The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-25

Indeen, learned there was Lieutenant
in the party, only by inquiry. | saw
one sharp-eyed fellow in threadbare suit.
variegated with stripes Of new butternut
on his arms, which presumed were
chevrons. but he enlightened me by grim
assurance that they were nothing but
patches. Nevertheless, they were COM
fortably clad, and had blankets enough
on their saddles. They were in maraud-
ing order, not groOmed for display.
II seemed TO me that Major Prentice
son of George d., of the louisville
JoGrnal--had suddenly thrown down bis
dup,py fE,sro iIto his grey Uniform by
conwulsions".-yery much as a fireman
switches himself through his breeches
when the bells ring at midnight. In any
viel the uniform did not become him
Either his frock was too big or he was
too little. He was plump enough, too, for
all that, and the coat should have fit
ted him if it would fit anybody, because
his flesh lay around loose enough to ill
vacancies. He isn't small man, nor is
he big, yet there is enough material about
him TO make considerable figure if prop
erly disposed. But that was not his mis-
take. Altogether, think his coat was
double barrelled-designed for dress oc-
casions, for parade, or for an overcoat-
one button, more or less, making the diff
ference. 1t was stunningly bedizened
with gilt lace-a blossoming of marigold
all over his forearms, and Dixietic span
giles scattered about his collar; gray
breeches and top boots, with cute little
merino, corn colored cap perched saucily
on his crown completed his suit. His
presence was not imposing or impressive;
his manner rather quick and sharp, going
off at half cock, without sufficient pro-
vocation. There was but dim speci-
men of the pater fanajhaS in the sharp
twinkle of his little eyes and his fleshy
face, but he seemed ambitious to exhibit
smartness.
There was rather an odd sort of stiff
ness about the party for a little while.
| Obviously little more address, or thin
BILE full of whisky, was desirable Ma
jor Prentices's party seemed TO be organ
lied upon temperance principles-per-
| haps involuntarily-a bottle of Federal
Prospects" was introduced by way of
mollifre, and, my prospects" went around.
can not say whether it was according to
regulations or not. Rather suspect it
was military lea non Scr1pta Anyhow,
"my respects" began to look Frequently.
| / supposed that two were enough to help
the Major out with the bottle, or what
was in il; and, entertaining some curl
osity about the rebel escort l mixed in
to hear medley conversation between
them and our own lads, who, discovering
the cOngeniality of their commanders,
| took the usual liberties of such occasions.
Our fellows were free as air, but the reb-
ell troops were rather reserved for some
minutes, but at last chatted quite So
ciably.
Not many minutes elapsed, when Mai.
Prentics, and Lieutenant - crossed
swords play to show each other
how to fence. The former had played
with the foils before, and soon taught
his opponent thing or two--precisely
as the Lieutenant desired, it being
thought good thing to get the Major into
good humor with himself-by no means
difficult enterprise. Pretty soon Mike
you remember Mike, who make Gen
Benham so mad about the "Ass Batthe-
ry," at Carnifex-my coachman, who
had played the bottle holder, came &c
me in frantic sort of a way, begging
for another bottle of whisky "the ribi
officer had implied it intirely, au' lit
tie more would polish him beautifully
Here was opportunity for master stroke
but unfortunately, the whisky was gone
One quart bottle was evaporated with
amazing rapidity, and the bottle itsel
had been tossed over the fence witt
"high- toned" disdain. What the due
could we do? The rebels had none, WI
had no more, and could not make it,
A rebel woman with the escort had
bottle for her babies at MurfreesborO', blu
that was locked up in her trunk and in
accessible. Directly the Lieutenant
frantic as Mike, rushed up and begge'
for another bottle from " anybody" .
course protested against the immortali
ty of the thing-especlal as the whisky
was gone The case was irremediable
and the Lieutenant endeavored to make
the best use possible of the original pota
tions, but could not ascertain what
amounted to. i rather suspect not much
1t is quite certain, however, mat a charm
ing state of sociability was reached
Indeed, the gentlemen proceeded so ia
that when the Major got through he hal
two pairs of gauntlets, whereas he ha'
none when he appeared in the arena
But it is just to our officers TO say tina
they distributed their respects" to tn
MOTOR rs literally as they did thei
gauntlets, suppose with very praise
worthy purpose. The Major accepte
their regards with much taste ant
courtesy
In the midst of this scene the Majo
! discovered that had lot of late papers
/ had selected number containing &C
counts Of the late Federal victory in Ar
kansas, proposing TO send them to on
{ brown paper Contemporary, the Murirees
boro Rebel Banner, TO refresh him I'll
, Major would be happy to send them
p Headquarters, (Bragg's) but would be re