Si Klegg, Book 6

by John McElroy

  CHAPTER IV. THE RECRUITS ARE ASSIGNED TO COMPANIES.

  THE strangest feeling possessed Si and Shorty when once in the camp oftheir old regiment, and after the first hearty welcome of their comradeswas over.

  There was a strangeness about everything that they could not comprehend.

  It was their regiment--the 200th Ind.; it was made up of the samecompanies, with the great majority of the men the same, but it was veryfar from being the 200th Ind. which crossed the Ohio River in September,1862.

  Marvelous changes had been wrought by 18 months' tuition in the ironschool of war, in the 10 separate herds of undisciplined farmer boyswhich originally constituted the regiment. Yellow, downy beards appearedon faces which had been of boyish smoothness when the river was crossed,but this was only one of the minor changes. There was an alertness,a sureness, a self-confidence shining from eyes which was even moremarked. Every one carried himself as if he knew precisely what he wasthere for, and intended doing it. There was enough merriment aroundcamp, but it was very different from the noisy rollicking of the earlierdays. The men who had something to do were doing it with systematicearnestness; the men who had nothing to do were getting as much solidcomfort and fun as the situation afforded. The frothy element amongofficers and men had been rigorously weeded out or repressed. All thatremained were soldiers in the truest sense of the word. The change hadbeen very great even since the regiment had lined up for the fearfulordeal of Chickamauga.

  "Did you ever see a gang o' half-baked kids get to be men as quick asthese boys?" Si asked Shorty. "Think o' the awkward squads that usedto be continually fallin' over their own feet, and stabbing theirselveswith their own bayonets."

  "Seems so," answered Shorty, "but I don't know that they've growed anyfaster'n we have. Walt Slusser, who's bin Orderly at Headquarters, saysthat he heard Capt. McGillicuddy tell Col. McBiddle that he'd never seenmen come out as me and you had, and he thought we'd make very effectivenoncommish."

  "Probably we've all growed," Si assented thoughtfully. "Just think o'McBiddle as Lieutenant-Colonel, in place o' old Billings. Remember thefirst time we saw McBiddle to know him? That time he was Sergeant o' theGuard before Perryville, and was so gentle and soft-spoken that lotso' the boys fooled themselves with the idee that he lacked sand. Samefellers thought that old bellerin' bull Billings was a great fightin'man. What chumps we all wuz that we stood Billings a week."

  "Wonder if I'm ever goin' to have a chanst for a little privatesociable with Billings? Just as I think I'm goin' to have it, somethinginterferes. That feller's bin so long ripe for a lickin' that I'm afraidhe'll be completely spiled before my chanst comes."

  "But I can't git over missin' so many familiar voices in command, andhearin' others in their places," said Si. "That battalion drill theywuz havin' as we come in didn't sound like our rijimint at all. I couldalways tell which was our rijimint drillin' half a mile away by thesound of the voices. What a ringin' voice Capt. Scudder had. It beatthe bugle. You could hear him sing out, 'Co. C, on right, into line!Forward, guide right--March!' farther'n you could the bugle. The lasttime I heard him wuz as we wuz' going up Snodgrass Hill. A rebel bulletwent through his head just as he said, 'March!' Now, Lieut. Scripps isin command o' Co. C, and he's got a penny-whistle voice that I can't gitused to."

  "Lieut. Scripps's a mighty good man. He'll take Co. C as far as Capt.Scudder would."

  "I know that Scripps's all right. No discount on him. But it don't seemnatural, that's all. Every one o' the companies except ours has anew man in command, and in ours Capt. McGillicuddy's voice has got adifferent ring to it than before Chickamaugy."

  "Practicin' to command the battalion," suggested Shorty. "You know he'llbe Major if McBiddle's made a full Kurnel."

  "That reminds me," said Shorty, "that our squad o' recruits'll probablyfill up the rijimint so's to give McBiddle his eagle. They'll be 'roundpresently to divide up the squad and assign 'em to companies. As all thecompanies is about equally strong, they'll divide 'em equally--that'llmake six and one-half boys to each company. Capt. McGillicuddy bein' thesenior Captain, is to have first choice. We want to pick out the bestsix and one-half for our company and put 'em in one squad at the rightor left, and give the Captain the wink to choose 'em."

  "If we do it's got to be done mighty slick," said Si. "They're allmighty good boys, and spunky. They'll all want to go with us, and ifthey find out we've made any choice they'll never forgive us. I'd a'mostas soon have one six boys as another, yit if I had to pick out six Ibelieve I'd take Harry Joslyn, Gid Mackall, Alf Russell, Monty Scruggs,Jim Humphreys and Sandy Baker."

  "And Pete Skidmore," added Shorty. "We've got to take special care o'that little rat. Besides, I want to. Somehow I've took quite a fancy tothe brat."

  "Yes, we must take little Pete," assented Si. "The proportion's six andone-half to a company. He 'll pass for the half man. But it won't do tolet him know it. He thinks he's as big as any man in the rijimint. Buthow're we goin' to fix it not to let the other boys know that we'vepicked 'em out?"

