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Si Klegg Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Si Klegg novel. A total of 1823 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Si Klegg.by John McElroy.Book One PREFACE."Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty,
Si Klegg.by John McElroy.Book One PREFACE."Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty, his Partner," were born more than 25 years ago in the brain of John McElroy, editor of The National Tribune, who invented the names and characters, outlined the general
- 101 It was too much for some who had bravely maintained their places thus far, and they had to sink by the roadside.Every minute of the first hour it seemed to Si and Shorty that they could not go a rod farther, but at the end of every rod they made an effort
- 102 ON THE BANKS OF ELK RIVER."THIS is the glorious Fourth of July," remarked Si, as Co. Q broke ranks from reveille roll-call on the banks of Elk River, and he and Shorty turned anxious attention to the problem of getting a satisfactory breakfast out of th
- 103 But they had to go much farther now to find blackberries. The whole hungry regiment had been hunt ing blackberries all day, and for more than a mile around camp the briers were bare. Si and Shorty succeeded at last in finding another plentiful patch, upon
- 104 "Shorty, that lanky, two-fisted chump of Co. Q, who thinks hisself a bigger man than Gineral Rosecrans," Groundhog explained, "has writ a letter to a gal away off somewhere up North. How in the kingdom he ever come to git acquainted with her or any res
- 105 "I ain't goin' nowhar, an' for nothin'," she an swered sullenly."Yes you was, you young rebel," said Si. "You were goin' to tell some sneakin' rebels about us. Where are they?""Wa'n't gwine to do nothin' o' the kind," she answered betwee
- 106 Co. Q was in a ferment over the wedding, with everybody eager to do something to help make it a grand success, and to fill the hearts of the other companies with envy. The first and greatest problem was to provide the bridegroom with a uniform in which to
- 107 Shorty and Si considered Nate Hartburn their special protege, and were deeply anxious to transform him into a complete soldier in the shortest possible time. He was so young, alert, and seemingly pliable, that it appeared there would be no difficulty in q
- 108 "In pursuance of orders from Division Headquarters to detail squads from each of the different regiments to proceed to their respective States to bring back recruits and drafted men for the regiments, First Lieut.Bowersox, of Co. A, and Corp'l Josiah Kl
- 109 Shorty kept hold of his gun and started with the rest to the supper-room."Here, Injianny," called out the Sergeant, "stack your gun here with the rest.""Don't want to ain't goin' to," answered Shorty."What's the reason you ain't?" asked the S
- 110 "It's G.o.d's country for a fact. So different from old run-down, rebel-ridden Tennessee. Look at the houses and the farms; look at the people and the live-stock. Look at the towns and the churches. Look at everything. Here's the country where people
- 111 Again Shorty sent down the bullet screw, and again there was more tearing off of bits, and finally a mangled $20 bill was dragged forth and laid aside for Mandy to repair. "Ike Englehardt sent that to his mother to help take his sister through the Normal
- 112 "Time's up. The folks say that they can't let Annabel have you any longer. Come into the sitting-room, both of you. Come along, Si. Come along, Annabel."Si rose obediently, but Annabel declined to go. She did not say why, but Maria, with a woman's in
- 113 The poor man looked as miserable as if put in a strait-jacket, but tried to literally obey instructions."Now, what's your name?" Si asked the next tall est man."Simeon Wheelwright.""Wheelwright, you stand behind Bradshaw, just as he does."And so Si
- 114 "Never mind where I learned," answered Shorty. "I learned enough to git away with any English man that ever chawed roast beef."Again they closed, and sparred quick and hard for advantage, but neither succeeded in getting in any thing but light, ineffe
- 115 Lieut. Bowersox left the road with his detachment and made his way across the fields, over ditches, ravines and creeks, through the thickets and the brush, and at last came out on top of Missionary Ridge at the north side of Rossville Gap.With eager eyes
- 116 "Forward! Can't stop to pay attention to them," commanded the Lieutenant, in whom the battle-fever was burning.Though still more than two miles from the low crest of Snodgra.s.s Hill, where Gen. Thomas, with the remainder of the Army of the c.u.mberlan
