The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-01-31
Around the Campfire.

Around the Campfire.
"A Soldier, u Soldier, I'm longing to be:
Tho name and the life Of u Soldier for me-"
The above sentiment is very pret-
ty--looks we'll in print--migbt be
rendered with considerable enthusi-
asm by home guard, who appre
heDded no opportunity OF mipgliug
in a lille and death engagement, bnt
whoever heard returned volunteer
delivering himself OF that little sen.
timeht, in a manner that suited the
iastidious taste Of master e,ocution.
let. Soldering, to be properly ap.
prcciatcd, must be experienced 10
all its phases. A Soldiers lie may
be viawed in two different lights
from two contrary points of view.
From the home fire side, where
the obaerser sits upon soft cushions,
with his slippered feet on tho fender;
apples and cider convenient at his
elbow, and luxurious lneerchaum in
his white fingers. He must have a
recruiting drum, and ear piercing
HE discoursing patriotic music 10
the streets. In his right hand he
must grasp a volunteer that narrates
Napoleon's military strategy and ex-
ploits. With such surroundings our
observer will see Soldier in very
pleasing and romantic light. The
Soldier will be a tall. military ap.
pearing individual, with u savage,
yet generous countenance, and a
musiache. On his head, a j,unty
cap will rest; about his symmetrical
person, will appear blue uniform,
which shall DO beautifully adorned
with gilt buttons and-eagles. In
his right hand, the bright bayonet
shall be held, veDgeiully cleaning.
In the battlefield, he will see the Sol.
dier fiend incernate-a glorious
tiend-a patriotic fiend--in the midst
OF the battles tiercest carnage--near
the spot where death dealing minies
make their reputation. will the Sol.
dier be seen, vengeiully accomplish
ing the death OF his enemies.
His cheers for victory will ring
loudly on the air. In short, around
the Soldier clusters honor and glory
Of course he is Observation-Disclosures
gets weary from rapid marches.-
The moist inmates Of the clouds
above him, never presume to wet his
uniform. Oh, no, not any
/ From the camp OF actual service.
where, /! at all, Soldiers lite can
be properly appreciated. Here the
observer sits not on cushions, bat
mother earth, to make notes. The
cheerful conveniences, apples, cider
and meerchaun are discarded. To
this observer, the Soldier he secs is
not always tall and soldierly; the
moustache, more or less, he may al.
most always 8. G, for there ia a curl
ons emulation among warriors as to
the nose-brush; q uniform that might
in its balmy days have rejoiced in O
blue color, is about him; but repeat
ed drenchings, rolling upon dirty
tent tloors, &C., has given it the
blues of a different order. This Sol
dier is mortal: weary marches wea,
upon him; mimic balls are impera
tive, and for his cake the clouds with
hold not their food
The actual Soldier and the idea
Soldier are eminently different. Th,
actual Soldier has trials and tribula
tions, vicissitudes and virtues, tina
the home gusrd--l beg pardon, In
confused--that the ideal Soldie
wots not of. Duckings on picket
however, and numb fingers, snow
and mud, mimic balls and steel, with
out particle of caloric, arc nothing
to be compared to greybacks. Grey
backs are next to first observers o
Soldiers in the battlefield, devils in
earn rnate--fiends in vermin shape an,
tigers. They crawl and bite, hav,
good appetites probably.
you've let the cat out OF tn
: bag you've told me what grey hack
3 are"
What did tell you they were9
"Lice."
'No-did I2-thunder !"