Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-02-20
The Ana mites Of War.

The Amenities of War.
B. F Taylor, the war correspondent Of
the Chicago Journal, tells the following
interesting story -
Now and then little human smile
br'ghters war grim visage, fash of sum
shine in an angry day. l remember one
that l wish could daguerreo,yre. The
amenities Of battle are so few, how pre-
cious they become! Let me give you that
little touch Of nature which makes the
world KIM A few months ago. the 3rd
Ohio, belonging to S,raight's command,
entered town en- route for Richm ond.
prisoners Of war. Worn down, famished,
hearts heavy and haversacks light, they
herded together, "like dumb, driven cat
tie, to wear out the night. A rebel regi
ment, The 54:h Virginia, being epcamped
near by, many Of its men came strolling
about to see the sorry sight Of supperless
Yankees They did not stare long, but
FASTENED away to camp, and came stream.
ing back with coffee. kettles, corn bread
and bacon, the best they had, and straight
way little fires began to k"dle, bacon was
suffering the martyrdom of Saint Of the
Grdiron, and the aroma of coffee rose
like the fragrant cloud Of thank offering.
Loyal guests and rebel hosts we're ming
led; our hungry boys ate and were salts.
fed, and for that one night our common
humanity stood acquitted of the heavy
charge of total depravi,y, with which it is
b'ackened. Night ard our boys departed
together; the prisoners in due time were
exchanged, aud are row encamred within
rifle shot Of kelly'- Ford, on the banks of
the Tennessee. But often, around the
camp fires have heard them talk Of the
54th Virginia. that proved themselves so
immeasurably better than brother altar
off; heard them wonder where thev we're
and discuss. the chance that they nigh,
ever meet. When they denounced the
"damnable johnny Rebs,' the name of
one regiment, you may be sure, was tuck
ed away in snug place, quite out of the
range Of hard words
And now comes the sequel that makes
beautiful poem of the whole of it. o.
the day Of the storming Of Mission Ridge,
among the prisoners was the sab Nlrgt.
MIA, and Oh Friday, it trailed away across
the pontoon bridge and along the moun.
tain road, nine miles to keily's Ferry
Arrived there, it settled upon the bank
like wa>ps awaiting the boat 4 week
elapsed, and your correspondent f, lluwci
suit. The Major OF the "a Ohio wel,om-
ed me to the warm hospitali,ies of his
quarters, aud almost the first thing he
said was, you should have been here las,
Friday you missed the dtneoun,ent of that
beautiful little drama of ours, whose FIRST
act have told you Would you believe
that the saith Virginia has been here p
Some OF our boys were on duty at the
landing when il arrived "Wha, regiment
is this p they asked, ard when the reply
was given they started for camp like quar-
ter h"rses, and shouted as they rushed in
and out among the smoky cones of "Sb.
lcy's,' the 54lh Virginia is a, the Ferry!
The camp swarmed in ten minutes.-
Treasures Of coffee. bacon, sugar, beef,
preserved peaches, everything were ,urued
out in force and you may believe they
went laden with plenty at double quick to
the Ferry
The same old scene, and ye, how chang.
ed. The twinkling fires, the grateful in,
eense, the hungry captives, but guests and
hosts had changed places; the s,ar.li,
folds hoated aloft for "lhe lonny blue
nag;' debt Of honor was paid to the
u,termost lar,hng. II they had u triumph
Of arms at Chattanooga. hearts were
,rumps at keliy's Ferry And there i, was
and then it was that horrid war smiled
human smile, and grateful, gentle light
H'ckered for moment on the point Of the
bayonet. And yet, should the s4,h Vir.
ginia return tomorrow with arms in their
hands, to the Tennessee, the Sd Ohio wo d
meet them On the bank, fight them foot to
foot. and beat them back with rain so pit.
,iless the river would run red.
The AMNESTY IN uANDnlLLs-A Wash.
inGton letter says the President has had
several thousand copies Of his Proclama'
ton of amnesty printed in handbill form,
to be posted up in conspicuous places in