Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-03-28
The Camp in Alarm.
BY L. T. LACY.

who perambulate within the vicinity. and
not unfrequently within the very very camps of
our soldiery whose white tents dot the
banks ofthe lovely San Juan. What is
termed the silent watches Of the niqh, in
more civilized countries, is really there
made bedlam by the hideous drawings
often thousand seeming threats of brass.
1t requires a good long months residence
to the uninitiated, to procure a moments
respite from the alarm accustomed by
these trumpet.tongueG heroes of the
chapparal. When one gets used to, il is
nothing. but getting so is the thing.
1t was in the month of September.
$40, when the I'd Kentucky, or "bloody
second was stationed at the Aforesaid
place, guarding the government stores.
Gen. Ma very irascible, though
good hearted man. was our Brigadier, and
had his quarters within our regimental
lines. Alarms were not unfrequent in
those days, for an attack upon that place,
if not contemplated by the enemy, was
really to be feared on account Of the
smallness of our force. ..a.z aat
One night whilst officer of the guard.
| was passing from the suffers TO the
guardtent. when | suddenly found myself
in the rnidst OF horde of the pestilential
quadrupeds. ~ 81 ."4a u.s. aa.7.g +.
"Jim, said I. to sergeant, who was
busily engaged in driving them along,
what in the name of goodness are you
going to do with all those jacks!"
"Oh, Pm just driving them out of camp,
they disturb the boys sIumbers you know y
said he, in paternal tone. er r.f .s .
They do, 90 ibey?" replied !. sudden.
" aroused 20 the prospects of seeing a
little fun, for well knew Jim to be an
incorrIglble wag and as reckless Of others
snmbers as the beasts themselves. es-
Pecial!y as he was on guard himself. and
bad to be up all night, Guessing his in
tention, | slipped sIyly in rear of the suit
ier's huge house OF canvass and awaited
the issue. Gen Ms quarters were
IN a small enclosure that had formerly
been a goattold. The fence, which was
trodden down in several places, and
through one ofthese gaps Jim and his herd
passed. The weather was extremely
warm and sultry, and in consequence of
this. Gen. NJ, for comfort, had opened
the front of his marque, and raised the
ground cloth and pinned it to the fly,
thereby giving sweet and cooling ven
ti!lation to his domicil .' " O"'.#
The third relief had been posted about
quarter of an hour, consequently the
time was little past midnight. The
General was doubtless in deep, sweet
sleep, dreaming of battles, victories, and
various other glorious achievements.
whilst others were plotting to disturb his
balmy repose and enchanting visions. I
watched closely from my hiding place,
the movements Of my friend, Sergeant
Jim, and saw him drive the long cared
swarm to the Generals tent door, then
suddenly retreat and take shelter behind
the fence.
1t was bright moonlight night, and
could well observe everything transporting.
One Of the gang slowly and maiestically
entered about half way into the tent. and
opening his clarion throat, gave one Of
the loudest, longest, shrilest, and most
startling brays that ever resounded
through the plains of Mexico. u
32"iScrGU.ugh haw. ugh hau. 40 ac!i" ii
A '.boo- WHO'D! hoo .u!'' with a variety of
! intonatious of voice indescrbable, though
fully appreciated by listeners, issued from
the lungs of the startled sleeper, as if he
was con,estlng a vocal psalm with his
quadruped visiter. The donkey, though
not eclipsed, retreated before his adver-
ssry. In a nom, Mt more. Gen. M
appeared before his tent in glorious
dishab'lle, with pistol in each hand.
Bang bsng-bang! wentthe revolvers,
accompanied by any quantity and variety
Of osths and maledictions upon the whole
donkey race.
Corporal Of the guard No. 81" shouted
sentinel Immediately in rear of brigade
headquarters. and in moment the cry
passed abound the whole line. Il
Efu Giving bimrselfplenty of time to have
walked from the guard tent to the scene
ofaction, joined ;he corporal as he came
up, and in a loud and peremptory tone,
bawled Out r9a 81 Fe .'ii ii-a" a-T''2
"Sentinei, who fired those shots?" e
''Don't know Sir-come from Gen
Ms quarters" a-H Har
= us that you, L-?'' shouted the Gen.
in a rage. 9'i p ao3 sad aa aaai
"'Yes, SIR" answered I. a'a914 VOC
"Are you lieutenant Of the guard?" Z
Eyes Sir. !" ntia ''@'b 'a'lfiI "32 - 9.
49, "Then Immediately order your guard
to shooting every jackass in the neighbor.
hood, and keep on shooting until order
it stopped" ssh 'sti r n gais sidi
a"Sentinel. pass the word to shoot every
! jack that can be seen,'si said H. h..,i
/, III see j. well executed" said Ser
geant Jim, suddenly appearing, ant
posing of tothe fines. Quick as thought
the word passed from mouth to- mouth