The 18th Indiana was not only known for it's heroic deeds, but also had it's fair share of characters. This story, from Henry Campbell's journal, took place on September 17th, 1863. Enjoy!
"The creek is a narrow deep stream with a miry bottom and steep, high banks. Went into camp. - 1st Section in position near a log house, guns bearing across the creek, and commanding the road approaching the bridge. 2nd and 3rd Section camped in the woods near the road. A large potato patch was discovered near camp. I took a coffee sack and in company with some of the mess boys started over to gather in a harvest of potatoes. While we were busily digging - the Provost Marshall came along, and arrested all that were in the field. Several men were making off with their hats and arms full when the Officer directed them to empty them into our sack, which was fully capable of holding a good many such additions. After all the men had added their mite, a big Corporal of the 72nd was ordered to "tote" the sack and all to follow him to Headquarters. As we marched along, every one watched his opportunity and dropped off so that by the time the reserve picket post was reached, but two or three were left in the procession. Mr. Provost Marshall ordered the man with the sack to halt there, while he went after a guard. As soon as he disappeared, I told Orderly Sergeant Miller, the fate our sack of potatoes had met. - He seeing the situation of affairs, and the probability of our scanty dinners, - marched boldly up to the sack - just as if he had been ordered, shouldered and marched off with it. Picket post, seeing the joke, never said a word and when the Provost returned, he was so completely sold out that he made tracks with his guard as soon as possible. We had plenty of potatoes all through the three days fighting that followed. "
"The creek is a narrow deep stream with a miry bottom and steep, high banks. Went into camp. - 1st Section in position near a log house, guns bearing across the creek, and commanding the road approaching the bridge. 2nd and 3rd Section camped in the woods near the road. A large potato patch was discovered near camp. I took a coffee sack and in company with some of the mess boys started over to gather in a harvest of potatoes. While we were busily digging - the Provost Marshall came along, and arrested all that were in the field. Several men were making off with their hats and arms full when the Officer directed them to empty them into our sack, which was fully capable of holding a good many such additions. After all the men had added their mite, a big Corporal of the 72nd was ordered to "tote" the sack and all to follow him to Headquarters. As we marched along, every one watched his opportunity and dropped off so that by the time the reserve picket post was reached, but two or three were left in the procession. Mr. Provost Marshall ordered the man with the sack to halt there, while he went after a guard. As soon as he disappeared, I told Orderly Sergeant Miller, the fate our sack of potatoes had met. - He seeing the situation of affairs, and the probability of our scanty dinners, - marched boldly up to the sack - just as if he had been ordered, shouldered and marched off with it. Picket post, seeing the joke, never said a word and when the Provost returned, he was so completely sold out that he made tracks with his guard as soon as possible. We had plenty of potatoes all through the three days fighting that followed. "
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