An Episode of the War -- Laughable Incident -- Old Mrs.
Wiggles on Picket Duty -- General Manson -- God Bless the
Soldiers -- Negro's Pedigree of Abraham Lincoln -- A Middle
Tennessee Preacher -- A Laconic Speech.
AN EPISODE OF THE WAR.
During the early part of the rebellion, when the rebels were in force
on Munson's Hill, McClellan laid a plan to surround and capture them.
This plan was only known to McClellan, General Scott, and Colonel
Scott, a relation of the General, by marriage. As the troops started
out at night, for their assault, a signal rocket went up from
Washington. On their arrival at Munson's Hill, the bird had flown.
McClellan, being informed of this, immediately called on General
Scott, finding there Colonel Scott. He immediately said to the
General: "The enemy have been warned of our movements by a rocket;
they must have been so warned by one of us. Which is the traitor?" No
answer was given. McClellan then called on the President, and
mentioned the above facts, stating his conviction that Colonel Scott
was the delinquent, and insisted upon his immediate imprisonment, or
his banishment, or his own resignation. Then followed General Scott's
resignation, then his journey to Paris, and the self-banishment of
Colonel Scott.
A LAUGHABLE INCIDENT.
Considerable merriment and not a few immodest expressions were
elicited at Washington, one day, by the action of the patrol, who
perambulate the Avenue on horseback, a terror to all fast riders. On
this occasion they made an onslaught upon the darkeys, who, for some
time past, had luxuriated in the uniform of United States volunteers.
How the articles of wearing apparel were obtained by the contrabands
alluded to we have not inquired. The patrol rode up to each
unfortunate "Sambo" that made his appearance, and proceeded to divest
him of each of the articles enumerated, save where the bare necessity
of the case would not admit of such a procedure. Caps, vests, and
coats rapidly disappeared from "Sambo's" body, and were deposited in
the street at the feet of the horses.
"Take off your breeches," we heard escape the lips of one of the
patrol. The darkey grinned, then rolled his eyes, gazed at some ladies
passing, and then, with an astonished countenance, looked up into the
face of the patrol. "Massa," he said, "I aint got nuffin else on when
I take dese off." This was something of a puzzle to the guard on
horseback, and so, not wishing to shock the modesty of the street,
"Sambo" was allowed to depart with his linen and trowsers.
OLD MRS. WIGGLES ON PICKET DUTY.
"As for sleeping on a picket," said Mrs. Wiggles to the three-months
volunteer who had dropped in to see her, "I don't see how they can do
it without hurting them. Sleeping on a post would be a good deal more
sensible, unless there's a nail in it, which might be prejudicious
for the uniform. Every one to his taste, and such things as where a
man shall sleep is at his own auction; but nobody can help thinking
that either a picket or a post is a very uncomfortable place to sleep
on. At any rate, there isn't much room for more than one in a bed."
GENERAL MANSON.
Brigadier-General Manson was in camp at Glenn's Fork, Pulaski County,
eighteen miles from the scene of the Mill Spring battle, and, with his
brigade, made a forced march that distance, over horrible midwinter
roads, arriving just in time to engage honorably in the fight. The
gallant 10th Indiana lost seventy-five men. Its colonel, commanding
the brigade as above, is an officer of great bravery and ability. His
conduct at the battle of Rich Mountain, in Western Virginia, as
colonel of that regiment, and his experience in the war with Mexico,
constitute a happy preface to his late brilliant achievement. This
same 10th Indiana is fully up to the feat of rapid marches. At one
time, being detailed to go to Greensburg from Campbellsville, to repel
an anticipated attack of Secesh, the march was made by the Hoosier
boys in three hours, a distance of twelve miles, eight of which was
over a dirt-road that had had the advantage of a hard rain the night
previous.
GOD BLESS THE SOLDIER.
