Exotic Small Mammal Care and Husbandry 1st

Edition Banks Ron E Sharp Julie M Doss Sonia D

Vanderford Deborah A pdf download

https://ebookmeta.com/product/exotic-small-mammal-care-and-
husbandry-1st-edition-banks-ron-e-sharp-julie-m-doss-sonia-d-
vanderford-deborah-a/

Download more ebook from https://ebookmeta.com

We believe these products will be a great fit for you. Click
the link to download now, or visit ebookmeta.com
to discover even more!

Exotic Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine 1st

Edition Jennifer E Graham Grayson A Doss Hugues
Beaufrère

https://ebookmeta.com/product/exotic-animal-emergency-and-
critical-care-medicine-1st-edition-jennifer-e-graham-grayson-a-
doss-hugues-beaufrere/

Neonatology for Primary Care Deborah E. Campbell

https://ebookmeta.com/product/neonatology-for-primary-care-
deborah-e-campbell/

Mammal Skin V. E. Sokolov

https://ebookmeta.com/product/mammal-skin-v-e-sokolov/

Human Resource Planning Dipak Kuma Bhattacharyya

https://ebookmeta.com/product/human-resource-planning-dipak-kuma-
bhattacharyya/
Sweep in Peace Innkeeper Chronicles 02 1st Edition
Ilona Andrews

https://ebookmeta.com/product/sweep-in-peace-innkeeper-
chronicles-02-1st-edition-ilona-andrews/

Cultivating Teacher Wellbeing 1st Edition Kate Brierton

And Christina Gkonou

https://ebookmeta.com/product/cultivating-teacher-wellbeing-1st-
edition-kate-brierton-and-christina-gkonou/

Politics of the Gift Towards a Convivial Society 1st

Edition Frank Adloff

https://ebookmeta.com/product/politics-of-the-gift-towards-a-
convivial-society-1st-edition-frank-adloff/

Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Industry 4 0

Shashank Awasthi Editor Carlos M Travieso González
Editor Goutam Sanyal Editor Dinesh Kumar Singh Editor

https://ebookmeta.com/product/artificial-intelligence-for-a-
sustainable-industry-4-0-shashank-awasthi-editor-carlos-m-
travieso-gonzalez-editor-goutam-sanyal-editor-dinesh-kumar-singh-
editor/

Dermatology for Advanced Practice Clinicians A

Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment 2nd
Edition Margaret A. Bobonich

https://ebookmeta.com/product/dermatology-for-advanced-practice-
clinicians-a-practical-approach-to-diagnosis-and-treatment-2nd-
edition-margaret-a-bobonich/
Break in the Storm 1st Edition Sherryl D Hancock

https://ebookmeta.com/product/break-in-the-storm-1st-edition-
sherryl-d-hancock/
Exotic Small Mammal Care
and Husbandry
Exotic Small Mammal Care
and Husbandry

Ron E. Banks, DVM, DACLAM, DACVPM, CPIA

Julie M. Sharp, DVM

Sonia D. Doss, M.Ed., RLATG

Deborah A. Vanderford, DVM

All authors are staff at the Office of Animal Welfare Assurance, Duke University,
Durham, North Carolina

A John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Publication

 Edition first published 2010
© 2010 Ron E. Banks, Julie M. Sharp, Sonia D. Doss, Deborah A. Vanderford

Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has
been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell.

Editorial Office
2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014-8300, USA

For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for
permission to reuse the copyright material in this book, please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell.

Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is
granted by Blackwell Publishing, provided that the base fee is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923. For those organizations that have been granted a photocopy license by
CCC, a separate system of payments has been arranged. The fee codes for users of the Transactional Reporting
Service are ISBN-13: 978-0-8138-1022-5/2010.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and
product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This
publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.
It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional
advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Disclaimer
The contents of this work are intended to further general scientific research, understanding, and discussion only and
are not intended and should not be relied upon as recommending or promoting a specific method, diagnosis, or
treatment by practitioners for any particular patient. The publisher and the author make no representations or
warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all
warranties, including without limitation any implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. In view of
ongoing research, equipment modifications, changes in governmental regulations, and the constant flow of
information relating to the use of medicines, equipment, and devices, the reader is urged to review and evaluate the
information provided in the package insert or instructions for each medicine, equipment, or device for, among other
things, any changes in the instructions or indication of usage and for added warnings and precautions. Readers
should consult with a specialist where appropriate. The fact that an organization or Website is referred to in this
work as a citation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher
endorses the information the organization or Website may provide or recommendations it may make. Further,
readers should be aware that Internet Websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when
this work was written and when it is read. No warranty may be created or extended by any promotional statements
for this work. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any damages arising herefrom.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Exotic small mammal care and husbandry / Ron E. Banks . . . [et al.].
p. ; cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8138-1022-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Exotic animals. 2. Pets. I.
Banks, Ron E. [DNLM: 1. Animal Welfare. 2. Veterinary Medicine. 3. Animal Husbandry. 4.
Animals, Domestic. SF 745 E96 2010]
SF413.E96 2010
636–dc22
2009041421

A catalog record for this book is available from the U.S. Library of Congress.

Set in 9.5 on 11.5 pt Sabon by Toppan Best-set Premedia Limited

Printed in Singapore

1 2010
Contents

Acknowledgments vii

1 Introduction 3

2 Enrichment 11

3 Preventive Medicine 21

4 Rabbits 49

5 Ferrets 61

6 Mice 73

7 Rats 81

8 Gerbils 93

9 Hamsters 103

10 Guinea pigs 115

11 Chinchillas 125

12 Degus 137

13 Hedgehogs 143

14 Sugar Gliders 157

15 Opossums 169

Index 175

Color plate appears between pages 80 and 81

v
Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the many unnamed strong and effective stewardship of the condi-
and on occasion unknown contributors to our tions in which we and animals live is the highest
education and training in the field of husbandry ideal one can assign to a human-and-animal
and veterinary medicine. No accomplishment relationship; the engaged manner of our com-
is a singular achievement, and without the passionate care and our progressive husbandry
assistance of many this book would not have is the best reflection of our humaneness.
been possible. Thank you. The authors wish to acknowledge Mr. Ian
It is the desire and hope of the authors that Thomas for all line drawing illustrations as
this text will be used for the betterment of the well as the following individuals for assistance
animals with which we share this globe and for with photographs: Amy M. McArdle, CVT,
improvement of the condition and environ- LATG; Dan Johnson, DVM; Judi Fox, Cynthia
ment in which they live. Our commitment to Prevost, and Dorcas O’Rourke, DVM.

vii
Exotic Small Mammal Care
and Husbandry
Introduction
1
The role of the veterinary technician continues • Feeding options
to develop and mature. Although historically • Temperature
the duties allotted to the veterinary technician • Humidity
have been supportive and responsive—that is, • Thermal neutral zones
do what you are told when you are told to do • Ventilation
it—the current, progressive veterinary climate • Illumination
offers increasing levels of responsibility for • Noise
engagement. Principal to the modern veteri- • Transportation
nary technician is the ability to have a dramatic • Overcrowding
impact on the well-being of the pet by educat- • Isolation
ing the pet owner and assisting with building • Social ranking
and maintaining a strong relationship of stew- • Handling
ardship and compassion of the pet owner with • Chemicals used in sanitation
the pet. To best accomplish this task, the vet- • Air quality
erinary technician must clearly understand the • Water intake
impact of a variety of factors, both intrinsic • Feeds and diets
and extrinsic, and the role each factor may play • Adventitial diseases
in the health and well-being of the small
mammal pet. The take-home questions for any discussion
Any list of factors that affect the well-being such as this are:
of a pet would be incomplete, but to provide
an outline for this discussion we should con- • What is the pet owner doing that may impact
sider those in the following list as having the the well-being of the pet?
potential to affect the pet’s well-being: • Is the impact of those actions improving or
detracting from the well-being of the pet?
• Genetics
• Age We will discuss the factors affecting the pet’s
• Gender well-being by considering those which are
• Immune status intrinsic and those which are extrinsic.
• Circadian rhythms
• Endocrine system
• Cage design INTRINSIC FACTORS AFFECTING
• Bedding choices WELL-BEING
• Cage accessories
• Enrichment strategies Intrinsic factors are those that are inherent to
• Watering options the animal, including genetics, age, sex, health,

