The writer of this was Orderly Sergeant of Company B a part of 1861-2. And certain characters of the Company considered it legal to plunder this much abused official’s pipes, tobacco, and even whiskey was deemed free, whenever or wherever found. The writer suffered many a loss in this line. One especially, who bored him unceasingly for a chance to smoke a very large pipe, holding a quarter pound of tobacco. I will call him “Croxton,” “Jack,” for short. One morning I sat in my tent making morning report. I had filled this big pipe, and laid it on the desk in front of me, expecting “Jack” to call for a smoke. He came in due time, and asked if he might smoke my big pipe? I told him I had just filled it for my own use. Well, he said, I was busy then, and could smoke after he got through. He always had a story to tell me. He sat with his legs hanging inside the doorway, (the shanty was built of logs). I passed him the pipe; he commenced smoking, and telling me a yarn. Soon the pipe exploded, his heels went up, and he over backwards. He arose and said, “you think you are damned smart.” He asked for no more smoke.
INCIDENT NO. 4.
One day a blizzard came along, and devastated things generally. Among the calamities was the destruction of our sutlers’ shebang. It was in panels, built of thin boards. It was scuttled very promiscuous, and his stock of goods were distributed to all points. The boys were watching with pleased expressions on their countenances. They could stand the temptation no longer, and they went to gathering the spoils in. The sutler howled and ordered them off. They paid no attention. He said he would see about it, and started to see the Colonel. While he was gone, everything in sight was gobbled, and he could not find hide nor hair of any article. I found two boxes cigars, some figs, a jack knife, and a few other articles, thrust under my tent. I did not hesitate to appropriate, notwithstanding my religious proclivities. It was a clean sweep—a dead loss—to the old boodler. He got my first pay, more than half, and old sledge got the balance. He soon had another invoice of goods, and proceeded to lay up an account against the boys.
INCIDENT NO. 5.
Be it understood, that the calibre of the commission, or officers of the 4th Michigan, was of a high order, for courage and undisputed ability, as the roster in appendix of this narration shows. On a certain occasion, Captain O. was holding a levee at his quarters. All went well. Punch and other refreshments were freely indulged in. Hilarity ran high. Captain O. attempted to make a short speech. His muddled condition caused a remark from another befuddled officer, that did not please the choleric Captain. He threw open the flaps to the entrance of the tent; divested himself of some of his uniform, and proceeded with the attempt to throw his guests out. But the doughty Captain struck a bigger job than he could handle. The result was, the Captain was picked up and deposited ten rods away in a ditch that had been dug around a tent. This same brilliant officer afterwards commanded a Regiment. He sent them into their first battle without ammunition. But the courage of the promoted Captain was undoubted.