  "I'll tell you what we'll do," said Shorty, the man of many wiles. "Whenthe boys are drawed up in line and Capt. McGillicuddy goes down it topick 'em out, you stand at attention, two paces in front, facin' 'emand lookin' as severe and impartial as a judge on the bench. I'll standbehind you with my leg against your'n, this way, and apparently fixingmy gun-lock. When Cap comes in front o' one that we want, yo give me alittle hunch with your leg, and I'll make the lock click."

  "Splendid idee," said Si. "I'll go and post the Cap while you git theboys into line."

  When Shorty returned to the squad he found them in feverish excitementabout the distribution to the different companies. As he and Si hadapprehended, all were exceedingly anxious to go with them into Co. Q,which Si and Shorty had unwittingly impressed upon them was the crackcompany of the regiment, and contained the very cream of the men. Tobe assigned to any other company seemed to them, if not an actualmisfortune, a lack of good luck.

  "Nonsense," Shorty replied to their eager entreaties; "all the companiesin the 200th Injianny is good, prime, first-class--better'n thecompanies in ary other rijimint. You're playin' in great luck to gitinto any one o' 'em, I tell you. You might've got into one o' 'emrijimints that're back there at Nashville guardin' fortifications, orone o' 'em that lost their colors at Chickamaugy. I'd ruther be the tailend o' the 200th Injianny, than the Drum Major o' any other."

  "That's all right," they shouted. "We're glad we're in the 200thInjianny, but we want to be in Co. Q."

  "Well, you can't all be in Co. Q. Only six and one-half of you. Therest's got to go to other companies."

  "Say, Corpril," spoke up Harry Joslyn, "you'll see that I git in, won'tyou? You know I shot that rebel at the burnt bridge."

  "And didn't I shoot one, too?" put in Gid Mackall. "Just as much as youdid. They want tall men in the company, don't they, Corpril? Not littlerunts."

  "And didn't I watch the crossing down there at the burnt bridge?"pleaded Jim Humphreys.

  "And git scared to death by a nigger huntin' coons," laughed theothers.

  "Who kept the rebel from gittin' back to the train and settin' it onfire, but me and Sandy Baker?" piped up little Pete Skidmore. "Who gotlost, and nearly killed by a locomotive. Don't that count for nothin'?"

  YOU'VE LOST LITTLE PETE 51]

  "Boys," said Shorty, leaning on his musket, and speaking with the utmostgravity, "this's a great military dooty and must be performed withoutfear, favor nor affection. I'd like to have you all in Co. Q, but this'sa thing 'bout which I hain't got no say. There's a great many thingsin the army 'bout which a Corpril hain't as much inflooence as he orterhave, as you'll find out later on. Here comes the Captain o' Co. Q, who,because o' his rank, has the first pick o' the recruits. He's never seenyou before, and don't know one o' you from Adam's off-ox. He has his ownideas as to who he wants in the company, and what he says goes. It maybe that the color o' your hair'll decide him, mebbe the look in youreyes, mebbe the shape
o' your noses. 'Tention! Right dress! Front!Saloot!"

  Capt. McGillicuddy came down at the head of the company officers of theregiment, and took a comprehensive survey of the squad.

  "Fine-looking lot of youngsters," he remarked. "They'll make goodsoldiers."

  "Every one o' them true-blue, all wool and a yard wide. Captain," saidSi.

  "You'll play fair, now, Captain, won't you, and choose for yourself?"said Capt. Scripps. "I've no doubt they're all good boys, but there'sa choice in good boys, and that Sergeant of yours has learned where thechoice is. You let him stay back, while you go down the line yourself."

  "Certainly," replied Capt. McGillicuddy. "Serg't Klegg, stay where youare."

  Si saluted and took his position, facing the line, with a look of calmimpartiality upon his face. Shorty turned around and backed up to him sothat the calves of their legs touched, and began intently studying hisgunlock.

  Capt. McGillicuddy stepped over to the right of the line stopped infront of Harry Joslyn and Gid Mackall. Shorty full-cocked his gun withtwo sharp clicks.

  "You two step forward one pace," said Capt. McGillicuddy to the tworadiant boys, who obeyed with a jump. The Captain walked on down theline, carefully scrutinizing each one, but did not stop until Shorty'sgun clicked twice, when he was in front of Alf Russell and MontyScruggs.

  "Step forward one pace," he commanded.

  He proceeded on down the line until he came in front of Jim Humphreysand Sandy Baker, when Shorty's gun clicked again.

  "You two step forward one pace," he commanded. "Gentleman, I've got mysix. The rest are yours."

  "But you hain't got me. You've lost me," screamed Pete Skidmore,dismayed at being separated from Sandy Baker. Shorty's gun clickedagain.

  "I believe that there is a fraction of a half a man to be distributedaround," the Captain said, turning to the other officers. "We agreedto draw cuts for that choice. But as that's the smallest boy in the lotI'll take him for my fraction. I think that's fair. Step forward, there,you boy on the left."