- 117 The chill air of the evening began to revive Si and Shorty. Si's brain responded long before any of his muscles. At first it seemed the vaguest and most shadowy of dreams. There was a dim consciousness of lying somewhere. Where it was, how he came there,
- 118 "Jehosephat, how good that tastes," said Shorty, speaking still faintly, but far more freely than at first, after he had drained the canteen."Sonny, run and git some more; and mind you fill the canteen full this time. I feel as if I could drink up the
- 119 "There, that's best I can do," he said, surveying the screed. "It'll have to go that way, and let the Deacon study it out. He's got more time 'n I have, and mebbe knows all about it. I can't spend no more time on it. No. 3, pa.s.senger, from the W
- 120 Others were turned away with similar brusqueness, until the Deacon was in despair; but the though of Si on a bed of pain nerved him, and he kept his place in the line that was pus.h.i.+ng toward the Provost's desk.Suddenly the Provost looked over those i
- 121 "Shorty's all right if he don't get a setback. The danger from the blow on his head is pretty near past, if something don't come in to make further complications. He has been pulled down pretty badly by the low fever which has been epidemic here since
- 122 An old man and his wife appeared at the door; both of them shoved back their spectacles until they rested on the tops of their heads, and scanned him searchingly. The old woman had a law-book in her hand, and the old man a quill pen. She had evidently bee
- 123 First came a famished dog, sniffing and nosing around. His appearance filled the Deacon with alarm. Here was danger to his hidden stock that he had not thought of. He took his resolution at once. Decoying the cur near him he fastened a sinewy hand upon hi
- 124 Si Klegg.by John McElroy.Book Five PREFACE "Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty, his Partner," were born years ago in the brain of John McElroy, Editor of The National Tribune.These sketches are the original ones published in The National Tribune, r
- 125 Si's weakness made him peevish and fretful, and Shorty was not a great deal better."It's an awful risk to have an old man and a civilian come down here into camp," Si complained. "And he oughtn't to go about alone. He's always been used to mingling
- 126 "But, Captain.""I'm no Captain, neither. I'm plain Jim Crimmins, Quartermaster-Sergeant, in charge o' this corral, that you're stealin'around. I'm comin' out there to break every bone in your body. You infernal sneaks 've pestered the life out
- 127 "Better let me try my hand," said the Deacon. "You've bin away from the farm for so long you've probably lost the knack. I'm a famous milker.""You'll play fair?" said the milker doubtfully."Yes; just hold her till I go inside and git my bucket,
- 128 "I brung her in.""You're just the man I'm looking for," returned the officer. Then turning to a Sergeant who had just come up at the end of a squad, he said: "Here, Sergeant, take charge of this citizen and this cow, and bring them both up to Army
- 129 "Good-by, boys," piped out Si. "I'll be back soon. Don't bring on the big battle till I do. I want to help. Just skirmish around and push the rebels back into the woods while I'm gone, and hive 'em up for a good lickin' by the time I git back."As
- 130 "Blazes and brimstone," exploded the Yard-Master; "how in the devil's name do you suppose I can tell anything about the trains going out? I'm just pestered to death by such fool questions, while the life's being worried out of me by these snoozers w
- 131 Just then the whistle blew for a stop."What'n the world are they stoppin' here for?" groaned Si. "Some woman's got a dozen aigs or a pound o' b.u.t.ter that she wants to send to town. I s'pose we'll stop here until she finishes churnin', or gits
- 132 She was rent by the first spasm of womanly jealousy that any other woman should come between her brother and his mother and sisters."Don't be cross, Maria," pleaded Annabel. "I didn't know nothin' of it.You know I've been down to see the Robinses,
- 133 "Sergeant!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Si, Shorty and the Deacon, in the same breath."Are you sure it's Sergeant?""Yes, it's Sergeant," said Maria, spelling the t.i.tle out. "Who in the world do you s'pose it's from, Si?""It don't seem to occur to y
- 134 "Is it really?" said Annabel, whose tears were beginning to come. "It don't sound like it. Sargint don't sound near so big as Corporal. I always thought that Corporal was the very purtiest t.i.tle in the whole army. None o' the rest o' them big nam
