The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-01-14


And beckon to the sable shore,
And grimIy bid us drink no more.
-MooRR.
In the year 1874, was one of compa-
ny Of volunteers stationed at Fort c.,
on the Upper Mississippi. We had enlist
ed for the Mexican war, but the legitimate
sons of Sam, t. G. the regulars being con-
sidered by the powers that be as the best
food for powder and the least loss to socie-
ty, were ordered there in our stead, and
we, much to our dissatisfaction, instead of
the thrilling adventures of camp and field,
were condemned to the monotonous round
of garrison duty
Amongst our numbers were several dis
charged soldiers, who had been enlisted to
make up the compliment, and who were
distinguished for an inordinate devotion to
whisky, "and that of the commonest kind"
Under United States garrison regula-
tions, no Intoxicating liquors are allowed
within the government bounds, and many
and curious are the shifts and contrivances
by which these votaries of Bacchus attempt
to elude the vigilance of those in authority.
Among the most active of them was Joe
Clay, nicknamei "Pipeclay" by his COM
rades, from the attention he bestowed upon
his accoutrements, and especially for his
skill in pipeclaying the belts. He was a
man who from his appearance had evident.
ly seen better days, but now his brain
seemed ever on the rack to procure the
means of gratifying his depraved appetite
for drink, and not week passed but Joe
was confined in the guard-house for drunk
enness.
remember well on one occasion, one of
the men had not reported himself at the re-
veille, and file of men, of which Joe was
one, were dispatched to the village after
him-an opportunity too good to be lost,
and Joe returned to the barracks about
guard-mounting his musket filled to the
muzzle with red-eye. On arriving at the
fort he was about to go to his quarters and
deposit his novel bottle until an opportuni-
ty should arrive to discuss its conten S; but
unfortunately for Joe there was vacancy
in the guard who were detailed for duty,
and he, being the next on the list, was Or
dered to fall in at once. Here was an un-
forseen dilemma; but there was no hel p for
it. The guard were marched on parade,
where the officer of the day awaited them.
Ranks were opened, and the command Civ
en-: "Order arms l'-"Inspection of arms p
The men faced to the right, and sprung
their rammers, when, to the amazement of
his companions, an amber fountain arose,
con spjr1ta, from the shining barrel of Joe's
musket, plentifully besprinkling his COM
rades, and bestowing upon the gorgeous
array of the prim officer of the day copi-
Gus shower Of cheap whisky. OF course
Joe, instead of being on guard, was mnder
guard for that day.
On another occasion, Joe was detailed
with others to wash the company's blank
cts at the river side.
Captain k was standing at the sal
ly-port that morning, as the men were toll
ing up the rising ground on which the fort
is situated, each with his quota of wet
blankets upon his back.
AS Joe passed in, the morning air was
tainted with the smell of whisky. The
Captain Immediately stopped Joe, and ac-
cused him of bringing the aforesaid article
"between the wind and his nobility" Joe
denied it, and although strict search was
made by the sentry, none could be found
upon him. Joe moved on to the compa-
ny's quarters, and on arriving there quiet
ly wrung out of the blankets the gallon of
whisky with which they had been saturat-
ed, and with his boon companions set to at
the "critter'
Then came "discordant clamors DER the
bowl" and Joe was ANONYMOUSLY escort
ed to the guard-house.
One winters morning, as was lettering
around the post with my gun, in hopes to
pick up stray rabbit or two with which
to relieve the invariable bean diet of our
mess rations, cspied an object hopping
over the snow in the neighborhood of the
pickets, and very much after the manner
of the aforesaid quadrupeds.
To aira and fire was the work of mo-
ment; but on approaching the game, l
found, instead Of puss, half emptied blad-
der, making its devious way towards the
pickets by he aid of string, while from
the apertures made by my shot streamed a
yellow fluid, evidently preparation of
corn-"that bane of mans heart and brain"
whisky. Making my way inside of the in
closure, l found Joe Pipeclay patiently
hauling in his line, like a mackerel-catcher.
His disappointment may be conceived when
his labors were finally rewarded by the
appearance of the aforesaid bladder, by
this time completely emptied of its contents,
which had escaped through the shot holes.
At last, after debauch of more than
usual severity, Joe was taken seriously
i'll and carried to the hospital. One after
noon | received message from the hospi-
tai steward requesting my presence there,
as Joe was very i'll, and had a desire to see
me.
As soon as nay duties would permit, /
was seated by the side of his cot. Taking
my hand in his, he thanked me for all my
kindness to him, andregretted that through
his intemperate habits he had caused me
so much trouble.
He told me of his onrn bannv homo hv