Pope came around for company commanders to report to Colonel Nance’s headquarters.  Thinking this was only to receive some instructions as to the line of march, nothing was thought of it until met by those cold, penetrating, steel-gray eyes of Colonel Nance.  Then all began to wonder “what was up.”  He commenced to ask, after repeating the instructions as to private property, whose men had taken the rails.  He commenced with Captain Richardson, of Company A.

“Did your men take any rails?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you have them put back?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Captain Gary, did your men use any rails?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you have them replaced?”

“No, sir.”

And so on down to Company K. All admitted that their men had taken rails and had not put them back, except Captain Richardson.  Then such a lecture as those nine company commanders received was seldom heard.  To have heard Colonel Nance dilate upon the enormity of the crime of “disobedience to orders,” was enough to make one think he had “deserted his colors in the face of the enemy,” or lost a battle through his cowardice.  “Now, gentlemen, let this never occur again.  For the present you will deliver your swords to Adjutant Pope, turn your companies over to your next officer in command, and march in rear of the regiment until further orders.”  Had a thunder bolt fallen, or a three hundred-pound Columbiad exploded in our midst, no greater consternation would they have caused.  Captain Richardson was exhonorated, but the other nine Captains had to march in rear of the regiment during the day, subject to the jeers and ridicule of all the troops that passed, as well as the negro cooks.  “Great Scott, what a company of officers!” “Where are your men?” “Has there been a stampede?” “Got furloughs?” “Lost your swords in a fight?” were some of the pleasantries we were forced to hear and endure.  Captain Nance, of Company G, had a negro cook, who undertook the command of the officers and as the word from the front would come down the line to “halt” or “forward” or “rest,” he would very gravely repeat it, much to the merriment of the troops next in front and those in our rear.  Near night, however, we got into a brush with the enemy, who were forcing their way down along the eastern side of the mountain, and Adjutant Pope came with our swords and orders to relieve us from arrest.  Lieutenant Dan Maffett had not taken the matter in such good humor, and on taking command of his company, gave this laconic order, “Ya hoo!” (That was the name given to Company C.) “If you ever touch another rail during the whole continuance of the war, G——­d d——­n you, I’ll have you shot at the stake.”

“How are we to get over a fence,” inquired someone.

“Jump it, creep it, or go around it, but death is your portion, if you ever touch a rail again.”