The weekly union record., 1864-06-18
Gut with Mcclellan.

We were three-three miserable objects-in
tent, shivering over a wretched little charcoal
stove, and calculating The value Of promotion
after placing against it the et-of Of wounds
death, disease, starvation, general misery and
the other numerous peris and privstions TO be
encountered during campaign in an enemy's
country. !, John Robinson, Englishman
thought and said that, sooner than be there as
Lieu enant of the 00th Rifles l would turn
quill driver at home; Maurice Byrne, from the
sister isle, said be had never made but one bull
IN his life. and that was in coming out TO the
States upon glory chase while Washington
White growled at things in general, "cussed"
the Southerners, and spat 10 the FIRE to hear it
fzzle.
We had all found out that war in earnest
and being out 10 full review order, we're Two
vastly different things; the tinsel and glitter
had all gone, and the rags, mud misery, and
short rationS, had placed a most undeniaby
wet blanket upon the spirits OF three as merry
hearted subs as ever cried Right wheel" to
company. We lay encamped upon the bank
OF river waiting 10 make our next sirategical
movement. The men were all dispirited. the
camp one vast slough rations Short and fatigue
parties busiy at work all day long carrying
the sick up to hospital in the nearest town.
And so we sat. hungry and low spirited, over
the beggarly little fire in our tent.
Maurice was the most light-hearted fellow
amongst US, but, on this occasion. he was the
gloomiest of the trlo he evidently had some
thing on his mind, and with his chin buried
In his hands, eant silently over the FIRE. The
night was setting in dark and gloomy; and after
peeping out, dropped the canvas and proposed
q smoke.
All said Washington; bring out those
weeds, Maurice"
4 Maurice was guardian of the cigar stock,
and two-the only remaining couple of our
last box-reposed in his trusty charge. But
Maurice could not hear the demand, and still
sat moody gazing at the glowing embers
Come, said |, lets have a smoke some
thing better may turn up to morrow"
Only one left. said Maurice.
Only one :" we echoed; "then where's the
other %
Smoked it last night in the trench. -
growled the culprit. Shouldn't have been
here If hadn't, it was so cold"
The temptation was great, and, now that the
murder was cut, Maurice seemed eased in his
mind, and asked pardon for breaking faith,
which pardon was graciously accorded.
I "Well, out with the other,' said |.
! The last OF the Havanas was produced and
accurately divided into three portions, for the
choice of which We drew lois, when the best
end fell to my share. Maurice obtained the
middle, and Whtewash. as we called him, had
to content himself with the top end. lit up
at once, and, under the soothing canopy of
smoke which | spread over my head, set myself
to watch my companions proceedings Maurice
took out pensnife, and begun to shred bis
mi n t0h ,oh 10
started an old Guilty meerschaum while
Whiewash cut off one little cylinder and
commenced chewing. The last was the most
saving plan, and our companion was quietly
maslicating, when | had burnA down to
within The eighth of an inch of my lips, singing
my mousache, aud even after the meerschaum
had been replaced in its case
Rather dry work." ] said at last
Lets wet it, then" said Maurice.
ianced detected a shade Of uneasiness
crossing the features of oA Yankee friend. but
be quietly ugged out large leather covered
flask, and passed it over TO NE. had begun
to feel uneasy about the rum. but on taking Of
the leather envelope, there was the quantity
IN tuil tale, but with ,inge of pallor 10 lis
complexion that did not look wholesome. |
hiled up cur iin measure, and handed White
wash his tot which disappeared 10 silence.
ihe measure was replenshed. and | passed it
10 Maurice; be tasted it, smelt it, and then
burst cut vith-"Wathered -
tasted the stuff and sure enough. the rum
had turned into rum and water, and we both
turneAt Whiiewash for an explanation. His
hang-dog look bespoke the culprit. and. after
shutfing about for minute, as in doubt where
TO bestow his-lOng legs, he broke out
There, cuss it ALL bow could help il?
Last night would have drowned fellow, if he
badn't had some spirit in him.
Maurice was helpless as 40 accuser on
account of the cigar delinquency and l dared
not take the high post of j1dse for fear they