Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1886 — Gen. Buell at the Spring. [ARTICLE]

Gen. Buell at the Spring.

On one occasion, near Cave City, Buell ordered the men kept away from a fine spring, but the guard was overrun by thirsty men, and Buell rode with his stern official dignity to the spring to stand guard himself. He wore at the time a little straw hat and his fatigue uniform. A large, energetic man came up thirsty and impatient to fill his canteen. He rubbed against Buell as he passed and stepped with one foot in the water to fill his cup. Buell said quietly but decidedly : “Take your foot out, sir.” Still stooping, the six-footer looked up and said: “Ybu go to Greenland’s icy mountains. I don’t want any Quartermaster’s clerk ordering me around.” For an instant the Commander of the Army of the Ohio "was stunned by the unexpected reply. Then he said quietly but emphatically: “Gen. Buell orders you to take your foot—out—of—-that—-water.” The man gave the General a look of unmistakable admiration, and said quickly: “I’ll do it, sir. If Gen. Buell would order me to jump head first into a cannon, I would do it. Out comes the foot. "Why didn't you say so before.” This reply bothered the General a good deal, but he said nothing.— Chicago Inter-Ocean. x