Nebraska advertiser., 1865-05-04

ODe Jay i was rlullg Out WIFI Ou
medical director to see some sick mel
in hospital that steod away off by it
} self, and after we got through. propos
ed to ride outside of he picket lines tt
see one of the old camps where our ar.
my had lain the year previous, beforf
the battle.
Before we passed the picket, the doc.
tor met one of his assistant surgeons
with whom he stopped to talk little
while, SO / rode on, ltoking about me
with great interest, TWAS all fresh and
pretty now, with green grass and fow-
ers in many places, ver different from
what it had been when ] was there be-
fore, and saw the trees al literally white
with dust, and the streams dried up till
only little muddy poos remained in
places. / remember how sorry / felt
for the poor horses and niles which they
took there to drink from hose pools, for
it was all there was, andit seemed as if
they must all die of heat and thirst
Suddenly came to fullstop, for there
was the'picket before me and he was
demanding my pass. ! dill not have one,
but knew the doctor haC, so ! thought
/ would amuse myself a little until he
came up. The picket wasa small fell
low, with a round sun,blrnt face and
flaxen hair; but his blue Eyes were very.
clear and earnest, and altogether, he
looked like an honest, study soldier.
"Show your pass" be d.manded, CON-
ing close to my horse and raising his
hand for it.
"SuppOse / have none,' answered,
"could you not pass me through the
lines without"
mo, ma'am." r
"What, not for just once"
:No, ma am"
"Would you not if were 10 tell you
that am your generals wife 2"
"No, ma am. My orders are strict;
and if you are the generals wife, you
are the last one to attempt to break his
orders. He says nobody shall go through
without pass, and if you do not show
yours, you must go back"
1 was very much pleased with his re-
ply, for it was as respectfully uttered as
it was decided apd positive. 1t was on
my lips to cry "bravo % but j thought l
would wait and talk while longer and
pretty soon asked him bis name. Then
he told me it was Andy Carer. When
the doctor came up, he produced his pass
and we rode on, while told him about
the talk | had with Andy, and what
faithful little fellow he was for be-
tween you and me, had tried TO bribe
him to pass me through. Offering him a
great deal Of meney just to try him,
which he refused Indignantly. When
| had done this, ! told him that l was
not his generals wife, but the wife of
an officer III the command and only wish
ed to test his fidelity. | shall never
forget the look he gave me when | told
him this. At first it was full of anger
and modification, land then the tears
came to his eyes and he turned his face
away, saying
"It was very unkind of you, ma'am,
to think SO meanly of me. If | am
young, have been a faithful soldier;
and l did lot think that any one doubt
ed me-"
"Nor did l." fastened to say
"Far from it. l have heard your name
a treat many times, and of your brave
conduct in the late. battleF Forgive me
for hurting your feelings. did not in
tend to do so; and rest assured, Andrew
l am your friend, and hope ] always
shall be."
That evening when my husband came
in from headquarters, told him of my
meeting with the little hero, and how
much l liked him. After which he sent
for Andy, and had long talk with him
which resulted in something quite pleas
ant. My husband had him detailed for
duty at headquarters, and he became his
orderly.
Andy was naturally intelligent, but
he had never been to a school in bis
life, and could only spell little. dis
covered this after while, and as soon
as found out that he was eager to learn
/ sent to Memphis for some books, and
began to teach him to read. He stud
led hard and improved fast, taking every
leisure moment he could get for his les
sons, while the other ordsrlies sat about
the steps of headquarters, and smoked,
or amused themselves by teazing the lit
tie negroes.
By.and-by we changed our headquar-
ters to lovely place in Middle Tennes-
see, Pulaski, and Andy was left for