3
4 Exotic Small Mammal Care and Husbandry

nutritional status, immune status, circadian immune function is important as neither the
rhythms, and endocrine factors. very young nor the very old can successfully
mount a strong immune challenge to infection.
Genetics The geriatric animal is prone to increased
Although genetic factors generally are not a disease states as the organ systems begin to fail;
concern for small mammal species, excessive the young animal is prone to similar concerns,
inbreeding may present a spectrum of disease but because of physiologic systems that are not
states which interfere with the well-being of the fully functional at the time of birth. This is
pet. For example, malocclusion in a rabbit is often species dependent: a guinea pig is “preco-
highly heritable, especially in selected lines, and cious” and ready for all that life can throw at
will interfere with normal nutrition and regular it, whereas a ferret requires weeks of nurturing
animal-initiated activities. Malocclusion may and care to survive to healthy adulthood.
interfere with grooming, and it will interfere
with selecting and chewing preferred food- Gender
stuffs. Pet owners should be discouraged from Gender may also mark an important considera-
breeding their own pets because they generally tion for animal well-being. For example, 80%
do not have sufficient numbers of animals to of New Zealand White female rabbits will have
provide a varied genetic stock and because uterine adenocarcinoma by 4 years of age;
additional animals may also add to the abun- males are not affected (as they obviously lack
dance of unwanted pets. Breeders must have a uterus). Biomedical research has shown a
genetic diversity if they are to maximize a clear distinction between the susceptibility of
strong and healthy population of pet animals. mammary tumors to certain chemicals and
Even in the best of circumstances, mismating, gender. In the Wistar-Furth rat, 100% of
spontaneous mutations, chromosomal aberra- females, but only 19% of males, will develop
tions, and residual heterozygosity may result in mammary tumors to DMBA (a carcinogenic
undesirable offspring. Afflicted offspring chemical used in breast tumor research).
should be neutered; if not, at least they should
be prevented from mating. Immune system
Immunologic dysfunction (including hypersen-
Age sitivity and allergy, autoimmunity, and immu-
Neonatal animals have an immature immune nodeficiency) may influence experimental
system. That may oversimplify the situation, outcome. A litany of agents or situations can
but it is important to note that the very young alter immune function, such as age, nutritional
are susceptible to conditions or circumstances status, a host of chemicals, various drugs, select
which would not be important to older animals. food additives, many metals, and specific
Rodents less than 1 week of age are exother- microbes. In certain circumstances, the immune
mic, which means they cannot control their response may be decreased (most common) or
body temperature. Neonatal pups or kittens, increased in response to the interference of
when removed from the nest, will become outside agents.
hypothermic relatively quickly. As a general
statement, these young animals begin to Circadian rhythms
develop their “internal furnace” around 1 Many behavioral, biochemical, and physiologic
week of age, and by 6–8 weeks of age are fully parameters (daily, rhythmic, minima and
capable of maintaining a steady core body tem- maxima) occur at specific times. For example,
perature. Age becomes critically important blood counts and coagulation times, plasma
when considering placement of the cage in a steroid, body temperature, sensitivity to audio-
room where the windows allow sunlight and genic seizure induction (in gerbils), drug
there is variable air flow. A stable, and even metabolism and toxicity (e.g., anesthesia and
warm, place is important for the well-being of analgesia), and susceptibility to neoplasia are
neonatal animals. Although not as pronounced, influenced by circadian rhythms. Although the
the same kinds of concerns exist for the very veterinary technician may not be able to impact
old animal too. In both cases the status of most of these items by modulating circadian
Introduction 5

