in a very dirty and bedraggled suit of citizen clothes— I needed complete relaxation and rest from my week's gruelling trip—during which, with the exception of two nights, I had slept, or tried to sleep—"out in the open" in this howling icy "Norther"—and with much responsibility pressing upon me. "Ask the General to please excuse me until I shave, wash, and change my clothes"— Word came back at once— "Tell him that Gen. Hardie is here and wishes to see him particularly. Never mind his personal appearance—come now just as he is"! It was virtually an order— So I went but in a condition of wilted militarism. Mackenzie opened up with a most cordial introduction to Gen. H—— and the remark: "Gen. Hardie, I want you to see what my officers of Civil War record" (I inwardly grew profane) "can accomplish when they are sent out in weather like this to get results under merely 'verbal instructions', and acting alone under their own initiative, good judgment and discretion— He has done far more than I expected of him and I am extremely gratified". He continued with profuse congratulations, thanks and personal commendations.

"Congratulations"—"Thanks"—"Special Commendations," Etc.—A Soothing
Balm (?)

Gen. James A. Hardie, then an Assistant Inspector General U. S. Army—the one time friend and confidential Military Adviser of Abraham Lincoln, whom he selected to send on that delicate mission to Frederick City, Md., to relieve Gen. Hooker from command of the Army of the Potomac just prior to the Battle of Gettysburg—appointing Gen. Meade to succeed him—happened to be at Fort R—— on his annual tour of inspection of the frontier posts. After such an introduction from Mackenzie—Gen. Hardie was very informal— He was a very handsome man, then about 48 years of age— He was very courteous and had an exceedingly attractive personality— With the disparity in our ages, he seemed, at that period, to be a very "old man". He had served in the Mexican War, and died as a Brevet Maj. General, Dec. 14, 1876— Placing both hands on my shoulders he said: "Young man, I am proud of you— General Mackenzie ought to be proud of having such an officer in his regiment." "I want to personally congratulate and warmly thank you for the fine work you have done— It was a duty of very great responsibility, and you should be commended not only by the Department, but by the entire Army. I believe it is a record that you should be very proud of." In rehearsing my adventures to them, I came to the incident at Hardin's ranch, and my encounter with the two "Jezabels"— Mackenzie flared up— "Didn't I particularly impress upon you in my 'verbal instructions' that you must not 'violate the Civil Law' in any way—I——" Without waiting for him to finish his sentence, I replied: "Well, Sir! I have violated no Civil Law. I have hung nobody as yet, only made a huge bluff. You will see those carbines here to-morrow morning". The "old man" who was going to "lick me out of my boots"—promptly at 10 o'clock—rolled into Fort R—— with all of the carbines. I happened to be at the Adjutant's office— "Is the Gineral in"? "He is"!— "I've brought in them guns"!— After making a statement more or less satisfactory of how they happened to come into his possession, and after Mackenzie had "hauled him over the coals" for a "send off"—the rancher departed—"a sadder but a wiser" man. I never got any sweet looks from the "ladies" after that when duty called me past that ranch.

Lawton came in a day or two later. He certainly was "out of luck"— The deserters had not headed his way. He had gone farther than the writer— Way up into the Indian Nation (now Oklahoma), and not only had not succeeded in "bagging" anybody, but, most unfortunately, one of the best men in his detachment deserted, taking his horse, arms and entire equipment with him. After ascertaining what had come my way, he seemed to be much crest fallen.

A few days afterwards Mackenzie, upon hearing that another man of Troop "F" was known to be a deserter, and had been located rather vaguely as being in the "Keechi Valley"—sent for me, and, after smilingly giving me as well as he was able, the location of the ranch—and announcing that as I had been proved the "champeen" catcher of deserters, he was going to send me out after him— He trusted that I would not belie my "reputation"— After a day's trip in fine weather I was able to definitely place him, and after watching the ranch all day—surrounded it, and, without any trouble, captured him as he came in from his work in the field— My record now was: 11 deserters and 3 citizens, two of them Constables—with all the arms carried away from the post. Corporal Charlton had proved himself a very invaluable man. As a soldier he was wonderfully resourceful and active; in action he was intense, energetic and decisive. With his intelligence and good, horse sense, he would, even without the complete education which some men have without sense—have made a good all round commissioned officer—a credit to the regiment and to the Army— It is a pity that we did not have more of his type with which to build up the army with practical men of his caliber—instead of having so much over educated material.

I had gained much valuable experience in the methods of unearthing rascality, and in accomplishing results, under dreadful exposure and hardships; many trials and difficulties.

Shortly after this the writer received a letter of thanks from the Department. As it is the only one that he ever received, and as he never expects to receive another—it is esteemed as a rare curiosity—and it is modestly added to complete the record and round out the story.

                            HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,
                             Office of Ass't Adjutant General,
                                 San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 4, 1872.

    Second Lieutenant ROBERT G. CARTER, 4th Cavalry,
      (Through Headquarters, Fort Richardson, Texas)—

SIR:—

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your report of the 9th ultimo, relative to your pursuit of deserters under Special Orders No. 280, Fort Richardson, Texas, dated November 29, 1871,—which resulted in the capture of ten deserters.

The Department Commander desires me to express to you his gratification at your success, and his special commendation for the zeal and ability displayed by you.

The good conduct and faithful services of the enlisted men composing the detachment, and Mr. Rhodes, citizen guide, is deemed a proper subject for a letter of commendation to the Post Commander.

           I am Sir, very respectfully, your ob't servant,
                                          (Signed) H. CLAY WOOD,
                                            Assistant Adjutant Gen

Military Experience and Common Sense vs. Military Education and
"Intensive Training"

If a man is not endowed with good common sense, or it is not an inherent trait—no amount of training he might receive at West Point or any other Military institution for the purpose of educating that sense into him, or cultivating what little sense he possesses—especially the military or fighting sense—or, any effort to convert him into a