Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-02
a 8EcEsa eUARTER-mAsrER oUrwITrED,

a SECESH HGUARTER-MASFE TER 0UTWITTED,
OR ROW JACK PHILLIPS RECOVERED a MULE.
II the stories of incidents and adventures
current in any of the numerous camps, in the
neighborhood OF Seceshdom could be collected
in book form, they woald make very read
able work. | may send you string of such
afoat in our region, at some future
time; at the present, will relate one which
came to my know ledge a few days since.
Squire Bailey had the biggest, aud best, and
most docile mule in Marhn's Bottom, and
Martins Bottom Is about the biggest and best
neighborhood Greenbrier river. Squire
Bailey was inclined to be Union man and
did not entirely conceal his sentiments. not
wiihstanding the presence OF Floyd's army in
the vicinity. About the TING of FlOyd's '.tu-
multuOus flight from hat region, he was very
much in need of transportation, and accord
ing to established usages among secesh, he
proceeded TO levy on the teams of the neigh
boring farmers. OF course, a Union man like
Squire Bailey was not TO escape /; bur Squire
Bailey, taking time by the fOrelUct, very qui-
etly, one night, removed to a safe locality all
his live stock except his iavorite mule, which
he kept for hauling wood and going 10 mill.
This mule being apparently the only support
Of large and increasing family, Squire Bailey
fondly believed that Sccesh would not be
heartiess enough 10 rob him of it.
But Squire Bailey did not understand Sc
cesh. One fine morning along came Quarter
master BIde, accompanied 10y half dozen
armed ucn, from Floyds army. Squire Bal
ley was standing at his gate when Quarter
master Biife approached him and commenced
ii conversation wlth HIM.
Good morning, MI.-a-Mr.-'
"BajIey," suggested the Squire.
'Tes, Bailey good-morniug, Mr.. Bailey"
"MOrning,'' said the Squire.
ssI understand, Mr. Bailey, that yon have
number of horses aud mules which you wish
to dispose of to our glorious COnisderacy.''
"Misiake, sir, - said Bailey al have none
to sell to nyhody.''
sBut, Mr.. Bailey. some gentlemen informed
me yesterday that you had quite number OF
horses and nlules''
''lf you believe your eyes instead of'some
gentleman Mr. Quarter master, you can see
for yourself that have nothin' but that mule
in the dog pen there, and that can't posi-
Uly keep house without him.
'.Ah | see the mule" said Blfe looking
through the cracks. You d be asking fifty
dollars Tor that mule, s'pOSe. Well it's a
big price, but if you won't take less I'll have
to give it. Corporal, just write . note for fifty
dollars, payable in Florida swamp lands at
twenty five dollars acre, two years after
Uur glorious Conlederacy achieves uDdISputGd
iuAeuenleuct.
but, Mr.. Blifc,'' demonstrated the Squire,
s'ii you take my mule, ny family will freeze
to death and starve 10 death afore spring.
Aud if had twenty mules i could not sell you
one sich as that for less nor three hundred iu
gold. but this one l can't spare at no price
owe must all make sacrifices. Mr. Bailey,
for our glorious Confederacy. II you only
s,ney the sacrifices have maue, Mr.. Bailey.
The starving and freezing Of your wife and
children are nothing compared TO them bU,
our glorious C0nfederacy called. and my pat |
-iotism responded to the call. Future gener-
ations will remember and bless rs, Mr.. Bal /
ley, and we will receive the everlasting graft
fudc Of our glorious COuiederdcy. Think OF |
that. Mr. BaIley-think OF that
Mr. BIfe before his appointment, had been /
utterly pennilcss and ten times as mean as he |
vas poor. These qualifications got him the /
appointment OF Quartermaster out of this /
office he was stealing fortune.
"Mr. Blifie,' said the Squire, with much |
feeling, '.for the Lords sake don't take my |
last aFthiy support. Don't you see my chill I
dren are all cryin' aud a clrryin on, because
that they'll all be in their graves aforc spring /
il you rob me Of
"Rob - exclaimed Mr.. BliGe fiercely. /
"Don't say rob again, or ! II massacre your
whole nest of traitors. LIS because yOu'r re an /
enemy to our glorious Confederacy that you re .
unwilling to sell the mule at q fair price. | |
oughtn'i to pay such you cent, bat | IN /
generous man, and you ought to be thank
tul to me. Corporal, fill up the note l di-
rected.'
"Iiod mint said the Squire. elf that
paper is what You are gOin' to give me, don't
syle 1t by wrtin' on it. The blank paper
might be of little use TO me, but the writln'
on it never could"
You're a cursed traitor to our glorious
Confederacy,' said Blife, and he started to
take the mnle ont of the pen. IL was hitched
with halter, and had a broad cirsiugle around
it, He unisstened it and without deigniUg
another word to the ''enemy OF his glorious
Coutederaey." he was of with 1t to seek
other farmers stable.
Squire Bailey looked sad as he turned TO go
in the house and in the bitterness OF his feel
Ings, 80 far forgot himself as TO ''d--n the glo-
rious Confederacy."
Snugly concealed in Squire Bailey's cl3set
vas Jack Phillips, the up-tO-everything ONO
scout. AS the Squire entered the room he
called out, "Conle out Jack they've gone,
and the internal scouudrels have stolen my
mule.o
IL told you they would said Jack making
bis appearance. sand if / hadn't Informed you
last night they'd got all the rest OF 'em that
Eon sent off,"
THAT'S so Jack but I'd give hundred
dollars to have that mule back"
Jack looked steadily at the fire for five
minutes
"W hat did you say. Squire"
81 said I'd give hundred dollars to get
That mule back, bat 'spose three hundred
"ouldn't get him.
al don't know said Jack abstractedly and
pe looked in the fire for five miunies more.
suddenly Jack frightened MP, and said,