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"A full train of the period was twenty-five wagons loaded with freight, and a provision wagon, commonly known as the 'mess wagon, each drawn by six yokes of oxen; the freight of each wagon was from 6,000 to 7,000 pounds. There was one wagonmaster, one assistant and one extra man, denominated the 'extra hand, who were mounted, twenty-six teamsters and two night herders.
"But I must go back and 'tend to my boys. We've got a long ways to go yet to-day." He went back to the road and reported to the Wagonmaster: "Now you kin clear away them dead mules and go ahead. You won't scarcely be bothered any more for awhile at least."
Under the direction of Captain Day and the wagonmaster the teams were doubled, two of the wagons being left in the valley till the others should reach the summit, when the teams were to be brought back.
Q, and particularly the Hoosier's Rest, is the only place you'll find a contrite heart and a Christian spirit cultivated." "That reminds me," said Si; "we hain't licked the Wagonmaster yit for throwin' cartridges down our chimbley." "Blamed if that ain't so," said Shorty. "I knowed I'd forgotten some little thing. It's bin hauntin' my mind for days.
"That blamed Wagonmaster dropped a nosebag with a lot o' cartridges in it down the chimbly," said Shorty, who had made an inspection of the fireplace. "Mad because he wasn't invited. You bet, I'll salivate him well for that little trick." "MOTHER," said Mr.
The other boys ran up to see the fun. The Wagonmaster made a rush for Si with doubled fists, but Si quickly stepped to one side, and gave the hulking fellow a tap on the butt of his ear that laid him over in the mud. The other boys yelled with delight. Next to a Sutler, or a conceited, fresh young Aid, the soldiers always delighted to see a Wagonmaster get into trouble.
The firing was furious all along both sides of the river, and the teamsters in the rear were showing signs of stampeding. The Wagonmaster was storming up and down to hold them in place, and the officers in command of the line along the river bank were raging at their men for not suppressing the fire from over the stream.
Here yo' jacket an' cap; and here yo' saddle an' bridle Oh, you welcome; I dess tryin' to git shet of 'em so's I kin strak de tent." As I mounted, our wagonmaster rode by me, busy as a skipper in a storm. "Oh, here!" he cried, wheeled, and reaching something to me added, "that's your pass. Major Harper wants you as quick as you can show up. He says never mind the column, ride straight after him.
Among the men left with the train was William Woodcock, Lieutenant Jacobs' servant. He was armed with a double-barreled shotgun and ordered to take his turn on guard. During the still hours of the night the wagonmaster was making the "rounds" to see if the men were on the alert.
On the other hand, the Wagonmaster failed to comprehend the change that a few months of such service as the 200th Ind.'s wrought in verdant, bashful boys like Si. He thought he could cow him as easily as he did when Si had timidly ventured to ask His Greatness a modest question or two as they were crossing the Ohio River. Wagonmasters were always making just that kind of mistakes.
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