, 1864-08-08
Pat and the Pig.


men that ever left the Emerald Isle to SOW
his wild oats in a foreign land, Patrick
Flanagan was one among the chief Al
ways ready for frolic or fight, he was
one of the first to shoulder his mrlsket in
defence of his adopted country against a
most gigantic rebellion, and within his
manly breast he carried a soldiers heart to
the end Of his mortal career. Better men
perhaps have died, but never a bravcr one
faced the iron hail Of n belching battery
and when at last his cold and ghastly form
was borne back from the ensanguined front
of desperately fought battle, to find its
last, quiet rest in a soldiers grave, many a
comrades eye paid sad tribute to his men,
ory.
Poor Pat was the life of his mess; and
Of all those that knew him intimately, not
one will ever forget him for the fun that
made light and pleasant many an otherwise
dull and gloomy hour. He seemed to be
always in good spirits, and had cheerful
smile and word for everybody; but his best
friend was not safe from his joking propen-
sities, which he would indulge at any cost
and every hazard. Thus he was cOntinu-
ally getting himself into scrapes that threat
ened something serious, and getting him.
self out Of them in manner peculiar to
Patrick Flanagan.
Pat was an Irishman all over-in fun,
frOlic, fight, warm blood, rich brOgue. and
mother wit. At dance, at wake, drink
ing whiskey, singing songs, telling stories,
,,,ol ol-;,r, lo,.o o,onksnr, baoIa ~, nborryinnr n
battery, he was at home, in his element, and
acknowledged no superior, and at eight
and-twenty years of age he had seen as
much Of life as could well be crowded into
that little space. He had slender form,
light hair, twinkling blue eyes, and merry
mischief all over hisrather handsome face,
which was SO prepossessing as to win on
sight the regard Of nine men out Of ten.
We have not set out to write history Of
poor Pat-which might be done with quite
as much advantage to the public as some
we know of-but, only to record one or two
amusing "reminiscences, as related by one
Of his soldier comrades.
The regiment to which our hero obelonged,
and which, for important reasons, we will
not name, was sent to do duty in part Of
Virginia where the Inhabitants were sup
posed to be about half loyal, and strict or
ders were given not to molest private prop
erty, nor in any way, disturb the citizens in
their peaceful occupations. That these or
defs were not always obcyed, the COLONEL
soon inferred from q long string Of COM
plants that were made at headquarters, by
farmers and others living anywhere within
circle Of Eve miles. Chickens, geese,
turkeys, pigs, and even calves, had begun
to disappear in every quarter; and as such
awful things had never happened during
the recollection of the oldest inhabitant,
prior to the statiOning of the regiment in
that locality, it was strongly suspected the
soldiers had more to do with the matter
than the boldest Of them were willing to
confess. The colonel, who feared he might
be called to account by his superiors, be
came excited, alarmed and enrgcd, and
threatened vengeance upon the aggressors;
new orders were issued, the guards were
doubled, spies were put. upon the watch,
and the men were required TO have passes
to 60 beyond a certain limit. In this way
quiet was once more restored, and the fowls
and pigs were again allowed to pass their
nights in peace.
ats nesiIf now as doesn't ike it, at all
at all" said Pat one day, as Christmas was
drawing near. "Sure, its not doing the
dacent thing, to kape US on hard tack and
salt Junk, like so many haythen, wild the
blissed Christmas right forninst US, and 50
many swate, fresh critters running loose all
aboot US. Be gorra, I'll not stand it, no
more L won'tf and if don't have one
Christmas meal, then tell me I'm not an
Irishman."
Doubtless Pat would have made his word
good, but for an accident, to which all hu-
man nature is liable. As no complaints
had been made by the citizens for some
considerable time, the severe camp regula-
tions had become 50 much relaxed, that
Pat found little difficulty in getting past
the sentries at night and getting back on
three different occasions; with, first, live
turkey-secondly two respectable live hens
and thirdly, live pig-all Of which
were intended for Christmas feast, and
only to be killed on the eve before the holi.
day. These were put up in separate boxes,
in the shanty occupied by his mess, and
Pat took care to keep them from starving
till the appointed time Of butchery. The
pig was the most troublesome, for he would
sometimes grunt and squeal through the
day; but by covering the box over with
number Of blankets, and, talking loud or
singing, If any of the superior officers