Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-05-09

lM)DVentures current in any of the nu-
OH merous camps. in the neighbor-
3-cfS hood of Seceshdom, could be col
R53 lected in book form, they would
Is make a very readable work. Imay
send you string of such as are
afoat in our region. at some future
time; at present, I will relate one that
came to my knowledge a few days since.
Squire Bailey had the biggest, and best,
and most doeile mule in Martins Bottom,
and Martins Bottom is about the biggest
and best neighborhood on Greenbrier Riv-
er. Squire Bailey was inclined to be a
Union man, and did not entirely conceal
his sentiments, Notwithstanding the pres
enee Of Floyd in the vicinity. About the
time Of Floyd's g tumultuous fight " from
that region, he was very much in need Of
transportation, and, according to establish
ed rules among secesh, he proceeded to
levy on the teams of the eighboring farm,
ers. Of course, a Union man, like Squire
Bailey, was not to escape; but Squire
Bailey, taking time by the forelock. very
quietly, one night, removed to a safe lccal.
ity all his live stock except his favorite
mule, which he kept for hauling wood and
going to mill. This mule being apparent
ly the only support of a large and incro as
ing family, Squire Bailey fondly believed
the secesh would not be so heartless as to
rob him oft.
But Squire Bailey did not quite un-
derstand secesh. One fine morning along
came Quartermaster Blife, accompanied
by half dozen armed men from FIoyd's
army. Squire Bailey was standing at bis
gate when Quartermaster Blfe approach
ed and commenced a conversation with
him.
Good morning, Mr.. AN
Bailey, suggested the Squire
Yes, Bailey, good morning, Mr.. Bailey.
Mornin', said the Squire
l understand, Mr. Bailey, that you have
a humber of horses and mules which you
wish to dispose of to cur glorious confed-
eracy.
Mistake, sir, said Bailey, have none to
sell to anybody.
But, Mr.. Bailey, some gentlemen inform
ed me yesterday that you had quite num-
Der of horses and mules.
If you'll believe your eyes, instead of
some gentlemen, Mr.. Quartsrmaster, you
can see for yourself that I have nothing
but that mule, in the hog pen there, and
that can't keep house without.
Ah see the mule, said Billie looking
through the cracks. You'd be asking ff-
ty dollars for that mule, pose. Well its
big price, but if you won't take less, I'll
give it. Corporal, just write note for
fifty dollars, payable in Florida swamp
lands, at twenty-five dollars an acre, two
years after our glorious Confederacy
achieves independence.
But, Mr.. Billie, responded the squire,
if you take my mule, my family will freeze
to death, and starve to death, too, afore
spring. And if l had twenty mules, |
could not afford to sell you one such as
that, for less than three hundred dollars
in gold, but this one l can't spare at any
price.
We must al make sacrifices, for our elo-
rious eonfederaey. If You only knew the
sacrifices have made, Mr. Bailey. The
starving and freezing of your wife and
children are nothing compared to them
but our glorious confederacy called. and
my patriotism responded to the call. Flu
ture generations will remember and bless
US, Mr.. Bailey. and we will receive the
everlasting gratitude of our glorious Con-
federaey. Think of that. Mr. Bailey,
think of that.
Mr.. Blife, before his appointment, had
been utterly penniless. and ten times as
mean as be was poor. These qualif-
cations he'd got him the appointment of
quartermaster out of this Office, he was
of course, stealing fortune. He had sac
riheed the Peter Funk business for that
paradise of speculators-a quartermasteF-
ship.
Dir. Blife, said the Squire. With much
feeling, for the Lords sake don't take nv
last airtbly support. Don't you see MY