American troops who during the early days of the European War were
landed in France received a more careful and prolonged training than
could possibly be given the most of the regiments hurriedly raised
during the Civil War. The story goes that a raw battalion of rough
backwoodsmen, who had "volunteered," once joined General Grant. He
admired their fine physique, but distrusted the capacity of their
uncouth commander to handle troops promptly and efficiently in the
field, so he said:
"Colonel, I want to see your men at work; call them to attention, and
order them to march with shouldered arms in close column to the left
flank."
Without a moment's hesitation the colonel yelled to his fellow-ruffians:
"Boys, look wild thar! Make ready to thicken and go left endways! Tote
yer guns! Git!"
The manoeuvre proved a brilliant success and the self-elected colonel
was forthwith officially commissioned.