- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
From: The Seventh Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers in the Civil War, 1862-1865 (1909) by William Hopkins
Life in the defenses south of Washington could become monotonous. And a stray pooch could provide involuntary entertainment for friend and foe alike.
"One quiet day a stray dog made his appearance on the picket line beyond Fort Rice. Some one fastened an empty oyster can to its tail and started it on the run toward Fort Sedgwick. He enjoyed a free, full, and exclusive right of way. On he came, in long flying leaps with ears flapping and can banging. The cheers of the starters attracted the attention of both lines. All eyes were instantly focussed upon the oncoming canine. Each man was transfixed to the spot on which he stood. For a moment only were they silent, and then Yank and reb alike, throwing hostility and caution to the winds jumped upon the works, and vied with each other in the bestowment of pet names, praises, and suggestions, in tender inquiries as to where he was from and whither bound, as well as in encouraging mentionings of the favorable prospects of his timely arrival at the intended goal. Never did any dog have such an audience as this, limitless as it was in numbers, enthusiastic and thoroughly appreciative. But none of these things disturbed him. He swerved neither to the right nor to the left until he had passed from sight. We never saw him again. For all I know he's going yet."
The poor beast was probably terrified as much by the crowds of men yelling at him as by the banging can trailing behind.
Life in the defenses south of Washington could become monotonous. And a stray pooch could provide involuntary entertainment for friend and foe alike.
"One quiet day a stray dog made his appearance on the picket line beyond Fort Rice. Some one fastened an empty oyster can to its tail and started it on the run toward Fort Sedgwick. He enjoyed a free, full, and exclusive right of way. On he came, in long flying leaps with ears flapping and can banging. The cheers of the starters attracted the attention of both lines. All eyes were instantly focussed upon the oncoming canine. Each man was transfixed to the spot on which he stood. For a moment only were they silent, and then Yank and reb alike, throwing hostility and caution to the winds jumped upon the works, and vied with each other in the bestowment of pet names, praises, and suggestions, in tender inquiries as to where he was from and whither bound, as well as in encouraging mentionings of the favorable prospects of his timely arrival at the intended goal. Never did any dog have such an audience as this, limitless as it was in numbers, enthusiastic and thoroughly appreciative. But none of these things disturbed him. He swerved neither to the right nor to the left until he had passed from sight. We never saw him again. For all I know he's going yet."
The poor beast was probably terrified as much by the crowds of men yelling at him as by the banging can trailing behind.