rhythms, it is worthwhile to recognize that cir- approach is generally desirable (e.g., rodents’
cadian rhythms may impact therapies, enrich- preference for solid floors over wire floors), it
ment strategies, and outcomes of the pet must be managed for its effectiveness (e.g., a
patient. preference for sunflower seeds may interfere
with generalized nutrition and well-being).
Endocrine factors
Sex hormones are important determinants of Cage design
hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme activity. Cas- The style or design of the cage used for housing
trating male rats decreases the ability to the animal affects its well-being. All other
biotransform xenobiotics and, by extension, factors being the same, cage design can deter-
can affect the required amount of anesthetic for mine the amount of air, light, and sound the
subsequent events (i.e., castration may extend animal receives. Cage design can also impact
the effectiveness and duration of anesthesia). the amount of heat, humidity, and gaseous
Neonatal gonadectomy of select strains of mice waste dissipated into the macroenvironment.
leads to high incidence of estrogen-secreting Again, all items being equal, plastics or poly-
adrenal tumors; so if small mammals are to be carbonate caging materials tend to be an
neutered, awaiting puberty in the species may acceptable compromise for most situations.
be worthwhile. Plastics filter the light, diminish the sound, and
foster a stable microenvironment (heat or
cool). However, if not properly ventilated,
EXTRINSIC FACTORS AFFECTING
plastics may also limit the amount of fresh air
WELL-BEING
available and thus increase ammonia level,
humidity, and the risk of airborne infection.
Extrinsic factors are those that are external to
Studies generally indicate that static (plastic-
the animal and include physical factors (mac-
walled) caging is preferable to slatted wire-
roenvironment vs. microenvironment, cage
walled caging for most small mammals. Many
design, caging accessories), chemical factors
pet owners choose slatted wire-walled cages
(air, water, diet, and drugs), microbial agents,
because it allows for increased “communica-
stressors, and environmental factors (tempera-
tion and interaction” with their pet, but such
ture, humidity, ventilation, illumination, and
caging can have significant disadvantages. For
noise).
example, a slatted wire-walled cage will allow
free exchange of air, but air flow through an
Physical factors
accumulation of fecal matter is not a good idea.
The single most important thing a veterinary
The preferred caging design is one that pro-
technician can do is to stop thinking of small
vides for normal physiologic and behavioral
mammals as small humans. Just because
needs, allows conspecific social interaction,
humans would like something does not mean
facilitates development of hierarchies within or
it is a good choice for the small pet. The focus
between enclosures, remains clean and dry, has
of consideration for the pet’s well-being is the
adequate ventilation, assures access to food
animal’s environment: The microenvironment
and water, serves as a secure environment, is
is the environment immediately surrounding
free of sharp edges, and allows an animal to be
the animal. It may be the cage, the pen, the
observed with minimal disturbance.
box, or the room. The microenvironment is
Cage accessories should receive the same
where the animal lives. By extension, the mac-
general consideration as caging materials.
roenvironment is where the animal’s container
Items that come in direct contact with the pet
is maintained—the macroenvironment is where
should be nonreactive, nonpalatable, smooth
the humans live. Although the macroenviron-
and impervious, durable, corrosion resistant,
ment contributes extensively to the microenvi-
and sturdy. In certain specific situations natural
ronment, one must be principally focused on
materials such as wood may be used, although
the “nose of the beast” to achieve a preferred,
the wood should be in the form of branches
healthful, supportive, and enriching microenvi-
from pesticide-free trees, without signs of tree
ronment. One way to state it is “what is the
disease or damage, and replaced frequently to
animal’s preference?” Even though this
Exploring the Variety of Random
Documents with Different Content
Stone River and the Tullahoma campaign were but stages in the
journey.
President Lincoln wanted Chattanooga to relieve the sorely
persecuted Unionists of East Tennessee. Military men wanted
Chattanooga for its immense strategic importance, second only to
that of Vicksburg.
The men of the Army of the Cumberland wanted Chattanooga, as
those of the Army of the Potomac wanted Richmond, and those of
the Army of the Tennessee had wanted Vicksburg, as the victor's
guerdon which would crown all their marches, skirmishes and
battles.
But between them and Chattanooga still lay three great ranges of
mountains and a broad, navigable river. Where amid all these
fortifications of appalling strength would Bragg offer them battle for
the Confederacy's vitals?
"I don't care what Bragg's got over there," said Si, looking up at
the lofty mountain peaks, as he and Shorty discussed the
probabilities. "He can't git nothing worse than the works at War
Trace and Shelbyville, that he took six months to build, and was just
goin' to slaughter us with. And if we go ahead now he won't have
the rain on his side. It looks as if it has set in for a long dry spell;
the country 'll be so we kin git around in it without trouble. If the
walkin' only stays good we'll find a way to make Mr. Bragg hump out
of Chattanooga, or stay in there and git captured."
"Yes," assented Shorty, knocking the ashes out of his brierwood
pipe, and beginning to shave down a plug of bright navy to refill it,
"and I'll put old Rosey's brains and git-there agin all the mountains
and rivers and forts, and breastworks and thingama-jigs that Bragg
kin git up. Old Rosecrans is smarter any day in the week than Bragg
is on Sunday. He kin give the rebels cards and spades and run 'em
out before the fourth round is played. Only I hope he won't study
about it as long as he did after Stone River. I want to finish up the
job in warm, dry weather, and git home."
 And his eyes took on a far-away look, which Si had no difficulty
interpreting that "home" meant a place with a queer name in distant
Wisconsin.
"Well," said Si reflectively, "old Rosecrans didn't study long after
he took command of us at Nashville, before plunking us squarely at
the Johnnies on Stone River. I think he's out for a fight now, and
bound to git it in short meter."
But the impatient boys had to wait a long Summer month, until
the railroads to the rear could be repaired to bring up supplies, and
for the corn to ripen so as to furnish forage for the cavalry.
But when, on the 16th of August, 1863, Rosecrans began his
campaign of magnificant strategy for the possession of Chattanooga,
the 200th Ind. had the supreme satisfaction of leading the advance
up into the mountains of living green to find the enemy and bring
him to bay.
A few days' march brought them up onto the Cumberland Plateau.
They had now left the country of big plantations with cottonfields,
and come upon one of small farms and poor people. Si, with a
squad, had been marching far ahead all day as an advance-guard.
They had seen no rebels, but all the same kept a constant and
vigilant outlook for the enemy. They were approaching a log house
of rather better class than any they had seen since ascending the
mountain. As they raised the crest of a hill they heard a horn at the
house give a signal, which set them keenly alert, and they pushed
forward rapidly, with their guns ready. Then they saw a tall, slender
young woman, scarcely more than a girl, dart out of the house and
attempt to cross the road and open ground to the dense woods. Si
sprang forward in pursuit. She ran like a young deer, but Si was swift
of foot, and had taken the correct angle to cut her off. He caught her
flying skirts and then grasped her wrist.
 "Where are you goin', and what for?" he asked sternly, as he held
her fast and looked into her frightened eyes, while her breast
heaved with exertion and fear.
"I ain't goin' nowhar, an' for nothin'," she an swered sullenly.
"Yes you was, you young rebel," said Si. "You were goin' to tell
some sneakin' rebels about us. Where are they?"
"Wa'n't gwine to do nothin' o' the kind," she answered between
gasps for breath. "I don't know whar thar's no rebels. Thought
they'uns had all done gone away down the mounting till I seed
yo'uns."
"Come, girl, talk sense," said Si roughly. "Tell me where those
rebels are that you was goin' to, and do it quick. Boys, look sharp."
A tall, very venerable man, with long, snowy-white hair and
whiskers came hobbling up, assisting his steps with a long staff with
a handle of a curled and twisted ram's horn.
"Gentlemen," he said, with a quavering voice, "I beg yo'uns won't
harm my granddaughter. She hain't done nothin' wrong, I'll sw'ar it,
t' yo'uns. We'uns 's for the Union, but that hain't no reason why
we'uns should be molested. We'uns 's peaceable, law-abidin' folks,
an' ain't never done nothin' agin the Southern Confederacy. All our
neighbors knows that. Ax any o' they'uns. If yo'uns must punish
someone, take me. I'm the one that's responsible for their Unionism.
I've learned 'em nothin' else sense they'uns wuz born. I'm a very old
man, an' hain't long t' live, nohow. Yo'uns kin do with me what
yo'uns please, but for my sake spare my innocent granddaughter,
who hain't done nothin'."
Si looked at him in amazement. It was no uncommon thing for
people to protest Unionism, but sincerity was written in every line of
the old man's face.
"You say you're Union," he said. "If that's so, you've nothin' to fear
from us. We're Union soldiers. But what was that signal with the
horn, and where was this girl goin'?"
"She blowed the horn at my orders, to inform my neighbors, and
she wuz gwine on an arrant for me. Whatever she done I ordered
her to do. Yo'uns kin visit hit all on my head. But hit wa'n't nothin'
agin yo'uns or the Southern Confederacy."
"I tell you we're Union soldiers," repeated Si. "Can't you tell that
by our clothes?"
