American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-07-14
CTTY or LANCAsTKR
Ennrsday NIornInE.JuIy IA 1855
An Army Anecdote.

When the Virginia regiment OF voiun-
7eers arrived at General Taylor's camp
at Walnut Springs, near Monterey. their
arms were rather the wcrs, for their long
march from Comargo. being somewhat
rusty, and dusty. A certain lieutenant Of
that corrs, who prided himself on belong
ing to one Of the f. +. V's-frst families
of Virginia--on the next day after their
arrival, was strolling thro' the camp try
ing to get peep at the old general when
he espied a stout fellow in his shirt sleeves
asated on the ground beneath shady
bower, hard at work on asword hilt. The
lieutenant with pompous air walked up
90 the old chap and addressed him as fol,
lows: III
Il say Old Eel. which is General Tay>
Ior's tent q
Old Eel, hard at work rubbing the sword
aiit---'That one there
VI wonder il could see the great hero?'
well colonel. you might, and then again
you might not
Putting on an extra share Of dignity,
the officer said: "Come my old trump. you
must show me how can get sight a: him.
Whose sword is that which you are clean
ing7g :,
.Wha., this cheese knife. That's old
Lsch's--a have been cleaning ii Tor him.
sThen yoa work for the General do you'
Well my weapon is httls rusty. and Z
you win clean 1t up handsomely 1 will
give yoa dollsr.,
.WeIl drop your toad sticker here. and
drop round this way tomorrow, and II
have il ready for you. II yoa don't fnt
nae here, yoa eall over 10 the general
tent and I'il be there
The keutenant left bis sword with tlr
old Chap, and after taking a turn or tW,
about the generals quarters, and an 90
cnsional peep through the doorway ofth
hut went his way. The day following h
oalled at tho bower whore he had seen th
man work but found no one. He the
went over 10 the generals tent. and lh
sentry seeing that he was an officer pass
cd in. He found the ..Old Fell walkin
up and down 10 the outer tent. in whie
was a smal! table covered with newspape
and couple Of camp stools. The 'Ol
Trump handed the officer his sweTd
!. bright and olean as when il lirst came frol
Amos EdCbOty Ou tho ouuNe " way wv
nectiout. Upon relieving it the iieutei
ans kindly informed odd Eel Of the star
ling fact that he belonged 10 one Of u
firsI families ofTirgiuia, and then, puncl
ing the 'old Trump PlAyiully in rib
he said: q $500 ..5 ~
.Gome now. Old Fatty. Oau's you ,sha
us The General?s & q
AZ this odd FeP drew himself up AZ
shouved in voice Of thunder while b
eyes flashed ere. 'bUyl ! am General Ia
IOr.' p 9S. h
Overwhelmed with confusion the youI
$. scion ofthe IF. y. " could mot say
word. but with staring eyes snd oP,
mouth bowed himself ont Of the tent. |
then made bes.line through the wood
Old Zach shouting after him: s'ss
i say, Young Fsi. you hare forgot d
dollar wee
Bat the lieutenant did NOT stop until
reached the Virginia enosmpmeut, whe
he staid in his tent; in momentary app
hension Of an order for hia arrest.
order came, however, but the story
length got out and many sharp quiz v
put upon the young gentleman by !
broth. officers, as to his employing @,
Taylm 10 clean his sword hilt. aud b,
many uUhes '0ld Fatty had upon
ribs. !.