by John McElroy
CHAPTER XIX. A CLOSE CALL
CORPORAL KLEGG HAS AN EXCITING ADVENTURE GUARDING A FORAGE TRAIN.
"COMPANY Q's bin detailed to go out 'n' help guard a forage trainto-morrow," said the Orderly one evening at roll-call. "Youfellers wants to all be up 'n' dressed bright 'n' early, with yercartridge-boxes full 'n' a day's rations in yer haversacks. Be sure yerguns is in good order, fer likely's not we'll have a squirmish afore wegit back."
The 200th Ind. had been lying in camp for two or three days, and theambitious heroes who composed that regiment were getting tired ofloafing about. Nothing chafed the raging patriotism of the new troopslike a condition, however brief, of masterly inactivity. They refused tobe comforted unless they were on the warpath all the time. Their idealof a soldier's life was to take a rebel battery every morning beforebreakfast, storm a line of works to give them an appetite for dinner,and spend the afternoon charging with cold steel the serried columns ofthe foe and wading around through seas of gore.
So Corporal Klegg and Shorty and the rest of the boys betook themselveswith 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 forthe expedition instead of Co. Q.
"Say, Si," remarked Shorty, thoughtfully, "hadn't we better write aletter home? Who knows but we'll be as dead as mackerels to-morrernight!"
"Fiddlesticks!" said Si. "What's the use o' havin' a funeral aforethere'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 thingthat 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 keeppasted in his hat. I ain't goin' ter hang back fer fear a billit 'll hitme, nuther. If we're going to be killed we can't help it, so let's notfret our gizzards out!" And Si crammed a handful of hardtack into hishaversack.
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 sensein his homely, good-natured philosophy. Sooner or later every soldierwho did not "peter out" came gradually to adopt Si's idea as thegoverning principle of his military career.
"Shouldn't wonder if you was 'bout right, after all," said Shorty, ashe sliced up some bacon to have it ready for an early breakfast. "You'rebetter'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 themorning the Orderly came around and stirred the boys up an hour beforereveille, as they were ordered to be ready to start at daylight. Theprimary object of the expedition was forage for the animals, the supplyof 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 satisfyhis longing for a change from the regulation diet. This was always theunwritten part of the order to "go out foraging." Daylight was juststreaking over the camp when Co. Q, equipped in light marching order,leaving knapsacks behind, moved out to where the half dozen wagonsdetailed from the regimental transportation were ready for the start.Each regiment in the brigade furnished a company and the same number ofwagons. The impatient mules were braying and flapping their ears, as ifthey understood that they were to be the chief beneficiaries of theraid.
"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 longwhips like pistol-snots, addressed to the mules the usual words ofexhortation, and the long procession drew out upon the stony pike andtook a brisk trot. Considerable foraging had already been done in thevicinity, and it was expected the train would have to go out severalmiles in order to fully accomplish its object. The boys were in finespirits and enjoyed their morning ride, albeit the jolting of the wagonsgave them a thorough shaking up.
"I guess they forgot to put any springs in when they built thesewagons!" said Shorty, as he shifted his position so that he might catchthe bumps in a new place for a while.
"Jest thinkin' that way myself," replied Si; "but all the same, it beatstravelin' on the hoof all holler!"
Three or four miles out from camp the train was halted while theofficers in command made inquiries of a cadaverous native who wassunning himself on the fence and whose principal occupation seemed tobe chewing tobacco and distributing the resultant liquid around in apromiscuous way.
"Good morning, stranger," said the officer, "have you any corn on yourplace?"
"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 alwaysdeveloped 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 milesfrom hyar. I 'low ye'll git sum if ye go thar. He growed a power o' cawnthis 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 examinationof the outbuildings on the place. They reported that they could findnothing in the way of forage. If the man had any corn he had carefullyconcealed 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 thismawnin';--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 ahill, saw--or thought they saw a few vagrant cavalrymen far ahead. Thetrain was halted and dispositions were made to meet any emergency likelyto arise. The men were ordered to "tumble out" of the wagons. The mainbody was formed in advance. A line of skirmishers was deployed in frontand flankers were thrown out on either side. Thus protected, the muledrivers again cracked their whips and the procession moved cautiouslyforward.
"Now keep yer eyes skinned," said Si to Shorty as they trailed alongthrough the woods and fields and over fences, on one of the flanks. "Ifany of them raskils comes dodgin' 'round here let's try 'n' have thefirst crack at 'em 'n' git the bulge on the rest o' the boys!"
Keenly alert, with muskets loaded and capped, they crept carefullyalong, poking their noses into every thicket and peering around everybuilding. It was clear that there would not be anything in the nature ofa surprise if the whole line was as well taken care of as the particularpoint guarded by Corporal Klegg and his faithful friend Shorty.