  "All right Captain," laughed Capt. Scripps. "You've got the pick of themen, and I'm glad of it.

  "I know you have, for I've been watching that Corporal of yours. I knowhim of old. I've played cards too often with Shorty not to keep my eyeon him whenever he is around. I saw through that gun-lock trick."

  "The trouble with you fellows," responded Capt. McGillicuddy, "is thatyou are constantly hunting around for some reason rather than the realone for Co. Q being always ahead of you. It isn't my fault that Co. Qis the best company in the regiment. It simply comes natural to the menthat make up the company. You gentlemen divide up the rest among you,and then come down to the sutler's and we'll talk the matter over.Serg't Klegg, take these men down to the company and have the Orderlyprovide for them."

  "Hello, awful glad to see you back--and you, too, Shorty," said the busyOrderly-Sergeant, speaking in his usual short, snappy sentences, withoutusing any more words than absolutely necessary. "We need you. Short ofnon-commish. Two Sergeants off on detached duty and two Corporals inhospital. Being worked for all we're worth. Both of you look fine. Hada nice, long rest. In great shape for work. Pitch in, now, and help me.First, let's get the names of these kids on the roll. Humphreys--we'vegot two other Humphreys, so you'll answer to Humphreys, 3d.

  "But I don't want to be with the Humphreys, sir," broke in Jim. "Me andMonty Scruggs--"

  "Hold your tongue," said the Orderly sharply. "Don't interrupt me. Ifyou speak when you're spoken to you'll do all the talking expected ofyou.

  "Joslyn, you're after Jones, 3d. M--M--Mackall, you come after Lawrence."

  "But you've put me after Joslyn," protested Gid. "He's never ahead ofme."

  "Shut up," answered the Orderly. "I do the talking for this company.Russell, Scruggs, Skidmore; there, I've got 'em all down. Si, go downtoward Co. A and find Bill Stiles and walk him up to the guard-tent andleave him there to cool off. He's got his hide full of coffin varnishsomewhere, and of course wants to settle an old score with that Co. Aman, who'll likely knock his head off if he catches him. Shorty, go backthere to the cook tent and shake up those cooks. Give it to them, forthey're getting lazier every day. I want supper ready as soon's wecome off dress parade. Here, you boys, trot along after me to theQuartermaster's tent, and draw your blankets, tents, haversacks andcanteens. Shorty, as soon's you're through with the cooks, go to theleft of the company and start to fixing up a place for these boys'tents. Si, get back as soon's you can, for I want you to take the squaddown after rations. Then you'll have to relieve Jake Warder as Sergeantof the Guard, for Jake's hardly able to be around."

  The Orderly strode off toward the Quartermaster's tent at such a pacethat it gave the boys all they could do to keep up with him. Arrivingthere he called out sharply to the Quartermaster-Sergeant:

  "Wes, give me seven blankets."

  That official responded by tossing the required number, one afteranother, counting them as he did so. As the Orderly caught them hetossed them to the boys, calling their names. Gid Mackall happened to belooking at a battery of artillery when his name was called, and receivedthe blanket on the back of his neck, knocking him over.

  "'Tend to your business, there; don't be gawking around," said theOrderly sternly. "Now, Wes, seven halves of pup-tents."

  These were tossed and counted the same way. Then followed canteens,haversacks and tin plates and cups.

  "Now, boys, there's your kits. Give you your guns tomorrow. Hurry backto the company street and set up those tents on railroad time, for it'sgoing to rain. Jump, now."

  When they reached Shorty he hustled them around to pitch their tents,but he was not fast enough to please the Orderly, who presentlyappeared, with the remark:

  "Cesar's ghost. Shorty, how slow you are. Are you going to be all nightgetting up two or three tents? Get a move on you, now, for there's arain coming up, and besides I want you for something else as soon'syou're through with this?"

  "Who is that man, Corpril?" asked Monty Scruggs, as the Orderly left.

  "That's the Orderly-Sergeant of Co. Q."

  "Orderly-Sergeant?" repeated Monty dubiously. "Who's he? I've heard ofCaptains, Majors, Colonels and Generals, but never of Orderly-Sergeants,and yit he seems to be bigger'n all of 'em. He has more to say, and doesmore orderin' around than all of 'em put together. He even orders youand Sarjint Klegg. Is he the biggest man in the army?"

  "Well, SO far's you're concerned and to all general purposes he is. Youneedn't pay no partickler attention as a rule to nobody else, but whenthe Orderly speaks, you jump, and the quicker you jump the better it'llbe for you. He don't draw as much salary, nor put on as many frills asthe bigger fellers, but you hain't nothin' to do with that. You kin findfault with the Captain, criticize the Kurnel, and lampoon the General,but you don't want to give the Orderly no slack. He's not to be fooledwith. Russell, run up there and snatch that spade to dig ditches aroundthese tents."

  "When I enlisted," Monty confided to Alf Russell, "I thought I'd do mybest to become a Captain or a General. Now, I'm dead anxious to be anOrderly-Sarjint."