WALTER OSGOOD HART of the 36th Wisconsin Infantry: On the March

Speaking of stragglers calls to mind a couple of incidents that Plodder often mentioned. On one of the forced marches he saw a soldier sitting on the ground evidently worn out. A brute on horseback, in the garb of an officer, came and ordered him to get up and go on. He replied that he couldn't, he was sick and completely given out. The brute drove his horse against the soldier's back, compelling him to get up, then repeatedly ran his horse against the man's back shouting, "Get along there". The poor man staggered along trying to run. The brute rode up beside him and drew his sword and kept pounding him on the back with the flat side of it, shouting and swearing at him. It made Plodder's blood boil, and he wondered why the soldier didn't run his bayonet thru the brute. On these marches a small force called the provost guard was detailed to follow the marching column and allow no stragglers to be left behind them. Sometimes Plodder would rest until he saw the guard coming and then start on. There was talk that guerillas followed the army and any that fell behind this guard were liable to be murdered. One time Plodder waited till the first of the guard came up and walked with them. They did not molest any one who started on when they came up. But they came upon a grey bearded man who did not get up when they spoke to him, but said he was completely done out and could go no further till he got a little rest. They told him he couldn't stay there; he must get up and go on. He replied firmly and positively, "I am not able". They began prodding him with their bayonets, and ordered him to go on. Without saying a word, but with a determined look on his face he began loading his gun. The guard left him sitting there.