Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1901 — Taking Command. [ARTICLE]

Taking Command.

Even when bent on showing appreciation, themannersofacrowd of heroworshipers may leave something to be desired; but if the hero of the occasion which has brought them together is a man accustomed to being obeyed the result may be a good story, like the one below, taken from Lippincott’s Magazine. It was at a Grand Army encampment in a Western city, and Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman was the guest of honor. No sooner, however, had he reached the rooms reserved for him in the hotel than there was a crowd at the door. Some of the old soldiers were admitted, and many who were not old soldiers pushed their way in. The general made the best of things and undertook to shake hands with all. But this was not satisfactory to a few, who wanted to pass the time of day with the veteran, and Incidentally to look him over as if be were a prize ox in a stock show. Finally the crowd in’front of him became so dense that it blocked the way of others who were trying to get near him, and the whole line came to a standstill. Several persons tried to straighten the tangle, but without success. Then General Sherman took command. “Salute and fall baek!” he said in a tone impossible to disregard, at the same time extending his hand toward the gawking follow nearest him, who took it rather sheepishly and speedily retired. / “Salute and fall back!’’ repeated the general. In less than a minute the line was moving again, and the crowd rapidly melted away.