The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-12
BRIDGEPoRT, ALA,
Eah 4 1854 {

HSDs T. 1OOt.
Permit me to cast aside the garb and
manner of soldier, to ignore the subject
of war entirely, and commune with your
readers as a simple citizen, who is To-
qusciOusly inclined, but scarcely knows
to begin.
Twilight is just deepening into sable
gloom, and here little star is struggling
to be first among the uncounted throng,
that come out bright to twinkle for hu-
manity, here below, cit is the business
of all beautiful things to exhibit"
''The weary sun hath made golden set,
And by the bright track Of his fiery car
Gives token Of gOodly day to morrow"
Which is literally true as regards the
conduct of that luminous orb at this time
and place. A faint streak of crimson
still fingers low down in the horizon to
the west.
The flag at Headquarters has been
hauled down from its elevated position
to lie like shapeless rag in the corner,
until the dawn of another day, when it
will go up again to the top of the Ala
bama pole, which takes pride in supply
ing it, and claims all the immunities the
ofAmnesty Proclamation for this evidence
of its loyalty.
Speaking of Flags reminds me of some
of those from New York City, presented
to regiments of that State. They are
generally embsleshed with the arms Of
the city. Under the worthy Governor
VIM. Kieft, knickerbOcker Of the oldest
time; the arms of the city of New Am
sterdam were Beaver beneath = Wind
Mill, which is suggestive of the fact, as
Irving says, "thst the patient industry of
the Dutch was to be OvertOpped by the
t0indy speculation of the Ysnkees"
The Wind Mill snd Beaver remain
quartered in the city arms TO this day,
and IS often as see the municipal Colors,
I am reminded cf this witty saying, by
writer for whom 1 have always enter
tanned the highest respect and sdmirs
ton.
"Retreat' was sounded by bugle, ife,
and drum, some time since, and l have
taken seat by the side Of nay unique
Fireplace, and dispensing with heavy
books, have encAsed my pedal extremi-
ties in slippers! Do you stare with
wonder at the idea of slippers for
a soldier? Well, you need not, for I
wrote slippers and the printer has made
no mistake unless be has left out one of
the p's," which is not improbable. I
have pair Of them, recently :" worked"
by my juvenile daughters, not by one
Of the daughters for that would be selfish,
but by all, the mother included; in order
that might see the whole family when
! look down upon them.
There goes our Post Qusrtermaster, his
big, burly figure having just darkened
my door by coming between it and the
crimson light which still clings to the
western horizon. Quartsrmssters are
generally, Fat and sleek fellows, and ride
dne horses, noted for the same peculi-
arities. They live well too,-so well that
even Generals rarely decline an invitation
10 dine with them.
Oar Quartsrmaster reminds me Of
description of WOuter Van Twiller, the
first governor Of New Amsterdam, who |
s represented as having been exactly
i've feet and six inches in height, and /
lix feet and five inches in circumference !
The figures might not be precisely ap-
1licable to the measurement, bat there
would at least be sn approximation.
A poor woman with = baby in her
rms asks TO be directed to the Provost
darsbars quarters. She has husband,
refugee who is At work for the govern
nent at Nashville. She wishes 10 join
lin, End desires to see the Provost Mar
Ial in order to get the necessary papers.
She inquiries for = doctor also, and the
ent which is occupied by 6alsn is
pointed out She pleads with the man
# tbss calpel for little "sperrits" for her
lex baby. This looks suspicious, bat
mankind are uncharitable-vsry. Pos
IDLY the dirty little innocent may have
,een accustomed to imbibe strong drink
rom its earliest bAbyhOod. The custom
5 an ancient one, and therefore entitled
. respect Among the Greeks 1t was
.sul to give wine to children while