Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 201, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1910 — STORIES OF CAMP AND WAR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STORIES OF CAMP AND WAR

MUCH DELAYED WAR REPORT Gen. Dan Maoauley of Indiana Relatea Humorous Incident That Originated in ’64. 'j The following anecdote as related by Gen. Dan Macauley of Indiana affords a striking illustration of the humorous turn that often concludes a situation originally tragic. The beginning of the story takes us back to those stirring events of 1864 which had the Shenandoah Valley as the theater of action. Back and forth across that narrow stage with its picturesque setting strove those real-life heroes, Sheridan and Early, in the most dramatic, momentous duel of the war. In this prolonged contest courage and determination were well "matched, while rare technical skill availed itself of every possible advantage to force a final issue. That last stroke of Early’s, the surprise of the Union* forces in the morning hours of the nineteenth of October, was so well conceived and so brilliantly executed it almost deserved suocess. The night before the battle, General Wright, then in command owing to Sheridan’s temporary absence, ordered a reconnoi3sance to be made by one of his brigades. On its return it reported no enemy ip sight, and this added greatly to the sense of security that prevailed among the union troops, for it was generally believed that Early had left the valley for good, discouraged by his recent defeats. General Macauley at this time was attached to Crook's corps as a brigade commander and stationed on the extreme left, the late President Hayes holding a similar position in the same corps. j "My camp,’’ said General Macauley “was aroused just before daylight by the noise of light firing. While it attracted some attention, we regarded! it as picket firing only and of no con-; sequence. But upon Its continuance some moments longer a group of officers gathered and discussed its possible meaning, none of us, however, having any idea that it came from the, enemy in force, especially after so re-, cent a defeat At this juncture a ma-, jor general rode up and ordered me to send a staff officer to the place from, which the firing evidently came, and if the trouble was found to be serious, to order , a regiment that was sta- 4 tloned there to hold its position at " any cost and all hazards. I had on my staff a certain major who was distinguished for his great courage.

He was a good deal of a dandy in dress and manner and parted his hair In the middle and was, withal, the wit' and. wag aind the.most gallant of our headquarters family. I said to him: , “ ‘The general is scared, but go and 1 see what those pickets are shooting at. and, if needs be, tell that colonel what to do.' “The order was scarcely given and the major out of sight when pandemonium broke loose. Volleys by regiments, brigades and divisions poured into us as the enemy we had thought so comfortably distant came rushing through our lines, taking us completely by surprise and giving us no chance to return a single shot I soon had business in Indiana, but went first to Winchester in an ambulance to see the surgeons. My major, of course, I did not see again. “Seven years afterward I was holding a military court at Annapolis,! Md„ trying an Interesting case that' had drawn a great crowd to the courtroom. in the very midst of an important argument a big, handsome fellow entered the door, elbowed hiß way through the ehowd, shoving right and left, disturbing, interrupting and stopping proceedings, until he reached the Judge’s seat Then with a sharp click he brought his heels together, raised' his arm in a brave military salute and sang out: “ ‘General Macauley, there isn’t a d —d thing over there but General Gordon's Georgia division!* _ “I quickly recognized my lost messenger, acknowledged his tardy report, and told the lawyers court was adjourned until the next day; then the major and I went out and had a night! of it."

I Quickly Recognized My Lost Messenger.