Page images
PDF
EPUB

on.

With death thus staring them in the marched to the place of execution, and face, they obeyed the order to take up arrived there, the General pointed him to their arms-all but eight. It was decreed the new-made grave, and commanded him that these eight should be court-martialed to kneel down upon its margin. The and shot! soldier and martyr simply replied that he

Before the time came that the military had never kneeled to any but his Maker, court was to be held, seven of the eight and that he could not consent to kneel now followed the example of their comrades, to a man. As he said this the order was and agreed to resume their arms. One given to fire, and, in the act of making soldier alone remained firm in his purpose; the sign of the cross-the "Christian's emone soldier alone was willing to brave blem-on his breast, the martyr and soldier death rather than yield to the despotic de- was in eternity. Ah, how many there mands of a tyrant. He pleaded his own were there, who, though unaccustomed to cause with all the fervor of which a soldier weep, shed bitter tears at the enactment is capable. With struggling but manly of this tragedy! utterance he said to his General:

"I have served out the time for which McClellan Dismounting to the Guard. I enlisted, faithfully; I have been in every As General McClellan was riding along battle; I have been at all times at the post the lines of his army one day, examining of duty assigned me, in rain and sunshine, the condition of the men, a little incident in summer and winter. I have served and in the way of "military rule" occurred,am willing to serve my country. But, Gen- the same, it may be remarked, which eral, I have a wife and four small children has been related of Napoleon, Wellington, at home, who depend on me alone for sup- and Washington,-and of course very port and protection, and who have no one besides me to look to their interests. Allow me thirty days, the law allows a furlough of sixty days, but allow me half that time to visit my family, whom I have not seen for a year, and make some necessary arrangements for their welfare, and I promise to return within that time and to take my former position in my regiment. I make but a just and reasonable request. It is essential to the welfare of my family that you grant it. I cannot enter the service again till I have visited my family."

[graphic]

General McClellan.

likely to take place. In this case, a young

He was sentenced to be shot. The decree was pronounced on Saturday, and was to have been executed the next day. The soldier and hero-for he was a hero -the bravest man in his regiment,-ask- Pennsylvanian was on guard when Mced for a little longer time to make the pre- Clellan rode up. The guard demanded paration necessary for a change of worlds; the countersign. "I am the commanderand the time was graciously extended one in-chief, George B. McClellan," was the brief day, the sentence to be executed on answer. "Well, then, commander-inMonday, instead of Sunday. chief George B. McClellan, get down from

When the fatal hour arrived, following your horse and give the countersign, or I his coffin which was in full view, he was will see what kind of a hole the musket

which J. K. Morehead prepared for us General Rosecrans and Pat's Farlo'. will make in the body of the commander- General Rosecrans was reviewing the in-chief George B. McClellan." The lamented Brigadier-General Nelson's old General, like a good soldier, calmly dis- division. He took unusual interest in that mounted, and proved his identity, gave the band of veterans, who so long and so nobly word, and praised the young man for his had defended their country. He rode conduct, telling him whenever he wanted

[graphic]

a favor, just to let him know.

Worse to lose Five than One.

In the first action in which Grant commanded, his troops at first gained a slight advantage over the Confederates. They began to plunder the Confederate camp, in spite of all that Grant could do to stop them. At last Grant, who knew that Confederate reinforcements were coming up, got some of his friends to set fire to the camp so as to stop the plundering. Then he got his troops together as well as he could, and retreated; but, in the mean time, the Confederate reinforcements came up, attacked Grant, and defeated him. along alone between the ranks, talking to There were five Colonels under Grant the men, and inquiring into their individwho had not by any means supported him ual wants. Some wanted shoes, some efficiently in his attempts to stop the plundering and collect his troops. Mr. Osborn saw Grant a day or two afterwards, when he expected to be deprived of his command on account of the defeat. He said:

[ocr errors]

"Why do you not report these Colonels? They are the men to blame for not carrying out your orders."

Gen. Rosecrans.

blankets, some an increase of rations, etc. Finally the General stopped in front of an Irishman, apparently well pleased with his soldierly appearance.

"Well, Pat," says the General, "and what do you want?"

"A furlo' plase your honor!" answered Pat.

"You'll do, Pat!" said the General, as he rode away, laughing.