A young and beautiful lady of Louisville (Minnie Myrtle) says; "God
bless the soldier!" O, could we but look into the almost bursting
heart of the rough-clad, tired soldier, as he plods his way, weary and
worn, casting a glance, at intervals, to see one kind smile, to hear
one kind and gentle voice to remind him of home, and the "loved ones"
left far behind to the mercies of a cold and heartless world--could we
but look into that fond heart and see the aching void, we would clasp
that hand tenderly, and draw him gently to our homes, a welcome guest.
O, did you but think, for a moment, of the sacrifice made by the ones
you term "striplings," you would smother the thought before it rises
to your pure lips, and your cheeks would burn with the sisterly blush,
and your lips would breathe a prayer instead for the wanderer.
Come with me to yon snow-covered cabin. 'Tis a rude hut; but pause ere
you enter, and behold the scene: An aged mother, bowed in deep and
earnest prayer; and, as she prays for her jewels, a smile, not of
sadness, but a settled calmness, gives place to one of extreme agony;
her boys--she has but two, the pride of her declining years--both she
gave, as did "Abraham of old," a living sacrifice upon the "altar of
her country." Come with me to yonder habitation, not of wealth, but
comfort. Hark! What shriek was that which rent the air? A widowed
mother kneels beside the fatherless babe, and asks God in mercy to let
the bitter cup pass from her. Another sacrifice to the dark and bloody
ground! Pause, then, sisters, and give that thought not utterance.
Your lips should breathe a prayer for the friendless soldier. If you
have a brother, then love the soldier for your brother's sake; and if
you have none, the honest-hearted soldier will be a brother and
protector. But, O, for the love of God, speak kindly to the soldier.
A NEGRO'S PEDIGREE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
A full-blooded African, who was taken prisoner on the steamer Lewis,
on which he is now employed as a cook, in the service of the United
States, was encountered one evening by the surgeon of one of the naval
ships, who asked him his name. "Nathaniel," replied the negro. "Any
other name?" said the doctor; to which Sambo replied: "Why, de last
name is always de massa's name--Massa Johnson." "What do the people
say this war is about?" asked the doctor. Nat replied: "Why, sir, dey
say that some man, called Linkum, is going to kill all de women an' de
children, an' drive de massa away; and all de colored folks will be
sold to Cuba." Nathaniel then proceeded to give some new and highly
interesting particulars respecting the genealogy of the family of the
Chief Magistrate of the United States. "Dey say his wife was a black
woman, and dat his fadder and mudder come from Ireland," said he,
speaking with emphasis. The doctor indignantly refuted the aspersions
cast upon the family of the President, and disabused the mind of the
negro of the false impressions which he had received from the
Secessionists of the place.
One morning I accosted a contraband named Dick, who was employed in
the fort. "Have you any other name?" said I. "Dey calls me Dick, de
Major," was his answer. In reply to interrogatories, he gave an
account of his life. "I was born in Virginny," said he, holding on
the rim of a slouchy felt hat, and raising it at every inquiry. "Massa
sold me, fore I was old 'nuff to know my mudder, to a preacher man in
Florida. Bimeby massa die, and missus, she had a musical turn o' mind,
and swapped me off for a fiddler; but de people all got de laf on de
ole 'oman, for in two or free months the old fiddler died, and she
lost us both," and the darkey laughed vehemently.
A MIDDLE TENNESSEE PREACHER.
A Secesh preacher, who was elected to a captaincy in the Home-Guards
at Chattanooga, hearing they were likely to be called out, sent in the
following note:
"dear curnel i beg to resind my commishen. Being a disciple of Krist i
can not take up the sord."
A LACONIC SPEECH.
An amusing sword presentation took place one day in camp. The 78th
Pennsylvania presented a sword to their colonel, William Sirwell.
Captain Gillespie spoke as follows:
"Here _we_ are, and here _it_ is. This is a bully sword, and comes
from bully boys; take it, and use it in a bully manner."
Colonel Sirwell replied:
"Captain, that was a bully speech. Let's all take a bully drink."