
FABLES OF FIELD AND STAFF
PREFACE.
INVENTORY.
THE MARCH OF THE FORTY THIEVES.
A TALE OF TWO TOWERS.
ONE FROM THE VETERAN.
WOODLEIGH, Q.M.
THE KERWICK CUP.
OFFICIALLY REPORTED.
SPECIAL ORDERS, NO. 49.
A collection of lively, semi‑mythical tales follows a volunteer infantry regiment as it idles through peaceful days. Narrated by a newly arrived officer, the stories blend the ordinary—mess hall chatter, lazy afternoons on the Battery—with the extraordinary, hinting at legends that have grown around the unit over decades. The tone is both affectionate and wry, inviting listeners to share in the camaraderie and quirks of military life far from the battlefield.
Among the characters are Sam, the veteran gunner who sleeps soundly in his own little box, and Dr. Sawin, the surgeon known as Bones, who drifts in with a pipe and a cryptic “Ali Baba” anecdote passed down through generations. A beloved horse named Acme, a long oak table crowded with mugs and pipe tobacco, and the ever‑present clatter of wheels on stone streets create a vivid backdrop for each fable. The stories feel like a friendly round of drinks, where old yarns are tossed around as freely as the smoke.
Listeners will be drawn into the regiment’s easy‑going world, hearing the rustle of uniforms, the murmur of gossip, and the occasional burst of absurdity. The first act sets the stage for a series of amusing episodes that celebrate tradition, humor, and the unique spirit of volunteer soldiers, making the experience both entertaining and oddly nostalgic.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (198K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Mar 21, 2015
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1933
A soldier-writer with a gift for turning barracks life into lively stories, this Massachusetts officer wrote about volunteer service with humor, detail, and firsthand experience. His books bring the Spanish-American War era and army life into sharp, readable focus.
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