- 135 "Bad Ax, Wisconsin, a little ways from La Crosse."It was Shorty's turn to start, and it flashed upon him just where he had seen that squarish face. It was in an ambrotype that he carried in his breastpocket. He almost choked on the merrythought of the
- 136 "Old Billings, who used to be Lieutenant-Colonel, is Provost-Marshal.He's Lieutenant-Colonel of our regiment. He'll be likely to give you a great song and dance, especially if he finds out that you belonged to the old regiment. But don't let it sink t
- 137 With a foreboding that the scene was going to be made unpleasant for him, Billings led the General into the guard-room.[Ill.u.s.tration: WHY, IT'S SHORTY! SAID THE GENERAL, RECOGNIZING HIM AT ONCE 129]"Why, it's Shorty," said the General, recognizing
- 138 "Very good, very good, indeed. You'll be an ornament to Headquarters."And the General, entering the room at that time, added: "Yes, you are as fine a looking soldier as one would wish to see, and an examaple to others. But you have not your Corporal'
- 139 "Deer Bat: Got yore $100 all right, but doant send by that man again. He's shaky, and talks too much. Bring it yourself, or put it in an envelope directed to me, & drop it in my box. Yores, "Billings.""That's enough," said Shorty, with his mind in
- 140 "I'm goin' to try to be half-white," he mentally resolved; "at least, as long's I'm north o' the Ohio River. When I'm back agin at the front, I kin take a rest from being respectable."He was alert, prompt, and observant, and before he was himsel
- 141 "A Corporal from my Headquarters?" repeated the General, beginning to understand. "That's another development of that irrepressible Shorty."And he called: "Corp'l Elliott.""Yes, sir," responded Shorty, appearing at the door and saluting."Did yo
- 142 "Were you out late last night?""I was," replied the second-comer, scanning his interrogator."Did you see a star?""I did.""What star was it?""It was the Star of Bethlehem.""Right, my brother," responded the other, putting out his hand in a pe
- 143 "You will, eh?" sneered Shorty, covering him with a heavy Remington."How'd you like the looks o' that, old b.u.t.ternut? Your murderin' dirk aint deuce high. Move a step, and you'll know how it feels to have daylight through you."The "Captain" s
- 144 "What was it?""The Star of Bethlehem.""You are right, my brother," said the man, extending his hand for the grip."This rotten star-and-brother rigmarole's making me sick," muttered Shorty, with a hasty glance to see that the man was alone, and gr
- 145 "What d.a.m.ned nonsense is this, O'Brien?" asked Shorty angrily. "Are you drunk, or jest naturally addled? Come along with me and we'll--""Not for a thousand loives," groaned the Irishman. "Howly saints, fwhat is old Clootie after me for? Is it
- 146 Are you too tired to move? Come on. We'll have a good wash, that'll take away some of the tiredness, then a big dinner, and a good bed tonight.Tomorrer mornin' we'll be as good as new.""I think I'd better git right on the next train and go back to
- 147 "Yes," echoed Shorty, speaking for the first time since he had come into the house; "I feel as if I'd like to begin all over agin.""I wish you could begin all over agin," said Maria in a tone very different from her former one. "I'd like to cook
- 148 Then his face grew hot with the thought that everyone saw through his transparent scheme to get an hour or two more with Maria."No," said Si, decisively. "You'll go back with me. Father and mother and 'Mandy are all anxious to see you, and they'll n
- 149 "Mustn't we eat none o' their pies?" asked the boys, with longing remembrance of the fragrant products of their mothers' ovens."Nary a pie. If I ketch a boy eatin' a pie after we cross the river I'll buck-and-gag him. Stick to plain hardtack and p
- 150 "Spies nothin'!" said Si. "Why, them fellers hain't brains enough to tell a battery from a regiment, nor pluck enough to take a settin' hen offen her nest. Let them go at once.""Why, Corpril Elliott told us that every man in Kentucky, particularly
- 151 "'Twas only a little mite o' terbacker," the man explained. "They'uns said they'uns was mouty hongry, and wanted t' know if I'd anything t'eat. I hadn't nothing, but I done had a little terbacker, which I tole 'em'd take away the hongry feeli
- 152 THE YOUNGSTERS KEEP THEM BUSY WHILE THE TRAIN MOVES SOUTH.THE long fast had sharpened the zest the boys had for their first "soldier-breakfast." Until they got down to "real soldier-living" they could not feel that they were actually in the service. T
- 153 "We're comin' to Stewart's Crick, Shorty," said Si, looking up from his paper. "Recollect that hill ovyr there? That's where they had that battery that the Colonel thought we wuz goin' to git. Great Scott, the mud and briars in that old field!"
