical mood. "It's an awful bother when you haven't it, and it's a + great deal worse when you have it, and can't get anything for it." "Same + as money," returned sage Shorty. During the first few months of Si Klegg's + service in the army the one thing that bothered him more than anything + else was his appetite. It was a very robust, healthy one that Si had, for + he had grown up on his father's farm in Indiana, and had never known what + it was to be hungry without abundant means at hand for appeasing his + desires in that direction. His mother's cupboard was never known to be in + the condition of Old Mother Hubbard's, described in the nursery rhyme. The + Kleggs might not have much tapestry and bric-a-brac in their home, but + their smoke-house was always full, and Mrs. Klegg's kitchen could have fed + a camp-meeting any time without warning. So it was that when Si enlisted + his full, rosy face and his roundness of limb showed that he had been well + fed, and that nature had made good use of the ample daily supplies that + were provided. His digestive organs were kept in perfect condition by + constant exercise. + </p> + <p> + After Si had put down his name on the roll of Co. Q of the 200th Ind. he + had but a few days to remain at home before his regiment was to start for + Louisville. During this time his mother and sisters kept him filled up + with "goodies" of every sort. In fact, it was the biggest thing in the way + of a protracted picnic that Si had ever struck. + </p> + <p> + "You must enjoy these things while you can, Si," said his mother, "for + goodness knows what you'll do when you really git into the army. I've + heerd 'em tell awful things about how the poor sogers don't have half + enough to eat, and what they do git goes agin' any Christian stomach. + Here, take another piece of this pie. A little while, and it'll be a long + time, I reckon, till ye git any more." + </p> + <p> + "Don't keer if I do!" said Si, for there was scarcely any limit to his + capacity. + </p> + <p> + And so during those days and nights the old lady and the girls cooked and + cooked, and Si ate and ate, until it seemed as if he wouldn't want any + more till the war was over. + </p> + <p> + Si was full, and as soon as Co. Q was, it was ordered to camp, and Si had + to go. They loaded him down with good things enough to last him a week. + The pretty Annabel—the neighbor's daughter who had solemnly promised + Si that she wouldn't go with any other fellow while he was away—came + around to see Si off and brought him a rich fruit cake. + </p> + <p> + "I made that for you," she said. + </p> + <p> + "Bully for you!" said Si, for he felt that he must begin to talk like a + soldier. + </p> + <p> + The first day or two after reaching Louisville the 200th received rations + of "soft bread." But that didn't last long. It was only a way they had of + letting the fresh soldier down easy. Orders came to get ready to pull out + after Bragg, and then Si'a regiment had its first issue of army rations. + As the Orderly pried open a box of hardtack and began to distribute them + to the boys, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + "Them's nice-looking soda crackers. I don't believe the grub is going to + be so bad, after all." + </p> + <p> + Si had never seen a hardtack before. + </p> + <p> + "Better taste one and see how you like it!" said one of Buell's ragged + Indiana veterans, who had come over to see the boys of the 200th and hear + the latest news from "God's country." + </p> + <p> + It happened that this lot was one of extra quality as to hardness. The + baker's watch had stopped, or he had gone to sleep, and they had been left + in the oven or dry-kiln too long. Si took one of them and carried it to + his mouth. He first tried on it the bite which made such havoc with a + quarter section of custard pie, but his incisors made no more impression + upon it than if it had been a shingle. + </p> + <p> + "You have to bear on hard," said the veteran, with a grim smile. + </p> + <p> + "Je-ru-sa-lem!" exclaimed Si after he had made two or three attempts + equally barren of results. + </p> + <p> + Then he tried his "back teeth." His molars were in prime order, and his + jaw power was sufficient to crack a hickory nut every time. Si crowded one + corner of the hardtack as far as he could between his "grinders," where he + could get a good "purchase" on it, shut his eyes and turned on a full head + of steam. His teeth and jaws fairly cracked under the strain, but he + couldn't even "phase" it. + </p> + <p> + "If that ain't old pizen!" said Si. "It beats anything I ever seen up in + the Wabash country." + </p> + <p> + But his blood was up, and laying the cracker upon a log, he brought the + butt of his gun down upon it like a pile-driver. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0011" id="linkimage-0011"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/041.jpg" alt="He Tries the Butt of his Gun on It 041 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "I thought I'd fix ye," he said, as he picked up the fragments, and tried + his teeth upon the smaller ones. "Have I got to eat such stuff as that?" + with a despairing look at his veteran friend. "I'd just as soon be a + billy-goat and live on circus-posters, fruit-cans and old hoop-skirts." + </p> + <p> + "You'll get used to it after a while, same's we did. You'll see the time + when you'll be mighty glad to get even as hard a tack as that!" + </p> + <p> + Si's heart sank almost into his shoes at the prospect, for the taste of + his mother's pie and Annabel's fruit cake were yet fresh in his mouth. But + Si was fully bent on being a loyal, obedient soldier, determined to make + the best of everything without any more "kicking" than was the inalienable + right of every man who wore a uniform. + </p> + <p> + For the first time in his life Si went to bed hungry that night. Impelled + by the gnawings of his appetite he made repeated assaults upon the + hardtack, but the result was wholly insufficient to satisfy the longings + of his stomach. His supper wasn't anything to speak of. Before going to + bed he began to exercise his ingenuity on various schemes to reduce the + hardtack to a condition in which it would be more gratifying to his taste + and better suited to the means with which nature had provided him for + disposing of his rations. Naturally Si thought that soaking in water would + have a beneficial effect. So he laid five or six of them in the bottom of + a camp-kettle, anchored them down with a stone, and covered them with + water. He thought that with the aid of a frying-pan he would get up a + breakfast that he could eat, anyway. + </p> + <p> + Si felt a little blue as he lay curled up under his blanket with his head + pillowed on his knapsack. He thought some about his mother, and sister + Maria, and pretty Annabel, but he thought a good deal more about the beef + and potatoes, the pies and the puddings, that were so plentifully spread + upon the table at home. + </p> + <p> + It was a long time before he got to sleep. As he lay there, thinking and + thinking, there came to his mind some ether uses to which it seemed to him + the hardtack might be put, which would be much more consistent with its + nature than to palm it off on the soldiers as alleged food. He thought he + could now understand why, when he enlisted, they examined his teeth so + carefully, as if they were going to buy him for a mule. They said it was + necessary to have good teeth in order to bite "cartridges" successfully, + but now he knew it was with reference to his ability to eat hardtack. + </p> + <p> + Si didn't want to be killed if he could help it. + </p> + <p> + While he was lying there he determined to line one of his shirts with + hardtacks, and he would put that on whenever there was going to be a + fight. He didn't believe the bullets would go through them. He wanted to + do all he could toward paralyzing the rebels, and with such a protection + he could be very brave, while his comrades were being mowed down around + him. The idea of having such' a shirt struck Si as being a brilliant one. + </p> + <p> + Then, he thought hardtack would be excellent for half-soling his shoes. He + didn't think they would ever wear out. + </p> + <p> + If he ran short of ammunition he could ram pieces of hardtack into his gun + and he had no doubt they would do terrible execution in the ranks of the + enemy. + </p> + <p> + All these things and many more Si thought of until finally he was lost in + sleep. Then he dreamed that somebody was trying to cram stones down his + throat. + </p> + <p> + The company was called out at daylight, and immediately after roll-call Si + went to look after the hardtacks he had put to soak the night before. He + thought he had never felt so hungry in his life. He fished out the + hardtack and carefully inspected them, to note the result of the + submerging and to figure out the chances on his much-needed breakfast. + </p> + <p> + To any old soldier it would be unnecessary to describe the condition in + which Si found those hardtacks, and the effect of the soaking. For the + information of any who never soaked a hardtack it may be said that Si + found them transformed, to all appearances, into sole-leather. They were + flexible, but as tough as the hide that was "found in the vat when the + tanner died." + </p> + <p> + Si tried to bite a piece off one of them to see what it was like, but he + couldn't get his teeth through it. In sheer desperation he laid it on a + log, seized a hatchet, and chopped off a corner. He put it in his mouth + and chewed on it a while, but found it as tasteless as cold codfish. + </p> + <p> + Si thought he would try the frying-pan. He chopped the hardtacks into + bits, put in equal parts of water and grease, sifted over the mixture a + little salt and pepper, and then gave it a thorough frying. Si's spirits + rose during the gradual development of this scheme, as it seemed to offer + a good prospect for his morning meal. And when it came to the eating. Si + found it really good, comparatively speaking, even though it was very much + like a dish compounded of the sweepings from around a shoemaker's bench. A + good appetite was indispensable to a real enjoyment of this—which + the soldiers called by a name that cannot be given here—but Si had + the appetite, and he ate and was thankful. + </p> + <p> + "I thought I'd get the bulge on them things some way or other," said Si, + as he drank the last of his coffee and arose from his meal, feeling like a + giant refreshed with new wine. + </p> + <p> + For the next two or three months Si largely devoted his surplus energies + to further experimenting with the hardtack. He applied every conceivable + process of cookery he could think of that was possible with the meager + outfit at his command in the way of utensils and materials. Nearly all of + his patient and persevering efforts resulted only in vexation of spirit. + </p> + <p> + He continued to eat hardtack from day to day, in these various forms, but + it was only because he had to do it. He didn't hanker after it, but it was + a military necessity—hardtack or starvation. It was a hard choice, + but Si's love of life—and Annabel—induced him to choose the + hardtack. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0012" id="linkimage-0012"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/045.jpg" alt="The Best Way After All 045 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + But for a long-time Si's stomach was in a state of chronic rebellion, and + on the whole he had a hard time of it getting used to this staple article + of army diet. He did not become reconciled to it until after his regiment + had rations of flour for a week, when the "cracker-line" had been cut by + the guerillas and the supply of that substantial edible was exhausted. + Si's experience with the flour swept away all his objections to the + hardtack. Those slapjacks, so fearfully and wonderfully made, and those + lumps of dough, mixed with cold water and dried on flat stones before the + fire, as hard as cannon balls, played sad havoc with his internal + arrangements. For the first time he was obliged to fall into the + cadaverous squad at sick-call and wabble up to the doctor's shop, where he + was dosed with castor-oil and blue-mass. Si was glad enough to see + hardtack again. Most of the grumbling he did thereafter concerning the + hardtack was because he often couldn't get enough. + </p> + <p> + About six months taught Si what all the soldiers learned by experience, + that the best way to eat the average hardtack was to take it "straight"—just + as it came out of the box, without any soaking or frying or stewing. At + meal-time he would make a quart or so of coffee, stab the end of a ramrod + through three or four slices of sowbelly, and cook them over the coals, + allowing some of the drippings to fall upon the hardtack for lubricating + purposes, and these constituted his frugal repast. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. FAT PORK—INDISPENSABLE BODY TIMBER FOR PATRIOTISM. + </h2> + <p> + IT WAS told in the last chapter how the patriotic impulses of Si Klegg, of + the 200th Ind., reached his stomach and digestive apparatus, and brought + them under obedient subjection to hardtack. He didn't have quite so rough + an experience with that other staple of army diet, which was in fact the + very counterpart of the hardtack, and which took its most popular name + from that part of the body of the female swine which is usually nearest + the ground. Much of Si's muscle and brawn was due to the fact that meat + was always plenty on his father's farm. When Si enlisted he was not + entirely free from anxiety on the question of meat, for to his appetite it + was not even second in importance to bread. If bread was the "staff of + life" meat was life itself to Si. It didn't make much difference to him + what kind it was, only so it was meat. He didn't suppose Uncle Sam would + keep him supplied with quail on toast and porterhouse steaks all the time, + but he did hope he would give him as much as he wanted of something in + that line. + </p> + <p> + "You won't get much pork, unless you're a good forager," said one of Si's + friends he met at Louisville, and who had been a year in the service. + </p> + <p> + Si thought he might, with practice and a little encouragement, be fairly + successful in foraging on his' own hook, but at the same time he said he + wouldn't grumble if he could only get plenty of pork. Fortunately for him + he had not been imbued with the teachings of the Hebraic dispensation + which declared "unclean" the beast that furnished the great bulk of the + animal food for the American defenders of the Union. + </p> + <p> + Co. Q of the 200th Ind. received with the first issue of army rations at + Louisville a bountiful supply of bacon of prime quality, and Si was happy + at the prospect. He thought it would always be that way. + </p> + <p> + "I don't see anything the matter with such grub as that!" said Si. "Looks + to me as though we were goin' to live like fighting-cocks." + </p> + <p> + "You're just a little bit brash," said his veteran friend, who had just + been through the long, hungry march from Huntsville, Ala., to Louisville. + "Better eat all you can lay yer hands on now, while ye've got a chance. + One o' these days ye'll git into a tight place and ye won't see enough + hog's meat in a week to grease a griddle. I've bin there, myself! Jest + look at me and see what short rations 'll bring you to?" + </p> + <p> + But Si thought he wouldn't try to cross a bridge till he got to it, nor + lie awake nights worrying over troubles that were yet in the future. Si + had a philosophical streak in his mental make-up and this, by the way, was + a good thing for a soldier to have. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil + thereof," was an excellent rule for him to go by. + </p> + <p> + So Si assimilated all the pork that fell to his share, with an extra bit + now and then from a comrade whose appetite was less vigorous. He thrived + under its fructifying influence, and gave good promise of military + activity and usefulness. No scientific processes of cookery were necessary + to prepare it for immediate use. A simple boiling or frying or toasting + was all that was required. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0013" id="linkimage-0013"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/049.jpg" alt="The Veteran Talks to si 049 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + During the few days at Louisville fresh beef was issued occasionally. It + is true that the animals slain for the soldiers were not always fat and + tender, nor did each of them have four hind-quarters. This last fact was + the direct cause of a good deal of inflammation in the 200th Ind., as in + every other regiment. The boys who got sections of the forward part of the + "critter," usually about three-quarters bone, invariably kicked, and fired + peppery remarks at those who got the juicy steaks from the rear portion of + the animal. Then when their turn came for a piece of hind-quarter the + other fellows would growl. Four-fifths of the boys generally had to + content themselves with a skinny rib or a soupshank. Si shared the common + lot, and did his full quota of grumbling because his "turn" for a slice of + steak didn't come every time beef was issued. + </p> + <p> + The pickled pork was comparatively free from this cause of irritation. It + was all alike, and was simply "Hobson's choice." Si remembered the + fragrant and delicious fried ham that so often garnished his mother's + breakfast table and wondered why there was not the same proportion of hams + and sides in the Commissary that he remembered in the meathouse on the + Wabash. He remarked to Shorty one day: + </p> + <p> + "I wonder where all this pork comes from?" + </p> + <p> + "It comes from Illinoy, I suppose," said Shorty. "I notice the barrels are + all marked 'Chicago'." + </p> + <p> + "Must grow funny kind o' hogs out there—a mile long each, I should + say. What do you mean?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, we've drawn a full mile o' sides from the Commissary, and haint + struck a ham yit. I'm wonderin' jest how long that hog is!" + </p> + <p> + "Well, you are green. You oughter know by this time that there are only + enough hams for the officers." + </p> + <p> + Now and then a few pigs' shoulders were handed round among the boys, but + the large proportion of bone they contained was exasperating, and was the + cause of much profanity. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes bacon was issued that had really outlived its usefulness, + except, perhaps, for the manufacture of soap. Improperly "cured," it was + strong and rancid, or, occasionally, so near a condition of putrefaction + that the stench from it offended the nostrils of the whole camp. Some + times it was full of "skippers," that tunneled their way through and + through it, and grew fat with riotous living. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0014" id="linkimage-0014"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/051.jpg" alt="Drawing Rations 051 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Si drew the line at this point. He had an ironplated stomach, but putrid + and maggoty meat was too much for it. Whenever he got any of this he would + trade it off to the darkies for chickens. There is nothing like pork for a + Southern negro. He wants something that will "stick to his ribs." + </p> + <p> + By a gradual process of development his appetite reached the point when he + could eat his fat pork perfectly raw. During a brief halt when on the + march he would squat in a fence corner, go down into his haversack for + supplies, cut a slice of bacon, lay it on a hardtack, and munch them with + a keen relish. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0015" id="linkimage-0015"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/052.jpg" alt="'all Right, Boss; Dats a Go' 052 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + At one of the meetings of the Army of the Cumberland Gen. Garfield told a + story which may appropriately close this chapter. + </p> + <p> + One day, while the Army of the Cumberland was beleaguered in Chattanooga + and the men were almost starving on quarter rations, Gen. Rosecrans and + his staff rode out to inspect the lines. As the brilliant cavalcade dashed + by a lank, grizzled soldier growled to a comrade: + </p> + <p> + "It'd be a darned sight better for this army if we had a little more + sowbelly and not quite so many brass buttons!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. DETAILED AS COOK—SI FINDS RICE ANOTHER INNOCENT + </h2> + <h3> + WITH A GREAT DEAL OF CUSSEDNESS IN IT. + </h3> + <p> + IT WOULD have been very strange, indeed, if Si Klegg had not grumbled + loudly and frequently about the food that was dished up to him by the + company cooks. In the first place, it was as natural for a boy to grumble + at the "grub" as it was for him to try to shirk battalion drill or "run + the guard." In the next place, the cooking done by the company bean-boiler + deserved all the abuse it received, for as a rule the boys who sought + places in the hash foundry did so because they were too lazy to drill or + do guard duty, and their knowledge of cooking was about like that of the + Irishman's of music: + </p> + <p> + "Can you play the fiddle, Pat?" he was asked. "Oi don't know, sor-r-r—Oi + niver tried." + </p> + <p> + Si's mother, like most of the well-to-do farmers' wives in Indiana, was + undoubtedly a good cook, and she trained up her daughters to do honor to + her teachings, so that Si undoubtedly knew what properly-prepared food + was. From the time he was big enough to spank he had fared sumptuously + every day. In the gush of patriotic emotions that prompted him to enlist + he scarcely thought of this feature of the case. If it entered his mind at + all, he felt that he could safely trust all to the goodness of so + beneficent a Government as that for the preservation of which he had + offered himself as a target for the rebels to shoot at. He thought it no + more than fair to the brave soldiers that Uncle Sam should furnish + professional cooks for each company, who would serve everything up in the + style of a first-class city restaurant. So, after Si got down among the + boys and found how it really was, it was not long till his inside was a + volcano of rebellion that threatened serious results. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0016" id="linkimage-0016"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/055.jpg" alt="Si Falls out With his Food 055 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + When, therefore, Si lifted up his voice and cried aloud, and spared not—when + he said that he could get as good coffee as that furnished him by dipping + his cup into a tan-vat; when he said that the meat was not good + soap-grease, and that the potatoes and beans had not so much taste and + nutrition in them as so much pine-shavings, he was probably nearer right + than grumblers usually are. + </p> + <p> + "Give it to 'em, Si," his comrades would Say, when he turned up his loud + bazoo on the rations question. "They ought to get it ten times worse. When + we come out we expected that some of us would get shot by the rebels, but + we didn't calculate that we were going to be poisoned in camp by a lot of + dirty, lazy potwrastlers." + </p> + <p> + One morning after roll-call the Orderly-Sergeant came up to Si and said: + </p> + <p> + "There's been so much chin-music about this cooking-business that the + Captain's ordered the cooks to go back to duty, and after this + everybody'll have to take his regular turn at cooking. It'll be your turn + to-day, and you'll stay in camp and get dinner." + </p> + <p> + When Co. Q marched out for the forenoon drill. Si pulled off his blouse + and set down on a convenient log to think out how he should go to work. Up + to this time he had been quite certain that he knew all about cooking that + it was worth while to know. Just now none of his knowledge seemed to be in + usable shape, and the more he thought about it the less able he seemed to + be to decide upon any way of beginning. It had always appeared very easy + for his mother and sisters to get dinner, and on more than one occasion he + had reminded them how much better times they had staying in the house + cooking dinner than he had out in the harvest field keeping up with the + reaper. At this moment he would rather have kept up with the fastest + reaper in Posey County, on the hottest of July days, than to have cooked + the coarse dinner which his 75 comrades expected to be ready for them when + they returned, tired, hot and hungry, from the morning drill. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0017" id="linkimage-0017"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/057.jpg" alt="Si Thinks It over 057 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + He went back to the barracks and inspected the company larder. He found + there the same old, coarse, greasy, strong, fat pork, a bushel or so of + beans, a few withered potatoes, sugar, coffee, bread, and a box of rice + which had been collected from the daily rations because none of the cooks + knew how to manage it. The sight of the South Carolina staple recalled the + delightful rice puddings his mother used to make. His heart grew buoyant. + </p> + <p> + "Here's just the thing," he said. "I always was fond of rice, and I know + the boys will be delighted with it for a change. I know I can cook it; for + all that you've got to do is to put it in a pot with water and boil it + till it is done. I've seen mother do that lots o' times. + </p> + <p> + "Let's see," he said, pursuing his ruminations. + </p> + <p> + "I think each boy can eat about a cupful, so I'll put one for each of 'em + in the kettle." + </p> + <p> + "There's one for Abner," he continued, pouring a cupful in for the first + name on the company-roll; "one for Acklin, one for Adams, one for Barber, + one for Brooks," and so on down through the whole well-known list. + </p> + <p> + "It fills the old kettle tol'bly full," he remarked, as he scanned the + utensil after depositing the contribution for Williams, the last name on + the roll; "but I guess she'll stand it. I've heard mother tell the girls + that they must always keep the rice covered with water, and stir it well, + so that it wouldn't burn; so here goes. Won't the boys be astonished when + they have a nice mess of rice, as a change from that rusty old side-meat!" + </p> + <p> + He hung the kettle on the fire and stepped out to the edge of the + parade-ground to watch the boys drilling. It was the first time he had had + the sensation of pleasure of seeing them at this without taking part in it + himself, and he began to think that he would not mind if he had to cook + most of the time. He suddenly remembered about his rice and hurried back + to find it boiling, bulging over the top like a small snowdrift. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0018" id="linkimage-0018"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/059.jpg" alt="The Trouble Begins 059 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "I was afraid that kettle was a little too full," he said to himself, + hurrying off for another campkettle, in which he put about a third of the + contents of the first. "Now they're all right. And it'll cook better and + quicker in two than one. Great Scott! what's the matter? They're both + boiling over. There must be something wrong with that rice." + </p> + <p> + Pretty soon he had all the company kettles employed, and then all that he + could borrow from the other companies. But dip out as much as he would + there seemed no abatement in the upheaving of the snowy cereal, and the + kettles continued to foam over like so many huge glasses of soda water. He + rushed to his bunk and got his gum blanket and heaped upon it a pile as + big as a small haycock, but the mass in the kettle seemed larger than it + was before this was subtracted. + </p> + <p> + He sweat and dipped, and dipped and sweat; burned his hands into blisters + with the hot rice and hotter kettles, kicked over one of the largest + kettles in one of his spasmodic rushes to save a portion of the food that + was boiling over, and sent its white contents streaming over the ground. + His misery came to a climax as he heard the quick step of his hungry + comrades returning from drill. + </p> + <p> + "Right face; Arms a-port; Break ranks—March!" commanded the + Orderly-Sergeant, and there was a clatter of tin cups and plates as they + came rushing toward him to get their dinner—something to stay their + ravenous stomachs. There was a clamor of rage, ridicule, wrath and + disappointment as they took in the scene. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0019" id="linkimage-0019"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/061.jpg" alt="The Rice Gets the Bulge 061 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "What's the matter here?" demanded the Captain, striding back to the + company fire. "You young rascal, is this the way you get dinner for your + comrades? Is this the way you attend to the duty for which you're + detailed? Waste rations in some fool experiment and scatter good food all + over the ground? Biler, put on your arms and take Klegg to the + guard-houae. I'll make you pay for this nonsense, sir, in a way that you + won't forget in a hurry, I'll be bound." + </p> + <p> + So poor Si marched to the guard-house, where he had to stay for 24 hours, + as a punishment for not knowing, until he found out by this experience, + that rice would "s-well." The Captain wouldn't let him have anything to + eat except that scorched and half-cooked stuff cut of the kettles, and Si + thought he never wanted to see any more rice as long as he lived. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0020" id="linkimage-0020"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/062.jpg" + alt="Si Makes the Acquaintance of The Guard House 062 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + In the evening one of the boys took Si's blanket to him, thinking he would + want it to sleep in. + </p> + <p> + "I tell ye, pard, this is purty derned tough!" said Si as he wiped a tear + out of the southwest corner of his left eye with the sleeve of his blouse. + "I think the Cap'n's hard on a feller who didn't mean to do nothin' + wrong!" And Si looked as if he had lost all his interest in the old flag, + and didn't care a pinch of his burnt rice what became of the Union. + </p> + <p> + His comrade "allowed" that it was hard, but supposed they, had got to get + used to such things. He said he heard the Captain say he would let Si out + the next day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. IN THE AWKWARD SQUAD + </h2> + <h3> + SI HAS MANY TRIBULATIONS LEARNING THE MANUAL OP ARMS. + </h3> + <p> + WHEN Si Klegg went into active service with Co. Q of the 200th Ind. his + ideas of drill and tactics were exceedingly vague. He knew that a "drill" + was something to make holes with, and as he understood that he had been + sent down South to make holes through people, he supposed drilling had + something to do with it. He handled his musket very much as he would a + hoe. A "platoon" might be something to eat, for all he knew. He had a + notion that a "wheel" was something that went around, and he thought a + "file" was a screeching thing that his father used once a year to sharpen + up the old buck saw. + </p> + <p> + The fact was that Si and his companions hardly had a fair shake in this + respect, and entered the field at a decided disadvantage. It had been + customary for a regiment to be constantly drilled for a month or two in + camp in its own State before being sent to the front; but the 200th was + rushed off to Kentucky the very day it was mustered in. This was while the + cold chills were running up and down the backs of the people in the North + on account of the threatened invasion by Bragg's army. The regiment pushed + after the fleeing rebels, but whenever Suell's army halted to take breath, + "Fall in for drill!" was shouted through its camp three or four times a + day. It was liable to be called into action at any moment, and it was + deemed indispensable to begin at once the process of making soldiers out + of those tender-footed Hoosiers, whose zeal and patriotism as yet far + exceeded their knowledge of military things. Most of the officers of the + 200th were as green as the men, though some of them had seen service in + other regiments; so, at first, officers and non-commissioned officers who + had been in the field a few months and were considered veterans, and who + knew, or thought they knew, all about tactics that was worth knowing, were + detailed from the old regiments to put the boys through a course of + sprouts in company and squad drill. + </p> + <p> + One morning three or four days after leaving Louisville, word was passed + around that the regiment would not move that day, and the boys were so + glad at the prospect of a day of rest that they wanted to get right up and + yell. Si was sitting on a log, with his shoes off, rubbing his aching + limbs and nursing his blisters, when the Orderly came along. + </p> + <p> + "Co. Q, be ready in 10 minutes to fall in for drill. Stir around, you men, + and get your traps on. Klegg, put on them gunboats, and be lively about + it." + </p> + <p> + "Orderly," said Si, looking as if he hadn't a friend on earth, "just look + at them blisters; I can't drill to-day!" + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to or go to the guard-house," was the reply. "You'd better + hustle yourself, too!" + </p> + <p> + Si couldn't think of anything to say that would do justice to his + feelings; and so, with wailing and gnashing of teeth, and a few muttered + words that he didn't learn in Sunday school, he got ready to take his + place in the company. + </p> + <p> + As a general combustion of powder by the armies of Buell and Bragg was + hourly expected, it was thought best for the 200th to learn first + something about shooting. If called suddenly into action it was believed + the boys could "git thar," though they had not yet mastered the science of + company and battalion evolutions. Co. Q was divided into squads of eight + for exercise in the manual of arms. The man who took Si's squad was a + grizzled Sergeant, who had been "lugging knapsack, box and gun" for a + year. He fully realized his important and responsible functions as + instructor of these innocent youths, having at the same time a supreme + contempt for their ignorance. "Attention, Squad!" and they all looked at + him in a way that meant business. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0021" id="linkimage-0021"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/067.jpg" alt="'right Shoulder Shift--arms!' 067 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Load in nine times—Load!" + </p> + <p> + Si couldn't quite understand what the "in" meant, but he had always been + handy with a shotgun, to the terror of the squirrels and coons up in Posey + County, and he thought he would show the Sergeant how spry he was. So he + rammed in a cartridge, put on a cap, held up his musket, and blazed away, + and then went to loading again as if his life depended upon his activity. + For an instant the Sergeant was speechless with amazement. At length his + tongue was loosened, and he roared out: + </p> + <p> + "What in the name of General Jackson are you doing, you measly idiot! Who + ordered you to load and fire your piece?" + </p> + <p> + "I—I th—thought you did!" said Si, trembling as if he had the + Wabash ague. "You said for us to load nine times. I thought nine loads + would fill 'er chuck full and bust 'er and I didn't see any way but to + shute 'em oft as fast as I got 'em in." + </p> + <p> + "No, sir! I gave the command according to Hardee, 'Load—in—nine—times!' + and ef yer hadn't bin in such a hurry you'd 'a' found out what that means. + Yer'll git along a good deal faster ef you'll go slower. Yer ought ter be + made ter carry a rail, and a big one, for two hours." + </p> + <p> + Si protested that he was sorry, and didn't mean to, and wouldn't do so + again, and the drill went on. The master went through all the nine "times" + of "Handle—Cartridge!" "Draw—Rammer!" etc., each with its two + or three "motions." It seemed like nonsense to Si. + </p> + <p> + "Boss," said he, "I kin get 'er loaded in just half the time ef yer'll let + me do it my own way!" + </p> + <p> + "Silence!"' thundered the Sergeant. "If you speak another word I'll have + ye gagged 'n' tied up by the thumbs!" + </p> + <p> + Si had always been used to speaking right out when he had anything to say, + and had not yet got his "unruly member" under thorough subjection. He saw + that it wouldn't do to fool with the Drill Sergeant, however, and he held + his peace. But Si kept thinking that if he got into a fight he would ram + in the cartridge and fire them out as fast as he could, without bothering + his head about the "one time and three motions." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0022" id="linkimage-0022"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/069.jpg" alt="'fix--bayonets!' 069 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Order—Arms!" commanded the Sergeant, after he had explained how it + was to be done. Si brought his gun down along with the rest like a + pile-driver, and it landed squarely on the foot of the man next to him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0023" id="linkimage-0023"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/065.jpg" alt="Brought his Gun Down on the Man's Foot 065 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Ou-ou-ouch!" remarked the victim of Si's inexperience. + </p> + <p> + "Didn't do it a'purpose, pard," said Si compassionately; "'pon my word I + didn't. I'll be more keerful after this." + </p> + <p> + His suffering comrade, in very pointed language, urged upon Si the + propriety of exercising a little more care. He determined that he would + manage to get some other fellow to stand next to Si after that. + </p> + <p> + "Shoulder—Arms!" ordered the Sergeant, and the guns came straggling + up into position. Then, after a few words of instruction, "Right shoulder + shift—Arms!" + </p> + <p> + "Don't you know your right shoulder?" said the Sergeant, with a good deal + of vinegar in his tone, to Si, who had his gun on the "larboard" side, as + a sailor would say. + </p> + <p> + "Beg yer pardon," said Si; "I always was lefthanded. I'll learn if yer + only gimme a show!" + </p> + <p> + "Silence!" again roared the Sergeant. "One more word, sir, and I will tie + ye up, fer a fact!" + </p> + <p> + The Sergeant got his squad down to an "order arms" again, and then, after + showing them how, he gave the order, "Fix—Bayonets!" + </p> + <p> + There was the usual clicking and clattering, during which Si dexterously + managed to stick his bayonet into the eye of his comrade, whose toes were + still aching from the blow of the butt of Si's musket. Si assured him he + was sorry, and that it was all a mistake, but his comrade thought the + limit of patience had been passed. So he confidently informed Si that as + soon as drill was over he was going to "pound the stuffin'" out of him, + and there wouldn't be any mistake about it, either. + </p> + <p> + When the hour was up the Captain of the company came around to see how the + boys were getting along. The upshot of it was that poor Si was immediately + organized into an "awkward squad" all by himself, and drilled an extra + hour. + </p> + <p> + "We'll see, Mr. Klegg," said the Captain, "if you can't learn to handle + your arms without mashing the toes and stabbing the eyes out of the rest + of the company." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. ON COMPANY DRILL + </h2> + <h3> + SI GETS TANGLED IN THE MAZES OF THE EVOLUTIONS. + </h3> + <p> + "ALL in for company drill!" + </p> + <p> + These words struck the unwilling ears of Co. Q, 200th Ind., the next time + Buell halted his army to draw a long breath. + </p> + <p> + "Wish somebody would shoot that durned Orderly," muttered Si Klegg. "For + two cents I'd do it myself." + </p> + <p> + "Don't do it, Si," admonished Shorty, "They'd git another one that'd be + just as bad. All orderlies are cusses." + </p> + <p> + Si believed it would be a case of justifiable homicide, and, if the truth + must be told, this feeling was largely shared by the other members of the + company. For more than a week the boys had been tramping over a + "macadamized" Kentucky pike. Feet were plentifully decorated with + blisters, legs were stiff and sore, and joints almost refused to perform + their functions. + </p> + <p> + It had rained nearly all the previous day, and the disgusted Hoosiers of + the 200th went sloshing along, wet to the skin, for 20 dreary miles. With + that diabolical care and method that were generally practiced at such + times, the Generals selected the worst possible locations for the camps. + The 200th was turned into a cornfield, where the men sank over their + shoetops in mud, and were ordered to bivouac for the night. The wagons + didn't get up at all. How they passed the slowly-dragging hours of that + dismal night will not be told at this time. Indeed, bare mention is enough + to recall the scene to those who have "been there." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0024" id="linkimage-0024"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/073.jpg" alt="Don't Care a Continental 073 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + In the morning, when the company was ordered out for drill, Si Klegg was + standing before the sputtering fire trying to dry his steaming clothes, + every now and then turning around to give the other side a chance. The + mercury in his individual thermometer had fallen to a very low point—in + fact, it was a cold day for Si's patriotism. He had reached that stage, + not by any means infrequent among the soldiers, when he "didn't care + whether school kept or not." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Si, I s'pose you love your country this mornin'!" said Shorty. He + was endeavoring to be cheerful under adverse circumstances. + </p> + <p> + "I ain't quite as certain about it," said Si, reflectively, "as I was when + I left home, up in Posey County. I'm afeared I haven't got enough of it to + last me through three years of this sort of thing!" + </p> + <p> + Si felt at that moment as though he was of no account for anything, unless + it was to be decked with paint and feathers and stood for a sign in front + of a cigar store. + </p> + <p> + The rain had ceased, and the Colonel of the 200th felt that he must, like + the busy bee, "improve each shining hour" in putting his command into + condition for effective service. So he told the Adjutant to have the + companies marched over to an adjacent pasture for drill. + </p> + <p> + "Attention, Co. Q!" shouted the Captain, after the Orderly had got the + boys limbered up enough to get into ranks. The Captain didn't know very + much about drilling himself, but he had been reading up "Hardee," and + thought he could handle the company; but it was a good deal like the blind + trying to lead the blind. + </p> + <p> + "Right—Face!" + </p> + <p> + Not quite half the men faced the wrong way, turning to the left instead of + the right, which was doing pretty well for a starter. + </p> + <p> + "Get around there, Klegg, and the rest of you fellows! Can't ye ever learn + anything." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0025" id="linkimage-0025"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/075.jpg" alt="'right--face!' 075 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Si was so particularly awkward that the Captain put him at the tail-end of + the company. Then he tried the right face again, and as the boys seemed to + get around in fair shape he commanded: + </p> + <p> + "Right shoulder shift arms! Forward—March!" + </p> + <p> + The company started off; but the Captain was not a little surprised, on + looking back, to see Si marching: off in the opposite direction. He had + faced the wrong way again, and, as he didn't see the others, he thought he + was all right, and away he went on his own hook, till a shout from the + Captain told him of his mistake. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0026" id="linkimage-0026"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/076.jpg" alt="'forward--march!' 076 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + When the Captain reached the field which was the drill-ground for the day, + he thought he would try a wheel. After a brief lecture to the company on + the subject he gave the command for the movement. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0027" id="linkimage-0027"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/077.jpg" alt="'company--right Wheel!' 077 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + It is scarcely necessary to say that the first trial was a sad failure. + The line bulged out in the center, and the outer flank, unable to keep up, + fell behind, the company assuming nearly the shape of a big letter C. Then + the boys on the outer end took the double-quick, cutting across the arc of + the proper circle, which soon resulted in a hopeless wreck of the whole + company. The Captain halted the chaotic mass of struggling men, and with + the help of the Orderly finally succeeded in getting them straightened out + and into line again. The men had often seen practiced soldiers going + through this most difficult of all tactical movements, and it seemed easy + enough; they didn't see why they couldn't do it just as well as the other + fellows. They kept at it, and in the course of half an hour had improved + so much that they could swing around in some kind of shape without the + line breaking to pieces. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. SI GETS A LETTER + </h2> + <h3> + AND WRITES ONE TO PRETTY ANNABEL, UNDER DIFFICULTIES. + </h3> + <p> + "COMPANY Q, tumble up here and git yer mail!" shouted the Orderly one + afternoon, soon after the 200th Ind. turned into a tobacco patch to + bivouac for the night. It had been two weeks since the regiment left + Louisville, and this was the first mail that had caught up with it. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to the boys as if they had been away from home a year. For a + whole fortnight they hadn't heard a word from their mothers, or sisters, + or their "girls." Si Klegg couldn't have felt more lonesome and forsaken + if he had been Robinson Crusoe. + </p> + <p> + In the excitement of distributing the mail everything else was forgotten.. + The boys were all getting their suppers, but at the thought of letters + from home even hunger had to take a back seat. + </p> + <p> + Si left his coffee-pot to tip over into the fire, and his bacon sizzling + in the frying-pan, as he elbowed his way into the crowd that huddled + around the Orderly. + </p> + <p> + "If there ain't more'n one letter for me," said Si softly to himself, "I + hope it'll be from Annabel; but, of course, I'd like to hear from Ma and + sister Marier, too!" + </p> + <p> + The Orderly, with a big package of letters in his hand, was calling out + the names, and as the boys received their letters they distributed + themselves through the camp, squatting about on rails or on the ground, + devouring with the greatest avidity the welcome messages from home. The + camp looked as if there had been a snowstorm. + </p> + <p> + Si waited anxiously to hear his name called as the pile letters rapidly + grew smaller, and he began to think he was going to get left. + </p> + <p> + "Josiah Klegg!" at length shouted the Orderly, as he held out two letters. + Si snatched them from his hand, went off by himself, and sat down on a + log. + </p> + <p> + Si looked at his letters and saw that one of them was addressed in a + pretty hand. He had never received a letter from Annabel before, but he + "felt it in his bones" that this one was from her. He glanced around to be + certain nobody was looking at him, and gently broke the seal, while a + ruddy glow overspread his beardless cheeks. But he was secure from + observation, as everybody else was similarly intent. + </p> + <p> + "Dear Si," the letter began. He didn't have to turn over to the bottom of + the last page to know what name he would find there. He read those words + over and over a dozen times, and they set his nerves tingling clear down + to his toe-nails. Si forgot his aches and blisters as he read on through + those delicious lines. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0028" id="linkimage-0028"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/081.jpg" alt="It's from Annabel 081 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + She wrote how anxious she was to hear from him and how cruel it was of him + not to write to her real often; how she lay awake nights thinking about + him down among those awful rebels; how she supposed that by this time he + must be full of bullet-holes; and didn't he ge' hungry sometimes, and + wasn't it about time for him to get a furlough? how it was just too mean + for anything that those men down South had to get up a war; how proud she + was of Si because he had 'listed, and how she watched the newspapers every + day to find some thing about him; how she wondered how many rebels he had + killed, and if he had captured any batteries yet—she said she didn't + quite know what batteries were, but she read a good deal about capturing + 'em, and she supposed it was something all the soldiers did; how she hoped + he wouldn't forget her, and she'd like to see how he looked, now that he + was a real soldier, and her father had sold the old "mooley" cow, and + Sally Perkins was engage to Jim Johnson, who had stayed at home, and as + for herself she wouldn't have anybody but a soldier about the size of Si, + and 'Squire Jones's son had been trying to shine up to her and cut Si out, + but she sent him off with a flea in his ear. + </p> + <p> + "Yours till deth, Annabel." + </p> + <p> + The fact that there was a word misspelt now and then did not detract in + the least from the letter, so pleasing to Si. In fact, he was a little + lame in orthography himself, so that he had neither the ability nor the + disposition to scan Annabel's pages with a critic's eye. Si was happy, and + as he began to cast about for his supper he even viewed with complacence + his bacon burned to a crisp and his capsized coffee-pot helplessly melting + away in the fire. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Si, what does she say?" said his friend Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "What does who say?" replied Si, getting red in the face, and bristling up + and trying to assume an air of indifference. + </p> + <p> + "Just look here now. Si," said Shorty, "you can't play that on me. How + about that rosy-cheeked girl up in Posey County?" + </p> + <p> + It was Si's tender spot. He hadn't got used to that sort of thing yet, and + he felt that the emotions that made his heart throb like a sawmill were + too sacred to be fooled with. Impelled by a sudden impulse he smote Shorty + fairly between the eyes, felling him to the ground. + </p> + <p> + The Orderly, who happened to be near, took Si by the ear and marched him + up to the Captain's quarters. + </p> + <p> + "Have him carry a rail in front of my tent for an hour!" thundered the + Captain. "Don't let it be a splinter, either; pick out a good, heavy one. + And, Orderly, detail a guard to keep Mr. Klegg moving." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0029" id="linkimage-0029"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/083.jpg" alt="Si Carries a Rail 083 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Of course, it was very mortifying to Si, and he would have been almost + heartbroken had he not been comforted by the thought that it was all for + her! At first he felt as if he would like to take that rail and charge + around and destroy the whole regiment; but, on thinking it over, he made + up his mind that discretion was the better part of valor. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Si's hour was up, and he had eaten supper and "made up" with + Shorty, he set about answering his letter. When, on his first march, Si + cleaned out all the surplusage from his knapsack, he had hung on to a + pretty portfolio that his sister gave him. This was stocked with postage + stamps and writing materials, including an assortment of the envelopes of + the period, bearing in gaudy colors National emblems, stirring legends, + and harrowing scenes of slaughter, all intended to stimulate the patriotic + impulses and make the breast of the soldier a very volcano of martial + ardor. + </p> + <p> + When Si got out his nice portfolio he found it to be an utter wreck. It + had been jammed into a shapeless mass, and, besides this, it had been + soaked with rain; paper and envelopes were a pulpy ruin, and the postage + stamps were stuck around here and there in the chaos. It was plain that + this memento of home had fallen an early victim to the hardships of + campaign life, and that its days of usefulness were over. + </p> + <p> + "It's no use; 'tain't any good," said Si sorrowfully, as he tossed the + debris into the fire, after vainly endeavoring to save from the wreck + enough to carry, out his epistolary scheme. + </p> + <p> + Then he went to the sutler—or "skinner," as he was better known—and + paid 10 cents for a sheet of paper and an envelope, on which were the + cheerful words, "It is sweet to die for one's country!" and 10 cents more + for a 3-cent postage stamp. He borrowed a leadpencil, hunted up a piece of + crackerbox, and sat down to his work by the flickering light of the fire. + Si wrote: + </p> + <p> + "Deer Annie." + </p> + <p> + There he stopped, and while he was scratching his head and thinking what + he would say next the Orderly came around detailing guards for the night, + and directed Klegg to get his traps and report at once for duty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0030" id="linkimage-0030"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/085.jpg" alt="Si Writes to 'deer Annie.' 085 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "It hain't my turn," said Si. "There's Bill Brown, and Jake Schneider, and + Pat Dooley, and a dozen more—I've been since they have!" + </p> + <p> + But the Orderly did not even deign to reply. Si remembered the + guard-house, and his shoulder still ached from the rail he had carried + that evening; so he quietly folded up his paper and took his place with + the detail. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the army moved early, and Si had no chance to resume his + letter. As soon as the regiment halted, after an 18-mile march, he tackled + it again. This time nothing better offered in the way of a writing-desk + than a tin plate, which he placed face downward upon his knee. Thus + provided, Si plunged briskly into the job before him, with the following + result: + </p> + <p> + "I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well, except the + doggoned blisters on my feet, and I hope these few lines may find you + enjoying the same blessings." + </p> + <p> + Si thought this was neat and a good start for his letter. Just as he had + caught an idea for the next sentence a few scattering shots were heard on + the picket-line, and in an instance the camp was in commotion. "Tall in!" + "Be lively, men!" were heard on every hand. + </p> + <p> + Si sprang as if he had received a galvanic shock, cramming the letter into + his pocket. Of course, there wasn't any fight. It was only one of the + scares that formed so large a part of that campaign. But it spoiled Si's + letter-writing for the time. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly a week before he got his letter done. He wrote part of it + using for a desk the back of a comrade who was sitting asleep by the fire. + He worked at it whenever he could catch a few minutes between the marches + and the numerous details for guard, picket, fatigue and other duty. He + said to Annie: + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0031" id="linkimage-0031"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/087.jpg" alt="An Army Writing-desk 087 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Bein' a soljer aint quite what they crack it up to be when + they're gittin' a fellow to enlist. It's mity rough, and + you'd better believe it. You ought to be glad you're a gurl + and don't haf to go. I wish't I was a gurl sometimes. I + haven't kild enny rebbles yet. I hain't even seen one except + a fiew raskils that was tuk in by the critter soljers, they + calls em cavilry. Me and all the rest of the boys wants to + hav a fite, but it looks like Ginral Buil was afeared, and + we don't git no chance. I axed the Ordly couldn't he get me + a furlow. The Ordly jest laft and says to me, Si, says he, + yer don't know as much as a mule. The Capt'n made me walk up + and down for an hour with a big rail on my sholder. + + "You tell Squire Joneses boy that he haint got sand enuff to + jine the army, and if he don't keep away from you I'll bust + his eer when I git home, if I ever do. Whattle you do if I + shouldn't ever see you agin? But you no this glorus Govyment + must be pertected, and the bully Stars and Strips must + flote, and your Si is goin to help do it. + + "My pen is poor, my ink is pale, + My luv for you shall never fale. + + "Yours, aflfeckshnitly, Si Klegg." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. SI AND THE DOCTORS + </h2> + <h3> + HE JOINS THE PALE PROCESSION AT SICK-CALL. + </h3> + <p> + SI KLEGG was a good specimen of a healthy, robust Hoosier lad—for he + could scarcely be called' a man yet. Since he lay in his cradle and was + dosed with paregoric and catnip tea like other babies, he had never seen a + sick day, except when he had the mumps on "both sides" at once. He had + done all he could to starve the doctors. + </p> + <p> + When the 200th Ind. took the field it had the usual outfit of men who + wrote their names sandwiched between a military title in front and "M. D." + behind, a big hospital tent, and an apothecary shop on wheels, loaded to + the guards with quinine, blue-mass, castor oil, epsom salts, and all other + devices to assuage the sufferings of humanity. + </p> + <p> + The boys all started out in good shape, and there had been hardly time for + them to get sick much yet. So up to this stage of the regiment's history + the doctors had found little to do but issue arnica and salve for lame + legs and blistered feet, and strut around in their shiny uniforms. + </p> + <p> + But there came a day when they had all they could attend to. On going into + camp one afternoon, the regiment, well in advance, struck a big field of + green corn and an orchard of half-ripe apples. Of course, the boys sailed + in, and natural consequences followed. + </p> + <p> + "Now this is something like!" said Si, as he squatted on the ground along + with Shorty and half a dozen messmates. They surrounded a camp-kettle full + of steaming ears and half a bushel or so of apples heaped on a poncho. + </p> + <p> + "Wish we had some o' mother's butter to grease this corn with," observed + Si, as he flung a cob into the fire and seized a fresh ear. + </p> + <p> + All agreed that Si's head was level on the butter question, but under all + the circumstances of the case they were glad enough to have the com + without butter. + </p> + <p> + The ears went off with amazing rapidity. Every man seemed to be afraid he + wouldn't get his share. When the kettle was empty the boys turned + themselves loose on the apples, utterly reckless of results. So, they were + filled full, and were thankful. + </p> + <p> + When Si got up he burst off half the buttons on his clothes. He looked as + if he was carrying a bass-drum in front of him. After he began to shrink + he had to tie up his clothes with a string until he had a chance to repair + damages. But during the next 24 hours he had something else to think of. + </p> + <p> + In fact, it wasn't long till Si began to wish he had eaten an ear of corn + and an apple or two less. He didn't feel very well. He turned in early, + thinking he would go to sleep and be all right in the morning. + </p> + <p> + Along in the night he uttered a yell that came near stampeding the + company. An enormous colic was raging around in his interior, and Si + fairly howled with pain. He thought he was going: to die right away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0032" id="linkimage-0032"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/091.jpg" alt="Laying the Foundation 091 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Shorty," said he, between the gripes, to his comrade, "I'm afeared I'm + goin' to peter out. After I'm gone you write to—to—Annie and + tell her I died for my country like a man. I'd ruther been shot than die + with the colic, but I 'spose 'twont make much difference after it's all + over!" 9 "I'll do it," replied Shorty. "We'll plant you in good shape; and + Si, we'll gather up the corn-cobs and build a monument over you!" + </p> + <p> + But Si wasn't cut off in the bloom of youth by that colic. His eruptive + condition frightened Shorty, however, and though he was in nearly as bad + shape himself, he went up and routed out one of the doctors, who growled a + good deal about being disturbed. + </p> + <p> + The debris of the supper scattered about the camp told him what was the + matter, and he had no need to make a critical diagnosis of Si's case. He + gave him a dose of something or other that made the pain let up a little, + and Si managed to rub along through the night. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for Si, and for more than half the members of the regiment, + the army did not move next day, and the doctors had a good opportunity to + get in their work. + </p> + <p> + At the usual hour in the morning the bugle blew the "sick-call." A + regiment of tanned and grizzled veterans from Ohio lay next to the 200th + Ind., and as Si lay there he heard them take up the music: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Git yer qui-nine! Git yer qui-nine! + Tumble up you sick and lame and blind; + Git a-long right smart, you'll be left be-hind." +</pre> + <p> + "Fall in fer yer ipecac!" shouted the Orderly of Co. Q. Si joined the + procession and went wabbling up to the "doctor's" shop. He was better than + he had been during the night, but still looked a good deal discouraged. + </p> + <p> + It was a regular matinee that day. The Surgeon and his assistants were all + on hand, as the various squads, colicky and cadaverous, came to a focus in + front of the tent. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0033" id="linkimage-0033"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/093.jpg" alt="A Rude Awakening 093 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The doctors worked off the patients at a rapid rate, generally prescribing + the same medicine for all, no matter what ailed them. This was the way the + army doctors always did, but it happened in this case that they were not + far wrong, as the ailments, arising from a common cause, were much the + same. + </p> + <p> + Si waited till his turn came, and received his rations from the Hospital + Steward. Of course, he was excused from duty for the day, and as he + speedily recovered his normal condition he really had a good time. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0034" id="linkimage-0034"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/094.jpg" alt="Visits the Doctor 094 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + A few days after this the whole regiment was ordered on fatigue duty to + repair an old corduroy road. Si didn't want to go, and "played off." He + told the Orderly he wasn't able to work, but the Orderly said he would + have to shoulder an ax or a shovel, unless he was excused by the doctor. + He went up at sick-call and made a wry face, with his hands clasped over + his body in the latitude of his waistband. + </p> + <p> + The doctor gave him a lot of blue-mass pills, which Si threw into the fire + as soon as he got back to his quarters. Then he played seven-up all day + with Shorty, who had learned before Si did how to get a day off when he + wanted it. + </p> + <p> + Si thought it was a great scheme, but he tried it once too often. The + doctor "caught on," and said, the next time Si went up, that castor oil + was what he needed to fetch him around. So he poured out a large dose and + made Si take it right then and there. + </p> + <p> + The next time fatigue duty was ordered Si thought he felt well enough to + go along with the boys. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. THE PLAGUE OF THE SOLDIER + </h2> + <h3> + INTRODUCTION TO "ONE WHO STICKETH CLOSER THAN A BROTHER." + </h3> + <p> + "HELLO Si; goin' for a soljer, ain't ye?" + </p> + <p> + "You bet!" + </p> + <p> + "Wall, you'd better b'lieve its great fun; it's jest a picnic all the + time! But, say, Si, let's see yer finger-nails!" + </p> + <p> + "I'd like ter know what finger-nails 's got to do with soljerin'!" said + Si. "The 'cruitin' ossifer 'n' the man 't keeps the doctor shop made me + shuck myself, 'n' then they 'xamined my teeth, 'n' thumped me in the ribs, + 'n' rubbed down my legs, 'n' looked at my hoofs, same 's if 'I'd bin a + hoss they wuz buyin', but they didn't say nothin' 'bout my finger-nails." + </p> + <p> + "You jest do 's I tell ye; let 'em grow, 'n' keep 'em right sharp. Ye'll + find plenty o' use fer 'em arter a while, 'n' 'twont be long, nuther. I + know what I'm talkin' 'bout; I've been thar!" + </p> + <p> + This conversation took place a day or two before Si bade farewell to his + mother and sister Marier and pretty Annabel and left the peaceful + precincts of Posey County to march away with the 200th Ind. for that awful + place vaguely designated as "the front!" He had promptly responded to the + call, and his name was near the top of the list of Company Q. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0035" id="linkimage-0035"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/097.jpg" alt="'let Yer Nails Grow; Ye'll Need 'em' 097 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Si already had his blue clothes on. By enlisting early he had a good pick + of the various garments, and so got a suit that fitted his form—which + was plump as an apple-dumpling tolerably well. It was left for the + tail-enders of the company to draw trousers that were six inches too long + or too short, and blouses that either wouldn't reach around, and left + yawning chasms in front, or were so large that they looked as if they were + hung on bean-poles. + </p> + <p> + Of course, Si couldn't be expected to do any more plodding farm work, now + that he had "jined" the army. While the company was filling up he spent + most of his time on dress parade in the village near by, eliciting + admiring smiles from all the girls, and an object of the profoundest awe + and wonder to tha small boys. + </p> + <p> + One day Si was sitting on the sugar-barrel in the corner grocery, gnawing + a "blind robin," and telling how he thought the war wouldn't last long + after the 200th Ind. got down there and took a hand and got fairly + interested in the game; they would wind it up in short meter. Such ardent + emotions always seethed and bubbled in the swelling breasts of the new + troops when they came down to show the veterans just how to do it. + </p> + <p> + One of the town boys who had been a year in the service, had got a bullet + through his arm in a skirmish, and was at home on furlough, came into the + store, and then took place the dialog between him and Si that opens this + chapter. + </p> + <p> + Si wondered a good deal what the veteran meant about the finger-nails. He + did not even know that there existed in any nature a certain active and + industrious insect which, before he had been in the army a great while, + would cause his heart to overflow with gratitude to a beneficent + Providence for providing him with nails on his fingers. + </p> + <p> + When the 200th left Indiana all the boys had, of course, brand-new outfits + right from Uncle Sam's great one-price clothing house. Their garments were + nice and clean, their faces well washed, and their hair yet showed marks + of the comb. At Louisville they stuck up their noses, with a lofty + consciousness of superiority, at the sight of Buell's tanned and ragged + tramps, who had just come up on the gallop from Tennessee and northern + Alabama. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0036" id="linkimage-0036"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/099.jpg" alt="'say, Cap, What Kind O' Bug is This?' 099 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + If the new Hoosier regiment had been quartered for a while in long-used + barracks, or had pitched its tents in an old camp, Si would very soon have + learned, in the school of experience, the delightful uses of finger-nails. + But the 200th stayed only a single night in Louisville and then joined the + procession that started on the chase after the rebel army. It generally + camped on new ground, and under these circumstances the insect to which + allusion has been made did not begin its work of devastation with that + suddenness that usually marked its attack upon soldiers entering the + field. But he never failed to "git there" sooner or later, and it was more + frequently sooner than later. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, when a few days out on this march, a regiment of Wisconsin + veterans bivouacked next to the 200th Ind. The strange antics as they + threw off their accouterments attracted Si's attention. + </p> + <p> + "Look a' thar," he said to Shorty. "What 'n name of all the prophets 's + them fellers up to?" + </p> + <p> + "Seems like they was scratchin' theirselves!" + </p> + <p> + "I s'pose that's on account of the dust 'n' sweat," said Si. + </p> + <p> + "It's a mighty sight worse 'n that!" replied Shorty, who knew more about + these things than Si did. "I reckon we'll all be doin' like they are 'fore + long." + </p> + <p> + Si whistled softly to himself as he watched the Wisconsin boys. They were + hitching and twisting their shoulders about, evidently enjoying the + friction of the clothing upon their skins. There was a general employment + of fingers, and often one would be seen getting come other fellow to + scratch his back around where he couldn't reach himself. If everybody was + too busy to do this for him he would back up to a tree and rub up and down + against the bark. + </p> + <p> + Life has few pleasures that can equal the sensations of delightful + enjoyment produced in those days, when graybacks were plenty, by rubbing + against a tree that nicely fitted the hollow of the back, after throwing + off one's "traps" at the end of a day's march. + </p> + <p> + Directly the Wisconsin chaps began to scatter into the woods. Si watched + them as they got behind the trees and threw off their blouses and shirts. + He thought at first that perhaps they were going in swimming, but there + was no stream of water at hand large enough to justify this theory in + explanation of their nudity. As each man set down, spread his nether + garment over his knees and appeared to be intently engaged, with eyes and + fingers. Si's curiosity was very much excited. + </p> + <p> + "Looks 's if they wuz all mendin' up their shirts and sewin' on buttons," + said Si, "Guess it's part o' their regular drill, ain't it, Shorty?" + </p> + <p> + Shorty laughed at Si's ignorant simplicity. He knew what those veterans + were doing, and he knew that Si would have to come to it, but he didn't + want to shock his tender sensibilities by telling him of it. + </p> + <p> + "Them fellers ain't sewin' on no buttons. Si," he replied; "they're + skirmishin'." + </p> + <p> + "Skirmishin'!" exclaimed Si, opening his eyes very wide. "I haint seen any + signs o' rebs 'round here, 'n' there aint any shootin' goin' on, 'nless + I've lost my hearin'. Durned if 't aint the funniest skirmishin' I ever + hearn tell of!" + </p> + <p> + "Now, don't ax me nuthin' more 'bout it, Si," said Shorty. "All I'm goin' + to tell ye is that the longer ye live the more ye'll find things out. + Let's flax 'round 'n' git supper!" + </p> + <p> + A little while after, as Si was squatting on the ground holding the + frying-pan over the fire, he saw a strange insect vaguely wandering about + on the sleeve of his blouse. It seemed to be looking for something, and Si + became interested as he watched it traveling up and down his arm. He had + never seen one like it before, and he thought he would like to know what + it was. He would have asked Shorty, but his comrade had gone to the spring + for water. Casting his eye around he saw the Captain, who chanced to be + sauntering through the camp. + </p> + <p> + The Captain of Co. Q had been the Principal of a seminary in Posey County, + and was looked upon with awe by the simple folk as a man who knew about + all that was worth knowing. Si thought he might be able to tell him all + about the harmless's-looking little stranger. + </p> + <p> + So he put down his frying-pan and stepped up to the Captain, holding out + his arm and keeping his eye on the insect so that he shouldn't get away. + </p> + <p> + "Good evenin', Cap.," said Si, touching his hat, and addressing him with + that familiar disregard of official dignity that characterised the average + volunteer, who generally felt that he was just as good as anybody who wore + shoulder straps. + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, Klegg," said the Captain, returning the salute. + </p> + <p> + "Say, Cap, you've been ter collidge 'n' got filled up with book-larnin'; + p'raps ye kin tell me what kind o' bug this is. I'm jest a little bit + curious to know." + </p> + <p> + And Si pointed to the object of his inquiry that was leisurely creeping + toward a hole in the elbow of his outer garment. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Josiah," said the Captain, after a brief inspection, "I presume I + don't know quite as much as some people think I do; but I guess I can tell + you something about that insect. I never had any of them myself, but I've + read of them." + </p> + <p> + "Never had 'em himself," thought Si. "What 'n the world does ha mean?" And + Si's big eyes opened with wonder and fear at the thought that whatever it + was he had "got 'em." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose," continued the Captain, "you would like to know the scientific + name?" + </p> + <p> + "I reck'n that'll do 's well 's any." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir, that is a Pediculus. That's a Latin word, but it's his name." + </p> + <p> + "Purty big name fer such a leetle bug, ain't it, Perfessor?" observed Si. + "Name's big enough for an el'fant er a 'potamus." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0037" id="linkimage-0037"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/103.jpg" alt="'skirmishing' 103 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "It may seem so, Klegg; but when you get intimately acquainted with him I + think you will find that his name isn't any too large for him. There is a + good deal more of him than you think." + </p> + <p> + The young soldier's eyes opened still wider. + </p> + <p> + "I was going on to tell you," continued the Captain, "that there are + several kinds of Pediculi—we don't say Pediculuses. There is the + Pediculus Capitis—Latin again—but it means the kind that lives + on the head. I presume when you were a little shaver your mother now and + then harrowed your head with a fine-tooth comb?" + </p> + <p> + "Ya-as" said Si; "she almost took the hide off sometimes, an' made me yell + like an Injun." + </p> + <p> + "Now, Klegg, I don't wish to cause you unnecessary alarm, but I will say + that the head insect isn't a circumstance to this one on your arm. As you + would express it, perhaps, he can't hold a candle to him. This fellow is + the Pediculus Corporis!" + </p> + <p> + "I s'pose that means they eats up Corporals!" said Si. + </p> + <p> + "I do not think the Pediculus Corporis confines himself exclusively to + Corporals, as his name might indicate," said the Captain, laughing at Si's + literal translation and his personal application of the word. "He no doubt + likes a juicy and succulent Corporal, but I don't believe he is any + respecter of persons. That's my opinion, from what I've heard about him. + It is likely that I 'will be able to speak more definitely, from + experience, after a while. Corporis means that he is the kind that + pastures on the human body. But there's one thing more about this fellow, + some call him Pediculus Vestimenti; that is because he lives around in the + clothing." + </p> + <p> + "But we don't wear no vests," said Si, taking a practical view of this new + word; "nothin' but blouses, 'n' pants, 'n' shirts." + </p> + <p> + "You are too literal, Klegg. That word means any kind of clothes. But I + guess I've told you as much about him as you care to know at present. If + you want any more information, after two or three weeks, come and see me + again. I think by that time you will not find it necessary to ask any more + questions." + </p> + <p> + Si went back to his cooking, with the Pediculus still on his arm. He + wanted to show it to Shorty. The Captain's profound explanation, with its + large words, was a little too much for Si. He did not yet clearly + comprehend the matter, and as he walked thoughtfully to where Shorty was + "bilin'" the coffee he was trying to get through his head what it all + meant. + </p> + <p> + "Hello, Si," said Shorty; "whar ye bin? What d'ye mean, goin' off 'n' + leavin' yer sowbelly half done?" + </p> + <p> + "Sh-h!" replied Si. "Ye needn't git yer back up about it. Bin talkin' to + the Cap'n. Shorty, look at that 'ere bug!" + </p> + <p> + And Si pointed to the object of the Captain's lecture on natural history + that was still creeping on his arm. Shorty slapped his thigh and burst + into a loud laugh. + </p> + <p> + "Was that what ye went to see the Cap'n 'bout?" he asked as soon as he + could speak. + </p> + <p> + "Why—ya-as," replied Si, somewhat surprised at Shorty's unseemly + levity. "I saw that thing crawlin' round, 'n' I was a-wonderin' what it + was, fer I never seen one afore. I knowed Cap was a scolard, 'n' a + perfesser, 'n' all that 'n' I 'lowed he c'd tell me all about it. So I + went 'n' axed him." + </p> + <p> + "What'd he tell ye?" + </p> + <p> + "He told me lots o' big, heathenish words, 'n' said this bug was a + ridiculous, or suthin' like that." + </p> + <p> + "'Diculus be blowed!" said Shorty, "The ole man was a'stuffin' ye. I'll + tell ye what that is, Si," he added solemnly, "that's a grayback!" + </p> + <p> + "A grayback!" said Si. "I've hearn 'em call the Johnnies graybacks, but I + didn't know 's there was any other kind." + </p> + <p> + "I reck'n 'twont be long, now, till yer catches on ter the meanin' ol what + a grayback is. Ye'll know all 'bout it purty sudden. This ain't the first + one I ever seen." + </p> + <p> + Si was impressed, as he had often been before, by Shorty's superior wisdom + and experience. + </p> + <p> + "See here. Si," Shorty continued, as his eye suddenly lighted up with a + brilliant thought, "I guess I kin make ye understand what a grayback is. + What d'ye call that coat ye've got on?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, that's a fool question; it's a blouse, of course!" + </p> + <p> + "Jesso!" said Shorty. "Now, knock off the fust letter o' that word, 'n' + see what ye got left!" + </p> + <p> + Si looked at Shorty as if he thought his conundrums were an indication of + approaching idiocy. Then he said, half to himself: + </p> + <p> + "Let's see! Blouse—blouse—take off the 'b' 'n' she spells + l-o-u-s-e, louse! Great Scott, Shorty, is that a louse?" + </p> + <p> + "That's jest the size of it. Si. Ye'll have millions of 'em 'fore the + war's over 'f they don't hurry up the cakes." + </p> + <p> + Si looked as if he would like to dig a hole in the ground, get into it, + and have Shorty cover him up. + </p> + <p> + "Why didn't the Cap'n tell me it was that? He said suthin' about ridiculus + corporalis, and I thought he was makin' fun o' me. He said these bugs + liked to eat fat Corporals.' + </p> + <p> + "I reck'n that's so," replied Shorty; "but they likes other people jest as + well—even a skinny feller like me. They lunches off'n privits, 'n' + Corp'rils, 'n' Kurnals, 'n' Gin'rals, all the same. They ain't satisfied + with three square meals a day, nuther; they jest eats right along all the + time 'tween regular meals. They allus gits hungry in the night, too, and + chaws a feller up while he sleeps. They don't give ye no show at all. I + rayther think the graybacks likes the ossifers best if they could have + their ch'ice, 'cause they's fatter 'n the privits; they gits better grub." + </p> + <p> + Si fairly turned pale as he contemplated the picture so graphically + portrayed by Shorty. The latter's explanation was far more effectual in + letting the light in upon Si's mind than the scientific disquisition of + the "Perfesser." He had now a pretty clear idea of what a "grayback" was. + Whatever he lacked to make his knowledge complete was soon supplied in the + regular way. But Si was deeply grieved and shocked at what Shorty had told + him. It was some minutes before he said anything more. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," he said, with a sadness in his tone that would almost have moved + a mule to tears, "who'd a-thought rd ever git as low down 's this, to have + them all-fired graybacks, 's ye call 'em, crawlin' over me. How'd mother + feel if she knew about 'em. She wouldn't sleep a wink fer a month!" + </p> + <p> + "Ye'll have to come to it. Si. All the soljers does, from the + Major-Gin'rals down to the tail-end of the mule-whackers. Ye mind them + 'Sconsin chaps we was lookin' at a little bit ago?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Si. + </p> + <p> + "Well, graybacks was what ailed 'em. The fellers with their shirts on + their knees was killin' 'em off. That's what they calls 'skirmishin'. + There's other kinds o' skirmishing besides fitin' rebels! Ye'd better git + rid of that one on yer arm, if he hasn't got inside already; then there'll + be one less of 'em." + </p> + <p> + Si found him after a short search, and proposed to get a chip, carry him + to the fire and throw him in. + </p> + <p> + "Naw!" said Shorty in disgust, "that's no way. Lemme show yer how!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0038" id="linkimage-0038"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/107.jpg" alt="'naw! Lemme Show Ye How!' 107 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Shorty placed one thumb-nail on each side of the insect. There was a quick + pressure, a snap like the crack of a percussion cap, and all was over. + </p> + <p> + Si shuddered, and wondered if he could ever engage in such a work of + slaughter. + </p> + <p> + "D'ye s'pose," he said to Shorty, "that there's any more of 'em on me?" + And he began to hitch his shoulders about, and to feel a desire to put his + fingers to active use. + </p> + <p> + "Shouldn't wonder," replied Shorty. "Mebbe I've got 'em, to. Let's go + out'n do a little skirmishin' ourselves." + </p> + <p> + "We'd better go off a good ways," said Si, "so's the boys won't see us." + </p> + <p> + "You're too nice and pertickler for a soljer. Si. They'll all be doin' it, + even the Cap'n himself, by termorrer or nex' day." + </p> + <p> + They went out back of the camp, where Si insisted on getting behind the + largest tree he could find. Then they sat down and engaged in that + exciting chase of the Pediculus up and down the seams of their garments, + so familiar to all who wore either the blue or the gray. Thousands of nice + young men who are now preachers and doctors and lawyers and statesmen, + felt just as bad about it at first as Si did. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si, as they slowly walked back to eat their supper, which + had been neglected in the excitement of the hour, "before Co. Q left Posey + County to jine the rigiment a feller 't was home on furlow told me ter let + my finger-nails grow long 'n' sharp. He said I'd need 'em. I didn't know + what he meant then, but I b'lieve I do now." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. A WET NIGHT + </h2> + <h3> + THE DEPRAVITY OF AN ARMY TENT REVEALS ITSELF. + </h3> + <p> + NIGHT threw her dark mantle over the camp of the 200th Ind. The details of + guard and picket had been made. Videts, with sleepless eye and listening + ear, kept watch and ward on the outposts, while faithful sentries trod + their beats around the great bivouac. All day the army had marched, and + was to take the road again at an early hour in the morning. Supper had + been eaten, and the tired soldiers were gathered around the campfires that + gleamed far and near through the darkness. + </p> + <p> + "Si," said Shorty to his chum as they sat on a log beside the dying + embers, "how d'ye like soldierin', as fur as ye've got?" + </p> + <p> + "It's purty hard business," said Si, reflectively, "an' I s'pose we haint + seen the worst on it yet, either, from what I've hearn tell. Pity the men + that got up this war can't be made to do all the trampin' 'n' fitin'. An' + them fellers up in old Injjeanny that come 'round makin' such red-hot + speeches to git us boys to 'list, wouldn't it be fun to see 'em humpin' + 'long with gun 'n' knapsack, 'n' chawin' hardtack, 'n' stan'in' guard + nights, 'n' pourin' water on their blisters, 'n' pickin' graybacks off + their shirts, 'n' p'leecin' camp, 'n' washin' their own clothes?" + </p> + <p> + "I think we'd enj'y seein' 'em do all that," said Shorty, laughing at the + picture Si had drawn. "I reckon most of 'em 'd peter out purty quick, and + I'd like to hear what sort o' speeches they'd, make then. I tell ye, Si, + there's a big diff'rence 'tween goin' yerself an' tellin' some other + feller to go." + </p> + <p> + "Mebbe they'll git to draftin' after a while," observed Si, "'n' if they + do I hope that'll ketch em!" + </p> + <p> + "Wall, we're in fur it, anyway," said Shorty. "Let's take down the bed 'n' + turn in!" + </p> + <p> + It didn't take long to complete the arrangements for the night. They + spread their "gum" blankets, or ponchos, on the ground, within the tent, + and on these their wool blankets, placed their knapsacks at the head for + pillows, and that was all. It was warmer than usual that evening, and they + stripped down to their nether garments. + </p> + <p> + "Feels good once in a while," said Si, "to peel a feller's clothes oft, + 'n' sleep in a Christian-like way. But, Great Scott! Shorty, ain't this + ground lumpy? It's like lying on a big washboard. I scooted all over the + country huntin' fer straw to-night. There wasn't but one little stack + within a mile of camp. Them derned Ohio chaps gobbled every smidgin of it. + They didn't leave enuff to make a hummin'-bird's nest. The 200th Ind. 'll + git even with 'em some day." + </p> + <p> + So Si and Shorty crept in between the blankets, drew the top one up to + their chins, and adjusted their bodily protuberances as best they could to + fit the ridges and hollows beneath them. + </p> + <p> + "Now, Si," said Shorty, "don't ye git to fitin' rebels in yer sleep and + kick the kiver off, as ye did last night." + </p> + <p> + As they lay there their ears caught the music of the bugles sounding the + "tattoo." Far and near floated through the clear night air the familiar + melody that warned every soldier not on duty to go to bed. Next to the + 200th Ind. lay a regiment of wild Michigan veterans, who struck up, + following the strains of the bugles: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Say, oh Dutch'y, will ye fight mit Si-gel? + Zwei glass o' la-ger, Yaw! Yaw! Yaw!!! + Will yet fight to help de bul-ly ea-gle? + + Schweitzer-ksse und pret-zels, + Hur-raw! raw! raw! +</pre> + <p> + During the night there came one of those sudden storms that seemed to be + sent by an inscrutable Providence especially to give variety to the + soldier's life. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0039" id="linkimage-0039"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/111.jpg" alt="Struck by a Cyclone 111 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + A well-developed cyclone struck the camp, and Si and Shorty were soon + awakened by the racket. The wind was blowing and whirling in fierce gusts, + wrenching out the tent-pins or snapping the ropes as if they were threads. + Everywhere was heard the flapping of canvas, and the yells and shouts of + the men as they dashed about in the darkness and wild confusion. Many of + the tents were already prostrate, and their demoralized inmates were + crawling out from under the ruin. To crown all the rain began to fall in + torrents. The camp was a vast pandemonium. The blackest darkness + prevailed, save when the scene was illuminated by flashes of lightning. + These were followed by peals of thunder that made the stoutest quake. + </p> + <p> + Si sprang up at the first alarm. "Git up, here, you fellers!" he shouted. + "We'd better go outside and grab the ropes, or the hull shebang 'll go + over." + </p> + <p> + There was not a moment to spare. Si dashed out into the storm and + darkness, followed by his comrades. Seizing the ropes, some of which were + already loosened, they braced themselves and hung on for dear life, in the + drenching rain, their hair and garments streaming in the wind. + </p> + <p> + Si's prompt action saved the tent from the general wreck. The fury of the + storm was soon past. Si and his comrades, after driving the pins and + securing the ropes, re-entered the tent, wet and shivering for the mercury + had gone down with a tumble, or rather it would have done so had they been + supplied with thermometers. But the scanty costume in which Si found + himself afforded a weather indicator sufficiently accurate for all + practical purposes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0040" id="linkimage-0040"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/115.jpg" alt="Supper Under Difficulties 115 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The ground was flooded, and their blankets and garments were fast + absorbing the water that flowed around in such an exasperating way. Sleep + under such conditions was out of the question. Si and Shorty put on their + clothes and tried to make the best of their sorry plight. + </p> + <p> + By this time the rain had nearly ceased. Fortunately they had laid in a + good stock of fuel the night before, and after a little patient effort + they succeeded in getting a fire started. Around this the boys hovered, + alternately warming their calves and shins. + </p> + <p> + "This is a leetle more'n I bargained fer," said Si. Then, taking a + philosophical view of the case, he added, "but there's one good thing + about it, Shorty, we'll be all fixed for mornin', an' we won't have to get + up when they sound the revel-lee. The buglers kin jest bust theirselves + a-blowin' fer all I keer!" + </p> + <p> + In this way the soldiers spent the remainder of the night. Before daybreak + the blast of a hundred bugles rang out, but there was little need for the + reveille. + </p> + <p> + Breakfast was soon over, and in the gray dawn of that murky morning the + long column went trailing on its way. The weather gave promise of a sloppy + day, and the indications were fully verified. A drizzling rain set in, and + continued without cessation. The boys put their heads through the holes in + their ponchos, from the corners of which the water streamed. With their + muskets at a "secure" they sloshed along through the mud, hour after hour. + In spite of their "gums" the water found its way in at the back of the + neck and trickled down their bodies. Their clothes became saturated, and + they were altogether about as miserable as it is possible for mortals to + be. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0041" id="linkimage-0041"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/117.jpg" alt="A Field Shanty 117 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + It seemed to Si that the maximum of discomfort had been reached. He had + experienced one thing after another during the few weeks since he left + home, and he thought each in turn was worse than the last, and about as + bad as it could be. But Si learned a good deal more before he graduated. + All through the long, dreary day the soldiers plodded on. There was little + comfort to be derived from the "rest," for the ground was soaked with + water. + </p> + <p> + "Why didn't we think of it, Shorty," said Si, "'n' make it part o' the + bargain' when we 'listed that we were to have umbrellers. These gum things + don't amount to shucks, nohow, to keep the rain off. I sh'd think Uncle + Sam might do that much for us!" + </p> + <p> + "I reckon our clothes 'll be purty well washed by the time we git out o' + this mess," said Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "Feels that way," said Si; "but how about the bilin'? A cold bath jest + refreshes them pesky little varmints, 'n' makes 'em livelier 'n ever. Say, + Shorty, ye didn't write home anything 'bout our havin' graybacks, did ye?" + </p> + <p> + "No, not yet; but I was thinkin' I'd tell 'em 'bout it one o' these days." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Shorty, I ain't going to tell my folks; it 'd jest make my mother + feel awful to know I was that way. And sister Maria, and—" + </p> + <p> + Si was thinking aloud, and was going to say "Annabel," but he checked + himself. That name was not to be mentioned in other ears. But he was + afraid she would go back on him if she knew, all about it. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly night when the 200th Ind., dripping and discouraged, filed + off into a field of standing corn to pass the night. The men sank to their + shoetops in the soft earth. Si remarked to Shorty that he didn't see why + the officers should turn 'em loose in such a place as that. But the longer + he lived the more he found out about those things. That was the way they + always did. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0042" id="linkimage-0042"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/119.jpg" alt="It's the Morning 119 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + In five minutes after arms were stacked not a cornstalk remained standing + in the field. During the afterfnoon the troops had gone over a long + stretch of swamp road that was almost impassable for teams. Fears were + entertained that the wagons of the regiment would not be up that night, + and they would not have their tents to shelter them from the storm. In + anticipation of such a calamity the boys, gathered in the cornstalks, + having a vague idea that they would help out in case of emergency. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0043" id="linkimage-0043"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/113.jpg" alt="Taking the Top Rail 113 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Then there was a scramble for the fences. Recognizing the need of good + fuel, an order from the General was filtered through the various + headquarters that the men might take the top rails, only, from the fence + inclosing tha field. This order was literally interpreted and carried out, + each man, successively, taking the "top rail" as he found it. The very + speedy result was that the bottom rails became the "top," and then there + weren't any. Almost in the twinkling of an eye the entire fence + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + The drizzle continued through the evening, and by the sputtering fires the + soldiers prepared and ate their frugal suppers. Word came that, as was + feared, the wagons were hopelessly bemired three or four miles back, and + the men would have to make such shift as they could. + </p> + <p> + The prospect was dreary and cheerless enough. It was little wonder that + many of the young Hoosiers felt as if they wanted to quit and go home. But + with that wonderful facility for adapting themselves to circumstances that + marked the volunteer soldiers, they set about the work of preparing for + the night. No one who has not "been there" can imagine how good a degree + of comfort—comparatively speaking, of course—it was possible + to reach, with such surroundings, by the exercise of a little patience, + ingenuity and industry. + </p> + <p> + Si and Shorty and the others of the "mess" bestirred themselves, and it + did not take them more than 20 minutes to build, out of rails and + cornstalks, a shelter that was really inviting. They kindled a big fire in + front of it, laid some rails within, covered with stalks, and on these + spread their blankets. Si, who had "bossed" the job, viewed the work with + great satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + "I tell ye, that's no slouch of a shanty!" said he. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. SI "STRAGGLED" + </h2> + <h3> + AND THE OTHER BOYS MADE IT MIGHTY LOVELY FOR HIM. + </h3> + <p> + ONE day while Buell was chasing Bragg, two or three weeks after leaving + Louisville, the army was pushing forward at a gait that made the cavalry + ahead trot half the time to keep out of the way of the infantry. The + extraordinary speed that day was due to the fact that there were no rebels + in sight. Half a dozen ragged troopers with shotguns, a mile away, would + have caused the whole army to halt, form line-of-battle, and stay thera + the rest of the day. + </p> + <p> + The tanned veterans didn't mind the marching. They stretched their legs + and went swinging along with a happy-go-lucky air, always ready for + anything that might turn up. But it was rough on the new troops, just from + home. It taxed their locomotive powers to the utmost limit. + </p> + <p> + The boys of the 200th Ind. started out bravely. Their fresh, clean faces, + new uniforms, and shiny accouterments contrasted strongly with those of + the weather-beaten soldiers of '61. You could tell a "tenderfoot" as far + as you could see him. + </p> + <p> + They trudged along in fair shape for an hour or two. Before starting in + the morning strict orders had been read to the regiment forbidding + straggling, for any reason, under the most terrifying pains and penalties. + </p> + <p> + "Them fellers that's been in the service longer 'n we have think they're + smart," said Si Klegg, as he and Shorty plodded on, both already a little + blown. "Well show 'em that we can hoof it jest as fast as they can, and + jest as fur in a day!" + </p> + <p> + "Seems to me we're git'n over the ground party lively to-day," replied + Shorty, who was in a grumbling mood. "Wonder if the Gin'ral thinks we're + bosses! I'm a little short o' wind, and these pesky gunboats are scrapin' + the bark off'n my feet; but I'll keep up or bust." + </p> + <p> + Though e spirit of these young patriots was willing, the flesh was weak. + It wasn't long till Si began to limp. Now and then a groan escaped his + lips as a fresh blister "broke." But Si clinched his teeth, humped his + back to ease his shoulders from the weight of his knapsack, screwed up his + courage, and tramped on over the stony pike. He thought the breathing + spells were very short and a long way apart. + </p> + <p> + Si's knapsack had experienced the universal shrinkage, as told in a + previous chapter of our hero's martial career. He still had, however, a + good many things that he thought he couldn't spare, but which he found + later he could very well get along without. + </p> + <p> + By noon the 200th began to show signs of going to pieces. The column + stretched out longer and longer, like a piece of India-rubber. The ranks + looked thin and ragged. Lame and foot-sore, with wo-begone faces, their + bodies aching in every bone and tendon, and overcome with a weariness that + no one can realize unless he has "been there," the men dropped out one by + one and threw themselves into the fence-corners to rest. The officers + stormed and drew their swords in vain. Nature—that is, the nature of + a new soldier—could endure no more. The ambulances were filled to + their utmost, but these would not hold a twentieth part of the crippled + and suffering men. + </p> + <p> + "How're ye gittin' on, Shorty?" said Si, as he and his comrade still + struggled along. + </p> + <p> + "Fair to middlin'," replied Shorty. "I'm goin' to try and pull through!" + </p> + <p> + "I thought I could," said Si, "but I'm 'bout played out! I am, fer a fact! + I guess ef I rest a bit I'll be able to ketch up after a while." + </p> + <p> + Si didn't know till he found out by experience how hard it was to "ketch + up" when a soldier once got behind on the march. Si was too fat for a good + roadster, but it didn't take a great while to work off his surplus flesh. + Shorty was tall and slim, mostly bone—one of the sort that always + stood the marching best, crept up to the Orderly and told him that he + would have to stop and puff a while and give his blisters a rest. He'd + pull up with Co. Q in an hour or so. + </p> + <p> + "Better not, Si" said the Orderly; "ye know it's agin orders, and the + rear-guard 'll punch ye with their bay'net's if they catch ye stragglin'." + </p> + <p> + But Si concluded that if he must die for his country it would be sweeter + to do so by having a bayonet inserted in his vitals, and then it would be + all over with at once, than to walk himself to death. + </p> + <p> + So he gradually fell back till he reached the tail of the company. + Watching his opportunity, he left the ranks, crept into a clump of bushes, + and lay down, feeling as if he had been run through a grist-mill. Soon the + rear-guard of the 200th came along, with fixed bayonets, driving before + them like a flock of frightened sheep a motley crowd of limping, groaning + men, gathered up by the roadside. + </p> + <p> + Si lay very still, hoping to escaoe discovery; but the keen eye of the + officer detected the blue heap among the bushes. + </p> + <p> + "Bring that man out!" said he sternly to one of the guards. + </p> + <p> + Poor Si scarcely dare to breathe. He hoped the man would think he was + dead, and therefore no longer of any account. But the soldier began to + prod him with his bayonet, ordering him to get up and move on. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0044" id="linkimage-0044"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/123.jpg" alt="'don't Stab Me.' 123 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Look-a-here, pard," said Si, "don't stab me with that thing! I jest can't + git along any furder till I blow a little. You please lemme be, an' I'll + do as much for you. P'rhaps some time you'll get played out and I'll be on + the rear-guard. The Cap'n 'll tell me ter fotch ye 'long, an' I'll jest + let ye rest, so I will!" + </p> + <p> + This view of the case struck the guard with some force. Moved with + compassion, he turned away, leaving Si to enjoy his rest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0045" id="linkimage-0045"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/125.jpg" alt="Hydropathic Treatment 125 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Si threw aside his traps, took off his shoes and stockings, and bathed his + feet with water from his canteen. He ate a couple of hardtack, and in the + course of half an hour began to feel more like Si Klegg. He geared himself + up, shouldered his gun, and started to "ketch up." + </p> + <p> + All this time the stream of troops—regiments, brigades and divisions—had + flowed on. Of course, soldiers who were with their colors had the right of + way, and the stragglers were obliged to stumble along as best they could, + over the logs and through the bushes at the sides of the roads or skirt + along the edges of the fields and woods adjoining. It was this fact added + to their exhausted and crippled condition, that made it almost impossible + for stragglers to overtake their regiments until they halted for the + night. Even then it was often midnight before the last of the wayfarers, + weary and worn, dragged their aching limbs into camp. + </p> + <p> + Si started forward briskly, but soon found it was no easy matter to gain + the mile or so that the 200th Ind. was now ahead of him. It was about all + he could do to keep up with the fast-moving column and avoid failing still + further to the rear. Presently the bugles sounded a halt for one of the + hourly rests. + </p> + <p> + "Now," said Si to himself, "I'll have a good chance to git along tor'd the + front. The soljers 'll all lie down in the fence corners an' leave the + road clear. I'll jest git up an' dust!" + </p> + <p> + The sound of the bugles had scarcely died away when the pike was deserted, + and on either side, as far as the eye could reach, the prostrate men that + covered the ground mingled in a long fringe of blue. + </p> + <p> + Si got up into the road and started along the lane between these lines of + recumbent soldiers. His gait was a little shaky, for the blisters on his + feet began to give evidence of renewed activity. He trudged pluckily + along, limping some in spite of himself, but on the whole making very good + headway. + </p> + <p> + Pretty soon he struck a veteran regiment from Illinois, the members of + which were sitting and lying around in all the picturesque and + indescribable postures which the old soldiers found gave them the greatest + comfort during a "rest." Then they commenced—that is, it was great + sport for the Sucker boys, though Si did not readily appreciate the + humorous features of the scene. + </p> + <p> + "What rigiment is this?" asked Si, timidly. + </p> + <p> + "Same old rijiment!" was the answer from half a dozen at once. A single + glance told the swarthy veterans that the fresh-looking youth who asked + this conundrum belonged to one of the new regiments, and they immediately + opened their batteries upon him: + </p> + <p> + "Left—left-=left!" + </p> + <p> + "Hayfoot—strawfoot! Hayfoot—strawfoot!" keeping time with Si's + somewhat irregular steps. + </p> + <p> + "Hello, there, you! Change step and you'll march easier!" + </p> + <p> + "Look at that 'ere poor feller; the only man left alive of his regiment! + Great Cesar, how they must have suffered! Say, what rijiment did you + b'long to?" + </p> + <p> + "Paymaster's comin', boys, here's a chap with a pay-roll round his neck!" + Si had put on that morning the last of the paper collars he had brought + from home. + </p> + <p> + "You'd better shed that knapsack, or it'll be the death of ye!" + </p> + <p> + "I say, there, how's all the folks to home?" + </p> + <p> + "How d'ye like it as far as you've got, any way?" + </p> + <p> + "Git some commissary and pour into them gunboats!" + </p> + <p> + "Second relief's come, boys; we can all go home now." + </p> + <p> + "Grab a root!" + </p> + <p> + "Hep—hep—hep!" + </p> + <p> + "How'd ye leave Mary Ann?" + </p> + <p> + Si had never been under such a fire before. He stood it as long as he + could, and 'then he stopped. + </p> + <p> + "Halt!" shouted a chorus of voices. "Shoulder—Arms!" "Order—Arms!" + </p> + <p> + By this time Si's wrath was at the boiling point. Casting around him a + look of defiance, he exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + "You cowardly blaggards; I can jest lick any two of ye, an' I'll dare ye + to come on. If the 200th Ind. was here we'd clean out the hull pack of ye + quicker'n ye can say scat!" + </p> + <p> + This is where Si made a mistake. He ought to have kept right on and said + nothing. But Si had to find out all these things by experience, as the + rest of the boys did. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0046" id="linkimage-0046"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/129.jpg" alt="Si Defies a Regiment 129 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + All the members took a hand in the game. They just got right up and + yelled, discharging at Si a volley of expletives and pointed remarks that + drove him to desperation. Instinctively he brought up his gun. + </p> + <p> + "Load in nine times—Load!" shouted a dozen of the Illinois tramps. + </p> + <p> + If Si's gun had been loaded he would have shot somebody, regardless of + consequences. Thinking of his bayonet, he jerked it quickly from its + scabbard. + </p> + <p> + "Fix—Bay'net!" yelled the ragged veterans. + </p> + <p> + And he did, though it was more from the promptings of his own hostile + feelings than in obedience to the orders. + </p> + <p> + "Charge—Bay'net!" + </p> + <p> + Si had completely lost control of himself in his overpowering rage. With + blood in his eye, he came to, a charge, glancing fiercely from one side of + the road to the other, uncertain where to begin the assault. + </p> + <p> + Instantly there was a loud clicking all along the line. The Illinois + soldiers, almost to a man, fixed their bayonets. Half of them sprang to + their feet, and all aimed their shining points at the poor young Hoosier + patriot, filling the air with shouts of derision. + </p> + <p> + It was plain, even to Si in his inflamed state of mind, that the odds + against him were too heavy. + </p> + <p> + "Unfix—Bay'net!" came from half the regiment. + </p> + <p> + Si concluded he had better get out of a bad scrape the best way he could. + So he took off his bayonet and put it back in its place. He shouted words + of defiance to his tormentors, but they could not be heard in the din. + </p> + <p> + "Shoulder—Arms!" "Right—Face!" "Right shoulder shift—Arms!" + "Forward—March!" These commands came in quick succession from the + ranks amidst roars of laughter. + </p> + <p> + Si obeyed the orders and started off. + </p> + <p> + "Left—left—left!" + </p> + <p> + "Hayfoot—strawfoot!" + </p> + <p> + Forgetting his blisters. Si took the double-quick while the mob swung + their caps and howled with delight. + </p> + <p> + Si didn't "ketch up" with the 200 Ind. until after it had gone into camp. + Shorty had a quart of hot coffee waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si as they sat by the fire,—"I'm goin' to drop dead + in my tracks before I'll fall out again." + </p> + <p> + "Why, what's the matter?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, nothin'; only you jest try it," said Si. + </p> + <p> + Had it not been for the "fun" the soldiers had in the army to brighten + their otherwise dark and cheerless lives, they would all have died. Si was + a true type of those who had to suffer for the good of others until they + learned wisdom in the school of experience. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. SI AND THE MULES + </h2> + <h3> + ONE DAY'S RICH EXPERIENCE AS COMPANY TEAMSTER. + </h3> + <p> + "I'VE GOT to have a man to drive team for a few days," said the Orderly of + Co. Q of the 200th Ind. one morning at roll-call. "The teamster's sick and + I'm goin' to send him to the hospital to-day." + </p> + <p> + The Orderly-Sergeant of Co. Q was a wily fellow. All Orderly-Sergeants + have to be. If they are not naturally, they learn it very quickly, or lose + the little diamond on their sleeves, if not all their stripes. The man who + undertakes to manage 60 or 75 stalwart, high-spirited young Americans + through all their moods and tenses, and every kind of weather, has to be + as wise as a serpent, though not necessarily as harmless as a dove. + Therefore, the Orderly-Sergeant didn't tell the boys what ailed the + teamster. The fact was that the heels of the "off=wheeler" caught the + teamster in the pit of the stomach and doubled him up so badly that he + wouldn't be fit for duty for a week. It was worse than the green-corn + colic. + </p> + <p> + "'Tisn't every man," continued the Orderly, "that's gifted with fust-class + talent fur drivin' team. I'd like to find the best man to steer them + animals, an' if there's a real sientifick mule-whacker in this comp'ny let + him speak up an' I'll detail him right off. It'll be a soft thing fur + somebody; them mules are daises." + </p> + <p> + Somehow they didn't all speak at once. The company had only had the team + two or three weeks, but the boys were not dull of hearing, and ominous + sounds had come to them from the rear of the camp at all hours of the + night—the maddening "Yeehaw-w-w!" of the long-eared brutes, and the + frantic ejaculations of the teamster, spiced with oaths that would have + sent a shudder through "our army in Flanders." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0047" id="linkimage-0047"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/133.jpg" alt="He Let Both Heels Fly 133 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + So they did not apply for the vacant saddle with that alacrity which might + have been expected, when so good a chance was offered for a soldier to + ride and get his traps carried on a wagon. Whenever an infantryman threw + away such an opportunity it is safe to assume that there was some good + reason for it. + </p> + <p> + But the idea of riding for a few days and letting his blisters get well + was too much for Si Klegg. Besides, he thought if there was any one thing + he could do better than another it was driving a team. He had been doing + it on his father's farm all his life. It is true, he didn't know much + about mules, but he imagined they were a good deal like horses. + </p> + <p> + "I'm your man!" spoke up Si cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + "All right," said the Orderly. "Company, Right—Face! Break ranks—March!" + </p> + <p> + "There ain't any trouble about it!" Si said to Shorty as they walked back + to the tent. "I reckon it's easy enough to manage mules if you go at 'em + right. It'll be just fun for me to drive team. And say. Shorty, I'll carry + all your traps on my wagon. That'll be a heap better'n totin' 'em!" + </p> + <p> + Si gathered up his outfit and started to enter upon his new sphere of + usefulness. + </p> + <p> + "Shall I take my gun and bay'net along?" he asked the Orderly. + </p> + <p> + "Guess you'd better; they might come handy!" replied the Orderly, as he + thought of the teamster's disastrous encounter with the "off-wheeler." + </p> + <p> + After Shorty had eaten his breakfast he thought he would go back to the + tent and see how Si was getting on. With thoughtful care Si had fed his + mules before appeasing his own appetite, and Shorty found him just waiting + for his coffee to cool a bit. + </p> + <p> + "Why, them 'ere mules is jist as gentle'n' peaceful-like ez so many + kittens. Look at 'em, Shorty!" and Si pointed with a proud and gratified + air to where the six "daisies" were standing, three on each side of the + wagon-pole, with their noses in the feed-box, quietly munching their + matutinal rations, and whisking their paint-brush tails about in evident + enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, to look at those mules one who was ignorant of the peculiar + characteristics of the species would not have thought that beneath those + meek exteriors there were hearts filled with the raging fires of total + depravity. Shorty thought how it would be, but he didn't say anything. He + was sure that Si would find out about it soon enough. + </p> + <p> + The brigade to which the 200th Ind. belonged was to march in the rear of + the long procession that day. This was lucky for Si, as it gave him an + hour or two more than he would otherwise have had to get hitched up. But + all the same he thought he would begin early, so as to be on hand with his + team in good time. + </p> + <p> + "Want any help?" asked Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "No," said Si; "I can hitch 'em up slick's a whistle. I can't see why so + many makes sich a fuss 'bout handlin' mules." + </p> + <p> + Shorty lighted his cob pipe and sat down on a stump to watch Si. "Kinder + think there'll be a circus!" he said to himself. + </p> + <p> + Si got up from his coffee and hardtack, and addressed himself to the + business of the hour. It proved to be just as much as he could attend to. + When Si poured half a bushel of corn into the feed box it was all very + nice, and the animals rubbed their heads against him to give expression to + their grateful emotions. But when it came to putting on the harness, that + was quite a different thing. The mere touch of a strap was enough to + stimulate into baleful activity all the evil passions of mule-nature. + </p> + <p> + "Now, Pete and Jim and Susan, we must git ready to pull out!" said Si to + his charge, in a familiar, soothing tone, preliminary to getting down to + business. It was his evident desire to maintain the friendly relations + that he thought he had already established. At the first rattle of the + harness Pete and Susan and the rest, moved by a common impulse, laid back + their ears and began to bray, their heels at the same time showing + symptoms of impatience. + </p> + <p> + "Whoa, there—whoa!" exclaimed Si, in a conciliatory way, as he + advanced with a bridle in his hand toward one of the big wheelers, whose + ears were flapping about like the fans of a windmill. + </p> + <p> + Si imprudently crept up from the rear. A flank movement would have been + better. As soon as he had got fairly within range the mule winked + viciously, lowered his head, and let fly both heels. Si was a spry boy, + and a quick dodge saved him from the fate of his predecessor. One of the + heels whizzed past his ear with the speed of a cannon ball, caught his + hat, and sent it spinning through the air. + </p> + <p> + Shorty, who was whittling up a piece of Kentucky twist to recharge his + pipe, laughed till he rolled off the stump all in a heap. A few of the + other boys had stayed out to see the fun, and were lounging around the + outskirts of the corral. "Go for 'em, Si!" they shouted. + </p> + <p> + Si was plucky, and again advanced with more caution. This time he was + successful, after a spirited engagement, in getting the bridle on. He + thought he would ride him down to the creek for water, and this would give + him a chance to get acquainted with him, as it were. He patted the + animal's neck, called him pet names, and gently stroked his stubby mane. + Alas, Si didn't know then what an utter waste of material it was to give + taffy to an army mule. + </p> + <p> + With a quick spring Si vaulted upon the back of the mule. He started off + in good shape, waving his hand exultingly to the boys with the air of a + General who has just won a great battle. + </p> + <p> + All at once the animal stopped as suddenly as if he had run against a + stone wall. He planted his fore feet, throwing his ears back and his head + down. There was a simultaneous rear elevation, with the heels at an upward + angle of about 45 degrees. Si went sprawling among the bushes. This + performance was greeted with great enthusiasm by the fast increasing crowd + of spectators. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0048" id="linkimage-0048"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/137.jpg" alt="Si Went Sprawling 137 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "I oughter have told you that saddle-mule's the worst bucker in the Army + o' the Ohio," said the Quartermaster-Sergeant, who was among the + onlookers. "Why, he'd buck off the stripe that runs down his back, if he + took it into his measly head. He bucked off a chattel mortgage, and that's + the way he come into the army. You can't ride him without using one of + Aunt Jemima's sticking plasters." + </p> + <p> + "Much obliged for your information. But I will ride him all the same," + said Si, whose temper had risen to the exploding point. "I kin ride him if + he ties himself in a double bow-knot." + </p> + <p> + Si was too much of a farmer boy to give in to anything that walked on four + legs. + </p> + <p> + He had hung on to the bridle rein, and after addressing a few impressive + words to the obstreperous mule he again leaped upon his back. The mule + took a docile turn, his motive having apparently been merely to show Si + what he could do when he took a notion. + </p> + <p> + The space at command will not permit us to follow Si through all the + details of "hitching up" that team. He did finally "git thar, Eli," after + much strategic effort. The mules brayed and kicked a good deal, and Si's + wrath was fully aroused before he got through. He became convinced that + soft words were of no account in such a contest, and he enforced + discipline by the judicious use of a big club, together with such + appropriate language as he could think of. Si hadn't yet learned to swear + with that wonderful and appalling proficiency that was so soon acquired by + the army teamsters. In the management of mules profanity was considered an + invaluable accessory in times of great emergency. + </p> + <p> + At last Si climbed into the saddle, as proud as a King. Seizing the long, + single line running to the "leaders"—by which contrivance the army + team was always guided—he shouted "Git up, thar, Pete! G'lang + Susan!" and the caravan started. But the unregenerated brutes didn't go + far. Si was gaily cracking his whip, trying to hit a big blue-bottle fly + that was perched on the ear of one of the "swing" mules. + </p> + <p> + As if by a preconcerted plan, the establishment came to a sudden halt and + the mules began to rear and kick and plunge around in utter disregard of + consequences. It didn't take more than a minute for them to get into a + hopeless tangle. They were in all conceivable shapes—heads and tails + together, crosswise and "every which way," tied up with the straps of the + harness. The air in all directions was full of heels. There was a + maddening chorus of discordant braying. + </p> + <p> + In the course of the scrimmage Si found himself on the ground. Gathering + himself up, he gazed in utter amazement at the twisted, writhing mass. At + this moment a messenger came from the Captain to "hurry up that team," and + poor Si didn't know what to do. He wished he could only swear like the old + mule drivers. He thought it would make him feel better. There was no one + to help him out of his dilemma, as the members of the company were all + getting ready for the march. + </p> + <p> + A veteran teamster happened along that way, and took in the situation at a + glance. He saw that Si had bit off more than he could chew, and + volunteered his assistance. + </p> + <p> + "Here, young feller," said he, "lemme show ye how to take the stiffenin' + out o' them ere dod-gasted mules!" + </p> + <p> + Seizing the whip at the small end of the stock he began laying on right + and left with the butt, taking care to keep out of range of the heels. + During these persuasive efforts he was shouting at the top of his voice + words that fairly hissed through the air. Si thought he could smell the + brimstone and see the smoke issuing from the old teamster's mouth and + nostrils. This is a section of what that experienced mule driver said, as + nearly as we can express it: + </p> + <p> + "_________;;_____________!!!***???!!!! ____???________???!!!!" + </p> + <p> + Si thanked the veteran for these timely suggestions in the way of + language, and said he would remember them. He had no doubt they would help + him out the next time. + </p> + <p> + They finally got the team untied, and Si drove over to the company ground. + The regiment had been gone some time, a detail having been left to load + the wagon. After getting out upon the road the mules plodded along without + objection, and Si got on famously. But having lost his place in the column + in consequence of the delay, he was obliged to fall in rear of the + division train, and it was noon before he got well started. + </p> + <p> + Along towards evening Si struck a section of old corduroy road through a + piece of swamp. The passage of the artillery and wagons had left the road + in a wretched condition. The logs were lying at all points of the compass, + or drifting vaguely about in the mire, while here and there were seas of + water and pits of abysmal depth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0049" id="linkimage-0049"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/141.jpg" alt="Stuck in the Mud 141 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + To make the story short, Si's mules stumbled and floundered and kicked,—while + Si laid on with the whip and used some of the words he had learned from + the old teamster before starting. + </p> + <p> + At length the wagon became hopelessly stalled. The wheels sank to the + hubs, and Si yelled and cracked his whip in vain. Perhaps if he had had + the old teamster there to swear for him he could have pulled through, but + as it was he gave it up, dismounted, hunted a dry spot, and sat down to + think and wait for something to turn up. + </p> + <p> + Just before dark a large detail from Co. Q, which had been sent back on an + exploring expedition for Si and his team, reached the spot. After hours of + prying and pushing and tugging and yelling they at length got the wagon + over the slough, reaching camp about midnight. + </p> + <p> + "Orderly," said Si, "I believe I'd like to resign my place as mule-driver. + It's a nice, soft thing, but I'd jest as lief let s'mother feller have it, + so I'll take my gun an' go to hoofin' it agin!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. UNDER FIRE—SI HAS A FIGHT, CAPTURES A PRISONER + </h2> + <h3> + AND GETS PROMOTED. + </h3> + <p> + "SEEMS to me it's 'bout time ter be gitt' into a fite!" said Si Klegg to + Shorty one night as they sat around the fire after supper, with their + shoes and stockings off, comparing the size and number of their respective + blisters. Neither of them had much of the skin they started out with left + on their feet. "I always s'posed," he continued, "that bein' a sojer meant + fitin' somebody; and here we are roaming over the country like a lot of + tramps. I can't see no good in it, nohow." + </p> + <p> + "Don't be in a hurry. Si," replied Shorty; "I reckon we'll ketch it soon + 'nuff. From what I've hearn the old soldiers tell a battle ain't such a + funny thing as a feller thinks who don't know anything about it, like + you'n me. The boys is always hungry at first for shootin' and bein' shot + at, but I've an idee that it sorter takes away their appetite when they + gits one square meal of it. They don't hanker after it no more. It's + likely we'll git filled full one o' these days. I'm willin' to wait!" + </p> + <p> + "Wall," said Si, "I sh'd think we might have a little skirmish, anyway. + I'd like to have a chance to try my gun and to hear what kind of a noise + bullets make. Of course, I'd ruther they'd hit some other feller besides + me, but I'm ready to take the chances on that. I don't b'lieve I'd be + afeard." + </p> + <p> + Si was ambitious, and full of the martial ardor that blazed in the breast + of every young volunteer. He was really glad when the Orderly came around + presently and told them that the 200th Ind. would have the advance next + day, and Co. Q would be on the skirmish-line. He told the boys to see that + their cartridge-boxes were all full and their guns in good order, as they + would be very like to run foul of the rebels. + </p> + <p> + This was just before the battle of Perryville. The rebels were very saucy, + and there seemed to be a fair prospect that the curiosity of the members + of the 200th Ind. to "see the elephant" would be at least measurably + gratified. + </p> + <p> + Before Si went to bed he cleaned up his gun and made sure that it would + "go off" whenever he wanted it to. Then he and Shorty crawled under the + blankets, and as they lay "spoon fashion," thinking about what might + happen the next day. Si said he hoped they would both have "lots of sand." + </p> + <p> + All night Si dreamed about awful scenes of slaughter. Before morning he + had destroyed a large part of the Confederate army. + </p> + <p> + It was yet dark when the reveille sounded through the camp. Si and Shorty + kicked off the blankets at first blast of bugle, and were promptly in + their places for roll-call. Then, almost in a moment, a hundred fires were + gleaming, and the soldiers gathered around them to prepare their hasty + breakfast. + </p> + <p> + Before the sun was up the bugles rang out again upon the morning air. In + quick succession came the "general," the "assembly," and "to the colors." + The 200th marched out upon the pike, but soon filed off into a cornfield + to take its assigned place in the line, for the advance division was to + move in order of battle, brigade front, that day. + </p> + <p> + In obedience to orders, Co. Q moved briskly out and deployed as + skirmishers, covering the regimental front. As the line advanced through + field and thicket Si Klegg's heart was not the only one that thumped + against the blouse that covered it. + </p> + <p> + It was not long till a squad of cavalrymen came galloping back, yelling + that the rebels were just ahead. The line was halted for a few minutes; + while the Generals swept the surrounding country with their field glasses + and took in the situation. + </p> + <p> + The skirmishers, for fear of accidents, took advantage of such cover as + they could find. Si and Shorty found themselves to leeward of a large + stump. + </p> + <p> + "D'ye reckon a bullet 'd go through this 'ere stump?" said Si. + </p> + <p> + Before Shorty could answer something else happened that absorbed their + entire attention. For the time they didn't think of anything else. + </p> + <p> + 'Boom-m-m-m!' + </p> + <p> + "Great Scott! d'ye hear that?" said Si through his chattering teeth. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, and there's somethin' comin' over this way," replied Shorty. + </p> + <p> + A shell came screaming and swishing through the air. The young Hoosiers + curled around the roots of that stump and flattened themselves out like a + pair of griddle-cakes. If it was Si that the rebel gunners were after, + they timed the shell to a second, for it burst with a loud bang just over + them. The fragments flew all around, one striking the stump and others + tearing up the dirt on every side. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0050" id="linkimage-0050"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/145.jpg" alt="It Burst With a Loud 'bang.' 145 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + To say that for the moment those two soldiers were demoralized would be + drawing it very mildly. They showed symptoms of a panic. It seemed as + though they would be hopelessly stampeded. Their tongues were paralyzed, + and they could only look silently into each other's white faces. + </p> + <p> + Si was the first to recover himself, although it could hardly be expected + that he could get over his scare all at once. + </p> + <p> + "D-d-did it hit ye, Sh-Shorty?" he said. + </p> + <p> + "N-no, I guess not; b-b-but ain't it aw-awful. Si? You look so bad I + th-thought you was k-k-killed!" + </p> + <p> + "Who's afeard?" said Si. "I was only skeered of you. Shorty. Brace up, now + same's I do!" + </p> + <p> + "Skirmishers—Forward!" was heard along the line. "Come on, Shorty!" + said Si, and they plunged bravely ahead. + </p> + <p> + Emerging suddenly from a thick wood, they came upon the rebel skirmishers + in full view, posted on the opposite side of the field. + </p> + <p> + Crack! Crack!