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.
[Illustration: {The exploding pipe.}]