The old man's face brightened a little, but then a reminder of
sorrowful experience clouded it again.
"I've never seed no Union soldiers," said he. "The rebels come
around here dressed all sorts o' ways, and sometimes they pretend
to be Union, jest to lay a snare for we'uns. They'uns all know I'm
Union, but I'm too old t' do 'em harm. Hit's my neighbors they'uns is
arter. But, thank God, they'uns 's never kotched any o' them through
me."
"I tell you we're genuine, true-blue Union soldiers from Injianny,
belong to Rosecrans's army, and are down here to drive the rebels
out o' the country. There, you kin see our flag comin' up the
mountain."
The old man shaded his eyes with his hand, and looked earnestly
at the long line of men winding up the mountain-side.
"I kin see nothin' but a blue flag," said he, "much the same as
some o' Bragg's rijimints tote."
Si looked again, and noticed that only the blue regimental flag was
displayed.
"Wait a minnit, I'll convince him," said Shorty, and running down
the mountain he took the marker from the right guide of the
regiment, and presently came back waving it proudly in the
sunshine.
The old man's face brightened like a May day, and then his faded
eyes filled with joyful tears as he exclaimed:
"Yes, thank Almighty God, that's hit. That's the real flag o' my
country. That's the flag I fit under with ole Jackson at New Orleans. I
bless God that I've lived to see the day that hit's come back."
He took the flag in his hands, fondly surveyed its bright folds, and
then fervently kissed it. Then he said to his granddaughter:
"Nance, call the boys in, that they'uns's may see thar friends 've
come at last."
Nance seemed to need no second bidding. She sped back to the
porch, seized the long tin horn and sent mellow, joyful notes floating
far over the billowy hills, until they were caught up by the cliffs and
echoed back in subdued melody.
"Don't be surprised, gentlemen, at what yo'uns 'll see," said the
old man.
 Even while the bugle-like notes were still ringing on the warm air,
men began appearing from the most unexpected places. They were
all of the same type, differing only in age from mere boys to middle-
aged men. They were tall, raw-boned and stoop-shouldered, with
long, black hair, and tired, sad eyes, which lighted up as they saw
the flag and the men around it. They were attired in rude, home
spun clothes, mostly ragged and soiled, and each man carried a gun
of some description.
They came in such numbers that Si was startled. He drew his men
together, and looked anxiously back to see how near the regiment
had come.
"I done tole yo'uns not t' be surprised," said the old man
reassuringly; "they'uns 's all right every one of 'em a true Union
man, ready and willin' t' die for his country. The half o' they'uns
hain't got in yit, but they'll all come in."
"Yes, indeed," said one of the first of them to come in, a pleasant-
faced, shapely youth, with the soft down of his first beard scantily
fringing his face, and to whom Nancy had sidled up in an
unmistakable way. "We'uns 've bin a-layin' out in the woods for
weeks, dodgin' ole Bragg's conscripters and a-waitin' for yo'uns.
We'uns 've bin watchin' yo'uns all day yisterday, an' all this mornin',
tryin' t' make out who yo'uns rayly wuz. Sometimes we'uns thought
yo'uns wuz Yankees, an' then agin that yo'uns wuz the tail-end o'
Bragg's army. All we'uns 's a-gwine t' jine all yo'uns, an' fout for the
Union."
"Bully boys right sentiments," said Shorty enthusiastically. "There's
room for a lot o' you in this very regiment, and it's the best regiment
in the army. Co. Q's the best company in the regiment, and it needs
15 or 20 fine young fellers like you to fill up the holes made by Stone
River and Tennessee rain and mud."
"I'll go 'long with you, Mister Ossifer, if you'll take me," said the
youth, very shyly and softly to Si, whose appearance seemed to
attract him.
 "Certainly we'll take you," said Si, "if the Surgeon 'll accept you,
and I'll see that you're sworn in on the spot."
"Nancy," said the youth diffidently to the girl, who had stood by
his side holding his hand during the whole conversation, "yo' done
promised yo'd marry me as soon's the Yankee soldiers done come
for sure, and they'uns 've done come, millions of 'em. Looky thar
millions of 'em."
He pointed to the distant hills, every road over which was
swarming with legions of blue.
"Yes, Nate," said the girl, reddening, chewing her bonnet-strings
to hide her confusion, and stir ring up the ground with the toe of her
shoe, "I reckon I did promise yo' I'd marry yo' when the Yankee
soldiers done come for sure, and thar does seem t' be a right smart
passel of 'em done come already, with a heapin' more on the way.
But yo' ain't gwine t' insist on me keepin' my promise right off, air
yo'?"
And she took a bigger bite at her bonnet-strings and dug a deeper
hole with the toe of her shoe.
"Yes, indeedy right off jest the minnit I kin find a preacher,"
replied Nate, growing bolder and more insistent as he felt his
happiness approaching. "I'm a-gwine off t' the war with this
gentleman's company (indicating Si with a wave of his disengaged
hand), and we must be spliced before I start. Say, Mister Ossifer (to
Si), kin yo' tell me whar I kin find a preacher?"
Si and Shorty and the rest were taking a deep interest in the affair.
It was so fresh, so genuine, so unconventional that it went straight
to all their hearts, and, besides, made a novel incident in their
campaign. They were all on the side of the would-be bridegroom at
once, and anxious for his success. The Adjutant had come up with
the order that they should stop where they were, for the regiment
would go into camp just below for the day. So they had full leisure to
attend to the matter. The Tennesseeans took only a modified
interest, for the presence of the Union army was a much more
engrossing subject, and they preferred to stand and gaze open-eyed
and open-mouthed at the astonishing swarms of blue-clad men
rather than to pay attention to a commonplace mountain wooing.
"We have a preacher he's the Chaplain of the regiment,"
suggested Si.
"Any sort of a preacher'll do for me," said Nate sanguinely, "so
long 's he's a preacher Hard Shell, Free Will, Campbellite,
Winebrennarian, Methodist, Cumberland Presbyterian and kind, so
long 's he's a regularly-ordained preacher, 'll do for me. Won't hit for
you, honey?"
"Granddad's a Presbyterian," she said, blushing, "and I'd rather
he'd be a Presbyterian. Better ax granddad."
Nate hurried over to the grandfather, who was so deeply
engrossed in talking politics, the war, and the persecutions the East
Tennesseeans had endured at the hands of the rebels with the
officers and soldiers gathered around that he did not want to be
bothered with such a comparatively unimportant matter as the
marriage of a granddaughter.
"Yes, marry her any way you like, so long as you marry her honest
and straight," said he impatiently to Nate. Then, as Nate turned
away, he explained to those about him: "That's the 45th grandchild
that I've had married, and I'm kind o' gittin used t' hit, so t' speak.
Nate and her 've bin keepin' company and courtin' ever sense they
wuz weaned, an' bin pesterin' the life out o' me for years t' let 'em
git jined. Sooner hit's done the better. As I wuz sayin', we'uns give
80,000 majority in Tennessee agin Secession, but ole Isham Harris"
etc.
"I'll speak to the Adjutant about it," said Si, when Nate came back
glowing with gladness.
The young Adjutant warmly approved the enlistment proposition,
and was electrified by the idea of the marriage.
"I'll go and talk to the Colonel and the Chaplain about it. Why, it'll
be no end of fun. We'll fix up a wedding-supper for them, have the
band serenade them, and send an account of it home to the papers.
You go and get them ready, and I'll attend to the rest. Say, I think
we'd better have him enlisted, and then married afterward. That'll
make it a regimental affair. You take him down to Capt. McGillicuddy,
that he may take him before the Surgeon and have him examined.
Then we'll regularly enlist him, and he'll be one of us, and in the
bonds of the United States before he is in the bonds of matrimony.
It'll be the first marriage in the regiment, but not the first one that is
ardently desired, by a long shot."
The Adjutant gave a little sigh, which Si could not help echoing,
and Shorty joined in.
"Well, our turns will come, too, boys," said the Adjutant with a
laugh, "when this cruel war is over." And he whistled "The Girl I Left
Behind Me" as he rode back to camp.
The Surgeon found Nathan Hartburn physically sound, the oath
was duly administered to the young recruit, and he made his mark
on the enlistment papers, and was pronounced a soldier of the
United States, belonging to Co. Q, 200th Ind. He had been followed
through all these steps by a crowd of his friends, curious to see just
what was the method of "jinin' the Union army," and when Co. Q
received its new member with cheers and friendly congratulations
the others expressed their eagerness to follow his example.
Co. Q was in a ferment over the wedding, with everybody eager to
do something to help make it a grand success, and to fill the hearts
of the other companies with envy. The first and greatest problem
was to provide the bridegroom with a uniform in which to be
married. The Quartermaster's wagons were no one knew exactly
where, but certainly a day or more back on the road, and no one
had started out on the campaign with any extra clothing. Shorty,
who considered himself directly responsible for the success of the
affair, was for awhile in despair. He was only deterred from stealing a
pair of the Colonel's trousers by the timely thought that it would,
after all, be highly improper for a private to be wearing a pair of
pantaloons with a gold cord. Then he resolved to make a sacrifice of
himself. He was the nearest Nate's proportions of any man in the
company, and he had drawn a new pair of trousers just before
starting on the march. They had as yet gotten very slightly soiled.
He went to the spring and laboriously washed them until they were
as bright as new, and, after they were dried, insisted on Nate
trading pantaloons with him. A new blouse was more readily found,
and as readily contributed by its owner. Si freely gave up his sole