—Zip! Zip! + </p> + <p> + "Guess there's a bee-tree somewhere around here, from the way the bees are + buzzin'," said Si. + </p> + <p> + "'Taint no bees," replied Shorty; "it's a mighty sight worse'n that. + Them's bullets, Si Don't ye see the dumed galoots over yonder a-shootin' + at us?" + </p> + <p> + Si was no coward, and he was determined to show that he wasn't. The shell + a little while before had taken the starch out of him for a few minutes, + but that was nothing to his discredit. Many a seasoned veteran found + himself exceedingly limber under such circumstances. + </p> + <p> + "Let's give the rascals a dose," said he; "the best we've got in stock!" + </p> + <p> + Suiting the action to the word, Si crept up to a fence, thrust his gun + between the rails, took good aim and fired. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0051" id="linkimage-0051"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/147.jpg" alt="Si Takes a Crack at A Reb 147 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + A bullet from one of the other fellows made the splinters fly from a rail + a foot or two from Si's head; but he was getting excited now, and he + didn't mind it any more than if it had been a paper wad from a + pea-shooter. + </p> + <p> + It makes a great difference with a soldier under fire whether he can take + a hand in the game himself, or whether he must lie idle and let the enemy + "play it alone." + </p> + <p> + "Did ye hear him squeal?" said Si, as he dropped upon the ground and began + to reload with all his might. "I hit that son-of-a-gun, sure. Give 'em H—Hail + Columbia, Shorty. We'll show 'em that the 200th Ind. is in front to-day!" + </p> + <p> + "Forward, men!" shouted the officers. "Go right for 'em!" + </p> + <p> + The skirmishers sprang over the fence and swept across the field at a + "double-quick" in the face of a sputtering fire that did little damage. + None of them reached the other side any sooner than Si did. The rebels + seemed to have found out that the 200th boys were coming, for they were + already on the run, and some of them had started early. Pell-mell through + the brush they went, and the blue-blouses after them. + </p> + <p> + "Halt, there, or I'll blow ye into the middle o' next week!" yelled Si, as + he closed up on a ragged specimen of the Southern Confederacy whose wind + had given out. Si thought it would be a tall feather in his hat if he + could take a prisoner and march him back. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0052" id="linkimage-0052"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/149.jpg" alt="Si Captures a Johnny 149 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The "Johnny" gave one glance at his pursuer, hesitated, and was lost. He + saw that Si meant business, and surrendered at discretion. + </p> + <p> + "Come 'long with me!" said Si, his eyes glistening with pleasure and + pride. Si marched him back and delivered him to the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + "Well done, my brave fellow!" said the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + "This is a glorious day for the 200th Ind., and you've taken its first + prisoner. What's your name my boy?" + </p> + <p> + "Josiah Klegg, sir!" said Si, blushing to the very roots of his hair. + </p> + <p> + "What company do you belong to?" + </p> + <p> + "Company Q, sir!" and Si saluted the officer as nicely as he knew how. + </p> + <p> + "I'll see your Captain to-night, Mr. Klegg, and you shall be rewarded for + your good conduct. You may now return to your company." + </p> + <p> + It was the proudest moment of Si's life up to date. He stammered out his + thanks to the Colonel, and then, throwing his gun up to a right + shoulder-shift, he started off on a canter to rejoin the skirmishers. + </p> + <p> + That night Si Klegg was the subject of a short conversation between his + Captain and the Colonel. They agreed that Si had behaved very handsomely, + and deserved to be promoted. + </p> + <p> + "Are there any vacancies in your non-commissioned officers?" asked the + Colonel. + </p> + <p> + "No," was the reply, "but there ought to be. One of my Corporals skulked + back to the rear this morning and crawled into a wagon. I think we had + better reduce him to the ranks and appoint Mr. Klegg." + </p> + <p> + "Do so at once," said the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + Next morning when the 200th was drawn up in line an order was read by the + Adjutant reducing the skulker and promoting Si to the full rank of + Corporal, with a few words commending the gallantry of the latter. These + orders announcing rewards and punishments were supposed to have a salutary + effect in stimulating the men to deeds of glory, and as a warning to those + who were a little short of "sand." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0053" id="linkimage-0053"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/151.jpg" alt="Corporal si Klegg 151 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The boys of Co. Q showered their congratulations upon Si in the usual way. + They made it very lively for him that day. In the evening: Si hunted up + some white cloth, borrowed a needle and thread, went off back of the tent, + rammed his bayonet into the ground, stuck a candle in the socket, and + sewed chevrons on the sleeves of his blouse. Then he wrote a short letter: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Deer Annie: I once more take my pen in hand to tell you + there's grate news. I'm an ossifer. We had an awful fite + yisterdy. I don't know how menny rebbles I kild, but I guess + thare was enuff to start a good sized graveyard. I tuk a + prizner, too, and the Kurnal says to me bully fer you, + Mister Klegg, or sumthin to that effeck. This mornin they + made me a Corporil, and red it out before the hull rijiment + I guess youd been prowd if you could have seen me. To-night + the boys is hollerin hurraw fer Corporal Klegg all over + camp. I ain't as big is the Ginrals and gum of the other + ossifers, but thars no tellin how hi I'll get in three + years. + + "Rownd is the ring that haint no end, + So is my luv to you my friend. + + "Yours, same as before, + + "Corporal Si Klegg." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. ONE OF THE "NON-COMMISH" + </h2> + <h3> + A NIGHT'S ADVENTURES AS "CORPORAL OF THE GUARD." + </h3> + <p> + "CORPORAL Klegg, you will go on duty to-night with the camp guard!" said + the Orderly of Co. Q one evening, as the 200th Ind. filed off into a piece + of woods to bivouac for the night, two or three days after Si had been + promoted. + </p> + <p> + The chevrons on his arms had raised Si several degrees in the estimation + not only of himself, but of the other members of the company. His conduct + in the skirmish had shown that he had in him the material for a good + soldier, and even the Orderly began to treat him with that respect due to + his new rank as one of the "non-commish." + </p> + <p> + Like every other man who put on the army blue and marched away so bold, + "With gay and gallant tread," Si could not tell whether he was going to + amount to anything as a soldier until he had gone through the test of + being under fire. There were many men who walked very erect, talked + bravely, drilled well, and made a fine appearance on dress parade, before + they reached "the front," but who wilted at the "zip" of bullets like + tender corn blades nipped by untimely frost. And a good many of them + continued in that wilted condition. Perhaps they really couldn't help it. + An inscrutable Providence had seen fit to omit putting any "sand in their + gizzards," as the boys expressed it. + </p> + <p> + It must be confessed that Si was somewhat unduly elated and puffed up + over, his own achievements as a skirmisher and his success in climbing the + ladder of military rank and fame. It is true, it wasn't much of a fight + they had that day, but Si thought it was pretty fair for a starter, and + enough to prove to both himself and his comrades that he wouldn't be one + of the "coffee coolers" when there was business on hand. + </p> + <p> + Si was sorry that his regiment did not get into the fight at Perryville. + The 200th Ind. belonged to one of the two corps of Buell's army that lay + under the trees two or three miles away all through that October + afternoon, while McCook's gallant men were in a life-and-death struggle + against overwhelming odds. It bothered Si as much to understand it all as + it did 30,000 other soldiers that day. + </p> + <p> + Si responded with alacrity when he was detailed for guard duty. He had + walked a beat once or twice as a common tramp, and had not found it + particularly pleasant, especially in stormy weather; but now he was a peg + higher, and he thought as Corporal he would have a better time. He had + already observed that the rude winds of army life were tempered, if not to + the shorn lambs, at least to the officers, in a degree proportionate to + their rank. The latter had the first pick of everything, and the men took + what was left. The officers always got the softest rails to sleep on, the + hardtack that was least tunneled through by the worms, the bacon that had + the fewest maggots, and the biggest trees in a fight. + </p> + <p> + "Forward—March!" shouted the officer in command, when the detachment + was ready. Si stepped off very proudly, thinking how glad his good old + mother and sister Marier and pretty Annabel would be if they could see him + at that moment. He was determined to discharge his official duties "right + up to the handle," and make the boys stand around in lively style. + </p> + <p> + When the guard reached the place selected for headquarters the officer + drily lectured them in regard to their duties, impressing upon them the + necessity of being alert and vigilant. There was only a thin picket-line + between them and the enemy. The safety of the army depended upon the + faithfulness of those appointed to watch while others slept. He gave them + the countersign, "Bunker Hill," and ordered them under no circumstances to + allow any person to pass without giving it, not even the Commanding + General himself. + </p> + <p> + Then the guards were posted, the "beats" laid off and numbered, and as the + fast-gathering shadows deepened among the trees the sentinels paced to and + fro around the tired army. + </p> + <p> + For an hour or two after the guards were stationed all was quiet along the + line. The noise of the great camp was hushed for the night, and no sound + broke the stillness of the gloomy forest. The moon rose and peeped timidly + through the branches. + </p> + <p> + "Corporal of the Guard; Post No. 6." + </p> + <p> + Si's quick ear, as he lay curled up at the foot of a tree, caught these + words, rapidly repeated by one sentinel after another. It was his first + summons. He sprang to his feet, gun in hand, his heart beating at the + thought of adventure, and started on the run for "Post No. 6." + </p> + <p> + "What's up?" he said to the guard, with a perceptible tremor in his voice. + </p> + <p> + "There's one o' the boys tryin' to run the guards!" was the answer. "He's + been out foragin', I reckon. He's got a lot o' plunder he wants to git + into camp with. See him, out there in the bush?" + </p> + <p> + The forager, for such he proved to be, was nimbly dodging from tree to + tree, watching for a chance to cross the line, but the alertness of the' + guards had thus far kept him outside. He had tried to bribe one or two of + the boys by offering to "whack up" if they would let him pass or give him + the countersign, so that he could get in at some other point in the + cordon. But the guards were incorruptible. They were "fresh" yet, and had + not caught on to the plan of accepting an offered chicken, a section of + succulent pig, or a few sweet potatoes, and then walking off to the remote + limit of the beat, with eyes to the front, while the forager shot across + the line in safety. They learned all about this after a while. + </p> + <p> + The raider tried to parley with Si, but Si wouldn't have it. Raising his + gun to a "ready" he ordered the man to come in or he would put a hole + through him. + </p> + <p> + The best thing to do under the circumstances was to obey. The forager, who + belonged to Si's company, crept up to Corporal Klegg and in a conciliatory + tone opened negotiations. + </p> + <p> + "You jest let me pass, and you may have your pick of this stuff," said he, + holding up a fowl in one hand and a ham in the other. "It'll be all right, + and nobody 'll ever know nothin' 'bout it!" + </p> + <p> + Si hesitated; it was human nature. The offer was a tempting one, but he + remembered his responsibility to his country, and his stomach appealed in + vain. Duty came before stewed chicken or roasted sparerib. + </p> + <p> + "Can't do it!" said Si. "You've got hold of the wrong man this time. I + ain't goin' to have nobody monkeyin' 'round while I'm Corporal of this + 'ere guard. Come along with me, and step out lively, too!" + </p> + <p> + Si marched the culprit back to headquarters and delivered him up to the + officer, who commended Si for his fidelity. + </p> + <p> + Next day the ground back of the Colonel's tent was strewn with feathers, + chicken bones, ham rinds, and potato skins, while the unlucky forager who + had provided the field officers' mess with such a royal meal was humped + around for two hours on "knapsack drill," and condemned to spend 24 hours + in the guard-house. + </p> + <p> + An hour later Si had another experience. The Captain of Co. Q felt a + kindly interest, and not a little pride in him, since the skirmish, and he + thought he would take a turn that night and see whether his newly-made + Corporal was "up to snuff." + </p> + <p> + "Post No. 3," was Si's second call. He responded promptly, and as he + approached the guard the latter said: + </p> + <p> + "Corporal, here's the Cap'n, and he wants to get in! He hain't got the + countersign; shall I pass him?" + </p> + <p> + "Good evening. Corporal!" said the Captain, as Si came up, at the same + time extending his hand. + </p> + <p> + Si was thrown completely off his guard. Dropping the butt of his gun + carelessly to the ground he replied cheerily, "Good evening, Cap'n," + touching his hat by way of salute. Then he took the proffered hand, + pleased at the Captain's mark of kindly recognition. He didn't understand + the scheme then. "How are you getting on, Mr. Klegg?" "First rate!" said + Si, with the air of one conscious that he had done his duty well. "I + capchered a forager a little bit ago and took him to headquarters!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0054" id="linkimage-0054"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/159.jpg" alt="One of the 'non-com Mish.' 159 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Well done, Corporal I have no doubt you will honor the good name of the + 200th Ind. in general and Company Q in particular, I got caught outside to + night, and I want to get back into camp. Of course, you know me and it's + all right!" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly, sir!" said Si, as he stood leaning on his gun and allowed the + officer to pass the magic line. "Good night, Cap'n!" + </p> + <p> + "Good night, Corporal! By the way," said the Captain, retracing his steps, + "I notice that you do not carry your gun just right. Let me show you how + to handle it!" + </p> + <p> + Si didn't know what a flagrant offense it was for a soldier on guard to + let his gun go out of his hands; nor had he the faintest suspicion that + the Captain was playing it on him. So he promptly handed his picee to the + Captain, who immediately brought it down to a "charge," with the bayonet + at Si's breast. + </p> + <p> + "Suppose, now, I was a rebel in disguise," said the Captain, "what kind of + a fix would you be in?" + </p> + <p> + Light began to dawn upon Si, and he started back in terror at the thought + of the mistake he had made. + </p> + <p> + "Of course, I wouldn't let anybody else have it," he stammered; "but I + knew you, Cap'n!" + </p> + <p> + "That makes no difference to a man on duty. Corporal. You hang on to your + gun the rest of the night, and if anybody—I don't care if it's Gen. + Buell himself—insists on your giving it to him, let him have two or + three inches of the point of your bayonet. Don't let anybody pass without + the countersign, either! Come to my quarters when you are relieved + tomorrow." + </p> + <p> + All this illustrates the way the officers had of testing new soldiers and + teaching them a thing or two, when, as was frequently the case, they were + not yet up to the mark. A trick of extra duty for the hapless novitiate + was generally the penance for his simplicity. + </p> + <p> + The cold chills ran up and down Si's back as he took his gun and slowly + returned to the guard fire. He felt that he had utterly spoiled his good + record. + </p> + <p> + "Lieutenant," he said to the officer, "I wish you'd please detail a man to + kick me for about an hour." + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant wanted to know what the matter was, and Si told him all + about it, ending with: + </p> + <p> + "So now I s'pose the Cap'n 'll yank the stripes off'n my blouse!" + </p> + <p> + The officer quieted his fears by assuring him that there was no cause for + alarm. The Captain knew that he was trying to do his duty, and what he had + done was for Si's own good. + </p> + <p> + Si sat down by the fire and was thinking it over when there was another + call, "Corporal of the guard!" He was soon at the point indicated and + found two officers on horseback, whom he recognized as the Colonel and + Adjutant of the 200th Ind. Si's friend Shorty was the guard who had halted + them. + </p> + <p> + "Now, Corporal Klegg," said Si to himself, laying his finger alongside his + nose, "you jist watch out this time. Here's big game! Shouldn't wonder if + them ossifers had bin out skylarkin', and they're tryin' to git in. Don't + ye let 'em fool ye as the Cap'n did!" + </p> + <p> + Si was right in his surmise. The Colonel and Adjutant had been enjoying a + good supper at a house half a mile away, and had not the slightest idea + what the countersign was. + </p> + <p> + Si was determined not to "get left" this time. As he approached, the + Colonel saw that it was soldier he had commended for his gallantry at the + time of the skirmish. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, Corporal Klegg, I'm glad to see you so prompt in your duty. I was + sure we had made no mistake when we promoted you. Of course, you can see + who I am. I'm your Colonel, and this is the Adjutant. We are, + unfortunately, outside without the countersign; but you can just let us + through." + </p> + <p> + The Colonel's taffy had no effect on Si. He just brought himself into a + hostile attitude, with his bayonet in fair range of the Colonel, as he + replied: + </p> + <p> + "Colonel, my orders is to pass no livin' man unless he says 'Bunker Hill.' + I'd be glad to do ye a good turn, but there's no use talkin'. I'm goin' to + obey orders, and ye can't pass here." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0055" id="linkimage-0055"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/155.jpg" alt="'not 'less Ye Say 'bunker Hill.'' 155 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The Colonel chuckled softly as he dismounted and came up to Si. + </p> + <p> + "It's all right," he said, "of course I know what the countersign is. I + was only trying you." + </p> + <p> + "Hold on there," said Si, "don't come too close. If you've got the + countersign, advance and give it. If ye ain't got it, I'll jest call the + Officer of the Guard!" + </p> + <p> + Leaning over the point of Si's bayonet the Colonel gently whispered + "Bunker Hill". + </p> + <p> + "Correct!" said Si, and bringing his gun to a shoulder, he respectfully + saluted the Colonel. The latter started to remount, but turned back as he + said: + </p> + <p> + "Just let me show you how to hold your gun. You don't—" + </p> + <p> + "Not if the court knows herself," said Si, again menacing the Colonel with + his bayonet. "That's bin played on me once to-night, and if anybody does + it again my name ain't Si Klegg!" + </p> + <p> + "That's right, Corporal," said the Colonel as he sprang into the saddle; + "but don't tell anybody what the countersign is again! Good night!" + </p> + <p> + "Good night. Colonel," said Si, touching his hat. As the officers rode + away Si began to think he had put his foot in it again. He was confirmed + in this opinion by seeing Shorty sit down on a log in a paroxysm of + laughter. + </p> + <p> + "You give yerself away bad this time!" said Shorty, as soon as he could + speak. "What did ye tell him the countersign for?" + </p> + <p> + "Whew-w-w-w!" observed Si, with a prolonged whistle. "Shorty," said he, "I + wish you'd take a club and see if you can't pound a little sense into me; + I don't believe I've got any!" Without another word he shouldered his gun + and returned to the guard headquarters. "Now I'm a goner, sure!" he said + to himself. + </p> + <p> + On his way he found a guard sitting by a tree, sound asleep. Carefully + taking away his gun Si awoke him, and frightened him half to death by + telling him that he would report him and he would be shot for sleeping on + post. Si finally said he wouldn't tell on him this time, but he must never + do so again, or he would be a dead man. + </p> + <p> + "Corporal of the guard!" was heard again, sometime after midnight. "If + they try any more measly tricks on me to-night somebody 'll git hurt!" + thought Si as he walked briskly along the line in response to the call. + </p> + <p> + This time it was a "contraband"—an old negro, who stood shivering + with terror as the guard held him at the point of the bayonet. Recalling + the unlucky adventures of the night. Si imagined that it was one of the + officers, who had blackened himself like a minstrel, and had come there + purposely to "catch him." + </p> + <p> + "Ye can't get through unless ye've got the counter sign," said he, + decisively; "and I shan't give it to ye, nuther! And ye needn't try to + show me how to hold my gun! I can handle it well enough to shoot and punch + the Bayonet!" + </p> + <p> + "Don't know what dat all means, boss," said the frightened negro; "but fer + de good Lawd's sake don't shove dat t'ing frew me. I've only bin ober to + de nex' place to a 'possum roast and I'se jist gwine home. I didn't know + dese yer ge-yards was heah!" + </p> + <p> + Si didn't propose to take any chances, and so he marched the old + contraband back and delivered him to the officer, who kept him till + morning and then suffered him to go on his way. + </p> + <p> + Once more that night Si was called, in addition to his tramps with the + "reliefs" and the "grand rounds." It was, perhaps, an hour before + daylight, and Shorty was the guard who called him. He told Si there was + something walking around in the woods, and he believed it was a rebel + trying to creep up on them. He had challenged two or three times, but got + no answer. The moon had gone down, and in the dark woods objects at any + distance could not be distinguished. + </p> + <p> + "There, d'ye hear that?" said Shorty, as there came a sound of crackling + sticks and rustling leaves. + </p> + <p> + "Halt!" exclaimed Si. "Who comes there?" + </p> + <p> + There was no response, and Si challenged again with like result. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si, "let's fire both together," and crack went their + muskets. + </p> + <p> + For a moment there was a great floundering, and then all was still. As + soon as it was light, and Shorty was relieved, he and Si went out to see + the result of their fire. To their astonishment they found the prowler + cold and stiff in death—they had shot a big gray mule. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0056" id="linkimage-0056"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/163.jpg" alt="They Had Shot a Mule 163 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + On the whole, it was a busy and interesting night for Si. He did not lose + his chevrons on account of his mistakes. But he learned something, and the + lesson was impressed upon his mind by a few kindly words of caution and + advice from the Captain of Co. Q. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. FORAGING ON THE WAY + </h2> + <h3> + SI HAS SOME VARIED EXPERIENCES WITH SOUTHERN PRODUCTS. + </h3> + <p> + THE long chase after Bragg from Louisville to the mountains of + southeastern Kentucky was rough on the new troops. It weeded them out very + fast, and in every town through which Buell's army passed the buildings + were turned into hospitals and filled with sick and crippled soldiers, who + had found out early that they were not physically able to endure the + hardships of an active campaign. At the end of two or three weeks some of + the new regiments were as much reduced in numbers as most of those that + went out in '61 were during their first six months. + </p> + <p> + The 200th Ind. jogged along bravely, but its ranks had suffered the common + skage. Not less than 400 of its men had fallen by the wayside, and were + taking quinine and blue-mass and rubbing arnica on their legs all along + the tortuous route. + </p> + <p> + Corporal Si Klegg and his friend Shorty proved to be "stayers." Full of + life and ambition, they were always prompt for duty and ready for a fight + or a frolic. No one was more quick than Si to offer a suffering comrade + the last drop of fresh water in his canteen or give him a lift by carrying + his gun a piece. + </p> + <p> + One day the regiment started out for an easy, comfortable day's march. The + coast was clear of rebels, and there being no excuse for crowding on the + steam, the boys were allowed to take their own gait, while the horses of + the officers and cavalry had a chance to recover their wind. + </p> + <p> + It was a warm day late in October. The nights at this time were keen and + frosty, but the sun at mid-day still showed much of his Summer vigor. + Perspiration flowed freely down the faces of those wandering Hoosiers—faces + that were fast assuming the color of half-tanned leather under the + influence of sunshine and storm. + </p> + <p> + Once an hour there was the customary halt, when the boys would stretch + their legs by the roadside, hitching their knapsacks up under their heads. + When the allotted time had expired the bugler blew "Fall in," the notes of + which during the next two years became so familiar to the ears of the + 200th. Later in '64, the Indiana boys mingled their voices with the rest + of Sherman's hundred thousand veterans as they sang: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I know you are tired, but still you must go + Down to Atlanta to see the big show." +</pre> + <p> + The soldiers were in good spirits. As they marched they fired jests at one + another, and laughter rippled along the line. + </p> + <p> + The only thing that troubled them was the emaciated condition of their + haversacks, with a corresponding state of affairs in their several + stomachs. The Commissary Department was thoroughly demoralized. The supply + train had failed to connect, and rations were almost exhausted. There was + no prospect that the aching void would be filled, at least, in the regular + way, until they reached a certain place, which would not be until the + following day. + </p> + <p> + Strict orders against foraging were issued almost daily under the Buell + dispensation. These were often read impressively to the new troops, who, + in their simplicity, "took it all in" as military gospel. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0057" id="linkimage-0057"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/169.jpg" + alt="The 200th Ind. Was Not Without Talent in Foraging 169 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The effect was somewhat depressing upon the ardor with which otherwise + they would have pursued the panting pig and the fluttering fowl, and + reveled in the orchards and potato-fields. A few irrepressible fellows + managed to get a choice meal now and then—just enough to show that + the 200th Ind. was not without latent talent in this direction, which only + needed a little encouragement to become fruitful of results. + </p> + <p> + But these orders against foraging didn't hold the soldiers of the crop of + 1861. It was like trying to carry water in a sieve. When rations were + short, or if they wanted to vary the rather monotonous bill of fare, they + always found a way to make up any existing deficiency. + </p> + <p> + On the day in question a few hints were thrown out which resulted in a + tacit understanding that, in view of the actual need of the soldiers, if + they got a good chance to pick up something the eyes of the officers would + be closed. In fact, the officers were as hungry as the men, and hoped to + come in for a "divide." + </p> + <p> + Soon after starting in the morning a persimmon tree, well laden with + fruit, was seen in a field not far from the road. About fifty men started + for it on a run, and in five minutes it was as bare as the barren fig + tree. + </p> + <p> + The persimmon has some very marked peculiarities. It is a toothsome fruit + when well ripened by frost, but if eaten before it has reached the point + of full maturity, the effect upon one's interior is unique and startling. + The pungent juices take hold of the mouth and pucker it up in such manner + as to make even speech for a time impossible. The tongue seems as if it + were tied in a knot. If the juice be swallowed, similar results follow all + along its course. But the novice does not often get far enough for that. + </p> + <p> + The boys soon found that the 'simmons, although they looked very tempting, + were too green to be eaten with any degree of enjoyment. So they filled + their pockets with them to pucker up the regiment. + </p> + <p> + Shorty had joined in the scramble, telling Si he would bring him a good + supply. + </p> + <p> + "Ain't them nice?" he said to Si, holding out three or four of the + greenest ones he could find. "Eat 'em; they're jest gorjus! You can't help + likin' 'em." + </p> + <p> + Si had never seen any persimmons before. They were certainly tempting to + the eye, and he thought they were sent as manna was supplied to the + children of Israel in the wilderness. + </p> + <p> + Eagerly seizing them, Si tossed one into his mouth and began to chew it + with great vigor. The persimmon got in its work at once. It took hold with + a mighty grip, wrinkling him up like the skins on scalded milk. + </p> + <p> + After sputtering vigorously a few minutes, while Shorty laughed at him. Si + managed to get his tongue untwisted. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said he, "them things is nice—in a horn! 'Twouldn't take many + of 'em to make a meal!" + </p> + <p> + A little farther on Si's quick eye noticed a row of beehives standing on a + bench in the yard of one of the natives. Si had a weakness for honey. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said he, "see them hives over there? How'd ye like to have some + honey for supper?" + </p> + <p> + Shorty "allowed" that it would be a good thing. Si stopped and waited a + few minutes until his own regiment got past, thinking his plan would be + less liable to interruption. Then he leaped over the fence, went up to the + hives, and boldly tipped one of them over, hoping he could get out a comb + or two, fill up his coffee-kettle, and effect his retreat before the bees + really found out what he was up to. + </p> + <p> + But the bees instantly rallied their forces and made a vigorous assault + upon the invader. Si saw that it would be too hot for him, and without + standing upon the order of his going he went at once, in a decidedly + panicky state of mind. The bees made the most of their opportunity, using + their "business ends" on him with great activity and zeal. They seemed to + fully' share the common feeling in the South toward the "Yanks." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0058" id="linkimage-0058"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/171.jpg" alt="Si Beat a Retreat 171 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + A pretty woman, standing on the porch, had watched Si's raid from the + doorway. As he fell back in utter rout she screamed "Sarves ye right!" and + then sat down on the doorstep and laughed till she cried. She enjoyed it + as much as the bees did. + </p> + <p> + The latter took hold of Si in various places, and by the time he had + caught up with the regiment one eye was closed, and there was a big lump + on his nose, besides several more stings which the bees had judiciously + distributed about his person. It was very evident that he had been + overmatched and had come out second best in the encounter. + </p> + <p> + Corporal Klegg presented a picturesque appearance as he reached Co. Q. The + boys fairly yelled with delight. + </p> + <p> + "Whar's yer honey?" said Shorty. "Pears like ye waked up the wrong + passenger that time!" + </p> + <p> + Si laughed with the rest, rubbed salt on his stings, and plodded on, + consoling himself with the thought that his was not the only case in which + the merit of earnest effort had gone unrewarded. + </p> + <p> + Soon after noon the 200th came to a large patch of sweet potatoes. Si and + Shorty, as well as a good many of the rest, thought it would be a good + place to lay in a supply for supper, as they might not have another So + good a chance. From all parts of the column the men, by dozens dashed into + the field. In a moment there was a man at every hill, digging away with + his bayonet, and chucking the tempting tubers into his haversack. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <img alt="173 (74K)" src="images/173.jpg" /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + THERE WAS A MAN AT EVERY HILL + </p> + <p> + Two hours before going into camp the regiment passed a small spring, + around which a crowd of soldiers were struggling to fill their canteens. + There had been a long stretch without fresh water, and Si thought he would + supply himself. + </p> + <p> + "Gimme your canteen, too, Shorty, and I'll fill it!" he said. + </p> + <p> + "Here, Si, you're a bully boy, take mine!" "Mine, too!" "And mine!" said + one after another of his comrades. Si good naturedly complied and they + loaded him down with about 20 canteens. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0059" id="linkimage-0059"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/175.jpg" alt="Si Being Worked for a 'good Thing.' 175 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "All right," said Si, "I'll be along with 'em full d'reckly!" + </p> + <p> + He had to wait for his turn at the spring, and by the time he had filled + all the canteens he was half an hour behind. Slinging them around his neck + he started on, with just about as big a load as he could carry. + </p> + <p> + Si forged ahead, gradually gaining a little, through the tardy movement of + the column that generally preceded going into camp. The canteen straps + chafed his shoulders, his back ached, and perspiration streamed from every + pore. The smoke of the campfires ahead told that the end of the day's + march was near. He kept on and finally came up with Co. Q just as the + 200th was stacking arms on the bank of a clear stream. + </p> + <p> + Si threw down his burdens of canteens, himself thoroughly blown and + well-nigh exhausted. + </p> + <p> + "Purty good load, wasn't it, Si?" said Shorty. "But what made ye lug all + that water in here? When ye saw they was goin' into camp ahead ye might + ha' knowed there was plenty o' water. Why in blazes didn't ye turn the + water out o' them 'ere canteens?" + </p> + <p> + "I'll be hanged if I thought o' that!" said Si, while the boys joined in a + hearty laugh. + </p> + <p> + At the command "Break ranks" there was a general scamper to engage in the + work of getting supper and preparing to spend the night with as much + comfort as possible. The members of each mess scattered in all directions + for water, rails, straw, etc., while some went out to scour the adjacent + region for edibles. + </p> + <p> + These exercises the soldiers always entered into with the heartiest gusto, + and the scene will be well remembered by all those who marched. + </p> + <p> + Si threw off his traps and dropped on the ground to rest a few minutes. He + got up presently to scratch around with the rest. As he took hold of his + haversack he was surprised at its lightness. When he laid it down it was + bulging out with sweet potatoes, and a glance showed him that these were + all gone. + </p> + <p> + "Dern my buttons!" exclaimed Si, as he forgot his weariness, and his eyes + flashed fire. "If I am a Corporal, I kin jest mash the feller that stole + my 'taters, I don't keer if he's ten foot high. Won't somebody show 'im to + me? There won't be 'nuff of 'im left to hold a fun'ral over?" + </p> + <p> + Si pranced around in a high state of inflammation, and it is probable that + if he had found the purloiner of his provender there would have been a + harder fight than any that occurred between Buell and Bragg. + </p> + <p> + The boys winked slyly at one another, and all said it was too bad. It was + a startling case of turpitude, and Si determined to have revenge by + getting even with some other fellow, without pausing to consider the + questions of moral philosophy involved. + </p> + <p> + "Come 'long with me. Shorty!" he said to his friend, and they strode away. + Just outside the camp they came upon two members of some other new + regiment coming into camp with a fine pig slung over a pole and two or + three chickens in their hands. Shorty suggested to Si that this was a good + chance for him to even up. + </p> + <p> + "Halt, there!" shouted Si to the foragers. "We're sent out to pick up such + fellows as you!" + </p> + <p> + The effect was like a discharge from a masked battery. The men dropped + their plunder and fled in wild confusion. + </p> + <p> + "Take hold 'o that pole, Shorty!" said Si, and laying it upon their + shoulders they made a triumphant entry into camp. + </p> + <p> + There seemed to be no danger of immediate starvation in the ranks of the + 200th. Each man appeared to have supplied himself during the day. On every + hand fires gleamed brightly in the gathering twilight, and around them + crowded the hungry soldiers, intent upon the simple culinary processes + incident to the evening meal. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. A SUNDAY OFF + </h2> + <h3> + SI AND SHORTY GET A MUCH-NEEDED WASH-UP. + </h3> + <p> + "YOU can take it easy to-day, boys, for we ain't goin' to move!" said the + Orderly of Co. Q one morning at roll-call. "The orders is for to put the + camp in nice shape, and for the men to wash up. We're goin' to have an + extra ration of soap this mornin', and you fellows want to stir around + lively and fix yerselves as if it was Sunday and ye was goin' to meetin'. + The fust thing after breakfast all hands 'll turn out and p'leece ther + camp." + </p> + <p> + "What in the world does he mean by p'leecin' the camp?" Corporal Klegg + asked Shorty, as they stood by the fire making coffee and warming up the + fragments of chicken that had been left over from supper the night before. + "I didn't c'pose," said Si, "that we 'listed to be p'leecemen!" + </p> + <p> + Shorty replied that he didn't know, but he reckoned they'd find out soon + enough. The 200th Ind. had been on the jump every day since leaving + Louisville, and this was the first time it had been called on to "police" + a camp. + </p> + <p> + As soon as breakfast was over the Orderly directed each man to provide + himself with a small bundle of sticks, made by putting together a dozen + bits of brush or "switches" three or four feet long, such as are used to + rural pedagogs to enforce discipline. These, he said, were the implements + used in policing camp, which meant brushing the leaves and loose debris + outside the grounds. + </p> + <p> + "Does Corprils have to do that sort o' thing?" asked Si. He thought army + regulations and camp usage ought to show some consideration for his rank. + "What's the use of bein' a Corporil," he said to himself, "if it don't + give a feller a chance to play off once in a while?" + </p> + <p> + "Corporals ain't no better'n anybody else," replied the Orderly, "'n' you + can jist git some brush and go to work, 'long with the rest!" + </p> + <p> + Si was disposed to grumble a little, but he obeyed orders and was soon + scratching up the leaves and dust with great zeal. He did not find it a + particularly pleasant occupation, but the camp looked so much better when + the job was done, that he thought it was not a bad thing, after all. + </p> + <p> + "Now, Shorty," said Si, "let's go down to the creek and do our washin'. My + clothes has got to be biled, and I shouldn't wonder if yourn had, too." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, that's a fact!" said Shorty. + </p> + <p> + They got a big camp-kettle that had been used, and would be again, for + making bean-soup, and started for the stream back of the camp. They had no + change of clothing with them. Some days before, in order to lighten their + knapsacks, they had taken out their extra shirts and drawers, tied them in + a bundle, and put them on the company wagon, and this was somewhere back + in the rear, owing to the confusion of the campaign. + </p> + <p> + "Seems to me," observed Si, "it ain't hardly a fair shake for Uncle Sam to + make us do our washin'. They ought to confiscate the niggers 'n' set them + at it; or I don't see why the Guvyment can't furnish a washin' masheen for + each comp'ny! 'Twouldn't be no more'n the square thing!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0060" id="linkimage-0060"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/181.jpg" alt="Si Was Disposed to Grumble 181 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "The wimmen does the washin', ye know, Si, up where we live," said Shorty, + "'n' I don't quite like the notion o' doin' that kind o' workt, but I + can't jest see how we're goin' to git out of it. It's got to be done, + that's sure!" + </p> + <p> + On the bank of the stream they quickly threw off their clothes for a bath. + Si cast rueful glances at his nether garments as he laid them on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + "Hadn't we better pile some rocks on 'em, Shorty?" said he. I'm affeared + if we don't they'll crawl off into the bush. + </p> + <p> + "Guess we had," replied Shorty. "I b'lieve mine's started already!" + </p> + <p> + Having made sure of them, they plunged into the water. Far up and down the + stream were hundreds of men, swimming and splashing about. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers availed themselves of every opportunity to enjoy this luxury. + </p> + <p> + Having thoroughly performed their ablutions. Si and Shorty turned their + energies toward the clothes, which were in such sore need of soap and hot + water. Putting their garments into the kettle and filling it with water, + they built a fire under it. After half an hour of vigorous boiling they + concluded they were "done." Plenty of soap, rubbing and rinsing finished + the work, and the clothes sure presented a remarkable appearance, + particularly the blue trousers. + </p> + <p> + "How're we going to git 'em dry?" asked Si, as he wrung out the last of + his "wash." + </p> + <p> + "Hang 'em on the fence in the sun!" replied Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "But what'll we wear while they're dryin'?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothin', I reckon!" + </p> + <p> + So they spread out their garments, and then dashed again into the water. + After splashing awhile they came out and drew on their half-dried + trousers. Shorty lighted his pipe as they sat down to wait for the + sunshine to do its perfect work. All along the stream were soldiers in + similar stages of dishabille. It seemed like the Garden of Eden. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0061" id="linkimage-0061"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/183.jpg" alt="Showing the Old Man a Trick 183 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Say, Shorty," said Si, "'taint very wicked to smoke, is it?" + </p> + <p> + "Guess not!" was the reply. + </p> + <p> + "That's the way it 'pears to me, 'n' I've been kinder thinkin' lately that + I'd learn how. The soljers all seem to enjoy their smokin' so much. You + know. Shorty, that I was always a reel good boy—never smoked, nor + chawed terbacker, nor cussed, nor done nothin' that was out o' the + straight an' narrer way. When I jined the regiment my good old mother says + to me: 'Now, Si,' says she, 'I do hope ye'll 'member what I've always + taught ye. I've beam 'em tell that they does dretful things in the army, + and I want ye to see if ye can't be as good a boy as ye've been at home.' + Of course, I told her I would, 'n' I mean, ter stick to it; but I don't + b'lieve there's any harm in smokin'. Is it hard to learn?" + </p> + <p> + "Wall, I dunno; I reck'n ye can't most always tell till ye try. Take a + whiff, 'nd see how she goes!" And Shorty handed him his pipe, which he had + just refilled with whittlings of black "navy plug." + </p> + <p> + "Derned if I don't try it!" said Si, as he took the pipe and began to puff + with great energy. He made a few wry faces at first, but Shorty told him + to stick to it, and he bravely pulled away while the clouds of smoke + curled above him. + </p> + <p> + It was not long till the color left his face, his head was in a whirl, and + his stomach began to manifest eruptive symptoms. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," he gasped, "I'm awful sick. If smokin' makes a feller feel like + this I don't want any more of it in mine." + </p> + <p> + "Where's all yer sand ye brag so much about?" said Shorty, laughing. + "You're mighty poor timber for a soljer if ye can't stand a little pipe o' + terbacker like that. You'll get over it purty soon, and it won't bother ye + any next time ye try it." + </p> + <p> + Si found that he had on hand about as much as he could manage with his + dizzy head and the rebellion that was so actively going on at a point a + little lower in his physical system. The feeling wore gradually off, + however, and by the time he was able to walk their clothes were well + dried. They proceeded to "dress up," and then returned to camp. + </p> + <p> + During the afternoon the camp was visited by natives, black and white, + from the region round about, with corn "pones," alleged pies, boiled eggs, + and truck of various kinds, which they sought to dispose of for a valuable + consideration. They struck a bad crowd, however, in a financial sense. The + members of the 200th Ind. were not at this time in a condition of + opulence. Most of them had spent what money they brought from home, and + they had not been out long enough yet to receive a visit from the + Paymaster. The lank men and scrawny women cried their wares vociferously, + but with indifferent results. The boys wanted the stuff, but they were + "busted," and trade was dull. + </p> + <p> + Si looked wistfully at the "pies," and suggested to Shorty a joint + investment. Their purses were nearly empty, but the temptation was too + strong to be resisted. + </p> + <p> + "Them looks nice," said Si. They were the first pies he had seen since + leaving home, and his judgment was a little "off." As a matter of fact, it + was only by the greatest stretch of courtesy that they could be called + pies at all. But the word touched Si in a tender spot, and he only thought + of such as his mother used to make. + </p> + <p> + Si and Shorty "pooled in" and bought a pie. Impatiently whipping out his + pocket knife Si tried to cut it in two. It was hard work, for the "crust"—so + called—was as tough as the hide of a mule. By their united efforts + they at length succeeded in sawing it asunder. It was a fearful and + wonderful specimen of culinary effort. It was made of two slabs of sodden, + leathery dough, with a very feeble layer of dried apples sandwiched + between them. + </p> + <p> + Si tried his teeth on the pie, but it was like trying to chew an old + boot-leg. + </p> + <p> + "I say, old lady," said he, turning to the female of whom he had bought + it, "is these pies pegged or sewed?" + </p> + <p> + "Look a hyar, young feller," said the woman, with considerable vinegar in + her tone, "p'raps you-uns-all thinks it's right smart to insult we-uns; it + shows how yer wuz broughten up. I don't 'low yer ever seed any nicer + dog-g-goned pies 'n them is. Ye needn't try ter argify 'long 'th me, fur I + kin jest knock the spots off'n any woman there is 'round here in cookin'." + </p> + <p> + Si saw that it would be profitless to discuss the matter, and concluded to + make the best of a bad bargain. But he wouldn't eat the pie. + </p> + <p> + On the whole, the hucksters fared rather badly. The boys confiscated most + of the stuff that was brought in, promising to pay next time they came + that way. There was a good deal of grumbling, but the trouble always ended + in the soldiers getting the plunder. + </p> + <p> + The climax was reached when a putty-faced citizen drove into camp a bony + mule tied with straps and ropes and strings to a crazy cart, on which was + a barrel of cider, which he "allowed" to sell out to the boys at 10 cents + a drink, or a quarter a canteen full. He had a spigot rigged up in one end + and an old tin cup, with which he dealt out the seductive beverage to such + as would pay. + </p> + <p> + A thirsty crowd gathered around him, but sales were slow, on account of + the scarcity of money. Si and Shorty mingled with the boys, and then drew + aside and engaged in a whispered consultation. + </p> + <p> + "That'll be jest bully!" said Shorty. "If you can raise an auger somewhere + we'll git the bulge on that old chap." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0062" id="linkimage-0062"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/187.jpg" alt="Waiting for Their Clothes to Dry 187 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Si returned after a brief absence, with an auger which he had borrowed + from the driver of an ammunition wagon. + </p> + <p> + "Now, Shorty," said Si, "you git the boys to stand around and keep up a + racket, and I'll crawl under the cart and bore a hole into that 'ere + barrel. Then pass in yer canteens and army kettles 'n' we'll show the old + man a trick!" + </p> + <p> + Shorty quietly broached the scheme to a few of his comrades, who fell in + with it at once. Gathering around the cart, they cheered and chattered so + as to drown any noise Si might make while carrying out his plan, and which + would "give it away." + </p> + <p> + It was not more than a minute till a gurgling sound was heard, and Si + began to pass out to the boys the buckets and canteens which they so + freely furnished him, filled with the fast-flowing contents of the barrel. + It didn't take long to empty it entirely, nor did the citizen discover the + state of affairs until the cider no longer ran from the spigot. + </p> + <p> + He had not sold more than a gallon or two, and he was amazed when the + liquid ceased to respond. Then he resolved himself into an investigating + committee, and after a protracted search he discovered the trick that had + been played on him. + </p> + <p> + "Wall, I'll be gosh-durned!" he exclaimed. "I've hearn tell 'bout Yankee + tricks, but dog my cats if this 'ere don't beat 'em all! I'd like to cut + the gizzard outen the rascal that bored the hole in that bar'l!" + </p> + <p> + "I declare, old pard; that was mean!" said Si, who stood looking on, with + his hands in his trousers pockets, the very picture of innocence. "I'm + jist goin' to flax 'round 'n' help ye find that feller. If I was you I'd + pound the stuffin' out of him—when ye cotch him!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. A CLOSE CALL + </h2> + <h3> + CORPORAL KLEGG HAS AN EXCITING ADVENTURE GUARDING A FORAGE TRAIN. + </h3> + <p> + "COMPANY Q's bin detailed to go out 'n' help guard a forage train + to-morrow," said the Orderly one evening at roll-call. "You fellers wants + to all be up 'n' dressed bright 'n' early, with yer cartridge-boxes full + 'n' a day's rations in yer haversacks. Be sure yer guns is in good order, + fer likely's not we'll have a squirmish afore we git back." + </p> + <p> + The 200th Ind. had been lying in camp for two or three days, and the + ambitious heroes who composed that regiment were getting tired of loafing + about. Nothing chafed the raging patriotism of the new troops like a + condition, however brief, of masterly inactivity. They refused to be + comforted unless they were on the warpath all the time. Their ideal of a + soldier's life was to take a rebel battery every morning before breakfast, + storm a line of works to give them an appetite for dinner, and spend the + afternoon charging with cold steel the serried columns of the foe and + wading around through seas of gore. + </p> + <p> + So Corporal Klegg and Shorty and the rest of the boys betook themselves + with alacrity to the work of preparation for the duties of the morrow. + Members of the other companies watched the proceedings with jealous eye. + They almost turned green with envy because they were not detailed for the + expedition instead of Co. Q. + </p> + <p> + "Say, Si," remarked Shorty, thoughtfully, "hadn't we better write a letter + home? Who knows but we'll be as dead as mackerels to-morrer night!" + </p> + <p> + "Fiddlesticks!" said Si. "What's the use o' havin' a funeral afore there's + any corpse! We've bin through one fight 'n' didn't git hurt, 'n' I've made + up my mind there's no use gittin' into a stew over a thing that may hap'n + 'n' may not. Time 'nuff to fret 'bout it when it comes. I recolleck one + thing I learned in Sunday-school—let's see, it was 'S'ficient unto + the day is the evil thereof,' or suthin' like that. Strikes me that's a + good passidge o' Scripter fer a soldier to keep pasted in his hat. I ain't + goin' ter hang back fer fear a billit 'll hit me, nuther. If we're going + to be killed we can't help it, so let's not fret our gizzards out!" And Si + crammed a handful of hardtack into his haversack. + </p> + <p> + Si's cheery view of the case was not without its effect upon Shorty. + Indeed, it cannot be denied that there was a great deal of common sense in + his homely, good-natured philosophy. Sooner or later every soldier who did + not "peter out" came gradually to adopt Si's idea as the governing + principle of his military career. + </p> + <p> + "Shouldn't wonder if you was 'bout right, after all," said Shorty, as he + sliced up some bacon to have it ready for an early breakfast. "You're + better'n medicine, Si, to a feller w'at gits the blues sometimes!" + </p> + <p> + The preparations were soon made, and Co. Q went to bed early. In the + morning the Orderly came around and stirred the boys up an hour before + reveille, as they were ordered to be ready to start at daylight. The + primary object of the expedition was forage for the animals, the supply of + which had run short. Besides this, each man had a secondary purpose, and + that was to gather in something on his own hook that would satisfy his + longing for a change from the regulation diet. This was always the + unwritten part of the order to "go out foraging." Daylight was just + streaking over the camp when Co. Q, equipped in light marching order, + leaving knapsacks behind, moved out to where the half dozen wagons + detailed from the regimental transportation were ready for the start. Each + regiment in the brigade furnished a company and the same number of wagons. + The impatient mules were braying and flapping their ears, as if they + understood that they were to be the chief beneficiaries of the raid. + </p> + <p> + "Pile in, boys!" said the Orderly, and they clambered into the wagons. The + guards were permitted to ride until there were symptoms of danger. + </p> + <p> + Then the muleteers, bestriding the big "wheelers," cracked their long + whips like pistol-snots, addressed to the mules the usual words of + exhortation, and the long procession drew out upon the stony pike and took + a brisk trot. Considerable foraging had already been done in the vicinity, + and it was expected the train would have to go out several miles in order + to fully accomplish its object. The boys were in fine spirits and enjoyed + their morning ride, albeit the jolting of the wagons gave them a thorough + shaking up. + </p> + <p> + "I guess they forgot to put any springs in when they built these wagons!" + said Shorty, as he shifted his position so that he might catch the bumps + in a new place for a while. + </p> + <p> + "Jest thinkin' that way myself," replied Si; "but all the same, it beats + travelin' on the hoof all holler!" + </p> + <p> + Three or four miles out from camp the train was halted while the officers + in command made inquiries of a cadaverous native who was sunning himself + on the fence and whose principal occupation seemed to be chewing tobacco + and distributing the resultant liquid around in a promiscuous way. + </p> + <p> + "Good morning, stranger," said the officer, "have you any corn on your + place?" + </p> + <p> + "Haint got a dog-goned ear left!" was the surly answer. "Some o' you-unses + men wuz out here yisterdy 'n' tuk every bit I hed." + </p> + <p> + This may or may not have been true. Inquiries of this nature always + developed the fact that it was a man's neighbors who had plenty of corn; + he never had any himself. + </p> + <p> + "There's ole man Scroggs," he continued; "he lives a matter of two miles + from hyar. I 'low ye'll git sum if ye go thar. He growed a power o' cawn + this yeah; he sold a heap, but I reckon he's got a right smart left." + </p> + <p> + During this time a couple of men had been making a hasty examination of + the outbuildings on the place. They reported that they could find nothing + in the way of forage. If the man had any corn he had carefully concealed + it. The train started on to pay a visit to old man Scroggs. + </p> + <p> + "Say, old pard," asked Si as his wagon drove past, "is there any rebs + 'round here?" + </p> + <p> + "There wuz a few Confedrit critter-men ridin' 'bout hyar this mawnin';—mebby + ye'll run agin 'em 'afore night." + </p> + <p> + "How many o' your boys is among em?" + </p> + <p> + "We'uns is all Union." + </p> + <p> + "Jest as long as we're 'round, I s'pose!" said Si. + </p> + <p> + A mile further on those who were in the lead, rising to the crest of a + hill, saw—or thought they saw a few vagrant cavalrymen far ahead. + The train was halted and dispositions were made to meet any emergency + likely to arise. The men were ordered to "tumble out" of the wagons. The + main body was formed in advance. A line of skirmishers was deployed in + front and flankers were thrown out on either side. Thus protected, the + mule drivers again cracked their whips and the procession moved cautiously + forward. + </p> + <p> + "Now keep yer eyes skinned," said Si to Shorty as they trailed along + through the woods and fields and over fences, on one of the flanks. "If + any of them raskils comes dodgin' 'round here let's try 'n' have the first + crack at 'em 'n' git the bulge on the rest o' the boys!" + </p> + <p> + Keenly alert, with muskets loaded and capped, they crept carefully along, + poking their noses into every thicket and peering around every building. + It was clear that there would not be anything in the nature of a surprise + if the whole line was as well taken care of as the particular point + guarded by Corporal Klegg and his faithful friend Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "It's some like huntin' squirrels up in the woods of Posey County," said + Si, as they forced their way through a patch of brambles. + </p> + <p> + "'Pears to be rayther more excitin' than huntin' squirrels," said Shorty. + "Ye know squirrels doesn't shute back at a feller as them pesky rebbles + does, an' the fun 's all on one side. I reckon ef squirrels c'd shute + there wouldn't be so much huntin' of 'em!" + </p> + <p> + It was really a disappointment to Si that he found no opportunity to + squint along the barrel of his musket in range of a foe. If any of his + misguided fellow-citizens were in the neighborhood they considered + discretion the better part of valor and kept out of harm's way. + </p> + <p> + In due time the Scroggs plantation was reached. A hasty examination showed + that there was an abundance of corn on the place to load the wagons, and + arrangements for a sudden transfer of the property were quickly made. A + third of the force established a cordon of picket-posts around the + marauding party, covering all the avenues of approach, with re serves at + convenient points. The remainder of the troops stacked arms and entered + briskly upon the work of confiscation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0063" id="linkimage-0063"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/191.jpg" + alt="An Assault on the Well-filled Corn Crib 191 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Part of the harvest had already been gathered, and the first assault + </p> + <p> + was made on a well-filled cornhouse—one of a group of dilapidated + out-buildings a little way from the dwelling. "Old man" Scroggs protested + with profane vehemence, reinforced by the "old woman" and the entire + family of children. We say "entire family," because there could not well + have been a more numerous progeny in one household anywhere outside of + Utah. + </p> + <p> + The head of the family cursed and swore, and his wife and the big girls + looked as if they wanted to do the same thing, as they stood wringing + their hands, their eyes flashing fire while the small-fry stood around and + sobbed with a vague idea that some dire calamity had befallen them. + </p> + <p> + The old Kentuckian declared that he was a "Union man," and that he would + demand of the Government full revenge for this outrage. It was noticed + that there were no young men around as there should be according to the + economy of nature, to preserve the balance of sex in so large a family. + The officer in command asked him where all his sons were. + </p> + <p> + "Wall, I kaint tell yer 'zactly whar they is," was the reply. "They ain't + to hum jest now. I 'low they've got a right to g'way ef they want ter." + </p> + <p> + The officer had been informed that there were several representatives of + the Scroggs family in the rebel army. The old man's avowal of loyalty was + taken for what it was worth. That it was not rated at a high figure was + well attested by the appearance of the plantation a few hours later. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the soldiers kept right along in the duty assigned them. The + corn-house was surrounded by wagons, the roof was gently lifted off, and + in scarcely more time than it takes to tell the story six or eight of the + wagons were heaped with the contents. The mules wagged their tails and + brayed in anticipation of the picnic they would have when they got back to + camp. + </p> + <p> + Then the force moved some distance and attacked a large field of standing + corn. The stalks had been "topped," but the ears were yet ungathered. The + men started in between the rows and swept through that field like a + cyclone, plucking the ears right and left. Bags, baskets and boxes were + pressed into the service, and as there were not enough of these to go' + round many bore the corn to the wagons by armfuls. It did not take more + than two or three hours to strip every ear from the field. A visitation of + overgrown Kansas grasshoppers could not have done a more thorough job. + </p> + <p> + "Fo' de Lawd, boss," said an old darky who had been roosting on the fence + watching the spoilers, "I nebber seed de crap gaddered so quick since I'se + bawn. You'uns all is powerful smart, da't shuah!" + </p> + <p> + But where were Corporal Klegg and his comrade. Shorty, while all this was + going on? + </p> + <p> + They had been stationed as sentinels near a house, half a mile beyond, on + the pike. They were cautioned to keep a sharp lookout, and for a time they + obeyed their instructions to the letter. Their vigilant eyes swept the + surrounding country, and no rebel could have crept up on them without + getting a pair of bullets from their ready muskets. They saw no signs of + an enemy, and after a while it began to grow monotonous. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si, "I don't b'lieve there's any seceshers in these parts, + an' there ain't any use'n us both keepin' this thing up. You jest watch + out awhile 'n' I'll skin around 'n' see what I kin find." + </p> + <p> + Shorty agreed to this, taking it as an order from his superior officer. Si + threw his gun up to a "right shoulder shift" and started off, after again + urging upon his companion the importance of attending strictly to + business. + </p> + <p> + Si had not gone far till he saw, penned in a corner of the barnyard, a cow + with a full udder, from which a frisky young calf was busily engaged in + pumping nourishment. A violent feeling of envy toward that calf began + immediately to rage in the 'breast of Si. He had not had a draft of fresh + milk since he had left home, and he felt that a little refreshment of that + kind would be particularly gratifying to his interior organism. It would + strengthen him and give him new courage to stand up to the rack if they + should happen to get into a fight. + </p> + <p> + "I say. Shorty," he called, "cum 'ere a minnit, quick!" + </p> + <p> + Si's conscience smote him for calling Shorty from his duty and leaving the + post unguarded, but the temptation was too strong for him to resist, and + he yielded to the impulse to take the chances. Shorty came on the run, + with eyes wide open, thinking his comrade had discovered some rebels + hanging around. + </p> + <p> + "Look there!" said Si, pointing to the maternal scene that has been + alluded to. "Let's have some o' that. We'll git over the fence 'n' you + jest hold the calf while I milk our canteens full. 