A fund of exceedingly readable incidents concerning 'Old Rosy' and his soldier boys, may be found in the very racy volume by 'W. D. B.,' entitled Rosecrans' Campaigns.

"Why," said Grant, "these officers had never before been under fire; they did not know how serious an affair it was; they have had a lesson which they will not forget. I will answer for it they will never make the same mistake again. I can see by the way they behaved in the subsequent action that they are of the Mother-Corporal on a Ten Days' Furlough. right stuff, and it is better that I should lose my command, if that must be, than the country should lose the services of five such officers when good men are scarce."

Grant did not lose his command, and three out of the five officers subsequently greatly distinguished themselves.

The lady friends of a certain Corporal sent him a box; and among the many good things packed by fair but rogueish hands was a life-size doll, dressed in full Zouave uniform, which the fun-loving damsels won at a soldiers' fair. The Corporal, after getting the box, was taken sick. The boys now started the rumor that the Cor

poral was a woman and had given birth discharged his duty, received orders to to a boy. The rumor spread like wild- return to the army. He started towards fire; hundreds flocked to said quarters Manassas at a rattling pace, but had not to see the wonderful phenomenon- -a new proceeded many miles along his circuitous born babe-but the insiders guarded the route, ere he fell in with the Confederate tent with zealous care, only allowing pry- cavalry patrols and pickets, who were exers to catch a passing glimpse of the sup-tremely vigilant; and although custom po-ed mother and babe. A number of had made the officer sharp-sighted at night, men were to be found who would swear they frequently halted him before he had they had seen both. But the cream of the the slightest notion of being within many joke was yet to come off; the Corporal miles of their vicinity. To add to his received a ten days' furlough-all thought misery and delay, he had not the counternow, for certain, it was the mother going sign, and therefore was marched off to the home with her babe; some had it that she nearest guard-post to account for himself. was a rich heiress escaping from a tyrant father; but hundreds believed in the mother-corporal and young recruit of Company I, of the Zouaves d'Afrique.

"Can't help it, comrade," said the cavalry-man, “I believe your words, and think I have frequently seen you before; but orders are orders, you know, and we must obey."

He was handed over to the next picket, and so on, until, reaching the central picket station, the Captain commanding examined him rigorously, and upon the officer presenting papers of identity, the Captain politely gave him the countersign, saying:

Obeying Orders in his Own Way. Just before the charge made by Fremont's Body Guard at Springfield, Mo., Major Zagonyi directed one of his buglers, a Frenchman, to sound a signal. The bugler did not seem to pay any attention whatsoever to the order, but darted off with "It was well, perhaps, you fell in with Lieutenant Maythenyi. A few moments our men, for the road you were taking afterwards he was observed in another must have led you nearer the present lines part of the field vigorously pursuing the of the enemy than you care about finding flying infantry. His active form was yourself, I know: the countersign I have always seen in the thickest of the fight. given you is good among the outer pickets; When the line was formed in the Plaza, when you reach the infantry, be careful Zagonyi noticed the bugler, and approach- how you act, for they have another one, ing him, said: "In the midst of battle you and are particularly wakeful to-night, and disobeyed my order. You are unworthy thick as flies!" to be a member of the Guard. I dismiss Acting upon this advice, he plunged you." The bugler showed his bugle to forward boldly, and was in high spirits, his indignant commander-the mouth- singing right heartily, for the numerous piece of the instrument was shot away. Confederate encampments were visible for He said: "The mouth was shoot off. I many miles around. But-"Halt! halt!” could not bugle viz mon bugle, and so I bugle viz mon pistol and sabre." It is unnecessary to add, the brave Frenchman was not dismissed.

was the challenge suddenly given by halfa-dozen; and from their guns leveled at him, he saw there was no fun about them. "Who goes there!" "Officer without the countersign!" "Advance officer!"— which he did, very meekly, for could they A Confederate officer who had been de- have seen him even wink improperly, he tached from the ranks on some special ser- would have been instantly riddled with vice, at the battle of Manassas, having half-a-dozen shots. Here he went through

Shaken Down among the Pickets.

