Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1875 — A Military Dog. [ARTICLE]

A Military Dog.

When the “Spankers” were in the Crimea—they were light dragoons in those days and ribt hussars, as at present —a large dog, I don’t exactly know of what breed, but universally admired for beauty and intelligence, attached himself to that particular corps. Wherever the regiment marched he invariably accompanied the troopers. Several time® he went into action, and was once seriously wounded with the point of a lance. It would have been universally regretted had poor Luffin’s wound proved fatal One of the farriers undertook to dress it, so that with a little care be soon got well again. Where the dog came from, or who was his original owner, nobody knew. He would never follow an individual soldier beyond the barrack gates, however kindly he might be invited; but when the men were in full dress, whether mounted or on foot, provided they went out in a body, Luffln insisted on taking up his proper position. At the beginning of his military career he had to pick up his living as best he could. He was accustomed, at meal times, to go from • hut to hut, or among the tents, when the men were under canvas. In some of these habitations he met with good treatment and a supply of food; but from others he was not unfrequefitly summarily and ignominiously ej ected. However, Luffln, in course of time, was allowed regular rations at the regimental expense, toward which all the members of a corps contributed a share, from the Colonel to the drummer. The noble animal must have been aware of bis promotion, for it was obseryed that he never went “a begging” after. One. of Luffin’s marks of high intelligence I cannot personally vouch for, but I have been assured of its truth. It was said, and generally believed, that he Was ip the constant habit of visiting the sentries during the night, especially in the Crimea, to see if the men were at their post and on the alert. The reader must' be told that; during a campaign, the troops are often so much harassed and fatigued that sentries will occasionally fall asleep as they stand—an act, however, which is looked upon as one of the gravest of military offenses. If Luffln found a man asleep he sat belore him in silence; but the slightest sound of approaching footsteps was sufficient to make him apprise the sleeper of the danger to which he was exposed. He would then trot off to the next post, where he scarcely halted if convinced that all was well. I am glad to be able to record the fact that his faithful service jn due time obtained for Luffln the respect of every member of the corps. It would have been a high misdemeanor to offer him any indignity. Chambers' Journal.