extra shirt, and another donated a pair of reserve shoes. The
Adjutant came in with a McClellan cap. When the company barber
cut Nate's long hair, and shaved him, he was arrayed in his wedding
uniform, and as Si had given him a little drill in holding him self
erect, he was as presentable a soldier as could be found in the
regiment, and quite as proud of himself as the boys of Co. Q were of
him. Then an other despairing thought struck Shorty:
"'Tain't right," he communed with Si and the rest, "that the
bridegroom should have all the good clothes. The bride should have
the boss togs o' the two. If we was only back near Nashville she
should have a layout that'd out-rag the Queen o' Sheby, if it took
every cent there was in the company. But I don't suppose you could
buy a yard o' kaliker or a stitch o' finery within 50 miles o' this
clayknob."
"What we might do," said Si reflectively, "would be to give her her
trowso futuriously, so to speak. We've just bin paid off, and hain't
had no chance to spend our money, so that all the boys has some.
Every one o' 'em 'll be glad to give a dollar, which you kin hand her
in a little speech, tellin' her that we intended to present her with her
trowso, but circumstances over which we had no control, mainly the
distance to a milliner shop, prevented, but we would hereby present
her with the means to git it whenever convenient, and she could
satisfy herself much better by picking it out her ownself. You want to
recollect that word trowso. It's the elegant thing for a woman's
wedding finery, and if you use it you'll save yourself from mentioning
things that you don't know nothin' about, and probably oughtn't to
mention. My sisters learned it to me. A girl who'd bin at boarding-
school learned them."
"Good idee," said Shorty, slapping his leg. "I'll go right out and
collect a dollar from each of the boys. Say that word over agin, till I
git it sure."
 Shorty came back in a little while with his hands full of greenbacks
"Every boy ponied right up the moment I spoke to him," he said.
"And the Captain and Adjutant each gave $5. She's got money
enough to buy out the best milliner shop in this part o' Tennessee."
Next came thoughts of a wedding-supper for the bride's friends.
The Colonel took the view that the large number of recruits which he
expected to gain justified him in ordering the Commissary to issue a
liberal quantity of rations. Two large iron wash-kettles were scoured
out one used to make coffee in and the other to boil meat, while
there was sugar and hardtack in abundance. The mountains were
covered with royal blooms of rhododendron, and at the Adjutant's
suggestion enough of these were cut to fill every nook and corner of
the main room of the house, hiding the rough logs and dark corners
with masses of splendid color, much to the astonish ment of the
bride, who had never before thought of rhododendrons as a feature
of house adornment.
Then, just before 6 o'clock roll-call, Co. Q, with every man in it
cleaned up as for dress-parade, with Nathan Hartburn at the head,
supported on either side by Si and Shorty, and flanked by the
Adjutant and Chaplain, marched up the hill to the house, led by the
fifers and drummers, playing the reveille, "When the Cruel War is
Over," "Yankee Doodle," and everything else in their limited
repertory which they could think as at all appropriate to the
occasion. The rest of the regiment, with most of the officers,
followed after.
The Chaplain took his place in front of the rhododendron-filled
fireplace. The bride and groom stood before him, with Si and Shorty
in support. All of Co. Q crowded into the room, and the rest looked
through the windows and doors. The Chaplain spoke the words
which made the young couple man and wife, and handed them a
certificate to that effect. Shorty then advanced, with his hand full of
greenbacks, and said:
"Missis Hartburn: Co. Q of the 200th Ind., of which you are now a
brevet member, has appointed me to present their congratulations.
We extend to you the right hand of fellership of as fine a crowd o'
soldiers as ever busted caps on any field of battle. We're very glad to
have your young husband with us. We'll take care of him, treat him
right, and bring him back to you crowned with the laurels of victory.
You just bet your life we will. That's our way o' doin' things. Madam,
Co. Q very much wished to present you with a trou— trou— tro—
what is that blamed word, Si?"
"Trowso," whispered Si—
"with a trowso," continued Shorty, "but circumstances and about
150 mile o' mud road over which we have no control prevented. To
show, though, that we really meant business, and ain't givin' you no
wind, we have collected the skads for a regular 24-carat trow— trous
— trows— trou— tro— (blamed the dinged word, what is it, Si?)"
"Trowso," prompted Si
"for a regler 24-carat trowso which I have the pleasure o' putting
in your lily-white hands, at the same time wishin' for the company,
for you and your husband, all happiness and joy in your married 'life.
No more, from yours truly."
Shorty's brow was beaded with perspiration as he concluded this
intellectual effort and handed the bride the money, which she
accepted, as she had done everything else on that eventful day, as
some thing that she was expected to do. The company applauded as
if it had been a speech by Daniel Webster, and then the supper-table
was attacked.
Then came pipes, and presently the brigade band came over and
serenaded. A fiddle was produced from somewhere, and a dance
started. Suddenly came the notes of a drum in camp.
"Early for tattoo, ain't it?" said they, looking inquiringly at one
another.
"That's no 'tattoo," said Shorty; "that's the long roll. Break for
camp, everybody."
 CHAPTER XI. THE MOUNTAIN FOLK
THE SHADOW OF AN EAST TENNESSEE
VENDETTA.
THE long roll turned out to be occasioned by the burning of a
Union Tennesseean's house by a squad of revengeful guerrillas, but
the regiment had to stay under arms until a party of cavalry went
out and made an investigation. The men stacked their arms, and lay
around on the ground to get what sleep was possible, and which
was a good deal, for the night was pleasant, and there are worse
beds than the mossy hillside on a July night.
"Too bad that your weddin' night had to be broken up so," said Si
sympathetically, as he and Shorty and the bridegroom sat together
on a knoll and watched the distant flames. "But you needn't 've
come with us this time; nobody expected you to."
"Why, I s'posed this wuz part o' the regler thing," answered Nate
in amazement. "I s'posed that wuz the way yo'uns allers married
folkses in the army. Allers something happens at weddin's down
hyah. Mos' ginerully hit's a free fout betwixt the young fellers o' the
bride's an' bridegroom's famblies, from 'sputin' which fambly's made
the best match. When Brother Wils married Becky Barnstable we
Hartburn boys said that Wils mout-ve looked higher. The Barnstable
boys done tuk hit up, an' said the Barnstables wuz ez good ez the
Hartburns ary day in the week, an' at the weddin' Nels Barnstable
had his eye gouged out, Ike Barnstable wuz knocked down with a
flail, an' had what the doctor called discussion o' the brain, and ole
Sandy Barnstable cut off Pete Hartburn's ear with a bowie. They-uns
reopened the argyment at the infair, an' laid out two o' the
Hartburns with ox-gads. I don't think they orter used ox-gads. Tain't
gentlemanly. D'ye think so? Knives, an' pistols, an' guns, an' even
flails an' axes, is all right, when you can't git nothin' better, but I
think ox-gads is low an' onery."
Si and Shorty looked at the gentle, drawling, mild-eyed young
Tennesseean with amazement. A young girl could not have seemed
softer or more pliant, yet he quietly talked of savage fighting as one
of the most casual things in life.
"Well," said Shorty, "if that's the way you celebrat weddin's and in-
fairs down here in Tennessee, I don't wonder that you welcome a
battle for a change. I think I'd prefer a debate with guns to one with
axes and flails and anything that'd come handy. It's more reg'ler to
have umpires and referees, and the thing conducted accordin' to the
rules of the P. R. Then when you git through you know for sure
who's licked."
"Jist 'cordin' t' how one's raised," remarked Nate philosophically.
"I've allers done seed a big furse o' some kind at a weddin'. Don't all
yo'uns have none at yo'uns's weddin's?"
"Nothin' worse'n gittin' the girl's dad to consent," answered Shorty,
"and scratchin' 'round to git the money to git married on to buy a
new suit o' clothes, fee the preacher, pay for the license, and start
housekeepin'. That's enough for one lifetime."
"Well, mam an' the gals made Wils's weddin' cloze," said Nate
reflectively. "He had his own sheep, which he sheared in the Spring.
They'uns carded, spun, dyed, an' wove the wool themselves, an'
made him the purtiest suit o' cloze ever seed on the mountings."
"Your mother and sisters goin' to make your weddin' suit, Si?"
asked Shorty. "What'd he have to pay for the license?"
"License? What's that?" asked Nate.
"License? Why, a license," explained Si, "is something you git from
the County Clerk. It's leave to git married, and published in the
County paper."
"Don't have t' have no leave from nobody down here t' git
married. Hit's nobody's business but the man's an' the gal's, an'
they'uns's famblies. Some times other folkses tries t' stick their noses
in, but they'uns git sot down upon."
 "What'd he pay the preacher?" asked Shorty.
"Why, mam gin his wife a hank o' fine stockin' yarn, an' dad gin
him a couple sides o' bacon."
"At present prices o' pork in Injianny," remarked Si, after a little
mental figuring, "that wasn't such a bad fee."
"If you speak to the Captain," suggested Si, "he'll let you go back
home to your wife. I don't believe there's goin' to be anything
special to-night. The cavalry don't seem to be stirrin' up nothin out
there."
"I don't keer t'," said Nate, in his sweet, girlish drawl. "Ruther stay
with yo'all. Mout somethin' happen. Biff Perkins an' his gang o'
gorillers is out thar somewhar, not fur off, huntin' a chance fur
deviltry. I'd like mouty t' git a whack at they'uns. Nance'll keep. She's
mine now, fast an' good, for ever, an'll wait fur me. Afore we wuz
