The soldiers life, even in the most strenuous and dangerous campaigns,
finds some relief in jest and laughter, like flowers strewn along the
thorny paths of hardships. When you hear an old soldier boast of his
exploits and miraculous escapes, you can credit him for having been both a
good forager and a good dodger. The best soldiers are ambitious,
patriotic, jovial, patient and uncomplaining.
When our Company F, Fifty-sixth Regiment, had been in the Camp of
Instruction a few weeks, a young, enthusiastic recruit came in. He showed
all the marks of a good soldier, even to a very fine opinion of himself.
He was eager to take a stand in the front rank from the start; and he was
speedily supplied with the regulation equipment. Then he called on some of
the boys at a game of marbles, who interrogated him about his outfit, and
inquired if he had got his marbles. He: "Do I get marbles?" They: "Of
course every soldier is allowed a set of marbles." He: "And where do I get
my marbles?" "You will find your marbles at the Colonel's tent, but when
you go after them you must salute the Colonel." He: "Salute how?" "This
way: Catch your hat with this hand, raise the other hand, fingers
extended, and strike out this way." After practicing him for awhile, they
told him that would do--he had it right. Then he bolted for the Colonel's
tent with all the assurance with which he would accost a township
constable. The Colonel was a West Pointer and as dignified and austere as
the Czar of all the Russias. After saluting the Colonel, he said,
"Colonel, I have just come in and drawed my outfit and have called in to
get my marbles." The Colonel: "The h--ll you say! Report to your quarters
at once or I'll have you put in the guard-house." When he came back, he
looked like a bucket of cold water had been thrown on his patriotic
enthusiasm. They inquired, "Did you get your marbles?" He: "No!" "What did
the Colonel say?" "He cussed me and threatened to put me in the
guard-house."
The reader can imagine what a laugh they had at the breaking in of a real
good soldier, who proved faithful to the end. But ever afterwards,
whenever he got on a "high hoss," some one would ask him what the Colonel
said when he went after his marbles.