Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1863-06-17
From the Rebel.
In a Box.

The soldiers of Gen. Bragg'S army are ripe
for fght-not that they delight i'll carnage
but they know that the job Of whipping Ro-
sencranz and bis marauders, soon or late, has
to be performed, aud they ere anxious to do
it with as little delay aspossible. While this
is the feeling of ninety nine hnndredths OF
the soldiers. we arc occasionally panied to
hear Of black sheep III their flock. We
have Just. been told of'one whose exploits
should be conspicuously registered. We ouly
regret that we are not able to give his name,
therefore we shall call him John Smith. He
belongs to the o5th Tennessee regiment, Col.
Hughes. The facts are these:
A few days ago an old gentleman who re-
sides either in Jackson or Putnam county,
drove a little wagon into Wartrace, loaded
with large box Of pies. After he had sold
out his entre stock, he CHANGED to meet a
soldier of mis- acquaintance--the aforesaid
John Smith. John very gravely informed
him that he was very desirols TO 60 home
and take another look at the scenes of his
childhood. He now saw all opportunity Of
gratifying his long pent up wishes. The said
box was sufficiently capacious to hold his
corporositn, aud he asked the privilege Of
becoming its inmate until ne could be drawn
beyond the pickeis. The pie hantthought
it would be decidedly naughty for him to
haul out Of Warlrace, in this strange and
unique manner, so precious load Of humani
ty; but finding that John had fixed his whole
heart on the scheme, and no argument could
change the direction of his thoughts and de.
s;res, he told him to bundle up his clothes
and be ready for shipment at q moments
warning. W.hereupon the old gentleman,
alias The Pie merchant, called on Johns Colo
mel and untolded the round, unvarhished facts
already given. Col. Hughes ridiculous bap,p
was maniftstly touched, and he a. once said
"Box him mp and carry him as far rs the
river. T1ere you will fnd me and some o.!
my men ready to charge you wish having
contrlband goods in your bvx, and t. demand
search" II was not long before the Pie
merchant made his Appearance on the r'ai
designated with his wagon anu box, and
when he had reached lie middle of tue river
ne was ordered TO halt "What have you in
YOUR box?' was the inquiry made. Pies"
reuied the old man. =" do not believe ii;
YOU nave w!iskcy, ard in,eLd 10 make my
bows throw your box iato the stream" Oil
with it,n cried be. Two Of his soldiers
promptly obeyed this order. They not o'''y
iun,blcd the box into tue river, which was
about three feet deep but they jumped rpol,
it. Poor John now found himself in bad
box aud how to get out was the iesilon. H!y
81 sort Of instinct he kicked off side plank,
and out ,rotruled one leg. There WAS not "a
moment 10 be lost i'll lis watcry quarters with
pu; herculeau eii' ',rts at eX;ric'.Ii1n. and mosl
paila,:tlv did John use all tie implements IA.
turr had given him. Having cleared away
the obstrucmous at hi- leet, he made plunge
at the other erd Of he box, almost equal To
the lDrce Of battering ram, wien out p',pr"c
his head, and he >hnn'ef l;k..a whale. '",ai
we're ynn doing in that box e demanded III"
Colonel u was only after a little tan,"
rnuttered John. " Welip said Col. Hughes,
- reckon You have found it--now pat back
To your rec simcrt." need not add that 'I:'hn
returned u wiser If not Il better rn1r (; aid rs
the story passed from c"nil"ny TO c,'lnr"n:E,
i!lc woods rcsound"d with shouts ui Laughter.