spliced I wuz afeered Zach Barnstable mout work some contrivance
t' git her, but now she belongs t' me."
The boys took him to their hearts more than ever.
At the coming of the early dawn the regiment was aroused and
marched back to camp, there to meet orders to move forward at
once, as soon as breakfast was prepared and eaten. Away it
marched for the Tennessee River, behind which Bragg was supposed
to be gathering his forces for the defense of Chattanooga.
As Co. Q went by the cabin, Grandfather Onslow was seated in a
rocking-chair on the porch, smoking a cob pipe, while Mrs. Nancy
Onslow Hartburn, with her finger bashfully in her mouth, peeped
around the corner. Co. Q gave her a cheer, at which she turned and
fled out of sight, as if it was some raillery on her newly-married
state, and Nate hung down his head, as if he, too, felt the boys were
poking fun at him.
"Good-by, boys. Lick the life outen Ole Bragg," quavered
Grandfather Onslow, waving his hand after them.
"That's what we're goin' to do," shouted the boys in reply.
 "Well," said Si, "I bet if ever I'm married I'll kiss my wife before I
go away."
"Me, too," echoed Shorty, very soulfully.
Shorty and Si considered Nate Hartburn their special protege, and
were deeply anxious to transform him into a complete soldier in the
shortest possible time. He was so young, alert, and seemingly
pliable, that it appeared there would be no difficulty in quickly
making him a model soldier. But they found that while he at once
responded to any suggestion of a raid or a fight, drill, discipline and
camp routine were bores that he could be induced to take only a
languid interest in. Neither Si nor Shorty were any too punctilious in
these matters, but they were careful to keep all the time within easy
conversational distance of the regulations and tactics. Naturally, also,
they wanted their pupil to do better than they did. But no lecturing
would prevent young Hartburn from slouching around camp with his
hands in his pockets and his head bent. He would not or could not
keep step in the ranks, nor mark time. While Si was teaching him he
would make a listless attempt to go through the manual of arms, but
he would make no attempt to handle his gun the prescribed way
after the lesson was ended. Si was duly mindful of the sore time he
himself had in learning the drill, and tried to be very considerate
with him, but his patience was sorely tried at times.
"For goodness' sake, Nate," Si would say irritably, "try to keep
step. You're throwin' everybody out."
"'Tain't my fault, Si," Nate would reply with a soft drawl. "Hit's
theirs. I'm walkin' all right, but they'uns hain't. Jaw them. What's the
sense o' walkin' so' close together, anyway? Yo' don't git thar no
sooner."
Then again:
"Great jumpin' Jehosephat, Nate, will you never learn the right
way to hold your gun when you present arms? You must turn the
trigger outside, not the hammer."
"O, Jeminy, what difference does hit make? I never kin recollect
hit, an' what's the use o' tryin'? Can't see no sense in holdin' a gun
straight up an' down that-a-way, anyway, an' if yo' do, hain't one
side jest as good as t'other?"
He was so obdurate that the boys would some times be provoked
to sharp words to him, but his gentle speech would quickly disarm
them again, and make them feel penitent.
At last the 200th Ind. came out upon the crest of Waldron's Ridge,
overlooking the Tennessee River, which wound and turned amid the
towering mountains like a band of bright silver traversing the giant
billows of green. Everyone caught his breath at the sight, for beyond
the stream were rebel camps, and moving trains and long, lines of
marching men. Was all of Bragg's army gathered over there to
dispute the passage or was a part still this side of the river, ready to
pounce on our heads of columns as they meandered down the
mountain?
The brigade was closed up, information sent to the Division
Commander, and the 200th Ind. pushed to the front to develop
whatever might be there. Si with Shorty and some others were sent
ahead to feel for the enemy.
"Take him along?" asked Si of Shorty in a low tone, with a nod
toward Nate, as they were making up the squad.
"Don't know," answered Shorty. "If ever in the world, we want
men with us to-day who don't git rattled, and make a holy show o'
theirselves before the regiment, but'll keep cool, watch their
chances, and obey orders. Guess we'd better leave him behind."
"Seems to me," said Si, trying vaguely to recall his Scriptual
readings, "that the Bible says some thing agin takin' a newly-married
man right into battle just after he's married."
He looked around again, saw Nate taking his place along with the
other men selected, and called out:
"Here, Nate, fall back to the company. You can't go along."
"Please, Mister Si, le' me go along," begged Nate, in the soft tones
of a girl asking for a flower. "I'll be good. I'll hold my gun straight,
an' try t' keep step."
 "No, you can't go., This 's partickler business, and we want only
experienced men with us. Better fall back to the company."
"Go ahead, there, Corporal," commanded the Adjutant. "Time's
passing. We must move."
Si deployed his men and entered the dense woods which
curtained the view and shrouded the enemy. It was one of those
deeply anxious moments in war, when the enemy is in ambush, and
the next instant, the next step may develop him in deadly activity.
Si was on the right of his line and Shorty on the left, and they
were pushing forward slowly, cautiously, and with every sense
strained to the extremity of alertness.
So dense was the foliage overhead that it was almost a twilight in
the forest depths they were penetrating, and Si's eyes were strained
to keep track of the men moving on his left, and at the same time
watch the developments in front. He had noticed that he was
approaching a little opening some distance ahead, and that beyond
it was a dense thicket of tall laurels. Then he thought he heard a low
whistle from Shorty, and looked far to the left, while continuing to
walk forward.
Suddenly he was startled by a shot a little to his rear and left.
Then a shot answered from the laurel thicket, he saw the bushes
over there stir violently, and he heard Nate's voice say:
"He wuz layin' for yo', Si, an' come nigh a-gittin' yo', but I think I
must've at least creased him, from the wild way he shot back. Le's
go forrard an' see."
"I thought I told you to stay back," said Si, more intent on military
discipline than his escape.
"I know yo' did done hit, but I couldn't mind, an' tagged 'long
arter yo'."
"How'd you know he wuz there?"
"I done seed the bushes move over his head. I knowed jest how
he wuz a-layin' for yo'. Le's go forrard an' git him."
 Si and Nate ran across the open space to the laurels, and found a
little ways in a bushwhacker staggering from pain and loss of blood
from a wound in his hip, and making labored efforts to escape.
"I done hit him; I done fetched him; I done knowed jist whar he
wuz," exclaimed Nate with boyish exultation.
At the sound of his voice the bushwhacker turned around upon
him an ugly, brutal face, full of savage hatred.
"Why, hit's bad ole Wash Barnstable, what burnt daddy's stable
with two horses, an' shot brother Wils through the arm. I'll jist job
him in the heart with my bayonet," screamed the boy as he
recognized the face. His own features became transfigured with
rage, and he began fixing his bayonet. Si pushed forward and
caught the bushwhacker by the shoulder and tore the gun from his
hand. Nate came springing up, with his bayonet pointed directly at
the man's heart. Si saw it in time to thrust it aside, saying in
wrathful astonishment:
"Nate, you little scoundrel, what do you mean? Would you kill a
wounded man?"
"Suttenly I'll done kill him," screamed the boy in a a frenzy of
rage. "Why not? He desarves hit, the hell-hound. All of us Hartburns
've said we'd done kill him the minnit we laid eyes on him. Now that
I've got him I'm gwine t' finish him."
He made another vicious lunge at the man with his bayonet.
"Indeed you're not," said Si, releasing his hold on the prisoner and
catching Nate's gun. "You mustn't kill a wounded man, you young
wildcat."
 "Why not?" shouted the boy, beside himself with rage. "He's done
killed lots o' men. He'll kill more if yo' let him go. He wuz layin' t' kill
yo'. Air yo' gwine t' gin him another chance to down yo'?"
Si wrested the gun from him. Two or three other boys who had
been attracted by the shot came up at this moment. Si gave the
prisoner into the charge of one of them, with instructions to take
him to the rear. Nate released his hold on his gun and made a jump
for the one which the other boy had stood against a tree when he
started to take hold of the prisoner. Again Si was too quick for him.
He was by this time so angry that he was in the mood to give Nate a
severe lesson, but the Adjutant, had ridden forward, called out:
"Go ahead, there, Corporal. We're just behind you."
"Pick up your gun, there, Nate, and come along with me, if you
kin behave yourself. There's work much more important than killin'
wounded bushwhackers. Come along, this minute."
Nate hesitated a moment, then picked up his gun with a vengeful
look at the prisoner.
"I'll kill him yit. Mebbe I'll git a chance this evenin' yit," said he,
and followed Si.
 CHAPTER XII. SI AND SHORTY IN
LUCK
THEY MAKE A BRIEF VISIT TO "GOD'S
COUNTRY."
THE shot fired by Nate Hartburn was the only one that interrupted
the progress of the 200th Ind. to the banks of the Tennessee River.
Its cautious advance at last brought it out on the crest of a hill, at
the foot of which, 200 feet below, flowed the clear current of the
mountain-fed stream. The rebels were all on the other side. Their
pickets could be plainly seen, and they held the further pier of the
burned railroad bridge. To our right rose three strong forts, built the
year previous.
As soon as it was determined that all the enemy were beyond the
river, the 200th Ind. went into camp for the afternoon and night
upon a cleared spot which had been used for that purpose before
our troops had been flanked out of that country by Bragg's raid into
Kentucky just a year before.
A dress parade was ordered at 6 o'clock, and when the Adjutant
came to "publish the orders," the regiment was astonished and Si