"It's some like huntin' squirrels up in the woods of Posey County," saidSi, as they forced their way through a patch of brambles.
"'Pears to be rayther more excitin' than huntin' squirrels," saidShorty. "Ye know squirrels doesn't shute back at a feller as them peskyrebbles does, an' the fun 's all on one side. I reckon ef squirrels c'dshute there wouldn't be so much huntin' of 'em!"
It was really a disappointment to Si that he found no opportunity tosquint along the barrel of his musket in range of a foe. If any ofhis misguided fellow-citizens were in the neighborhood they considereddiscretion the better part of valor and kept out of harm's way.
In due time the Scroggs plantation was reached. A hasty examinationshowed that there was an abundance of corn on the place to load thewagons, and arrangements for a sudden transfer of the property werequickly made. A third of the force established a cordon of picket-postsaround the marauding party, covering all the avenues of approach, withre serves at convenient points. The remainder of the troops stacked armsand 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 assaultwas made on a well-filled cornhouse--one of a group of dilapidatedout-buildings a little way from the dwelling. "Old man" Scroggsprotested with profane vehemence, reinforced by the "old woman" and theentire family of children. We say "entire family," because there couldnot well have been a more numerous progeny in one household anywhereoutside of Utah.
The head of the family cursed and swore, and his wife and the big girlslooked as if they wanted to do the same thing, as they stood wringingtheir hands, their eyes flashing fire while the small-fry stood aroundand 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 woulddemand of the Government full revenge for this outrage. It was noticedthat there were no young men around as there should be according to theeconomy 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. "Theyain't to hum jest now. I 'low they've got a right to g'way ef they wantter."
The officer had been informed that there were several representativesof the Scroggs family in the rebel army. The old man's avowal of loyaltywas taken for what it was worth. That it was not rated at a high figurewas well attested by the appearance of the plantation a few hours later.
Meanwhile the soldiers kept right along in the duty assigned them. Thecorn-house was surrounded by wagons, the roof was gently lifted off, andin scarcely more time than it takes to tell the story six or eight ofthe wagons were heaped with the contents. The mules wagged their tailsand brayed in anticipation of the picnic they would have when they gotback to camp.
Then the force moved some distance and attacked a large field ofstanding corn. The stalks had been "topped," but the ears were yetungathered. The men started in between the rows and swept through thatfield like a cyclone, plucking the ears right and left. Bags, basketsand boxes were pressed into the service, and as there were not enough ofthese to go' round many bore the corn to the wagons by armfuls. It didnot 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 morethorough job.
"Fo' de Lawd, boss," said an old darky who had been roosting on thefence watching the spoilers, "I nebber seed de crap gaddered so quicksince I'se bawn. You'uns all is powerful smart, da't shuah!"
But where were Corporal Klegg and his comrade. Shorty, while all thiswas 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 timethey obeyed their instructions to the letter. Their vigilant eyesswept the surrounding country, and no rebel could have crept up on themwithout getting a pair of bullets from their ready muskets. They saw nosigns 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 theseparts, an' there ain't any use'n us both keepin' this thing up. You jestwatch 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, afteragain urging upon his companion the importance of attending strictly tobusiness.
Si had not gone far till he saw, penned in a corner of the barnyard, acow with a full udder, from which a frisky young calf was busily engagedin pumping nourishment. A violent feeling of envy toward that calf beganimmediately to rage in the 'breast of Si. He had not had a draft offresh milk since he had left home, and he felt that a little refreshmentof that kind would be particularly gratifying to his interior organism.It would strengthen him and give him new courage to stand up to the rackif 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 leavingthe 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 therun, with eyes wide open, thinking his comrade had discovered somerebels hanging around.
"Look there!" said Si, pointing to the maternal scene that has beenalluded to. "Let's have some o' that. We'll git over the fence 'n' youjest hold the calf while I milk our canteens full. 'Twont take more'n ajiffy!"
"We ort n't to leave the post, ort we?" suggested Shorty.
"Oh, there ain't no danger," Si replied; "an' besides, you can keeplookin' out while you're hangin' on to the calf. I was alters a goodmilker 'n' I'll fill up these canteens in a couple o' minnits." So theyclimbed over and leaned their muskets against the fence. Shorty seizedthe calf and held it with a firm grip, in spite of its struggling andbleating. 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 guiltyconscience, milked with all his might.
SHORTY HELD THE CALF 195 ]
The canteens were soon filled, and, with out stopping to drink. Si andShorty hurried back to their post of duty. All was quiet, and no harmhad resulted from their brief absence.
