Note 57 — Part II The War With the Sioux
Reading edition
General King, in his fascinating book, “Campaigning with Crook,” has preserved a characteristic anecdote of Royall, which I venture to quote as illustrating the way they have in the army, and as throwing some light on the temperament of the peppery old fighter:
“A story is going the rounds about Royall that does us all good, even in that dismal weather. A day or two before, so it was told, Royall ordered one of his battalion commanders to ‘put that battalion in camp on the other side of the river, facing east.’ A prominent and well-known characteristic of the subordinate officer referred to was a tendency to split hairs, discuss orders, and, in fine, to make trouble where there was a ghost of a chance of so doing unpunished. Presently the colonel saw that his instructions were not being carried out, and, not being in a mood for indirect action, he put spurs to his horse, dashed through the stream, and reined up alongside the victim with:
“’Didn’t I order you, sir, to put your battalion in camp along the river, facing east?’
“’Yes, sir; but this ain’t a river. It’s only a creek.’
“’Creek be d—d, sir! It’s a river—a river from this time forth, by order, sir. Now do as I tell you!’
“There was no further delay.”