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 physically3 able to endure the hardships of an active campaign. At the end of two or three weeks some of the new regiments4 were as much reduced in numbers as most of those that went out in '61 were during their first six months.
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 tortuous7 route.
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.
One day the regiment5 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 cavalry10 had a chance to recover their wind.
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 vigor11. Perspiration12 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.
Once an hour there was the customary halt, when the boys would stretch their legs by the roadside, hitching13 their knapsacks up under their heads. When the allotted14 time had expired the bugler15 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 mingled16 their voices with the rest of Sherman's hundred thousand veterans as they sang:
"I know you are tired, but still you must go
Down to Atlanta to see the big show."
The soldiers were in good spirits. As they marched they fired jests at one another, and laughter rippled2 along the line.
The only thing that troubled them was the emaciated17 condition of their haversacks, with a corresponding state of affairs in their several stomachs. The Commissary Department was thoroughly18 demoralized. The supply train had failed to connect, and rations19 were almost exhausted20. There was no prospect21 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.
Strict orders against foraging22 were issued almost daily under the Buell dispensation. These were often read impressively to the new troops, who, in their simplicity23, "took it all in" as military gospel.
The 200th Ind. Was Not Without Talent in Foraging 169
The effect was somewhat depressing upon the ardor24 with which otherwise they would have pursued the panting pig and the fluttering fowl25, and reveled in the orchards26 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.
But these orders against foraging didn't hold the soldiers of the crop of 1861. It was like trying to carry water in a sieve27. When rations were short, or if they wanted to vary the rather monotonous28 bill of fare, they always found a way to make up any existing deficiency.
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."
Soon after starting in the morning a persimmon tree, well laden30 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 fig9 tree.
The persimmon has some very marked peculiarities31. It is a toothsome fruit when well ripened32 by frost, but if eaten before it has reached the point of full maturity33, the effect upon one's interior is unique and startling. The pungent34 juices take hold of the mouth and pucker35 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 novice36 does not often get far enough for that.
The boys soon found that the 'simmons, although they looked very tempting37, were too green to be eaten with any degree of enjoyment38. So they filled their pockets with them to pucker up the regiment.
Shorty had joined in the scramble39, telling Si he would bring him a good supply.
"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."
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 wilderness40.
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 mighty41 grip, wrinkling him up like the skins on scalded milk.
After sputtering42 vigorously a few minutes, while Shorty laughed at him. Si managed to get his tongue untwisted.
"Yes," said he, "them things is nice—in a horn! 'Twouldn't take many of 'em to make a meal!"
A little farther on Si's quick eye noticed a row of beehives standing29 on a bench in the yard of one of the natives. Si had a weakness for honey.
"Shorty," said he, "see them hives over there? How'd ye like to have some honey for supper?"
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.
But the bees instantly rallied their forces and made a vigorous assault upon the invader43. 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 zeal44. They seemed to fully45' share the common feeling in the South toward the "Yanks."
Si Beat a Retreat 171
A pretty woman, standing on the porch, had watched Si's raid from the doorway46. As he fell back in utter rout8 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.
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 judiciously47 distributed about his person. It was very evident that he had been overmatched and had come out second best in the encounter.
Corporal Klegg presented a picturesque48 appearance as he reached Co. Q. The boys fairly yelled with delight.
"Whar's yer honey?" said Shorty. "Pears like ye waked up the wrong passenger that time!"
Si laughed with the rest, rubbed salt on his stings, and plodded49 on, consoling himself with the thought that his was not the only case in which the merit of earnest effort had gone unrewarded.
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.
173 (74K)
THERE WAS A MAN AT EVERY HILL
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.
"Gimme your canteen, too, Shorty, and I'll fill it!" he said.
"Here, Si, you're a bully50 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.
Si Being Worked for a 'good Thing.' 175
"All right," said Si, "I'll be along with 'em full d'reckly!"
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. Slinging51 them around his neck he started on, with just about as big a load as he could carry.
Si forged ahead, gradually gaining a little, through the tardy52 movement of the column that generally preceded going into camp. The canteen straps53 chafed54 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.
Si threw down his burdens of canteens, himself thoroughly blown and well-nigh exhausted.
"Purty good load, wasn't it, Si?" said Shorty. "But what made ye lug55 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?"
"I'll be hanged if I thought o' that!" said Si, while the boys joined in a hearty56 laugh.
At the command "Break ranks" there was a general scamper57 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 scattered58 in all directions for water, rails, straw, etc., while some went out to scour59 the adjacent region for edibles60.
These exercises the soldiers always entered into with the heartiest61 gusto, and the scene will be well remembered by all those who marched.
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 bulging62 out with sweet potatoes, and a glance showed him that these were all gone.
"Dern my buttons!" exclaimed Si, as he forgot his weariness, and his eyes flashed fire. "If I am a Corporal, I kin6 jest mash63 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?"
Si pranced64 around in a high state of inflammation, and it is probable that if he had found the purloiner65 of his provender66 there would have been a harder fight than any that occurred between Buell and Bragg.
The boys winked67 slyly at one another, and all said it was too bad. It was a startling case of turpitude68, and Si determined69 to have revenge by getting even with some other fellow, without pausing to consider the questions of moral philosophy involved.
"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 slung70 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.
"Halt, there!" shouted Si to the foragers. "We're sent out to pick up such fellows as you!"
The effect was like a discharge from a masked battery. The men dropped their plunder71 and fled in wild confusion.
"Take hold 'o that pole, Shorty!" said Si, and laying it upon their shoulders they made a triumphant72 entry into camp.
There seemed to be no danger of immediate73 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 gathering74 twilight75, and around them crowded the hungry soldiers, intent upon the simple culinary processes incident to the evening meal.
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1
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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rippled
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| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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fig
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| n.无花果(树) | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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13
hitching
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| 搭乘； （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的现在分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bugler
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| 喇叭手； 号兵； 吹鼓手； 司号员 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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17
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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18
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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22
foraging
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| v.搜寻（食物），尤指动物觅（食）( forage的现在分词 )；（尤指用手）搜寻（东西） | |
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23
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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24
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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25
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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26
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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27
sieve
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| n.筛，滤器，漏勺 | |
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28
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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29
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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31
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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32
ripened
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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34
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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35
pucker
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| v.撅起，使起皱；n.（衣服上的）皱纹，褶子 | |
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36
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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37
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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38
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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39
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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40
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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41
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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42
sputtering
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| n.反应溅射法；飞溅；阴极真空喷镀；喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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43
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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44
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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45
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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46
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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47
judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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48
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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49
plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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50
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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51
slinging
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| 抛( sling的现在分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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52
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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53
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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54
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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55
lug
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| n.柄，突出部，螺帽；(英）耳朵；（俚）笨蛋；vt.拖，拉，用力拖动 | |
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56
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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scamper
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| v.奔跑，快跑 | |
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58
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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59
scour
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| v.搜索；擦，洗，腹泻，冲刷 | |
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60
edibles
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| 可以吃的，可食用的( edible的名词复数 )； 食物 | |
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61
heartiest
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| 亲切的( hearty的最高级 )； 热诚的； 健壮的； 精神饱满的 | |
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62
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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63
mash
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| n.麦芽浆，糊状物，土豆泥；v.把…捣成糊状，挑逗，调情 | |
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64
pranced
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
purloiner
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| [法] 小偷，窃盗者 | |
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provender
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| n.刍草；秣料 | |
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67
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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68
turpitude
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| n.可耻；邪恶 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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70
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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71
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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72
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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73
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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74
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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75
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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