- 154 "Knowin' you was so anxious to see 'em, they've come up the road to meet you," interjected Shorty."It looks," continued Si, "as if they'd got news of the train and slipped out here to take it away from us. They may attack it at any minute after w
- 155 They heard Monty Scruggs's baritone call: "Say, Alf, did you see me salt that feller that's bin yellin' and cussin' at me over there? He's cussin' now for something else. I think I got him right where he lived.""I wasn't paying any attention to
- 156 Their names's mud. They're now only part o' the real estate on the other side o' the crick. They're suddently become no good for poll-tax; only to be a.s.sessed by the acre.""So you're sure they can't do more harm to the bridge?""No more'n the
- 157 "O, come off, Monty," called the more prosaic Gid Mackall; "you know we didn't have no artillery. If we'd had, we'd a blowed 'em clean offen the hill."The whistle summoned them to get aboard and move on.CHAPTER XXI. CHATTANOOGA AT LAST LOST IN A M
- 158 Si Klegg.by John McElroy.BOOK No. 6 PREFACE."Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty, his Partner," were born years ago in the brain of John McElroy, Editor of The National Tribune.These sketches are the original ones published in The National Tribune,
- 159 He ran up against Groundhog."Where are you goin' in sich a devil of a hurry?" the teamster asked."Smell a distillery somewhere?""h.e.l.lo, Groundhog, is that you? Ain't you dead yit? Say, have you seen a squad o' recruits around here--all boys, wi
- 160 "That ain't true, General," Si protested. "He was fired out of the regiment a year ago. He's a citizen.""Silence, Sergeant. Billings? Billings? The name of the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 200th Ind. happens to be McBiddle--one-armed man, good soldier
- 161 "Didn't think they'd allow gambling in so good a regiment as the 200th Ind.," remarked Alf Russell, who was a devoted attendant on Sunday school."Don't allow it. It's strictly prohibited.""But I thought that in the army you carried out orders, if
- 162 "No; Oi've not bin on extry doty for narely two wakes now, but it's about due. But here comes Barney Maguire and Con Taylor, Tony Wilson and the rest iv the gang. Lord love yez, but they'll be surely glad to see yez."The others came up with a tumultu
- 163 Si saluted and took his position, facing the line, with a look of calm impartiality upon his face. Shorty turned around and backed up to him so that the calves of their legs touched, and began intently studying his gunlock.Capt. McGillicuddy stepped over
- 164 "Then some o' them smarties found out that Scruggs was stuck on his spouting. Seems that he was the star declaimer in his school. They laid it in to him that I was soft on hearing poetry spouted, especially after night, when the moon was up, and everyth
- 165 "But the less you bother your heads with Captains and Curnels and Generals the better you'll git along. The feller that's right over you--in arm's length o' you all the time--is the feller that you've got to look out for sharply. I'm him. Now I wan
- 166 "Now sing it to the tune of 'When this Cruel War is Over,' called out the cook-humorist."Right face," commanded Si.A roar went up from the camp-follower audience at the hopeless tangle which ensued. No two of the boys seemed to have done the same thi
- 167 I tel U now. He spile yore fun Onless at once U send mi Gunn.Yores til deth, SAMUEL WOGGLES.The reception of this perturbed Shorty to his depths. He had not forgotten his promise to Sammy--merely postponed its execution under the pressure of other engross
- 168 The next thing was a studio where he could conduct his literary task without interruption, and Shorty finally found a rock surrounded by bushes, where he could sit and commune with his thoughts. He got the cover of a cracker-box, to place on his knees and
- 169 "I'll look out for that.""I know you will. You'll take Shorty along, and your seven kids, which'll make up the number. You'll draw three days' rations, at the end of which time you'll be relieved.""Now, boys," said Si, returning to his squad,