electrified to hear:
"In pursuance of orders from Division Headquarters to detail
squads from each of the different regiments to proceed to their
respective States to bring back recruits and drafted men for the
regiments, First Lieut. Bowersox, of Co. A, and Corp'l Josiah Klegg,
of Co. Q, with six enlisted men of that company, to be selected by
Capt. McGillicuddy, are here by detailed for that duty, and will
prepare to leave to-morrow morning."
 Si clutched his partner in his excitement and said, "Shorty, did you
hear that? I'm to be sent back to Injianny. Ain't that what he said?"
"If my ears didn't mistake their eyesight, them was about his
words," returned Shorty. "You're in luck."
"And you're goin' with me, Shorty."
"The Adjutant didn't include that in his observations. I ain't so
crazy, anyway, to git back to Injianny. Now, if it wuz Wisconsin it'd
be different. If you've got any recruits to bring on from Wisconsin,
I'm your man. I'd go up there at my own expense, though I don't
s'pose that Rosecrans could spare me just now. What'd become o'
the army if he'd git sick, and me away?"
"But, Shorty, you are goin'. You must go. I won't go if you don't."
"Don't say won't too loud. You're detailed, and men that's detailed
don't have much choice in the matter.
"You'll probably act sensibly and do whatever you're ordered to
do. Of course, I'd like to go, if we kin git back in time for this
sociable with Mister Bragg. Don't want to miss that. That'll be the
he-fight o' the war, and probably the last battle."
"Nor do I," answered Si; "but the thing won't come off till we git
back. They wouldn't be sending back for the drafted men and
recruits except that they want 'em to help out."
"They'll be a durned sight more in the way than help," answered
Shorty. "We don't need 'em. We've handled Bragg so far very neatly,
all by ourselves, and we don't need anybody to mix into our little
job. The fewer we have the more credit there'll be in lickin' old Bragg
and capturin' Chattanoogy."
The Orderly-Sergeant interrupted the discussion by announcing:
"Here, Shorty, you're one to go with Si. The detail is made by the
Colonel's orders as a compliment to the good work you boys have
been doing, and which the Colonel knows about."
"I always said that the Colonel had the finest judgment as to
soldiers of any man in the army," said Shorty, after taking a minute's
pause to recover from the compliment.
 The boys were immediately surrounded by their comrades,
congratulating them, and requesting that they would take back
letters and money for them. The Paymaster had recently visited the
regiment, and everybody had money which he wished to send
home. There were also commissions to purchase in numerable
things, ranging from meerschaum pipes to fine flannel shirts.
"Look here, boys," said Shorty, good-humoredly, "we want to be
obligin', but we're neither a Adams Express Company nor in the
gent's furnishin' line. We've neither an iron safe to carry money nor
a pedler's wagon to deliver goods. John Morgan's guerrillas may
jump us on the way home, and comin' back we'll have to have packs
to carry the truck in, and half of it 'll be stole before we git to the
regiment."
But the comrades would not be dissuaded, and be fore Si and
Shorty went to sleep they had between $5,000 and $6,000 of their
comrades' money stowed in various safe places about their
personages.
"Great Jehosephat, Si," murmured Shorty, when they sat together
in their tent, after the last comrade had departed, leaving his "wad
of greenbacks," with directions as to its disposition, "I never felt so
queer and skeery in all my life. I wouldn't for the world lose a dollar
of the money these boys have been earnin' as they have this. But
how under heaven are we goin' to make sure of it?"
"I've thought of a way o' makin' sure of to-night," said Si. "I spoke
to the Officer of the Guard, and he'll put a sentinel over us to-night,
so's we kin git a little sleep. I wouldn't shet my eyes, if it wasn't for
that. We'll have to let to-morrow take care of itself."
Shorty lay down and tried to go to sleep, but the responsibility
weighed too heavily on his mind. Presently, Si, who, for the same
reason, only slept lightly, was awakened by his partner getting up.
"What are you up to?" Si asked.
"I've bin thinkin about pickpockets," answered Shorty. "They're an
awful slick lot, and I've thought of a hiding place that'll fool 'em."
 He picked up his faithful Springfield, and drawing an envelope with
money out of his shirt-pocket, rolled it up to fit the muzzle of his
gun, and then rammed it down.
"That's Jim Meddler's $10," he said. "I'll know it, because his
mother's name's on the envelope. Here goes Pete Irvin's $20. I know
it because it has his wife's name on it."
He continued until he had the barrel of the gun filled, and then
stopped to admire his cunning.
"Now, nobody but me'd ever thought o' hidin' money in a gun.
That's safe, as least. All I've got to do is to stick to my gun until we
git acrost the Ohio River. But I hain't got the tenth part in; where kin
I put the rest? O, there's my cartridge-box and cap-box. Nobody'll
think o' lookin' there for money."
He filled both those receptacles, but still had fully half his money
left on his person.
"That'll just have to take its chances with the pickpockets," said
he, and returned to his bed, with his gun by his side, and his cap-
and cartridge-boxes under his head.
The morning came, with their money all right, as they assured
themselves by careful examination immediately after reveille.
As they fell in under Lieut. Bowersox to start, their comrades
crowded around to say good-by, give additional messages for the
home-folks, and directions as to their money, and what they wanted
bought.
But Shorty showed that he was overpowered with a nervous dread
of pickpockets. He saw a possible light-fingered thief in everyone
that approached. He would let nobody touch him, stood off a little
distance from the rest of the squad, and when any body wanted to
shake hands would hold him stiffly at arm's length.
"Gittin' mighty stuck-up just because the Colonel patted you on
the back a little, and give you a soft detail," sneered one of Co. Q.
"Well, you'd be stuck-up, too," answered Shorty, "if your clothes
was padded and stuffed with other folks' greenbacks, and you was in
the midst o' sich a talented lot o' snatchers as the 200th Injianny.
Mind, I ain't makin' no allusions nor references, and I think the
200th Injianny is the honestest lot o' boys in the Army o' the
Cumberland; but if I wanted to steal the devil's pitchfork right out o'
his hand, I'd make a detail from the 200th Injianny to do the job,
and I'd be sure o' gittin' the pitchfork. I'll trust you all when you're
10 feet away from me."
The others grinned and gave him a cheer.
When they went to get on board the train Shorty had to change
his tactics. He got Si on his right, the Lieutenant immediately in front
of them, and two trusted boys of the squad directly behind, with
strict injunctions to press up close, allow nobody between, and keep
a hawk's eye on everybody. But both Si and Shorty were breathless
with apprehension till they got through the crowd and were seated
in the car, and a hasty feeling of various lumps about their persons
assured them that their charges were safe. They were in a
passenger car, for luck. The Lieutenant sat in front, Si and Shorty
next, and the two trusty boys immediately behind. They breathed a
sigh of relief. As they stood their guns over against the side of the
car, Si suddenly asked:
"Shorty, did you draw your charge before you rammed that money
in?"
Shorty jumped to his feet in a shudder of alarm, and exclaimed:
"Great Jehosephat, no. I forgot all about it."
"What's that you're saying about guns?" inquired the Lieutenant,
turning around. "You want to load them, and keep them handy.
We're liable to strike some guerrillas along the way, and we must be
ready for them."
"You fellers'll have to do the shootin'," whispered Shorty to Si. "It'll
be a cold day when I bang $150 in greenbacks at any rebel that ever
jumped. I'm goin' to take the cap off en my gun. The jostlin' o' the
train's likely to knock it off at any time, and send a small fortune
through the roof o' the car. I'd take the money out, but I'm afraid o'
tearin' it all to pieces, with the train plungin' so."
 He carefully half-cocked his piece, took off the cap, rubbed the
nipple to remove any stray fragments of fulminate, and then let the
hammer down on a piece of wadding taken from his cap.
The long ride to Nashville over the ground on which they had
been campaigning and fighting for nearly a year would have been of
deepest interest to Si and Shorty, as it was to the rest, if they could
have freed their minds of responsibilities long enough to watch the
scenery. But they would give only a cursory glance any say:
"We'll look at it as we come back."
In the crowded depot at Nashville they had an other panic, but
the Provost-Guard kept a gangway clear as soon as it was
discovered that they were on duty.
"You can stack your arms there, boys," said the Sergeant of the
Guard, "and go right over there and get a warm supper, with plenty
of coffee."
All but Shorty obeyed with alacrity, and stacked their guns with
the quickness of old and hungry vet erans.
Shorty kept hold of his gun and started with the rest to the
supper-room.
"Here, Injianny," called out the Sergeant, "stack your gun here
with the rest."
"Don't want to ain't goin' to," answered Shorty.
"What's the reason you ain't?" asked the Sergeant, catching hold
of the gun. "Nobody's going to take it, and if they did, you can pick
up another. Plenty of 'em, jest as good as that, all around here."
"Don't care. This is my own gun. I think more of it than any gun
ever made, and I ain't goin' to take any chance of losin' it."
"Well, then, you'll take a chance of losing your supper," answered
the Sergeant, "or rather you'll be certain of it, for the orders are
strict against taking guns into the supper-room. Too many accidents
have happened."
"Well, then," said Shorty stoutly, "I'll do without my supper,
though I'm hungrier than a wolf at the end of a long Winter."
 "Well, if you're so infernal pig-headed, you've got to," answered