'Twont take more'n a + jiffy!" + </p> + <p> + "We ort n't to leave the post, ort we?" suggested Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, there ain't no danger," Si replied; "an' besides, you can keep + lookin' out while you're hangin' on to the calf. I was alters a good + milker 'n' I'll fill up these canteens in a couple o' minnits." So they + climbed over and leaned their muskets against the fence. Shorty seized the + calf and held it with a firm grip, in spite of its struggling and + bleating. The cow seemed disposed at first to resent the interference, but + Si's persuasive "So, bossy" proved effectual in calming her fears, and she + stood placidly chewing her cud while Si, spurred on by a guilty + conscience, milked with all his might. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0064" id="linkimage-0064"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/195.jpg" alt="Shorty Held the Calf 195 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The canteens were soon filled, and, with out stopping to drink. Si and + Shorty hurried back to their post of duty. All was quiet, and no harm had + resulted from their brief absence. + </p> + <p> + "I told ye 'twould be all right," said Si. "Now, we'll jest empty one o' + these canteens—here, take a swig—'n' we'll carry the other to + camp. It'll be jest bully to have milk in our coffee agin!" + </p> + <p> + Then they betook themselves to duty with redoubled vigilance, to atone for + their derelictions. After watching for an hour without seeing anything, Si + said he would take another little turn around the place. + </p> + <p> + Boldly advancing to the house, which was some distance in front of their + post, he was met by a girl of about 18. She was rather pretty, but to Si's + ardent imagination she was like a vision of surpassing loveliness. She + greeted him pleasantly—for Si was a comely youth—and, if the + truth must be told, he actually forgot for the moment all about his duty. + When she said she would get him a good dinner, and invited him into the + house to sit while she prepared it, he just went right along. + </p> + <p> + But his conscience began to thump so loudly that after a few minutes he + told her he guessed he'd have to go, but would be delighted to return in + an hour and partake of her hospitality. + </p> + <p> + "May I bring Shorty—he's my pard—'long with me?" he timidly + asked. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly!" she replied, with a sweet smile; and Si went away, his nerves + tingling with pleasant emotions to the very tips of his fingers. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," he said, as he came up to "I've struck it this time. Over to + that house there's the purtiest gal I ever see." + </p> + <p> + "Wha-a-a-a-t!" interjected Shorty, with a look of astonishment; for he + knew something about Si and Annabel—the girl he left behind him—and + he was both surprised and pained at Si's treasonable enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + Si easily divined his thoughts, for something of the same nature had + already caused his own heart to palpitate in a reproving way. + </p> + <p> + "Of—c-c-course—I d-d-don't—mean th-th-that. Shorty," he + stammered "but she's a nice girl, anyhow, 'n' she's gittin' up a dinner + fer me 'n' you. Bet ye it'll be a nice lay-out, too!" + </p> + <p> + Shorty did not feel quite at ease in his mind about leaving the post + again, but Si assured him it would be all right. The peculiar + circumstances of the case had sadly warped Si's judgment. + </p> + <p> + So they went to the house and were cordially greeted by their fair young + hostess, who was flying around, putting the finishing touches to the meal + she had prepared for them. + </p> + <p> + "Jiminy, don't that smell good?" said Si to Shorty in an undertone, as his + sensitive nostrils caught the savory odors that arose from the + nicely-spread board. + </p> + <p> + The young soldiers stood their guns on the floor in a corner of the room, + preliminary to an assault on the edibles. + </p> + <p> + "Ugh!" exclaimed the young woman, with a coquettish shiver, "be them awful + things loaded?" + </p> + <p> + "N—no!" said Si; "they won't hurt ye if ye don't touch 'em!" + </p> + <p> + Si was learning to fib a little, and he wanted to quiet the girl's fears. + </p> + <p> + The boys were soon seated at the table, bountifully supplied with ham, + chicken, eggs, bread and butter, honey, and all the accessories of a + well-ordered repast. They fell to with an eagerness that was, perhaps, + justified by the long time that had elapsed since they had had a "square + meal." Si thought that never in his life had anything tasted so good. + </p> + <p> + While they were thus engaged, without a thought of impending danger, the + girl suddenly opened the door, leading to the dining room. A wild-eyed man—who + proved to be her brother—in the uniform of a rebel soldier, dashed + in, and, presenting a cocked revolver, demanded their unconditional and + immediate surrender. + </p> + <p> + They were in a tight place. But Si proved equal to the sudden and + appalling emergency. It flashed through his mind in an instant how the + girl had "played it" on him. He made up his mind that he would rather be + shot than be captured under such circumstances. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0065" id="linkimage-0065"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/199.jpg" alt="Si Sprang Upon Him 199 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Si sprang up, and the rebel, true to his word, fired. Si dodged, and the + ball only chipped a piece from his left ear. There was not time to get and + use his gun. With the quickness of a cat Si sprang upon him, and with a + blow of his fist laid him sprawling upon the floor. Disarming him, he + placed the revolver at his head and triumphantly exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + "Now, gol durn ye, you're my prisoner. I'd like to blow the top o' yer + head off fer spilin' my dinner, but I won't do it this time. But you jist + git up 'n' come 'long with me!" + </p> + <p> + With his complete mastery of the situation, Si's confidence returned, and + Shorty, who had been dazed and helpless at first, recovered himself and + came to his assistance. + </p> + <p> + But at this instant their ears caught the sound of horses' hoofs galloping + down the pike. Si's quick perception told him that is was a dash of rebel + cavalrymen, and that a few moments later escape would be impossible. + </p> + <p> + "Grab yer gun an' git!" he said to Shorty, at the same time casting one + ferocious glance at the terrified girl, who stood, white and speechless, + contemplating the scene. + </p> + <p> + Si and Shorty dashed out of the house and started for the reserve, at the + highest speed of which their legs were capable. On clattered the horses, + and a few shots from the carbines of the swift-riding horsemen whistled + through the air. + </p> + <p> + Six feet at a jump, with thumping hearts and bulging eyes, the fugitives + almost flew over the ground, throwing quick glances at their pursuers, and + then ahead, in the hope of catching a glimpse of succor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0066" id="linkimage-0066"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/203.jpg" + alt="'shorty if We--only Git--out O' This--' 203 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Shorty, if we only git out o' this—" but Si found he hadn't any + wind to spare to finish the sentence. We must leave to the reader's + imagination the good resolutions as to his future conduct that were + forming in Si's mind at this critical juncture. He saw the awful + consequences of yielding to the influence of that alluring young woman and + her seductive dinner. What he had read about Adam and the trouble Eve got + him into, in pretty much the same way, flashed before him. It was a good + time to resolve that he wouldn't do so any more. + </p> + <p> + Shorty, long and lank, was swifter on his feet than Si. Hardtack and bacon + had not yet reduced the latter's surplus flesh to a degree that enabled + him to run well. Shorty kept ahead, but would not desert his comrade, + slowing up for an instant now and then to give Si, who was straining to + the utmost every nerve, and puffing like a locomotive on an upgrade, a + chance to keep within supporting distance. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers of the reserve taking the alarm, came out at a double-quick + and were fortunately able to cover the retreat of Si and Shorty. The half + dozen cavalrymen, upon the appearance of so large a force, turned their + horses and galloped away. + </p> + <p> + "Hello, Si," said the Orderly of Co. Q, "yer ear's bleedin'. What hurt + ye?" + </p> + <p> + "Fell down and scratched it on a brier!" said Si, as soon as he was able + to speak. + </p> + <p> + That night Si and Shorty sat on a log by the campfire talking over the + events of the day. + </p> + <p> + "Don't ye never blow on this thing," said Si. "It'll be a cold day for us + if they'd find it out." + </p> + <p> + "There ain't no danger o' my tellin'," replied Shorty. "But, say, ain't + that a nice girl out there?" + </p> + <p> + "She's a mean rebel, that's what she is! But that was a smart trick o' + her'n, wasn't it?" + </p> + <p> + "Come mighty near bein' too smart fer us!" replied Shorty. "I don't want + no more such close shaves in mine. You 'member the story of the spider and + the fly, don't ye? Well, she was the spider 'n' we was two poor little + fool flies!" + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si, "I'd a mighty sight ruther be an angel an' have the + daisies a-bloomin' over my grave, than to have been tuk a prisoner in that + house. But that dinner was good, anyhow—what we got of it!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. "THE SWEET SABBATH" + </h2> + <h3> + HOW THE BLESSED DAY OF REST WAS SPENT IN THE ARMY. + </h3> + <p> + "TOMORROW'S Sunday, ye know," said the Orderly of Company Q one Saturday + night at roll-call. + </p> + <p> + This was in the nature of news to the boys. But for the announcement very + few of them would have known it. The Orderly was not distinguished for his + piety, and it is not likely that the approach of Sunday would have + occurred to him if the Sergeant-Major had not come around with orders from + the Colonel for a proper observance of the day. The Colonel himself would + not have thought of it either, if the Chaplain had not reminded him of it. + Everybody wondered how even the Chaplain could keep track of the days well + enough to know when Sunday came—but that was chiefly what he wore + shoulder-straps and drew his salary for. It was the general impression + that he either carried an almanac in his pocket, or else a stick in which + he cut a notch every day with his jack-knife, and in that way managed to + know when a new week began. + </p> + <p> + "There'll be guard-mountin' at 9 o'clock," continued the Orderly, + "regimental inspection at 10, preachin' at 11, an' dress-parade at 5 in + the evenin'. All of ye wants to tumble out right promptly at revellee an' + git yer breakfast, an' then clean up yer guns an' put all yer traps in + apple-pie order, 'cause the Colonel's goin' to look at 'em. He's got sharp + eyes, an' I reck'n he'll be mighty pertickler. If there's anything that + ain't jest right he'll see it quicker'n litenin'. Ye know we hain't had + any inspections yet, an' the Cap'n wants us to be the boss company. So + ye've got to scratch around lively in the mornin'." + </p> + <p> + "Say," said Corporal Klegg, after the company had broken ranks, "seems to + me there wa'n't no use in the Orderly tellin' us to 'scratch around,' fer + we're doin' that purty much all the time, now that the graybacks is + gittin' in their work on us." + </p> + <p> + Shorty smiled faintly at what he seemed to consider a rather feeble joke, + even for Si. + </p> + <p> + The 200th Ind. had now been in the field for many weeks, but it had been + continually cantering about the country, and the Generals had kept it + particularly active on Sundays. Probably this regiment did not manifest + any more than the average degree of enthusiasm and fervor in religious + matters, but there were many in its ranks who, at home, had always sat + under Gospel ministrations, and to tramp on Sundays, the same as other + days, was, at first, a rude shock to their moral sensibilities. These were + yet keen, the edges had not been worn off and blunted and battered by the + hard knocks of army life. True, they could scarcely tell when Sunday came, + but they knew that they kept right along every day. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si, after they had curled up under the blanket for the + night, "'pears to me it'll seem sort o' nice to keep Sunday agin. At the + rate we've bin goin' on we'll all be heathens by the time we git home—if + we ever do. Our Chaplain haint had no chance to preachify yet. The boys of + Comp'ny X, w'at knows him, says he's a staver, 'n' I b'lieve it'll make us + all feel better to have him talk to us once. 'Twont do us no harm, nohow, + I'd like to be home to-morrer 'n' go to church with mother, 'n' sister + Marier, 'n'—er—I mean the rest of the folks. Then I'd jest eat + all the afternoon. I ain't goin' ter git homesick, Shorty; but a feller + can't help feelin' a little streaked once 'n' a while. Mebbe it's a good + idee fer 'em to keep us on the jump, fer then we don't git no chance to + think 'bout it. I don't suppose I'm the only boy 'n the regiment that 'd + be glad to git a jest fer to-morrer. I sh'd want ter be back bright 'n' + arly to fall in Monday mornin', fer I'm goin' to stick to the 200th + through thick 'n' thin, if I don't git knocked out. Say, Shorty, how d'ye + feel, any way?" + </p> + <p> + But Shorty was already fast asleep. Si spooned up to him and was soon, in + his dreams, away up in Posey County. + </p> + <p> + The sound of the bugle and drum, at daylight, fell upon unwilling ears, + for the soldiers felt the same indisposition to get up early Sunday + morning that is everywhere One of the characteristics of modern + civilization. Their beds were hard, but to their weary limbs no couch of + down ever gave more welcome rest than did the rough ground on which they + lay. But the wild yell of the Orderly, "Turn out for roll-call!" with the + thought of the penalties for non-obedience—which some of them had + abundant reason to remember—quickly brought out the laggards. + </p> + <p> + Si and Shorty were, as usual, among the first to take their places in + line. They were pleasantly greeted by the Captain, who had come out on the + run at the last moment, and wriggled himself into his coat as he strode + along the company street. The Captain did not very often appear at morning + rollcall. But one officer of the company was required to be present, and + the Captain generally loaded this duty upon the Lieutenants "turn about." + If he did show up, he would go back to bed and snooze for an hour while + the cook was getting breakfast. If one of the men did that he would soon + be promenading with a rail on his shoulder or standing on a barrel with a + stick or a bayonet tied in his mouth. + </p> + <p> + "I think that's a fust rate notion to mount the guards," said Si to Shorty + as they sat on a rail by the fire making coffee and frying bacon. "It'll + be so much better 'n walkin' back 'n' forrard on the beats. Wonder 'f + they'll give us bosses or mules to ride." + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to know what put that idee into yer head," said Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "Whydn't the Ord'ly say last night there 'd be guard-mountin' at 9 o'clock + this mornin'? I s'posed that fer a man to be mounted meant straddlin' a + boss or s'mother kind of an animal." + </p> + <p> + "Ain't ye never goin' to larn nuthin'," said Shorty, with a laugh. + "Guard-mountin' don't mean fer the men to git on hosses. It's only the + name they gives it in the Army Reggelations. Dunno why they calls it that, + 'nless it's 'cause the guards has to 'mount' anybody that tries to pass + 'thout the countersign. But don't ye fool yerself with thinkin' yer goin' + to get to ride. We'll keep pluggin' along afoot, on guard or anywhere + else, same's we have all the time." + </p> + <p> + Thus rudely was shattered another of Si Klegg's bright illusions. + </p> + <p> + The whole regiment turned out to witness the ceremony of guard-mounting. + It was the first time the exigencies of the campaign had permitted the + 200th Ind. to do this in regular style. The Adjutant was the most + important personage, and stood so straight that he narrowly escaped + falling over backward. In order to guard against making a mess of it, he + had spent half the night rehearsing the various commands in his tent. Thus + prepared, he managed to get through it in very fair shape. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0067" id="linkimage-0067"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/211.jpg" alt="So Straight he Leaned Backward 211 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The next thing on the program for the day was the inspection. The boys had + been industriously engaged in cleaning up their muskets and accouterments, + and putting their scanty wardrobes in presentable condition. In arranging + his knapsack for the Colonel's eye, each man carefully laid a clean shirt, + if he had one, on the top. The garments that were not clean he either + stowed away in the tent or put at the bottom of the knapsack. In this he + was actuated by the same principle that prompts the thrifty farmer to put + the biggest apples and strawberries at the top of his measure. + </p> + <p> + The clothing of the regiment was already in an advanced stage of + demoralization. It was of the "shoddy" sort that a good hard wind would + almost blow to pieces. + </p> + <p> + Corporal Klegg was anxious that not only his person, but all his + belongings, should make as good an appearance as possible. He put on the + best and cleanest garments he had, and then betook himself to fixing his + knapsack so it would pass muster. + </p> + <p> + "Them duds is a bad lot," he said to Shorty, casting rueful glances at the + little heap of soiled and ragged clothes. "Purty hard to make a decent + show with them things." + </p> + <p> + "Wait a minute," said Shorty, "an' I'll show ye a little trick." + </p> + <p> + Taking his poncho under His arm. Shorty went to the rear of the camp, + where the mules were feeding, and presently returned with a bunch of hay. + </p> + <p> + "What ye goin' to do with that?" asked Si. + </p> + <p> + "You jest do 's I tell ye, and don't ask no questions. Cram some o' this + hay into yer knapsack 'n' fill 'er up 'n' then put a shirt or suthin', the + best ye kin find, on top, 'n' the Colonel 'll think she's full o' clothes + right from the laundry. I'm goin' to fix mine that way." + </p> + <p> + "Shorty, you're a trump!" said Si, approvingly. "That 'll be a bully + scheme." + </p> + <p> + It required but a few minutes to carry out the plan. The hay was stuffed + into the knapsack, and all vagrant spears were carefully tucked in. + </p> + <p> + Then a garment, folded so as to conceal its worst features, was nicely + spread over the hay, the flaps were closed and buckled, and the young + Hoosiers were ready for inspection. + </p> + <p> + "S'posen the Colonel sh'd take a notion to go pokin' down into them + knapsacks," said Si; "don't ye think it'd be purty cold weather for us?" + </p> + <p> + "P'r'aps it mout," answered Shorty; "but we've got ter take the chances. + He's got seven or eight hundred knapsacks to 'nspect, 'n' I don't b'lieve + he'll stick his nose down into very many on 'em!" + </p> + <p> + At the appointed time the battalion was formed and the inspection was gone + through with in good style. The Colonel and the field and staff officers, + escorted by the Captain of each successive company, moved gradually + between the ranks, their swords dangling around and getting mixed up with + their legs. The soldiers stood facing inward like so many wooden men, with + their open knapsacks lying upon the ground at their feet. The Colonel + looked sharply right and left, stopped now and then to commend a soldier + whose "straps" were in particularly good condition, or to "go for" another + whose slouchy appearance betokened untidy habits. If a button was missing, + or a shoe untied, his eye was keen to detect it, and a word of reproof was + administered to the delinquent. + </p> + <p> + As the Colonel started down the line of Company Q Si watched him out of + the corners of his eyes with no little anxiety. His heart thumped as he + saw him occasionally stoop and fumble over the contents of a knapsack, + evidently to test the truth of Longfellow's declaration that "things are + not what they seem." What if the Colonel should go down into the bowels of + Si's knapsack! Si fairly shuddered at the thought. + </p> + <p> + Si, being the shortest of the Corporals, was at the foot of the company, + while Shorty, on account of his hight, was well up toward the head. Si + almost fainted when he saw the Colonel stop in front of his "pard" and + make an examination of his fatlooking knapsack. Military official dignity + gave way when the removal of the single garment exposed the stuffing of + hay. The officers burst into a laugh at the unexpected revelation, while + the boys on either side almost exploded in their enjoyment of Shorty's + discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0068" id="linkimage-0068"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/215.jpg" + alt="Si Almost Fainted when the Colonel Stopped 215 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "Captain," said the Colonel, with as much sternness as he could command, + "as soon as your company is dismissed detail a guard to take charge of + this man. Have him take the hay out of his knapsack and fill it with + stones—and see that it is filled full. Have this man put it on and + march him up and down the company street till church-call, and then take + him to hear the Chaplain. He needs to be preached to. Perhaps, between the + knapsack-drill and the Chaplain, we can straight him out." + </p> + <p> + Corporal Klegg heard all this, and he wished the ground might open and + swallow him. "These stripes is gone this time, sure!" he said to himself, + as he looked at the chevrons on his arm. "But there's no use givin' + yourself away, Si. Brace up, 'n' mebbe the Colonel 'll skip ye." + </p> + <p> + Si had been badly shaken up by the Colonel's episode with Shorty, but by a + great effort he gathered himself together and was at his best, externally, + when the Colonel reached him, though his thoughts were in a raging + condition. His face was clean and rosy, and his general make-up was as + good as could be expected under the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel had always remembered Si as the soldier he had promoted to be + a Corporal for his gallantry in the little skirmish a few days before. As + he came up he greeted the Corporal with a smile and a nod of recognition. + He was evidently pleased at his tidy appearance. He cast a glance at the + voluptuous knapsack, and Si's heart seemed to sink away down into his + shoes. + </p> + <p> + But the fates smiled on Si that day. The Colonel turned to the Captain and + told him that Corporal Klegg was the model soldier of Company Q. Si was + the happiest man in the universe at that precise moment. It was not on + account of the compliment the Colonel had paid him, but because his + knapsack had escaped a critical inspection of its contents. + </p> + <p> + The inspection over, Company Q marched back to its quarters and was + dismissed. Poor Shorty was soon tramping to and fro, under guard, humping + his back to ease the load that had been put upon it. Si was very sorry for + him, and at the same time felt a glow of pleasure at the thought that it + was not his own knapsack instead of Shorty's that the Colonel had + examined. He could not help feeling, too, that it was a great joke on + Shorty to be caught in his own trap. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0069" id="linkimage-0069"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/217.jpg" alt="Shorty Was There--with a Guard 217 " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Shorty took his medicine like a man, marching up and down the row of tents + bravely and patiently, unheeding the gibes and jeers of his hard-hearted + comrades. + </p> + <p> + The bugle sounded the call for religious services. Shorty was not in a + frame of mind that fitted him for devout worship. In fact, few in the + regiment had greater need of the regenerating influence. He had never been + inside of a church but two or three times in his life, and he really felt + that to be compelled to go and listen to the Chaplain's sermon was the + hardest part of the double punishment the Colonel had inflicted upon him. + </p> + <p> + The companies were all marched to a wooded knoll just outside the camp. + Shorty went by himself, save the companionship of the guard, with fixed + bayonet. He had been permitted to leave his knapsack behind. He was taken + to a point near the Chaplain, that he might get the full benefit of the + preacher's words. + </p> + <p> + Under the spreading trees, whose foliage was brilliant with the hues of + Autumn, in the mellow sunshine of that October day the men seated + themselves upon the ground to hear the Gospel preached. The Chaplain, in + his best uniform, stood and prayed fervently for Divine guidance and + protection and blessing, while the soldiers listened, with heads + reverently bowed. Then he gave out the familiar Methodist hymn, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Am I a soldier of the cross," +</pre> + <p> + and all joined in the old tune "Balerma," their voices swelling in mighty + chorus. As they sang, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Are there no foes for me to face?" +</pre> + <p> + there came to the minds of many a practical application of the words, in + view of the long and fruitless chase after the rebels in which they had + been engaged for nearly a month. + </p> + <p> + The Chaplain had formerly been an old-fashioned Methodist circuit-rider in + Indiana. He was full of fiery zeal, and portrayed the terrors of eternal + punishment so vividly that His hearers could almost feel the heat of the + flame and smell the fumes of brimstone that are popularly believed to roll + out unceasingly from the mouth of the bottomless pit. It ought to have had + a salutary effect upon Shorty, but it is greatly to be feared that he + steeled his stubborn heart against all that the Chaplain said. + </p> + <p> + It was always difficult not to feel that there was something contradictory + and anomalous about religious services in the army. Grim-visaged, hideous + war, and all its attendant circumstances, seemed so utterly at variance + with the principles of the Bible and the teachings of Him who was meek and + lowly, that few soldiers had philosophy enough to reconcile them. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers spent the afternoon in reading what few stray books and + fugitive, well-worn newspapers there were in camp, mending their clothes, + sleeping, and some of them, we are pained to add, in playing eucher, old + sledge, and other sinful games. Dress parade closed the day that had + brought welcome rest to the way-worn soldiers of the 200th Ind.. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si, after they had gone to bed that night, "I sh'd be + mighty sorry if I'd ha' got up that knapsack trick this mornin', 'cause + you got left on it so bad." + </p> + <p> + "There's a good many things," replied Shorty, "that's all right when ye + don't git ketched. It worked tip top with you, Si, 'n' I'm glad of it. But + I put ye up to it, 'n' I shouldn't never got over it if the Colonel had + caught ye, on account of them stripes on yer arm. He'd ha' snatched 'em + baldheaded, sure's yer born. You're my pard, 'n' I'm jest as proud of 'em + as you be yerself. I'm only a privit,' 'n' they can't rejuce me any lower! + Besides, I 'low it sarved me right 'n' I don't keer fer the knapsack + drill, so I didn't git you into a scrape." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. SI AND SHORTY WERE RAPIDLY LEARNING + </h2> + <h3> + THE GREAT MILITARY TRUTH + </h3> + <p> + THAT IN THE ARMY THE MOST LIKELY THING TO HAPPEN IS SOMETHING ENTIRELY + UNLIKELY. + </p> + <p> + COL. TERRENCE P. McTARNAGHAN, as his name would indicate, had first opened + his eyes where the blue heavens bend over the evergreen sod of Ireland. + Naturally, therefore, he thought himself a born soldier, and this + conviction had been confirmed by a year's service as Second Lieutenant of + Volunteers in the Mexican War, and subsequent connection with the Indiana + Militia. Being an Irishman, when he went in for anything, and especially + soldiering, he went in with all his might. He had associated with Regular + Army officers whenever there was an opportunity, and he looked up to them + with the reverence and emulation that an amateur gives to a professional. + Naturally he shared their idea that an inspection and parade was the + summit of military art. Consequently, the main thing to make the 200th + Ind. the regiment it should be were frequent and rigid inspections. + </p> + <p> + Fine weather, two days of idleness, and the prospect that the regiment + would remain there some time watching the crossing of the Cumberland were + enough and more than enough to set the Colonel going. The Adjutant + published the following order: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Headquarters 200th Indiana, + In the Field, on the Cumberland, + + Nov. 25, 1862. + + I. The Regiment will be paraded for inspection tomorrow + afternoon at 4 o'clock. + + II. Captains will be expected to parade the full strength of + their companies. + + III. A half hour before the parade. Captains will form their + companies in the company streets and inspect every man. + + IV. The men will be required to have their clothes neatly + brushed, blouses buttoned up, clean underclothes, shoes + blacked, letters and numbers polished, and arms and + accouterments in best condition. They will wear white + gloves. + + V. The man who has his clothes, arms and accouterments in + the best order will be selected for the Colonel's Orderly. + + By command of + + Attest: COL. TERRENCE P. McTARNAGHAN, Colonel. + + B. B. LAUGHLIN, Adjutant. +</pre> + <p> + When Capt. McGillicuddy marched Co. Q back to its street, he called + attention to the order with a few terse admonitions as to what it meant to + every one. + </p> + <p> + "Get at this as soon as you break ranks, boys," urged the Captain. "You + can do a whole lot between now and tattoo. The others will, and you must + not let them get ahead of you. No straw in knapsacks this time." + </p> + <p> + Company spirit was high, and it would be little short of a calamity to + have Co. Q beaten in anything. + </p> + <p> + There was a rush to the Sutler for white gloves, blacking, needles, + thread, paper collars, sweet oil and rotten stone for the guns. + </p> + <p> + That genial bird of prey added 50 per cent to his prices, because it was + the first business he had done for some weeks; 50 per cent more for + keeping open in the evening, another 50 per cent for giving credit till + pay day, and still another for good will. + </p> + <p> + The Government had just offered some very tempting gold-interest bonds, of + which he wanted a swad. + </p> + <p> + "'Tain't right to let them green boys have their hull $13 a month to waste + in foolishness," he said. "Some good man should gather it up and make a + right use of it." + </p> + <p> + Like Indiana farmer boys of his class. Si Klegg was cleanly but not neat. + Thanks to his mother and sisters, his Sunday clothes were always + "respectable," and he put on a few extra touches when he expected to meet + Annabel. He took his first bath for the year in the Wabash a week or two + after the suckers began to run, and his last just before the water got so + cold as to make the fish bite freely. + </p> + <p> + Such a thing as a "dandy" was particularly distasteful to him. + </p> + <p> + "Shorty," said Si, as he watched some of the boys laboring with sandpaper, + rotten stone and oil to make the gunbarrels shine like silver, "what's the + cense o' bein' so partickler about the outside of a gun? The business + part's inside. Making them screw heads look like beads don't make it no + surer of gitting Mr. Butternut." + </p> + <p> + "Trouble about you folks on the Wabash," answered Shorty, as he twisted a + screw head against some emery paper, "is that you don't pay enough + attention to style. Style goes a long ways in this vain and wicked world," + (and his eyes became as if meditating on worlds he had known which were + not so vain and wicked), "and when I see them Kokomo persimmon knockers of + Co. B hustling to put on frills, I'm going to beat 'em if I don't lay up a + cent." + </p> + <p> + "Same here," said Si, falling to work on his gunbarrel. "Just as' nice + people moved into Posey County as squatted in Kokomo. Gang o' hoss thieves + first settled Howard County." + </p> + <p> + "Recollect that big two fister from Kokomo who said he'd knock your head + off if you ever throwed that up to him again?" grinned Shorty. "You + invited him to try it on, an' he said your stripes stopped him. You pulled + off your blouse, and you said you had no stripes on your shirt sleeves. + But I wouldn't say it again until those Co. B fellers try again to buck us + out of our place in the ration line. It's too good a slam to waste." + </p> + <p> + Tattoo sounded before they had finished their guns and accouterments. + These were laid aside to be completed in the full light of day. + </p> + <p> + The next morning work was resumed with industry stimulated by reports of + the unusual things being done by the other companies. + </p> + <p> + "This Tennessee mud sticks closer'n a $500 mortgage to a 40-acre tract," + sighed Si, as he stopped beating and brushing his blouse and pantaloons. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Or, + "'Aunt Jemima's plaster, + "The more you try to pull it off the more it sticks + the faster." +</pre> + <p> + hummed Shorty, with what breath he had left from his violent exercise. + </p> + <p> + So well did they work that by dinner time they felt ready for inspection, + careful reconnoissances of the other companies showing them to have no + advantages. + </p> + <p> + Next to the Sutler's for the prescribed white gloves. + </p> + <p> + Si' had never worn anything on his hands but warm, woolen mittens knit for + him by his mother, but the order said white gloves, and gloves they must + have. The accommodating sutler made another stoppage in their month's pay + of $1 for a pair of cheap, white cotton gloves. By this time the sutler + had accumulated enough from the 200th Ind. to secure quite a handful of + gold interest-bearing bonds. + </p> + <p> + "Well, what do you think of them. Si?" said Shorty, as he worked his + generous hands into a pair of the largest sized gloves and held them up to + view. + </p> + <p> + "If they were only painted yaller and had a label on them," said Si, "they + could be issued for Cincinnati canvas covered hams." + </p> + <p> + Shorty's retort was checked by hearing the bugle sound the officers' call. + The Colonel announced to them that owing to the threatening look of the + skies the parade and inspection would take place in an hour. + </p> + <p> + There was feverish haste to finish undone things, but when Capt. + McGillicuddy looked over his men in the company street, he declared + himself proud to stack up Co. Q against any other in the regiment. Gun + barrels and bayonets shone like silver, rammers rang clear, and came out + without a stain to the Captain's white gloves. + </p> + <p> + The band on the parade ground struck up the rollicking + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O, ain't I glad to git out of the wilderness, + Out of the wilderness-Out of the wilderness," +</pre> + <p> + and Capt. McGillicuddy marched proudly out at the head of 75 + broad-shouldered, well-thewed young Indianians, fit and fine as any south + of the Ohio. + </p> + <p> + The guides, holding their muskets butts up, indicated where the line was + to form, the trim little Adjutant, glorious as the day in a new uniform + and full breasted as a pouter-pigeon, was strutting over toward the band, + and the towering red-headed Colonel, martial from his waving plume to his + jangling spurs, stood before his tent in massive dignity, waiting for the + color company to come up and receive the precious regimental standard. + </p> + <p> + This scene of orderly pomp and pageantry was rudely disturbed by an Aid + dashing in on a sweating horse, and calling out to the statuesque + commander: + </p> + <p> + "Colonel, a train is stalled in the creek about three miles from here, and + is threatened with capture by Morgan's cavalry. The General presents his + compliments, and directs that you take your regiment on the double-quick + to the assistance of the train. You v'e not a moment lose." + </p> + <p> + "Tare and 'ounds!" swore the Colonel in the classic he used when excited, + "am I niver to have a dacint inspection? Orderly, bring me me harse. Stop + that band's ijiotic blatting. Get into line there, quick as love will let + you, you unblessed Indiana spalpeans. Without doubling; right face! + Forward, M-a-r-c-h!" + </p> + <p> + Col. McTarnaghan, still wearing his parade grandeur, was soon at the head + of the column, on that long-striding horse which always set such a hot + pace for the regiment; especially over such a rough, gullied road as they + were now traveling. + </p> + <p> + Still, the progress was not fast enough to suit the impatient Colonel, who + had an eye to the report he would have to make to the Brigadier General, + who was a Regular. + </p> + <p> + "Capt. McGillicuddy," commanded he, turning in his saddle, "send forward a + Corporal and five men for an advance guard." + </p> + <p> + "Corporal Klegg, take five men and go to the front," commanded the + Captain. + </p> + <p> + "Now you b'yes, get ahead as fast as you can. Get a move on them durty + spalpanes of tamesters. We must get back to camp before this storm strikes + us. Shove out, now, as if the divil or Jahn Morgan was after yez." + </p> + <p> + It was awful double-quicking over that rocky, rutty road, but taking + Shorty and four others. Si went on the keen jump to arrive hot and + breathless on the banks of the creek. There he found a large bearded man + wearing an officer's slouched hat sitting on a log, smoking a black pipe, + and gazing calmly on the ruck of wagons piled up behind one stalled in the + creek, which all the mules they could hitch to it had failed to pull out. + </p> + <p> + It was the Wagon Master, and his calmness was that of exhaustion. He had + yelled and sworn himself dry, and was collecting another fund of abuse to + spout at men and animals. + </p> + <p> + "Here, why don't you git a move on them wagons?" said Si hotly, for he was + angered at the man's apparent indifference. + </p> + <p> + "'Tend to your own business and I'll tend to mine," said the Wagon Master, + sullenly, without removing his pipe or looking at Si. + </p> + <p> + "Look here, I'm a Corporal, commanding the advance guard," said Si. "I + order you!" + </p> + <p> + This seemed to open the fountains of the man's soul. + </p> + <p> + "You order me?" he yelled, "you splay-footed, knock-kneed, chuckled-headed + paper-collared, whitegloved sprat from a milk-sick prairie. Corporal! I + outrank all the Corporals from here to Christmas of next year." + </p> + <p> + "The gentleman seems to have something on his mind," grinned Shorty. + "Mebbe his dinner didn't set well." + </p> + <p> + "Shorty?" inquired Si, "how does a Wagon Master rank? Seems to me nobody + lower'n a Brigadier-General should dare talk to me that way." + </p> + <p> + "Dunno," answered Shorty, doubtfully. "Seems as if I'd heard some of them + Wagon Masters rank as Kurnels. He swears like one." + </p> + <p> + "Corporal!" shouted the Wagon Master with infinite scorn. "Measly + $2-a-month water toter for the camp-guard, order me!" and he went off into + a rolling stream of choice "army language." + </p> + <p> + "He must certainly be a Kurnel," said Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "Here," continued the Wagon Master, "if you don't want them two + shoat-brands jerked offen you, jump in and get them wagons acrost. That's + what you were sent to do. Hump yourself, if you know what's good for you. + I've done all I can. Now it's your turn." + </p> + <p> + Dazed and awed by the man's authoritativeness the boys ran down to the + water to see what was the trouble. + </p> + <p> + They found the usual difficulty in Southern crossings. The stupid + tinkerers with the road had sought to prevent it running down into the + stream by laying a log at the edge of the water. This was an enormous one + two feet in diameter, with a chuckhole before it, formed by the efforts of + the teams to mount the log. The heavily laden ammunition wagon had its hub + below the top of the log, whence no amount of mule-power could extricate + it. + </p> + <p> + Si, with Indiana commonsense, saw that the only help was to push the wagon + back and lay a pile of poles to make a gradual ascent. He and the rest + laid their carefully polished muskets on dry leaves at the side, pulled + off their white gloves, and sending two men to hunt thru the wagons for + axes to cut the poles. Si and Shorty roused up the stupid teamsters to + unhitch the mules and get them behind the wagon to pull it back. Alas for + their carefully brushed pantaloons and well-blackened shoes, which did not + last a minute in the splashing mud. + </p> + <p> + The Wagon Master had in the meanwhile laid in a fresh supply of epithets + and had a fresh batch to swear at. He stood up on the bank and yelled + profane injunctions at the soldiers like a Mississippi River Mate at a + boat landing. They would not work fast enough for him, nor do the right + thing. + </p> + <p> + The storm at last burst. November storms in Tennessee are like the charge + of a pack of wolves upon a herd of buffalo. There are wild, furious + rushes, alternating with calmer intervals. The rain came down for a few + minutes as if it would beat the face off the earth, and the stream swelled + into a muddy torrent. Si's paper collar and cuffs at once became pulpy + paste, and his boiled shirt a clammy rag. In spite of this his temper rose + to the boiling point as he struggled thru the sweeping rush of muddy water + to get the other wagons out of the road and the ammunition wagon pulled + back a little ways to allow the poles to be piled in front of it. + </p> + <p> + The dashing downpour did not check the Wagon Master's flow of profanity. + He only yelled the louder to make himself heard above the roar. The rain + stopped for a few minutes as suddenly as it had begun and Col. McTarnaghan + came up with all his parade finery drenched and dripping like the feathers + of a prize rooster in a rainy barnyard. His Irish temper was at the + steaming point, and he was in search of something to vent it on. + </p> + <p> + "You blab-mouthed son of a thief," he shouted at the Wagon Master, "what + are you ordering my men around for? They are sent here to order you, not + you to order them. Shut that ugly potato trap of yours and get down to + work, or I'll wear my saber out on you. Get down there and put your own + shoulders to the wheels, you misbegotten villain. Get down there into the + water, I tell you. Corporal, see that he does his juty!" + </p> + <p> + The Wagon Master slunk down the hill, where Shorty grabbed him by the + collar and yanked him over to help push one of the wagons back. The other + boys had meanwhile found axes, cut down and trimmed up some pine poles and + were piling them into the chuckhole under Si's practical guidance. A + double team was put on the ammunition wagon, and the rest of Co. Q came up + wet, mad and panting. A rope was found and stretched ahead of the mules, + on which the company lined itself, the Colonel took his place on the bank + and gave the word, and with a mighty effort the wagon was dragged up the + hill. Some other heavily loaded ammunition wagons followed. The whole + regiment was now up, and the bigger part of it lined on the rope so that + these wagons came up more easily, even tho the rain resumed its wicked + pounding upon the clay soil. + </p> + <p> + Wading around thru the whirling water. Si had discovered, to his + discomfiture, that there was a narrow, crooked reef that had to be kept + to. There were deep overturning holes on either side. Into one of these Si + had gone, to come again floundering and spurting muddy water from his + mouth. + </p> + <p> + Shorty noted the place and took the first opportunity to crowd the Wagon + Master into it. + </p> + <p> + A wagon loaded with crackers and pork missed the reef and went over + hopelessly on its side, to the rage of Col. McTamaghan. + </p> + <p> + "Lave it there; lave it there, ye blithering numbskulls," he yelled, + "Unhitch those mules and get 'em out. The pork and wagon we can get when + the water goes down. If another wagon goes over Oi'll rejuce it every + mother's son of yez, and tie yez up by the thumbs besides." + </p> + <p> + Si and Shorty waded around to unhitch the struggling mules, and then, + taking poles in hand to steady themselves, took their stations in the + stream where they could head the mules right. + </p> + <p> + Thru the beating storm and the growing darkness, the wagons were, one by + one, laboriously worked over until, as midnight approached, only three or + four remained on the other side. Chilled to the bone, and almost dropping + with fatigue from hours of standing in the deep water running like a mill + race. Si called Al Klapp, Sib Ball and Jesse Langley to take their poles + and act as guides. + </p> + <p> + Al Klapp had it in for the sutlers. He was a worm that was ready to turn. + He had seen some previous service, and had never gone to the Paymaster's + table but to see the most of his $13 a month swept away by the sutler's + remorseless hand. He and Jesse got the remaining army wagons over all + right. The last wagon was a four-horse team belonging to a sutler. + </p> + <p> + The fire of long-watched-for vengeance gleamed in Al's eye as he made out + its character in the dim light. It reached the center of the stream, when + over it went in the rushing current of muddy water. + </p> + <p> + Al and Jesse busied themselves unhooking the struggling mules. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel raged. "Lave it there! Lave it there!" he yelled after + exhausting his plentiful stock of Irish expletives. "But we must lave a + guard with it. Capt. Sidney Hyde, your company has been doing less than + any other. Detail a Sergeant and 10 men to stand guard here until + tomorrow, and put them two thick-headed oudmahouns in the creek on guard + with them. Make them stand double tricks. + </p> + <p> + "All right. It was worth it," said Al Klapp, as the Sergeant put him on + post, with the water running in rivulets from his clothes. "It'll take a + whole lot of skinning for the sutlers to get even for the dose I've given + one of them." + </p> + <p> + "B'yes, yoi've done just splendid," said the Colonel, coming over to where + Si and Shorty were sitting wringing the water and mud from their + pantaloons and blouses. "You're hayroes, both of yez. Take a wee drap from + my canteen. It'll kape yez from catching cold." + </p> + <p> + "No, thankee, Kurnel," said Si, blushing with delight, and forgetting his + fatigue and discomfort, in this condescension and praise from his + commanding officer. "I'm a Good Templar." + </p> + <p> + "Sinsible b'y," said the Colonel approvingly, and handing his canteen to + Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "I'm mightily afraid of catching cold," said Shorty, reaching eagerly for + the canteen, and modestly turning his back on the Colonel that he might + not see how deep his draft. + </p> + <p> + "Should think you were," mused the Colonel, hefting the lightened vessel. + "Bugler, sound the assembly and let's get back to camp." + </p> + <p> + The next day the number of rusty muskets, dilapidated accouterments and + quantity of soiled clothes in the camp of the 200th Ind. was only equaled + by the number of unutterably weary and disgusted boys. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. A NIGHT OF SONG + </h2> + <h3> + HOME-SICKNESS AND ITS OUTPOURING IN MUSIC. + </h3> + <p> + IT WAS Sunday again, and the 200th Ind. still lingered near Nashville. For + some inscrutible reason known only to the commanding officers the brigade + had been for nearly a week in camp on the banks of the swift running + Cumberland. They had been bright, sunshiny days, the last two of them. + Much rain in the hill country had swollen the swift waters of the + Cumberland and they fiercely clamored their devious way to the broad Ohio. + The gentle roar as the rippling wavelets dashed against the rock bound + shores sounded almost surf-life, but to Si, who had never heard the salt + waves play hide-and-go-seek on the pebbly beach, the Cumberland's angry + flood sang only songs of home on the Wabash. He had seen the Wabash raging + in flood time and had helped to yank many a head of stock from its + engulfing fury. He had seen the Ohio, too, when she ran bank full with her + arched center carrying the Spring floods and hundreds of acres of good + soil down to the continent-dividing Mississippi, and on out to sea. His + strong arms and stout muscles had piloted many a boat-load of boys and + girls through the Wabash eddies and rapids during the Spring rise, and as + he stood now, looking over the vast width of this dreary waste of waters, + a great wave of home-sickness swept over him. + </p> + <p> + After all, Si was only a kid of a boy, like thousands of his comrades.' + True, he was past his majority a few months, but his environment from + youth to his enlistment had so sheltered him that he was a boy at heart. + </p> + <p> + "The like precurse of fierce events and prologue to the omen coming on" + had as yet made small impression upon him. Grim visaged war had not + frightened him much up to that time. He was to get his regenerating + baptism of blood at Murfreesboro a few weeks later. Just now Si Klegg was + simply a boy grown big, a little over fat, fond of mother's cooking, + mother's nice clean feather beds, mother's mothering, if the truth must be + told. He had never in his life before been three nights from under the + roof of the comfortable old house in which he was born. He had now been + wearing the blue uniform of the Union a little more than three months, and + had not felt mother's work-hardened hands smoothing his rebellious hair or + seen her face or heard a prayer like she could make in all that three + months. + </p> + <p> + "Shucks!" he said fretfully to himself as he looked back at the droning, + half asleep brigade camp, and then off to the north, across the boiling + yellow flood of waters that tumbled past the rocks far below him. + </p> + <p> + "A feller sure does git tired of doin' nothin'." + </p> + <p> + Lusty, young, and bred to an active life, Si, while he did not really + crave hustle and bustle, was yet wedded to "keeping things moving." He had + already forgotten the fierce suffering of his early marching—it + seemed three years to him instead of three months back; he had forgotten + the graybacks, the wet nights, the foraging expeditions, the extra guard + duty and all that. There had been two days of soft Autumn sunshine in a + camp that was almost ideal. Everything was cleaned up, mended up, and the + men had washed and barbered themselves into almost dude-like neatness. + Their heaviest duties had been lazy camp guard duty, which Shorty, growing + indolent, had declared to be "dumned foolishness," and the only excitement + offered came from returning foraging parties. There was no lurking enemy + to fear, for the country had been cleared of guerrillas, and in very truth + the ease and quietness of the days of inactivity was almost demoralizing + the men. + </p> + <p> + There had been no Sunday services. The 200th Ind. was sprawled out on the + ground in its several hundred attitudes of ease, and those with whom they + were brigaded were just as carelessly disposed. + </p> + <p> + As Si sauntered aimlessly back to look for Shorty, the early twilight + began to close in as the sun slid down behind the distant hills. Campfires + began to glow as belated foragers prepared their suppers, and the gentle + hum of voices came pleasantly to the ear, punctuated by laughter, often + boisterous, but quite as often just the babbling, cheery laugh of carefree + boys. + </p> + <p> + Si felt—well, Si was just plain homesick for mother and the girls, + and one particular girl, whose front name was Annabel, and he almost felt + as though he didn't care who knew it. + </p> + <p> + The air was redolent with the odor of frying meat. Mingled with this were + vagrant whiffs of cooking potatoes, onions, chickens, and the fragrance of + coffee steaming to blackest strength, all telling tales of skillful and + successful foraging, and it all reminded Si of home and the odors in his + mother's kitchen. + </p> + <p> + Si couldn't find Shorty, so he hunched down, silent and alone, beside his + tent, a prey to the blue devils. It would soon be Christmas at home. He + could see the great apple bins in the cellar; the pumpkins in the hay in + the barn; the turkeys roosting above the woodshed; the yards of encased + sausages in the attic; he could even smell the mince meat seasoning in the + great stone jar; the honey in the bee cellar; the huge fruit cake in the + milk pan in the pantry; since he could remember he seen and smelled all + these, with 57 varieties of preserves, "jells," marmalades, and + fruit-butters thrown in for good measure at Christmas time. He had even + contemplated with equanimity all these 21 Christmases, the dose of "blue + pills" that inevitably followed over-feeding at Mother Klegg's, and now on + his 22d Christmas he might be providing a target for a rebel bullet. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Si noticed that the dark had come; the fragrance of tobacco from + hundreds of pipes was filling the air, and from away off in the distance + the almost Indian Summer zephyrs were bringing soft rythmic sounds like—surely—yes, + he caught it now, it was that mighty soother of tired hearts— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Jesus, lover of my soul, + Let me to Thy bosom fly. + While the billows near me roll. + While the tempest still is high." +</pre> + <p> + Si shut his eyes lest the tear drops welling suddenly up fall on his + uniform, not stopping to think that in the gloom they could not be seen. + </p> + <p> + Miles away the singers seemed to be when Si caught the first sounds, but + as the long, swinging notes reached out in the darkness, squad after + squad, company after company, regiment after regiment took up the grand + old hymn until Si himself lifted up his not untuneful voice and with the + thousands of others was pleading— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Hide me, oh, my Savior hide, + 'Till the storm of life is past; + Safe into the haven guide. + Oh, receive my soul at last." +</pre> + <p> + and the song rose and swelled out and up toward heaven, and stole away off + to the horizon till the whole vast universe seemed filled with the sacred + melody. As the last words and their music faded out in space. Shorty + lunged down beside Si. + </p> + <p> + "Say, Pard," he began banteringly, "you've missed yer callin'. Op'ry + oughter have been yer trade." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, chop off yer chin music for a minute. Shorty," broke in Si. "In the + dark here it seemed most as though I was at home in the little old church + with Maria and Annabel and Pap and Mother, and us all singing together, + and you've busted it—ah! listen!" + </p> + <p> + From not far away a bugler had tuned up and through the fragrant night + came piercingly sweet— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I will sing you a song of that beautiful land—" +</pre> + <p> + Then near at hand a strong, clear, musical tenor voice took up the second + line, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The far away home of the soul," +</pre> + <p> + and almost instantly a deep, resonant bass voice boomed in— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Where no storms ever beat on that glittering strand + While the years of eternity roll," +</pre> + <p> + and soon a hundred voices were making melody of the spheres as they sang + Philip Phillips's beautiful song. + </p> + <p> + "That was Wilse Hornbeck singin' tenor," said Si, as the song ended. + </p> + <p> + "And it was Hen Withers doin' the bass stunt," returned Shorty. + </p> + <p> + "You just oughter hear him do the ornamental on a mule whacker. Why, Si, + he's an artist at cussing. Hen Withers is. Sodom and Gomorrah would git + jealous of him if he planted himself near 'em, he's that wicked." + </p> + <p> + "Well, he can sing all right," grunted Si. + </p> + <p> + Just then Hen Withers, in the squad some 50 feet away broke into song + again— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light" +</pre> + <p> + It welled up from his throat like the pipe from a church organ, and as + mellow as the strains from a French horn. When the refrain rolled out + fully 3,000 men were singing, yelling and shouting in frenzied fervor— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And the Star Spangled banner. + In triumph shall wave, + O'er the land of the free, + And the home of the brave." +</pre> + <p> + While Hen Withers rested on his well-earned laurels, a strong, clear + voice, whose owner was probably thinking of home and the shady gloom of + the walk through the grove to singing school with his sweetheart, trilled + an apostrophe to the queen of light. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Roll on, silvery moon, + Guide the traveler on his way," +</pre> + <p> + but he had it pretty much to himself, for not many knew the words, and he + trailed off into + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "I loved a little beauty, Bell Brandon," +</pre> + <p> + then his music died out in the night. + </p> + <p> + It was now the "tenore robusto" who chimed in bells, on a new battle song + that held a mile square of camp spellbound: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Oh, wrap the flag around me, boys, + + To die were far more sweet + With freedom's starry emblem, boys. + + To be my winding sheet. + In life I loved to see it wave + + And follow where it led, + And now my eyes grow dim, my hands + + Would clasp its last bright shred. + Oh, I had thought to meet you, boys, + + On many a well-worn field + When to our starry emblem, boys, + + The trait'rous foe should yield. + But now, alas, I am denied + + My dearest earthly prayer, + You'll follow and you'll meet the foe, + + But I shall not be there." +</pre> + <p> + Wilse Hornback knew by the hush of the camp as the sound of his wonderful + voice died on the far horizon that he had his laurels, too, and so he sang + on while the mile square of camp went music-mad again as it sang with him— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "We are springing to the call of our brothers gone before, + Shouting the battle cry of freedom. + And we'll fill the vacant ranks with a million freemen more. + Shouting the battle cry of freedom." +</pre> + <p> + Chorus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The Union forever! Hurrah, boys. Hurrah; + Down with the traitor and up with the Star, + While we rally 'round the Flag, boys, + We'll rally once again, + Shouting the battle cry of freedom. + + We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave. + Shouting the battle cry of freedom, + And although they may be poor, not a man shall + be a slave. + Shouting the battle cry of freedom. + + So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West, + Shouting the battle cry of freedom, + And we'll hurl the rebel crew from the land we love the best, + Shouting the battle cry of freedom." +</pre> + <p> + In the almighty hush that followed the billows of sound, some sweet-voiced + fellow started Annie Laurie, and then sang— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "In the prison cell I sit" +</pre> + <p> + with grand chorus accompaniment. Then Wilse Hornback started and Hen + Withers joined in singing the Battle Hymn— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord," +</pre> + <p> + and oh, God of Battles! how that army of voices took up the refrain— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Glory, glory, hallelujah," +</pre> + <p> + and tossed and flung it back and forth from hill to hill and shore to + shore till it seemed as though Lee and his cohorts must have heard and + quailed before the fearful prophecy and arraignment. + </p> + <p> + Then the "tenore robusto" and the "basso profundo" opened a regular + concert program, more or less sprinkled with magnificent chorus: singing, + as it was easy or difficult for the men to recall the words. You must + rummage in the closets of memory for most of them! The Old Oaken Bucket; + Nellie Gray; Anna Lisle; No, Ne'er Can Thy Home be Mine; Tramp, Tramp, + Tramp; We are Coming, Father Abraham; Just as I Am; By Cold Siloam's Shady + Rill—how those home-loving Sunday school young boys did sing that! + It seemed incongruous, but every now and then they dropped into these old + hymn tunes, which many a mother had sung her baby to sleep with in those + elder and better days. + </p> + <p> + The war songs are all frazzled and torn fragments of memory now, covered + with dust and oblivion, but they were great songs in and for their day. No + other country ever had so many. + </p> + <p> + Laughter and badinage had long since ceased. Flat on their backs, gazing + up at the stars through the pine and hemlock boughs, the boys lay quietly + smoking while the "tenore robusto" assisted by the "basso profundo" and + hundreds of others sang "Willie, We Have Missed You," "Just Before the + Battle, Mother," "Brave Boys Are They," and the "Vacant Chair." + </p> + <p> + In a little break in the singing. Hen Withers sang a wonderful song, now + almost forgotten. It was new to the boys then, but the bugler had heard + it, and as Hen's magnificent voice rolled forth its fervid words the bugle + caught up the high note theme, and never did the stars sing together more + entrancingly than did the "wicked mule whacker" and that bugle— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Lift up your eyes, desponding freemen. + Fling to the winds your needless fears. + He who unfurled our beauteous banner + Says it shall wave a thousand years." +</pre> + <p> + On the glorious chorus a thousand voices took up the refrain in droning + fashion that made one think of "The Sound of the Great Amen." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A thousand years, my own Columbia! + Tis the glad day so long foretold! + 'Tis the glad mom whose early twilight + Washington saw in times of old." +</pre> + <p> + By the time Hen had sung all of the seven verses the whole brigade knew + the refrain and roared it forth as a defiance to the Southern Confederacy, + which took on physical vigor in the days that came after, when the 200th + Ind. went into battle to come off victorious on many a fiercely contested + field. + </p> + <p> + Then the tenor sang that doleful, woe begone, hope effacing, + heart-string-cracking "Lorena." Some writer has said that it sung the + heart right out of the Southern Confederacy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The sun's low down the sky, Lorena, + The snow is on the grass again." +</pre> + <p> + As Wilse Hornbeck let his splendid voice out on the mournful cadences, Si + felt his very heart strings snap, and even Shorty drew his breath hard, + while some of the men simply rolled over, and burying their faces in their + arms, sobbed audibly. + </p> + <p> + Wilse had not counted on losing his own nerve, but found his voice + breaking on the melancholy last lines, and bounding to his feet with a + petulant, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Oh, hang it!" + + "Say, darkies, hab you seen de Massa" +</pre> + <p> + came dancing up from the jubilating chords of that wonderful human music + box, and soon the camp was reeling giddily with the jolly, rollicking, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Or Massa ran, ha! ha!! + The darkies stay, ho! ho!!" +</pre> + <p> + Then, far in the distance a bugle sounded "lights out," and the songfest + was at an end; as bugler after bugler took it up, one by one the campfires + blinked out, and squad after squad sank into quiet. + </p> + <p> + "I feel a heap better somehow," remarked Si, as he crawled under his + blanket. + </p> + <p> + "Dogged if I hain't had a sort of uplift, too," muttered Shorty, as he + wrapped his blanket round his head. In the distance a tenor voice was + singing as he kicked out his fire and got ready for bed— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Glory, glory, hallelujah." +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Si Klegg, Book 1 (of 6), by John McElroy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SI KLEGG, BOOK 1 (OF 6) *** + +***** This file should be named 31771-h.htm or 31771-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/7/7/31771/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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