The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1865-01-20

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whisky and when intoxicated became very
laxative, and would tell the most extrava,
CANT "yarns." He was an excellent shot
had plenty of "backbOne" and an insatia-
bic passion for foraging; and when he
went on such expeditions for the benefit
Of "CO. Q" he generally went on horse
back, and carried on his shoulder, an ez'
cellent Colts revolving rife, for which he
had traded, with its original caPtOr WheI
it was out Ofrspair, and which he had
at his leisure put in prime order. But
as the minister said "we pass" from
Morgan for the present, "tO notice,
4th.-the Assistant Blacksmith, another
powerfully built man, Of the lymphatic
temperament. He was a kind, gener.
Gus, and agreeable messmate, and an ar
dent lover Of fun. 5th.-The regiment
al Harness-maker. He was man of me-
dium height and slender, and the "Chief
of good fellows" He was hOusekeeper,
carpenter and cOmissary of the mess, and
under his superior management, the wa
gonmaster's tent always presented that
air of neatness and comfort which would
cause a stranger involuntarily to look
around the premises for the woman that
"kept house." His resources of ingenui.
ty in his efforts to make the mess CON-
Portable we're inexhaustible. He made
luxurious arm-chairs out Of -four barrels,
kept a good level plank floor in the
tent, and had said floor, richly carpeted,
with a costly memento from "Secesh'
parlor. 6th.-The cook, a coal-blacb
specimen of Ethiopian poIiteness, whose
great pride was to perform to the letter
the will Of "Massa Jerry" No. An
invalid Lieutenant of the regiment and
brother of JerFy's; was not a regular
member of the mess, but had during his
late illness accepted the invitation of his
brother to leave his quarters With his
company, and mess with him; that he
might have better opportunity to give him
a brothers attention. He was much
emaciated, and his skin and eyes was Of
that peculiar yellow cast which plainly
betrays a victim of the jaundice. He too
had a passion for fOraging whenever he
was able to ride, and as no sugar or coffee
was issued at that post, and the little that
remained in the hands Of the Post.Comis-
sary could only be bought in small quan
titles and upon the order of commits
stoned officer; the Lieutenant was valua-
bic to the mess, in furnishing money and
orders, to procure those Injuries. Such
is brief description of the members of
this jolly mess; when one evening at
supper Jerry announced that the 74th
and 21st were ordered on foraging ex-
pedition next day. Morgan rubbed his
hands with delight. "Bill' said he ad>
dressing the harness-maker, "lend me cd
"BoIly" and I'll go out and skirmish on
the tanks; and surprise few hen-rosts
for the private benefit of Company O."
"You can have him" said Bill "only don't
let him fall into the hands of Jeff's peo-
pie, for he is very valuable" "NOt that
he is worth more than a thousand in
greenbacks, chimed in the assistant
Blacksmith, but in view of the fact that
you captured him from flock Of crows
who were presenting more "bills than
the poor devil could pay. "He is GER
taiDly very valuable SIS trophy I" "Lord-
almighty, Mass Bill Mass Jerry say you
hOss mighty good for scout" said the
cook. CHOW does Jerry know that, said
Bill. He never rode him! :" "Him say
de hip bones form sich cute angle dat de
secesh bullets glance off on de high
pOfanuze +! yah yah" and the white Orbs
of the "cOllud gemman" rolled with
delightful consciousness of mathematical
perfection. The horse in question was
indeed rare specimen. The prominence
Of his ribs, taken in connection with the
other "fns points of the anima',
was highly suggestive of that "fne"
physical condition which is universally
attained by spending a summer at Libby
Prison; or one of the other popular, and
fashionable Watering-places Ofthe South. !"
The next days foraging was the sole
topic of the conversation during the even
ing, and even after bedtime had arrived,
and Bill had spread the neat bed upon the
tent floor, and one by one, the members
Of the mess had stretched themselves upon
the common couch; the fOraging party
was still the theme and when the brave
fellows sank into the arms of " MOrphe-
US " they dreamed-nOt alone of home,
and wife, and friends; but of the daring
forage scouts; the well filed wagon, and
the subsequent delicious repasts upon the
rebelliOus chickens, turkeys, hams andveg-
etables that had stubbOrnly refused to take
the oath of allegiance. Morning came,
and the foraging expedition started at an
early hour, accompanied by Jerry Morgan,
and two other members of Jerry's mess.
The morning was beautiful, and as we
crossed the bridge and marched leisuFely
down the river, we were cbeered by the
sweet music of the birds, invigOrated by
the balmy morning air, and pleased by the
beautiful autumnal landscape as the mean
derings of the road presented. Now the
placid bosom Of the majestic rock-bOund
Cumberland, and anon, the gorgeous col
ors of the forests on the distant hills. On
went the train and guard sweeping the
country of every thing edible. At length
the advance guard was attacked by the
enemy. The infantry and artillery we're
hurried forward and placed in position. A
-Ia-A II II G-LA - II kho