- 170 "Don't be discouraged, boys," said Si. "You'll soon git used to marchin'that way right along, and never thinking of it. It may seem a little hard now, but it won't last long. I guess you're rested enough.Attention! Forward!--March!"Si and Shorty
- 171 They tramped forward a few steps over the spongy ground, and through the dripping bushes.The musketry fire continued fitfully around the mill in the distance.They came to the summit of the little rise."Hist--halt; lay down, quick," called the watchful S
- 172 "Si," said Shorty, "didn't you say that it was a squad o' the Maumee Muskrats in the mill, and that we wuz goin' to relieve 'em.""Yes, and the Orderly said that railroad 'Mick'--Hennessey--was the Sarjint in command.""O, that bog-trottin' ol
- 173 "Well, I'll take two o' the boys and go back. You stay here with the rest, and hold the mill. I'll git back as soon's I kin, and then you kin take a couple o' the boys and go out foragin'."Calling Alf Russell and Monty Scruggs to follow him, Si st
- 174 "Why, it's only a hog, Pete!" said Shorty."Only a hog!" murmured Pete with shamed heart."That a hog?" echoed the others. "Well, that's the queerest looking hog I ever saw.""It's a hog all the same," Shorty a.s.sured them. "A genuine razor-ba
- 175 "Say, Corpril, the Orderly said we wuz goin' to fight a whole pa.s.sel of rebel cavalry, didn't he?""Um-hum!" a.s.sented Shorty, cudgeling his brain as to what he should next write."Them's them awful kind o' rebels, ain't they--the John Morgan k
- 176 "No; thems the same old cedar thickets they wuz when you went to bed. They haint changed a mite durin the night, except that theyve got some dew on em. You must git over seein bouggers wherever its dark. Well build a fire and cook some breakfast, and git
- 177 "Holy smoke, look there," gasped Monty Scruggs, as a company of rebel cavalry came tearing over the hill in front, to the a.s.sistance of their comrades."Them ain't many for cavalry," said Shorty, as he and Si deployed the boys behind fence-corners,
- 178 "Skip out, Pete," Si reminded the boy. "The rest o' you boys stack your guns and foller Pete.""Hadn't we batter take our guns along?" suggested Monty, holding on to his with grim fearfulness."No. Stack 'em; stack 'em, I tell you," said Si impa
- 179 CHAPTER XV THE FIGHTING AROUND BUZZARD ROOST AND CAPTURE OF THE REBEL STRONGHOLD.FOR the next few days there was a puzzling maze of movements, which must have completely mystified the rebel Generals--as was intended--for it certainly pa.s.sed the comprehe
- 180 Lee's eyes is bulging out like gooseberries on a limb, and his tongue's hanging down like a dog's on a hot day--""Get down off that stump at once, and go back to your place," said the Aid authoritatively."Don't mind him. He's only a staff officer
- 181 The rebels on the rocks having quieted down, the boys stowed themselves around the roots of the trees, made little fires under the shelter of the rocks, cooked their suppers, smoked their pipes, and finally rolled themselves in their blankets and went to
- 182 You may be attacked, and if you see signs of evacuation you are to attack, and the other regiments will support you. The General will come up later and give you further instructions. Good night."The men nearest the Colonel heard plainly all that was said
- 183 As everything now seemed quiet in front, the two partners sat down with their back against trees to catch a little sleep before the momentous movement in the morning.It seemed to Si that he had hardly closed his eyes when the Orderly shook him and whisper
- 184 "Where's Alf Russell?""Yes, Where's Alf Russell?" echoed Si, with a new pang clutching at his heart, for he then recalled that he had not seen Alf since he had helped him up the embankment, immediately after which Si's thoughts, had been engrossed
