Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1903 — AN OBSTINATE MAJOR. [ARTICLE]

AN OBSTINATE MAJOR.

He Had HU Way Even After He Was la Hi. Coffin. Many amusing stories are told of the great formality blended with a humorous brusqueness and independence which characterized early Revolutionary days. An incident of camp life Is related by the author of “Romance and Realism of the Southern Gulf Coast.” In 1708 the first United States troops that came down the Mississippi were quartered at Fort Adams. General Wilkinson, Colonel Hamtramek, Major Butler, Captain Green and other officers were merry over their punch one night, and the general, by some aeci’dent, got his cue burned off. Angry at the laugh which followed his mishap, he next day issued an order forbidding any officer to appear with a cue. Obedient to orders, all the officers but Major Butler cut off their cues. “The vain old prig!” said the major. “I’ll see him hanged before I cut off my cue to gratify him!” And he boldly appeared without changing the style of his hairdressing. The major was put under arrest, but he declared obstinately that he would spend the rest of his life In prison before he would comply with such a silly command. Soon afterward he was taken very ill, and, realizing that he was at the point of death, he gave Instructions for bis burial, which he knew would be witnessed by the whole command. .. “Bore a hole,” said he, “through the bottom of my coffin, right under my head, and let my cue come through It, that the old general may see that even when dead I refuse to obey his order.” And these direction were literally carried out