GEN. NELSON. How many men have

DAVIS. About twenty-five hundred, General.

the operation of being handed over from and have called to inquire if I can obtain one to another, until fairly out of patience. arms for them. The corporal of the guard would do no more than hand him to the sergeant, you? the latter to the lieutenant of the guard; the last to the officer of the night, and he to the officer of the day-so that, from NELSON (roughly and angrily). About being handed from one to another, it got twenty-five hundred! About twenty-five rumored about among some of the soldiers hundred! By G-! you are a regular that he was a spy and soon there was a large crowd at his heels, bestowing all manner of uncomplimentary epithets. The rumor spread among the regiments through which he was then passing; and while in the tent of the officer of the day making explanations, one loquacious gentleman, who stood peeping through a rent in the tent, was heard to exclaim

[graphic]

"The Captain's got him, he's a spy, and they've got the papers on him! I hope they'll detail me as one of the firing party; won't I let him have it good!"

After a few moments of explanation, he remounted again; and his sudden transformation into a good and true Southerner

Gen. J. C. Davis.

seemed to cause infinite disgust to many, officer, and come here to me and report but particularly to the ragged gentleman about the number of men in your comwho was so anxious to make one of the "firing party."

Tragical Encounter between Generals Nelson and Davis.

mand!

you, don't you know, sir, you should furnish me the exact number?

DAVIS. General, I didn't expect to get the guns now, and only wanted to learn if I could get them, and where; and, having learned the exact number needed, would then draw them.

When the alarm was raised in Louisville, Ky., in the autumn of 1862, that the Confederates were marching on that city, General Davis, who could not reach his NELSON (pacing the room in a rage). command under General Buell, then at About twenty-five hundred? By -, I Bowling Green, went to General Nelson suspend you from your command, and orand tendered his services. General Nel- der you to report to General Wright; and son gave him the command of the city I've a good mind to put you under militia so soon as they were organized. arrest. Leave my room, sir! General Davis opened an office and went DAVIS. I will not leave, General, until to work in assisting the organization. On you give me an order. Wednesday, General Davis called upon General Nelson in his room at the Galt House, when the following conversation took place, as reported in the newspapers: GEN. DAVIS. I have the brigade, General, you assigned me, ready for service,

[ocr errors]

NELSON. The you won't! By - I'll put you under arrest, and send you out of the city under a provost guard! Leave my room, sir!

General Davis left the room, and, in order to avoid an arrest, crossed over the

river to Jeffersonville, where he remained send me out of the State under a provost until the next day, when he was joined guard.

by General Burbridge, who had also been NELSON (striking Davis with the back relieved by Nelson from his command. of his hand twice in the face). There, General Davis went to Cincinnati with d you, take that.

General Burbridge, and reported to General Wright, who ordered General Davis to return to Louisville and report to General Buell, and General Burbridge to remain at Cincinnati. So General Davis returned and reported to General Buell. Nothing further occurred until the morning

Encounter between Gens. Nelson and Davis.

when General Davis, seeing General Nelson in the main hall of the Galt House, fronting the office, went up to Governor Morton and requested him to step up with him to General Nelson and witness the conversation that might pass between Nelson and him. The Governor consented, and the two walked up to General Nelson, when the following took place :

GEN. DAVIS. Sir, you seemed to take advantage of your authority the other day.

GEN. NELSON (sneeringly, and placing his hand to his ear). Speak louder, I don't hear very well.

DAVIS (in a louder tone). You seemed to take advantage of your authority the other day.

DAVIS (retreating). This is not the last of it; you will hear from me again.

Nelson then turned to Governor Morton, and said: By G--d, did you come here also to insult me?

Gov. MORTON. No, sir; but I was requested to be present and listen to the conversation between you and General Davis.

GEN. NELSON (violently to the by-standers). Did you hear the d- rascal insult me? He then walked into the ladies' parlor.

In three minutes General Davis returned, with a pistol he had borrowed of Captain Gibson, of Louisville, and walking toward the door that Nelson had passed through, he saw Nelson walking out of the parlor into the hall separating the main hall from the parlor. The two were face to face, and about ten yards apart, when General Davis drew his pistol and fired, the ball entering Nelson's heart, or in the immediate vicinity.

[graphic]
[graphic][merged small][merged small]

NELSON (indignantly). I don't know hands and caught a gentleman near by that I did, sir. around the neck, and exclaimed, "I am LAVIS. You threatened to arrest and shot!" He then walked up the flight of

« PreviousContinue »