human
That must be one o' the big Generals, said Harry Joslyn.
gpt
Looks like the pictures o' Grant. Git into line, boys, and salute.
human
No, it ain't Grant, neither, said Gid Mackall.
gpt
Too big. Must be Gen. Thomas.
human
Who are you, boys?
gpt
Used to know sich a regiment. In fact, I used to be Lieutenant-Colonel of it. But I hain't heared of it for a long time. Think it's petered out.
human
Petered out!
gpt
Yes. It was mauled and mummixed to death. There's plenty o' mismanagement all around the army, but the 200th Injianny had the worst luck of all. It got into awful bad hands. I quit it just as soon's I see how things was a-going. They begun to plant the men just as soon's they crossed the Ohio, and their graves are strung all the way from Louisville to Chickamauga. The others got tired o' being mauled around, and starved, and tyrannized over, and o' fighting for the nigger, and they skipped for home like sensible men.
human
Who brung you here?
gpt
Sarjint Klegg and Corpril Elliott,
human
Holy smoke, said the newcomer with a look of disgust.
gpt
They've made non-commish out o' them sapsuckers. Why, I wouldn't let them do nothin' but dig ditches when I was in command o' the regiment. But they probably had to take them. All the decent material was gone. How much bounty'd you get?
human
We got $27.50 apiece, answered Harry.
gpt
But we didn't care nothin' for the bounty. We--
human
Only $27.50 apiece. Holy smoke! They're payin' 10 times that in some places.
gpt
I tell you, we didn't enlist for the bounty,
human
All the same, you don't want to be robbed o' what's yours. You don't want to be skinned out o' your money by a gang o' snoozers who're gittin' rich off of green boys like you. Where's this Sarjint Klegg and Corpril Elliott that brung you here?
gpt
They've gone to look for the rijimint.
human
Gone to look for the regiment. Much they've gone to look for the regiment. They've gone to look out for their scalawag selves. When you see 'em agin, you'll know 'em, that's all.
gpt
Say, boys, continued the newcomer,
human
But we enlisted to fight and march, and--
gpt
Well, you want a good breakfast just now, more'n anything else, judgin' from appearances. Come along with me and I'll git you something to eat.
human
But we waz enlisted for the 200th Injianny Volunteer Infantry, and must go to that rijimint,
gpt
Well, what's that got to do with your havin' a good breakfast? said the newcomer plausibly.
human
You need that right off. Then we kin talk about your regiment. As a matter of fact, you're only enlisted in the Army of the United States and have the right to go to any regiment you please. Tyrannical as the officers may be, they can't take that privilege of an American freeman away from you. Come along and git breakfast first.