Chapter 53 (a frog in the coffee)

CHAPTER LIII

We broke camp about 10 o’clock, a. m., and moved through Markham a small town which was the home of the late Rebel General Ashly, who had been killed in one of the engagements in Western Virginia.

We passed his residence which was a large white house, located south of the town, and was at the time, used by General Meade as Army Head-quarters.

We continued our march until a short distance of Linden, another small village, here we halted for several hours, and then received orders to counter-march, which we did, and by nightfall reached Peidmont; having marched about 13 miles, which consid­ering the time we were actually on the tramp, was very good marching.

Next morning Saturday, July 25^th, we were on the move by daylight, our regiment being in the advance of the Brigade, whilst the Brigade was in advance of the Division.  It was on this march that “Bawly” Shiffer, who by the way had a very red freckled skin was marching along quietly, carrying a very large budget for one so small, when James W. Smith accosted him as follows:

“Whu worst du don Bawly? du guchsts so rustich as von du ver lahen warst warrow, und now ust gerfunnen.”

It    is needless to add that this sally was fully appreciated by the members of the company, whilst it brought up Brawly’s ire to quite a lively pitch and he swore a dreadful oath, larger than himself, that he would show Jim Smith that he wasn’t lost just now, as he would find his sorrow.

During the day we passed through Rectortown and White Plains, at the later named place Lt. Byers left us to go to Washington for recruits, which were to be distributed among the companies of the regiment.  The actual strength of the regiment having been reduced to 280 men, for actual duty.  We encamped near Thoroughfare Gap having marched fully 20 miles.

On the following day we made one of the severest marches, we had as yet made, passing through a country in which water was very scarce, and where it was almost impossible to obtain sufficient water, at this season of the year to quench the thirst of man  or beast.  During the day near Catlett Station we passed a large residence which had the following words painted in large letters and fastened up at various places:

“This property is under the protection of the English Crown.”

Noticing several pumps on the premises the boys made a rush for them, in order to secure water to quench their thirst which was fast becoming almost unbearable.  But those who were fortunate enough to secure water were doomed to be woefully disappointed.  The wells all drained the water from the roofs of the buildings, and as these were covered with coal tar, the water was tainted with the same to such an extent that it was impossible, thirsty as we were, to use it.  Well do we remember the sundry wry faces made by a number of our company boys, who had, despite the warning given them and without having the fear of the English Crown in their eyes, invaded the sacred domain of this bloated Johnny Bull’s property.  During the day we marched passed Haymarket and Catlett Station, and encamped near Warrenton Junction within about 5 miles from camp, we passed an old camp, and the boys thinking, ow­ing to the lateness of the hour, it being almost dark, that we would soon go into camp, a number of them selected tent poles and carried them with the intention of taking them along to camp so that they would have them ready to put up their tents, as we continued our march and mile after mile was passed one after the other threw their poles away, growling with all the ardor of veteran soldiers.  At last all had succumbed to the distance and had sent their poles flying except ord­erly Parks, who determined to hold unto them, it mattered not if we did not go into camp until the next morning.  At half past eight o’clock we filed into camp, and a more fatigued set of boys never carried knap­sacks or shouldered guns.

The reason given by the officers for the severe march was the scarcity of water, and that they bad halted at the first convenient place where water could be secured for the men and the horses.

After resting awhile we made preparations for getting our supper, or at least prepare coffee, a number of the boys started out in search of water, while the others went in search of wood for fuel and soon the fires were burning brightly, and after the boys came with the water, the coffee was soon boiling, and the cares and trials of the day were forgotten amidst the chatter of the boys around the camp fires as they quaffed their coffee.  Sev­eral incidents occurred on the evening of our arrival at this camp which we are not likely to forget.  We had gone for water, and had scraped it up by the aid of a small tin cup, into a two quart bucket, after bringing it to camp we laid down upon our blanket, and W. S. Keller proceeded to cook the coffee, and after he had finished he called us to help drink it.  Somehow THAT coffee did not taste good to us, and as hungry as we were, it was not relished by ourselves or Keller, we however drank a tolerable good portion, and prepared for bed.  Immediately on our right a little setto took place be­tween the hero of the Gettysburg mill, P. E. Shreffler, and J. C. Long, which resulted in Long slapping Shreffler’s mouth.

Slumber soon came to our weary eyes, and we were soon sleeping sound­ly behind our stacked muskets.  In the morning it was our turn to prepare breakfast, and in emptying the coffee grounds we discovered what had been the cause that the coffee on the pre­vious evening had not tasted natural.  In the bottom of the bucket we discov­ered the par-boiled remains of a frog, which we had accidentally scooped up.  Keller having poured the coffee into the bucket without looking into it.  We felt rather a queer sensation in our stomach and after relieving it, we call­ed Keller thinking that a similar course of treatment would be good for “too much frog.”  As soon as Will saw the bucket, he raised himself in his bed and followed our example.  Since that time we have a decided dislike to frogs.