Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-12-24
Written for the Dodgeville Chronicle.
Army Sketches, No. l.
OFFICIAL AMUSEMENT.


there and for the same purpose-to i'm
bibe Louisiana rum and Champagne.
Orders had been issued by the Provost
Marshal, closing all bars, saloons, and
drinking places generally; but, at this
house, the largest in the city, plan
had been devised which for long time
bafied the skill of the patrol to pene-
trate, by which thirsty souls were ena-
bled to ''raise their spirits" in several
ways. In back -room, on the fifth and
highest story Of the Hotel, bar had
been erected and furnished, where Gus
toners could drink and be merry unob-
served and undetected.
10 this quiet retreat, our military
friends made their way, resolved. to
"driye dull care away" by drowning
him out in strong liquors. Glass after
glass was poured down eager threats,
and, as usual, when ''the wine was in,
the wit was out, and loud singing, up
roarious laughter, and bacchanalian rev.
elry denoted the rapid advance of drunk
enness.
Spouting shakespeare, and the
atrical compositions seemed to be the
principal amusement, until one wag, am
bilious to vary the fun, mounted the
table and began to recite DR.. Watts
beautiful hymns at great rate. In the
midst Of his labors, he was suddenly
dislodged from his cminence, by having
the table on which he stood, carefully
overturned by some of his admiring
listeners. AS soon as the table was re-
placed, he again mounted, Intending to
continue his defamation, but again he
was pitcipitated, amid the yells and
howls Of his congregation. AS he fell
he seized with each hand luxuriant
beard, but his weight causing the roots
to give way, he reached the floor, with
his prizes, while the despoiled owners
fairly screamed aud stamped from pain
and rage.
At this juncture, the bar-keeper in
terposed, fearing lest the uproar might
direct the patrol guard to his retreat,
and tempt them to arrest all present and
confscate his stock, proposing that the
party should drink at his expense, and
then dlsperse. To this all yielded ready
assent, took another "smile, and dartcd
down stairs, in high glee.
The stairs being spiral and running
from floor to garnet of the building,
communicating with each floor by land
ings, upon the fifth and highest of which
stood a large barrel Of water, that from
its age and use had become very foul
and highly aromatic. While the major
lty OF the party were winding their de-
vlous way down the said stains, clinging
with a grasp like ''death to a sick ne
gro TO the bannisters, to preserve their
uncertald balance ard assist in reaching
terra TRINA in safety, a few reckless
spirits upset the barrel of filthy water
upon their devoted heads, instantly sat
urating their unfortunate comrades to
the skin, and by the surprise and shock
throwing several from their perpendicut
lar to "slantendicular posish, in which
they rolled down stairs among the crowd
of boarders and visitors collected upon
the lower floor, who had come in for
their share of the sinking deluge, as it
flew over the edges of the circular stair
way.
Yells of drunken laughter pealed
from the head of the stairs, and meet
ing with tempest of groans, curses,
shrieks, and threats from the foot there
of, mingling in horrid din midway. All
Was tdmult and excitement, the land
lord and the more sober Of the party
urging the others to leave the house and
go OF their camp, while the others vowed
and protested that they would not go
"home till morning" AS this arrange
ment could not be concluded, carriages
were procured and the noisy, drunken
scallawags thrust in and sent off as fast
as possible.
Such scenes as the foregoing are very
frequent among the officers of cur army
and ought to be severely punished. If
private gets drunk, he must go to the
guard house for three or five days, and
fed on bread and water, happy if he
does not spend his term of imprison-
ment at hard labor, but his guzzling
superior goes on his winding way re-