the Sergeant, nettled at Shorty's obstinacy. "Go back beyond the
gunstack, and stay there. Don't you come nearer the door than the
other side of the stack."
Shorty's dander rose up at once. At any other time he would have
conclusions with the Sergeant then and there. But the remembrance
of his charge laid a repressive hand upon his quick choler, and
reminded him that any kind of a row would probably mean a night in
the guard-house, his gun in some other man's hands, probably lost
forever, and so on. He decided to defer thrashing the Sergeant until
his return, when he would give it to him with interest. He shouldered
his gun, paced up and down, watching with watering mouth the rest
luxuriating in a hot supper with fragrant coffee and appetizing
viands, to which his mouth had been a stranger for many long
months. It cost a severe struggle, but he triumphed.
Si, in his own hungry eagerness, had not missed him, until his
own appetite began to be appeased by the vigorous onslaught he
made on the eatables. Then he looked around for his partner, and
was horrified not to find him by his side.
"Where's Shorty," he anxiously inquired.
Each looked at the other in surprise, and asked:
"Why, ain't he here?"
"No, confound it; he ain't here," said Si, excitedly springing to his
feet; "he has been knocked down and robbed."
Si bolted out, followed by the rest. They saw Shorty marching up
and down as a sentinel sternly military, and holding his Springfield as
rigidly correct as if in front of the Colonel's quarters.
"What's the matter with you, Shorty? Why don't you come in to
supper?" called out Si. "It's a mighty good square meal. Come on
in."
"Can't do it. Don't want no supper. Ain't hungry. Got business out
here," answered Shorty, who had gotten one of his rare fits of
considering himself a martyr.
 "Nonsense," said Si. "Put your gun in the stack and come in. It's a
bully supper. Best we've had for a year."
"Well, eat it, then," answered Shorty crustily. "I've got something
more important to think of than good suppers."
"O, rats! It's as safe in there as out here. Set your gun down and
come on in."
"This gun shall not leave my side till we're home," said Shorty in a
tone that would have become the Roman sentinel at Pompeii.
"O, I forgot," said Si. "Well, bring it in with you."
"Can't do it. Strictly agin orders to take any guns inside. But leave
me alone. Go back and finish your gorge. I kin manage to hold out
somehow," answered Shorty in a tone of deep resignation that made
Si want to box his ears.
"That's too bad. But I'll tell you what we can do. I've had a purty
good feed already enough to last me to Looeyville. Let me take your
gun. I'll carry it while you go in and fill up. We hain't much time
left."
The fragrance of the coffee, the smell of the fried ham smote
Shorty's olfactories with almost irresistible force. He wavered just a
little—.
"Si, I'd trust you as I would no other man in Co. Q or the
regiment. I'll—"
Then his Spartan virtue reasserted itself:
"No, Si; you're too young and skittish. You mean well, but you
have spells, when—"
"Fall in, men," said Lieut. Bowersox, bustling out from a good
meal in the officers' room. "Fall in promptly. We must hurry up to
catch the Looeyville train."
The car for Louisville was filled with characters as to whom there
was entirely too much ground for fear—gamblers, "skin-game" men,
thieves, and all the human vermin that hang around the rear of a
great army. Neither of the boys allowed themselves a wink of sleep,
but sat bolt upright the entire night, watching everyone with steady,
stern eyes. They recognized all the rascals they had seen "running
games" around the camps at Murfreesboro, and who had been time
and again chased out of camp even the whisky seller with whom Si's
father had the adventure. The Provost-Guard had been making one
of its periodical cleaning-ups of Nashville, and driving out the
obnoxious characters. Several of these had tried to renew their
acquaintance by offering drinks from well-filled bottles, but they
were sternly repulsed, and Shorty quietly knocked one persistent
fellow down with a quick whirl of his gun-barrel. When Shorty was
hungry it was dangerous to trifle with him.
They arrived at Louisville late in the morning, and were hurried
across the river to Jeffersonville. Fortunately they were able to find
there an eating-room where guns were not barred, and Shorty made
amends for the past by ravaging as far as his arms could reach,
holding his precious gun firmly between his knees.
"Say, pardner," said the man who ran the establishment, "I'd much
rather board you for a day than a week. Rebels must've cut off the
supply-trains where you've bin. You're not comin' this way agin soon,
air you? I'm afraid I won't make 'nough this month to pay my rent."
Lieut. Bowersox came in with a telegram in his hand.
"We won't go on to Indianapolis," he said. "I'm ordered to wait
here for our squad, which will probably get here by to-morrow
evening."
A wild hope flashed up in Si's mind.
"Lieutenant," he said, "we live right over there in Posey County.
Can't you let us go home? We can make it, and be back here before
to-morrow night."
"I don't know," said the Lieutenant doubtfully, as he mentally
calculated the distance to Posey County. "I hadn't ought to let you
go. Then, you can't have more than an hour or two at home."
"O,' goodness; just think o' havin' one hour at home," ejaculated
Si.
"It seems too bad," continued the Lieutenant, moved by Si's
earnestness, "to bring you this near, and not let you have a chance
to see your folks.
"It'll be a risk for me, and there are not many men in the regiment
I'd take it for, but I'll let you go.
"Remember, it'll make a whole lot of trouble for me if you're not
here by to-morrow evening."
"We'll be here by to-morrow evening, if alive," he pledged himself.
"Well, then, go," said the Lieutenant.
Si's head fairly swam, and he and Shorty ran so fast to make sure
of the train that there was a suspicion in the minds of some of the
citizens that they were escaping from their officers.
Si's heart was in a tumult as the engine-bell rang its final warning
and the engine moved out with increasing speed. Every roll of the
swift wheels was carrying him nearer the dearest ones on earth. The
landscape seemed to smile at him as he sped past.
"Isn't this the grandest country on earth, Shorty?" he bubbled
over. "It's God's country for a fact. So different from old run-down,
rebel-ridden Tennessee. Look at the houses and the farms; look at
the people and the live-stock. Look at the towns and the churches.
Look at everything. Here's the country where people live. Down
yonder's only where they stay and raise Cain."
"Yes," admitted Shorty, who had not so much reason for being
enthusiastic; "but the Wisconsin boys say that Wisconsin's as much
finer than Injianny as Injianny's finer'n Tennessee. I'll take you up
there some day and show you."
"Don't believe a dumbed word of it," said Si, hot with State pride.
"God never made a finer country than Injianny. Wisconsin's
nowhere."
Then he bethought himself of the many reasons he had for
gladness in his home-coming which his partner had not, and said
thoughtfully:
"I wish, Shorty, you wuz goin' home, too, to your father and
mother and sisters, and—and best girl. But my father and mother'll
be as glad to see you as if you was their own son, and the girls'll
make just as much of you, and mebbe you'll find another girl there
that's purtier and better, and—"
"Stop right there, Si Klegg," said Shorty. "All girls is purty and nice
that is, them that is purty and nice, but some's purtier and nicer
than others. Then, agin, one's a hundred times purtier and nicer
than any o' them. I've no doubt that the girls out your way are much
purtier and nicer'n the general run o' girls, but none o' them kin hold
a candle to that girl up in Wisconsin, and I won't have you sayin'
so."
"If we're on time," said Si, by way of changing the subject, "we'll
git to the station about sundown. The farm's about three miles from
the station, and we'll reach home after supper. Pap'll be settin' out
on the front porch, smokin', and readin' the Cincinnati Gazette, and
mother'll be settin' beside him knittin', and the girls'll be clearin'
away the supper things. My, won't they be surprised to see us!
Won't there be a time! And won't mother and the girls fly around to
git us something to eat! Won't they shake up that old cook-stove,
and grind coffee, and fry ham and eggs, and bake biscuits, and git
us cool, sweet milk and delicious butter from the old spring-house,
and talk all the time! Shorty, you never heard my sisters talk,
especially when they're a little excited. Gracious, they'll just talk the
ears off both of us."
"Well, if they take after you, they are talkers from Talkville," said
Shorty. "Mill-wheels ain't in it with your tongue, when it gits fairly
started."
The train was on time, and just as the sun was setting behind the
fringe of cottonwoods along Bean Blossom Creek they stopped at
the little station, and started to walk out to the farm. A neighbor
who was drawing a load of tile from the station recognized Si, and
begged them to get up and ride, but the team was too slow for the
impatient boys, and they forged ahead. A thousand well-
remembered objects along the road would have arrested Si's
attention were it not for the supreme interest farther on. At last they
came to a little rise of ground which commanded a view of the
house, and there, as Si predicted, sat his father and mother engaged
in smoking, reading and knitting. His first impulse was to yell with
delight, but he restrained himself, and walked as steadily on as he
could to the front gate. Old Towser set up a bark and ran down the
walk, and then changed his note to de lightful yelps of recognition.
Si was so nervous that he fumbled vainly for a minute at the gate-
latch, and while he did so he heard his mother say: "Father, there's a
couple o' soldiers out there." "Wonder if they kin be from Si's
company," said the father, lowering his paper, and looking over his
spectacles.
 "Why, it's Si himself," screamed the mother in joyful accents. The
next instant she had sped down the walk quicker than she had ever
gone in her girlhood days, her arms about his neck, and she was
crying on his shoulder.