- 185 The Orderly-Sergeant and his detail came back for the things, and Shorty and the boys, picking up those belonging to the squad, made their way to the company.By the time they got back everybody's emotions had subsided sufficiently to allow him to remembe
- 186 "Got that kink out o' your backbone? Bully boy. You've got the right kind of nerve. You'll be a man before your mother yet.""Yes, and I'm here, too, and don't you forget it," said Alf Russell, not to be outdone by Monty nor unnoticed. "By rights
- 187 "When we get through," murmured Alf Russell dolefully. "How many of us will ever get through?""Who'll be the Jim Humphreys and Gid Mackals this time?" said Monty Scruggs, looking at the tangled ma.s.s of tree-tops."Can you see any path through thi
- 188 It was astonis.h.i.+ng what things they found, besides guns and equipments.Evidently, the rebels had left quite hurriedly, and many personal belongings were either forgotten or could not be found in the darkness.Samples of about everything that soldiers c
- 189 "You tend to your own business and I'll tend to mine. Go away from here, and don't say anything to make him madder, you wasp-waisted errand boy,"said Si savagely, as he thrust himself in between the Aid and Shorty."I've got enough to do to take care
- 190 He slipped down and communicated his information to the anxiously-expectant comrades of Co. Q."It mayn't be as bad as we expect," the Orderly-Sergeant tried to console them. "The bite of most of them regulations and charges and specifications ain't n
- 191 In response to the Judge-Advocate's direct questionings the Orderly-Sergeant had to sorrowfully admit that he thought that Shorty was drunk, very drunk, and exceedingly noisy. But when Lieut. Bowersox changed to the defense, the Orderly-Sergeant testifie
- 192 Si Klegg.by John McElroy.Book Five PREFACE "Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty, his Partner," were born years ago in the brain of John McElroy, Editor of The National Tribune.These sketches are the original ones published in The National Tribune, r
- 193 Si Klegg.by John McElroy.Book Five PREFACE "Si Klegg, of the 200th Ind., and Shorty, his Partner," were born years ago in the brain of John McElroy, Editor of The National Tribune.These sketches are the original ones published in The National Tribune, r
- 194 Si's weakness made him peevish and fretful, and Shorty was not a great deal better."It's an awful risk to have an old man and a civilian come down here into camp," Si complained. "And he oughtn't to go about alone. He's always been used to mingling
- 195 Si's weakness made him peevish and fretful, and Shorty was not a great deal better."It's an awful risk to have an old man and a civilian come down here into camp," Si complained. "And he oughtn't to go about alone. He's always been used to mingling
- 196 "But, Captain.""I'm no Captain, neither. I'm plain Jim Crimmins, Quartermaster-Sergeant, in charge o' this corral, that you're stealin'around. I'm comin' out there to break every bone in your body. You infernal sneaks 've pestered the life out
- 197 "But, Captain.""I'm no Captain, neither. I'm plain Jim Crimmins, Quartermaster-Sergeant, in charge o' this corral, that you're stealin'around. I'm comin' out there to break every bone in your body. You infernal sneaks 've pestered the life out
- 198 "Better let me try my hand," said the Deacon. "You've bin away from the farm for so long you've probably lost the knack. I'm a famous milker.""You'll play fair?" said the milker doubtfully."Yes; just hold her till I go inside and git my bucket,
- 199 "Better let me try my hand," said the Deacon. "You've bin away from the farm for so long you've probably lost the knack. I'm a famous milker.""You'll play fair?" said the milker doubtfully."Yes; just hold her till I go inside and git my bucket,
- 200 "I brung her in.""You're just the man I'm looking for," returned the officer. Then turning to a Sergeant who had just come up at the end of a squad, he said: "Here, Sergeant, take charge of this citizen and this cow, and bring them both up to Army