In the fall of 1863, while my regiment, the Fifty-sixth North Carolina,
was on detail service arresting conscripts and deserters in the middle
and western counties, our company headquarters then being at Hannah's
Cross Roads in Davidson County, a stout, strapping boy of 18 came from
Catawba County to join the army with us. He had two uncles in our company
who were off with a detachment; and he, being a stranger to all present,
and noticing that he had a bad case of itch, all stood aloof from him.
After he had been in camp a few days Iley Gantt got a short furlough to
visit his sick wife. He, noticing Gantt's arrangements for going home,
inquired what he was going home for. Ike Powell said, "We are sending
Gantt home because he has got the each." He: "Well, I've got the each."
P.: "Yes, I see you have, and what did you come here with the each for.
We've got trouble enough here without the each." He: "Well, if you say so
I'll go home too, for I am getting mighty tired of this place anyhow." P.:
"Well, that would be the best thing you could do." He: "But I've eat up
all the rations I brought from home, and I 'haint got nothing cooked to
eat, and I can't cook--never cooked any in my life." P.: "Then I'll tell
you what you do; you go to Capt. Grigg and tell him you want a man
detailed to cook some rations to do you home; tell him you are going with
Gantt, and that you will stay away from here until you are plumb well of
the each." The young recruit bolted to the Captain, who soon set him
straight on army rules and regulations.