"I told ye 'twould be all right," said Si. "Now, we'll jest empty oneo' 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 atonefor their derelictions. After watching for an hour without seeinganything, Si said he would take another little turn around the place.
Boldly advancing to the house, which was some distance in front of theirpost, he was met by a girl of about 18. She was rather pretty, but toSi's ardent imagination she was like a vision of surpassing loveliness.She greeted him pleasantly--for Si was a comely youth--and, if the truthmust be told, he actually forgot for the moment all about his duty. Whenshe said she would get him a good dinner, and invited him into the houseto sit while she prepared it, he just went right along.
But his conscience began to thump so loudly that after a few minutes hetold her he guessed he'd have to go, but would be delighted to return inan 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, hisnerves 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 tothat house there's the purtiest gal I ever see."
"Wha-a-a-a-t!" interjected Shorty, with a look of astonishment; for heknew something about Si and Annabel--the girl he left behind him--and hewas both surprised and pained at Si's treasonable enthusiasm.
Si easily divined his thoughts, for something of the same nature hadalready 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 thepost again, but Si assured him it would be all right. The peculiarcircumstances of the case had sadly warped Si's judgment.
So they went to the house and were cordially greeted by their fair younghostess, who was flying around, putting the finishing touches to themeal 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 thenicely-spread board.
The young soldiers stood their guns on the floor in a corner of theroom, preliminary to an assault on the edibles.
"Ugh!" exclaimed the young woman, with a coquettish shiver, "be themawful 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'sfears.
The boys were soon seated at the tab
le, bountifully supplied with ham,chicken, eggs, bread and butter, honey, and all the accessories of awell-ordered repast. They fell to with an eagerness that was, perhaps,justified by the long time that had elapsed since they had had a "squaremeal." Si thought that never in his life had anything tasted so good.
While they were thus engaged, without a thought of impending danger, thegirl suddenly opened the door, leading to the dining room. A wild-eyedman--who proved to be her brother--in the uniform of a rebelsoldier, dashed in, and, presenting a cocked revolver, demanded theirunconditional and immediate surrender.
They were in a tight place. But Si proved equal to the sudden andappalling emergency. It flashed through his mind in an instant how thegirl had "played it" on him. He made up his mind that he would rather beshot 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 theball only chipped a piece from his left ear. There was not time to getand use his gun. With the quickness of a cat Si sprang upon him, andwith a blow of his fist laid him sprawling upon the floor. Disarminghim, 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' yerhead off fer spilin' my dinner, but I won't do it this time. But youjist 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 himselfand came to his assistance.
But at this instant their ears caught the sound of horses' hoofsgalloping down the pike. Si's quick perception told him that is was adash of rebel cavalrymen, and that a few moments later escape would beimpossible.
"Grab yer gun an' git!" he said to Shorty, at the same time casting oneferocious 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, atthe highest speed of which their legs were capable. On clattered thehorses, and a few shots from the carbines of the swift-riding horsemenwhistled through the air.
Six feet at a jump, with thumping hearts and bulging eyes, the fugitivesalmost flew over the ground, throwing quick glances at their pursuers, andthen 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 anywind to spare to finish the sentence. We must leave to the reader'simagination the good resolutions as to his future conduct that wereforming in Si's mind at this critical juncture. He saw the awfulconsequences of yielding to the influence of that alluring young womanand her seductive dinner. What he had read about Adam and the troubleEve got him into, in pretty much the same way, flashed before him. Itwas 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 andbacon had not yet reduced the latter's surplus flesh to a degree thatenabled him to run well. Shorty kept ahead, but would not desert hiscomrade, slowing up for an instant now and then to give Si, who wasstraining to the utmost every nerve, and puffing like a locomotive on anupgrade, a chance to keep within supporting distance.
The soldiers of the reserve taking the alarm, came out at a double-quickand were fortunately able to cover the retreat of Si and Shorty. Thehalf dozen cavalrymen, upon the appearance of so large a force, turnedtheir horses and galloped away.
"Hello, Si," said the Orderly of Co. Q, "yer ear's bleedin'. What hurtye?"
"Fell down and scratched it on a brier!" said Si, as soon as he was ableto speak.
That night Si and Shorty sat on a log by the campfire talking over theevents of the day.
"Don't ye never blow on this thing," said Si. "It'll be a cold day forus if they'd find it out."
"There ain't no danger o' my tellin'," replied Shorty. "But, say, ain'tthat 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 wantno more such close shaves in mine. You 'member the story of the spiderand the fly, don't ye? Well, she was the spider 'n' we was two poorlittle fool flies!"
"Shorty," said Si, "I'd a mighty sight ruther be an angel an' have thedaisies a-bloomin' over my grave, than to have been tuk a prisoner inthat house. But that dinner was good, anyhow--what we got of it!"