ANECDOTE OF GEN. WYMAN.

24. November 2008 by admin.

A correspondent accompanying the Union forces in their march from Jefferson City to Rolla, Mo., in 1861, relates the following: “After leaving camp at Union Hollow, a rugged part of the mountains beyond Springfield, an incident occurred worthy of preservation. Gen. Wyman had issued orders that no man should go in advance of his company. About five miles from camp the General met two of the boys of the Illinois Thirteenth, waiting the approach of their company. Those who know the General, know, when he does not like anything, how roughly he can reprimand a soldier. The General addressed the boys in one of his very roughest styles:

“‘Boys, why ——- are you in advance of your company this morning?’

“One of the men, taking off his hat, addressed the General in the following style:

“‘General, about two and a half miles from here are the graves of my mother and sisters, and I thought it was likely this was the last time I should be permitted to visit them, and I got permission of the Captain to go this morning to visit them, and I am here waiting for them to come up.’

“This was too much for the General. Said he, ‘My boy, that was right. I have always loved you, but that makes me love you twice as well as I ever did.’ At this point, tears choked the words of the noble soldier, and one might have seen one whole-souled man weeping under the effects of paternal affection. Some time after this, they joined our staff, and rode with us, and while riding with me, he narrated to me the incident, and again gave vent to tears. Said he, ‘I am not ashamed of tears under such circumstances.’”

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