Three miles from Rome,
Ga., October 13, 1864.
Started at 8 this morning and landed here at dark. Heard 40
or 50 cannon shots in vicinity of Rome during the day's march. The country
to-day is fair for Georgia, but not equal to that between Cartersville and
Kingston. While we were resting to-day, Osterhaus (at present commanding our
corps) rode by our regiment and a few scamps hollowed “sowbelly, sowbelly.” You
know the men have been living on army beef for a month, and it is not desirable
fare; still they were only in fun, and I noticed the general smile, but some
puppy finally cried out “kraut,” and another echoed it with “kraut by the barrel.”
The general wheeled his horse and rode up to us, his face white with passion.
“Vat regiment ish dis?” No one answered. He rode up near me and again asked,
“Vat regiment ish dis?" I told him. “Vy don't you kit up?” I arose and
again answered him respectfully, “The 103d Illinois, sir.” “Vare ish your
colonel?” “At the right of the regiment, sir.” He rode up to Wright and gave
him the devil. I have not been so mortified for a long time. We all think a
great deal of Osterhaus, and just coming into his division were all desirous
that his first impressions of our regiment should be favorable. As it is, two
or three insulting puppies have given us a name with him that I have no doubt
will cause us trouble for a long time. Yelping “sauer kraut” at a German is a
poor way to gain his favor.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 309-10
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