Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-09
ARMY ANECDOTES.

Rev. DR.. Cross who is a chaplain to d Tcnnesses
regiment belonging to Gen. Holmes brigadeon Aqua
Creek, Va, gets off batch Of good anecdotes in his
correspondence to the Nashville Christian Advocate
The following incidents will be read with interest.
Our North Carolina readers will be especially inter.
ested in the facts brought out in reference to Gen.
Holmes:
Wednesday, July oath, three days after the bsttls
of Manassas, we left the field of blood and returned
towards Aqua Creek. Itwas splendid morning,
and very imposing was the spectacle presented by
our brigade. Gen. Holmes, with his staff, rode n
the van; then came the cavalry, next the artillery,
followed by three regiments of infantry while the
ambulances and baggage wagons brought up the
rear. The whole line was nearly three miles long,
Two fine brass bands enlivened our march, and the
sun shone gloriously on musket and bayonct; and
the host winding along over hill and valley, looked
like some vast Boa destined to cnfod and crush the
Yankee despotism
The last saw of Manassas was n soldier over a
mud puddle, washing the skillet In which he had
just cooked his breakfast while comrade at his
cit ow was just putting pair of socks through a
similar process; and within few feet on the other
side of him, wallowed SOW with her family. I
asked him if he thought the skillet would be any
cleaner after the operation.
"Perhaps moi" he replied, but it win be diff.
ferent sort of dirt"
"Yes," cried the sock washer "and Virginia
mud is better than this cussed Yankee blood on my
socks" - ~
And the sow sole.nnly grunted her assent
rode up to farm house for drink of water
Some twenty of our hungry boys were there before
me- An old lady. with large bucket Of Indian
batter by her side was baking griddle cakes for
them, while a little negro girl faithfully punched
and fed the fire. 1t was fine illustration of the
Need and Supply, and most diligently did the gen.
erous matron toll to obtain the equilibrium. Soon,
however, reinforcement from our ranks, and the
prospective exhaustion of the ammunition, seemed
likely to put an end to the contest Just then
spray-footed wench, putting like locomotive enter.
ed, exclaming: u
"Here, old Missus, here's 'nudder bucket. full
The ladle now changed hands and was applied
more nimbly than ever; while the good woman
taking her seat and wiping the persprati6n from
her face with her apron. said:
Eat, young men, there's plentyl" =.
asked her about her family, and she replied
"My two sons are in the army, and I am left
alone and must do what can for my country
Eat young gentlemen, God bless you; it's real
pleasure to feed you'll"
And the "young gentlemen = did eat, and having
empted the second bucket, they left the old lady's
door with three as hearty cheers as were oet.
ed by Tennessee soldiers. s
At our next location we enjoyed brief visit from
Brother Purdy McFerrin 1t Is very pleasant to see
ones nearest neighbor so far from hpme. His pres.
ence at our prayer meeting, especially, refresh
ing, and hope some of the soldiers will not forget
the excellent counsel given at the close.
We have frequently been annoyed by unlicensed
whisky venders. 1t was pitiful to see an old man.
after the conscation Of his liquor marching several
hours up and down the parade ground, at the
point of the bayoLet as the penalty Of his contra
band trade, and watering his steps with tears: One
day the Colonel captured huge demijobn, brought
into camp for distribution. Thg next morning bis
negro accidently broke II, md flooded the tent
with this precious beverage. An Irishman passing
| at the moment cried out:
| "Och, me hearty, what pityi Have ys niver q
| buckets buckets bucket {"
A bucket was handed him ID which be saved
about a gallon.
"An have ye niver . cup, nor w glass in the
tint?" he inquired.
After waiting some endless seconds in vain, he
seized the cover Of tin bucket and dipped it full
saying:
~'"I Shall be afther taking few dhtaps Of thii
same" .i
The few dhrsps" seemed to me nearly quart
which having TRANQUILITY imbibed, he smacked hi
lips, and walked away. exclaimng: .sa a7
IAN now Misther Lenooln, it's that am ready
for ye!"
The other day visited Gen: HoIhSes, at his quar-
tiers. Seeing pistol in my belt he said:
What! are you soldier as well as chaplain p
"a soldier Of Christ, General" replied.
1 "Ah," said he, that is the isoblest soldiershiP
Follow him closely, serve him faithfully; there Is
no way in which you can do SO much for your cGun
try. We have plenty Of men to light; out not uAi
enough TO pray. May We never forget our depen
dence unon Divine succor."