The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1862-01-24
Written for the Tribune.
AROUND THE CAMP FIRE.
NO 1.

ny WILLIAM LANAHAM, Tso.
"a soldier, a soldier Iim longing to be;
The name and the lfc ofa soldier for
me-
The above sentiment is very pretty.
looks well In print--might be rendered
with considerable enthusiasm by Il, me
guard, who apprchcn ndcd no opportunity
Of ofmingling in life and death engage.
mcnt, but whoever heard returned vol
untccr delivering himself of that little
sentiment, in manner that suited the
lastidious taste Of u master Elocutonist.
Soldering, to be properly appreciated,
must be experienced in all its phases. A
soldiers life may be viewed in two differ
ent lights--irom two contrary points Of
view.
From the home iire-sidc, where tho OBJ
server sits upon soft cushions, with his
slippcrcd feet on the fcndcr---apples and
cider convenient at his elbow and luxu-
rious meerschaum in his white fingers
lie must have recruiting drum, aud ear
piercing fife, discoursng patriotic music
in the streets. In his right hand he must
grasp avoluutcer that narrutcs Napoleons
military strategy and exploits. With
such surroundings our observer will see
n ssldicr in very pleasing and romantic
light. The soldier will bca tall, militia
ry appearing individual, with a savage
yet generous countcnOnce, and nous
tache. On his head, jaunty cap will
rest; about his symetrical person, will
appear blue uniform, which shall be
beautifully adorned with gilt buttons and
-and-euglcs. In his right hand, the
bright bayonct shall be held, vcngclully
cleaning. In the battlefield, he will 500
the soldier fcnd incarnatc,--a glorious
hend--a patriotic hend--in tho midst OF
the battles iercest cnrnagc-nenr the
spot wheyS death-denling minlcs make
their reputation, will the soldier bo seen,
vengeiully accomplishing 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 invulnerablc--nevcr gets weary from
rapid marches. The moist inmates oI
the clouds above him, never presume to
wet his uniform. Oh no, not anyl
From the camp ofactual service, where
If at oil soldiers life can be properly ap,
prcciatcd. Here the Observer sits not OF
cushions, but mother earth, to make
notes. The cheerful eonvcnicnces ap-
plies, cider and mcerschaum arc discard.
ed. To this observer, the soldier he secs
is not always tall and soldicrly; the
moustache. more or less, he may almost
always sec, for there is u curious emula-
ton among warriors as to the nosc-brush;
uniform that might, in It's palmy days
have rcjoced in blue color, is about
him; but repeated drenchings, rolling up
on dirty tent floors, &C., has given il the
blues Of different order. This soldier
is mortulj weary marches wear upon him;
mimic balls arc impertive, and for his sake
tho clouds withhold not their food.
The actual soldier aud the ideal soldier
are emnently different. The actual sol
dicr has trials and tribulations, vcissi-
tudes and virtues, that the home gard
! beg pardon, I'm eonfused--tkat the
ideal soldier wots not Of. Duckings on
picket, however, and numb fingers, snow
aud mud, mimic balls and steel, without a
particle of caloric, are nothing TO be
compared to Greybneks. Greybacks arc
next to first observers soldier IN the bat
tle-feld, devils ncarnate-fends in YER
tdin shape and tigers. They crawl and
bite. have good appetites probably.
"You'ye lot the cat cut Of the bog;
you've told me what Grey backs ure,"
"What did tell you they werep
"Lice."
"No--did -thunder"