George was young and very green. Finding his brother Charley was a joyful moment, but also an eye-opener into the realities of War. His big, strong older brother looked nothing like his memories of the smart looking soldier going off to War. This Charley was wretched in a ragged poorly patched uniform. His hat was stained, battered and full of bullet holes. His neat beard now resembled a filthy birds nest. His toes were wrapped in cloth peeking out from the front of his worn out boots. But the worst thing of all were his eyes. He had the haunted eyes that only belong to a man who has lived through war.

George was determined to make his brother’s life a little bit easier. He sang and told jokes and thought of ways to lighten the load of his company. He listened to his fellow soldiers as they talked about the things they missed most from home and soon an idea formulated in his head.

On one extended march, George was getting tired and upon spying  mule in a field he grabbed at his first opportunity. Riding the mule a few miles he spotted a farmhouse where he commenced his first raid returning with a box of eggs and tobacco.  He was the hero of his regiment and from that day forward he became a keen forager bringing a little joy into the lives of these war weary men.

In his words:

That successful raid gave me courage, and I began to think that was what I was destined for, and I liked it first-rate, for it was a pleasure to me to see those poor, hungry boys have any delicacy, or even enough of ordinary food.
After tramping an hour I was rewarded by seeing a calf. I drew my revolver, sneaked up and fired at poor bossy. It dropped—I was a good shot—but when I reached the poor beast I found it was as poor as a rail and covered with sores as big as my hand. I was disappointed, but cut off as much as I could that was not sore, and took it to camp. We put the kettles on the fires in short order, and my brother’s company had fresh meat broth—the first fresh meat in a month—and I tell you it was good even if it had been sore. After that episode Company H claimed me and dubbed me their mascot. I accepted the position, and from that time forth I devoted my time to foraging, stealing anything I could for my company, and I doubt if there was a company in the whole army that fared better than ours, for I was always successful in my expeditions.

George brought a little light into the dark world of war for company H. But how would he fare in one of the bloodiest and most infamous battles of the Civil War?

Next up, the Battle of Cold Harbor,VA.