corporal klegg has an exciting adventure guarding a forage train.
"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."
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.
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.
"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!"
"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.
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.
"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!"
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.
"pile in, boys!" said the orderly, and they clambered into the wagons. the guards were permitted to ride until there were symptoms of danger.
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.
"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.
"jest thinkin' that way myself," replied si; "but all the same, it beats travelin' on the hoof all holler!"
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.
"good morning, stranger," said the officer, "have you any corn on your place?"
"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."
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.
"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."
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.
"say, old pard," asked si as his wagon drove past, "is there any rebs 'round here?"
"there wuz a few confedrit critter-men ridin' 'bout hyar this mawnin';—mebby ye'll run agin 'em 'afore night."
"how many o' your boys is among em?"
"we'uns is all union."
"jest as long as we're 'round, i s'pose!" said si.
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.
"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!"
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.
"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.
"'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!"
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.
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.
an assault on the well-filled corn crib 191
part of the harvest had already been gathered, and the first assault
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
"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!"
but where were corporal klegg and his comrade. shorty, while all this was going on?
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.
"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."
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.
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.
"i say. shorty," he called, "cum 'ere a minnit, quick!"
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.
"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!"
"we ort n't to leave the post, ort we?" suggested shorty.
"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.
shorty held the calf 195
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.
"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!"
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.
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.
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.
"may i bring shorty—he's my pard—'long with me?" he timidly asked.
"certainly!" she replied, with a sweet smile; and si went away, his nerves tingling with pleasant emotions to the very tips of his fingers.
"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."
"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.
si easily divined his thoughts, for something of the same nature had already caused his own heart to palpitate in a reproving way.
"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!"
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.
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.
"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.
the young soldiers stood their guns on the floor in a corner of the room, preliminary to an assault on the edibles.
"ugh!" exclaimed the young woman, with a coquettish shiver, "be them awful things loaded?"
"n—no!" said si; "they won't hurt ye if ye don't touch 'em!"
si was learning to fib a little, and he wanted to quiet the girl's fears.
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.
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.
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.
si sprang upon him 199
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:
"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!"
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
'shorty if we--only git--out o' this--' 203
"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.
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.
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.
"hello, si," said the orderly of co. q, "yer ear's bleedin'. what hurt ye?"
"fell down and scratched it on a brier!" said si, as soon as he was able to speak.
that night si and shorty sat on a log by the campfire talking over the events of the day.
"don't ye never blow on this thing," said si. "it'll be a cold day for us if they'd find it out."
"there ain't no danger o' my tellin'," replied shorty. "but, say, ain't that a nice girl out there?"
"she's a mean rebel, that's what she is! but that was a smart trick o' her'n, wasn't it?"
"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!"
"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!"
