The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-21
The Barrel Movement.
A SKETCH OF CAMP LIFE ON THE
RIO GRANDE.
BY soLIT ARE.

When the St. Louis Legion was cncamp-
ed on the Island AT the mouth of the Brazos
Santiago, the boys began, for the first time,
to feel the Inconvenience of "Uncle Sans"
fodder arrangements not that they expect
ed 70 find "chickeu fixins" every morning.
but they at least felt confident the beans would
be nourishing. About ii O'Clock a. NJ. ev-
cry day, the little round vegetables ware put
into the camp kettles, and in an hour, or prob
ably an hour and a half were served out.
To those skilled in the manner of cooking
dried beans, we need not explain how little
effect one hours boiling would have upon
them. The different Inesses cracked away
however, chewed the hard pebbles up, and
left off their meals in a very unsntisfed man
nor A few days had scarcely elapsed when
a general grumble was set in circulation a.
gainst the commissa:y department, Uncle
Sam and his beans, in particular. One tall
volunteer swore in the mess, that he would
cross to the main land and provision himself,
ifhe had TO eat n live Ranchero before he would
starve on such fare; his comrades chimed IN
with his rebellious resolve, and all ID them
asked leave of the Captain to take a short en-
cursion for few hours, in search of game.
Leave was granted, and off'they started. In
the course ola few hours, one came sro'nS
into the camp with bundle under his arm,
and as he passed the sentry OH the way TO the
tent, he was accosted with
'Joc, what luck had you?"
ooh" snys Joe, 81 only killed g,dter snipe. y
-"Well," says the sentry, "that's the largest
snipe, Judging from the bundle, have ever
seen. Let me look at his BILL"
Joe uncovered it, and there was the snout
of as fine young pig as ever poked his nose
into swil tub. Both winked at each 9th
err, exchanged quiet grins and then the Snipe
was carefully covered and carried toqnarters
In few moments along came another OF the
mess, who reported that he had only secure d
haunch of'EslolO deer" e., n young cdlt, and
TO wind up the captured game of the party
three more appeared, carrying quarter OF
short horned elk, which some envious
members of other masses declared looked as
ifit might be the SLOW deer's nanny! The
spoils were put together and covered over, at:
Ter which, the mess went into a council ofwai
upon how to get something to wash down
the game, and make the whole affair com
Portable one. ..........
ado you think you can execute n 'barre
movement boys?" said an Orderly belonging
to the mess.
"What was it lle?" was the general enqui
ry.
simply this" says the Sargent; "the Com
missary General is landing stores down at The
beach, among which is some first rate brand
for the officers, and five could only make on
ofhis halfbarrels keep step in Il hollow square
we might easily execute the new march off
barrel movement"
Allthe mess expressed themselves read.
for duty instanter, and, having added fey
more rank and file to the enterprise, of the.
started on a commercially earnest march, Il
practice the new drill. The hollow squar
was admirably formed, and reformed half
dozen times before they reached the beach
!, and advancing in a line towards1he Commits
:. sery's store, with rapid evolution they form,