Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-03-31
Little Starlight.


1t was soon after the first Of those terri
bic Wilderness battles Of last spring that
little Starlight made his appearance among
ue.
Now have you any idea who little Star
light was? Very probably, from his ro-
mantle name, you picture him to yourself
as pretty boy-a beau-idal, Young Am
erica, wit. clustering curls, and the reve-
liant blooming precocity Of face and form.
Nothing Of the kind. Our Little Star
light was negro urchin, extremely
small for his age-which might have ocen
fifteen, could we have had date to reck-
on from-and as black as the ace ofspadcs,
when the ace ofspades is excessively black
and shiny. Where he came from, who he
belonged to, how he came among US, we
never exactly knew. He was sort Of a
masculine Topsy, and probably 'growed
somewhere in the vicinity Of our bivouac.
On the morning after the battle ne had
been found in our lines, strutiug about the
camp in very nonchalant way, with
qui *. observing eye for everything ne saw.
His appearance was comical in the ex-
treme. Upon his ebon head, and entirely
concealed crisp wool, was jauntily placed
a span new, artillery cap, which he had
probably picked up from tie field. He
fastend to right shoulder ofhs ragged coat
"A swallow tailed blue of unknown antlq-
uoty-an emense epaulet, probably plum
oercd from some rebel officer; while sill
ken sash of harng crimson was twined ar
round his waist in manner at once strlk-
ing and barbarc, with long end that
tailed behind him like the gaudy tail OF
some verigated tropic bird. His trowsers
we will skip them; let it suffice to say
that they were unmcntionables to the last
degree.
None could tell how the little fellow got
into camp, and he wouldn't tell himself.
The pckets and sentries sWore prodldg'
iousIy that he had not passed them. 80
we were compelled to let the mystery OF
appearance remain unsolved.
1t was shortly after sunrise when the
corporal of the guard brought him before
ME, With
Here's a prisoner. or contraband, Or
something of the kind, chaplain. | just
pieb ed HIN up, aul l don't know what to
do with him.
almost exploded with laughter at see
ing the individual iii question, but lmmed-
lately sat down on stump and proceeded
to investigate. Captain Allen came a long
at the same time, and presently the Major
also dropped in. So we formed ourselves
into an informal court-marital around the
object of our attention, with the view oil
having some amusement for the hungry
| half hour that would elapse before break
fast. The brass Of the al was surprising:
for he never changed fcountenance during
the whole of this ceremony, which we made
a, i'm losing as we could by words and
looks. All eyes were tuered on me ex-
pectantly, so | opened the proceedings.
What is your name, my boy?'
Dunno, mass'r. Spect isn't got none,
was the reply, accompanied with spark
ling grin of extrao dnary breadth, as
Though his anonymous condition was a
matter Of much selt-satistaction.
oh, yon must have some name said,
What did thay call you at home?
Il alters come wi'out calling. But
when l Skinned along kinder slow, some
times they'd sing out, Mig! sometime
Little Nign an den agin, 'Hyar, you
Id Mig" Iii bct dey did, mass RI
Yah. yah | Sc awful cuss, is!' he con-
,inued, swinging his arms 6 eetully about
and shui1ling his bare feet as ii contcm'
plating break down.
Silence roarel the Majcr, who acted
as presiding officer, at the same time knit
ting his brows furiously to conceal the
laughter which was almost checking him.
"Silence or will commit you for CON
tempt!
Somewhat startled by the vchemcncc
of this injunction the little fellow remained
silent, and taking of his cap, strol;ing hi:
mat Of a head in a serious manner, which
was more comical than his mirth.
We'll, my friend resumed, where
d. you come from :? .
No war OBJ late, mass'r. lse been sleep
in out recently. You see Use awful
cuss, is. Yah yah. Isc--
Silence !! roard the judge.
.Sartin sartn, Mass'r. Yah yah !.
Who do you belong to, | resumed.
'Yarh! yah! l amt gotnone. Yer sec
he's gwine away. he is ,
But what was your masters name p
Cunnel Billy
BILLY what?
D4n'no. Yer see dis chicken were left
benin wild ole missus -an' de gals, vile
Mass'r Billy gwne 20 dc war way up to
Rchmo.' An yer see, de old missus she
dun Glib dis mig a lickin,' so | jis sios out
in de night time, CLIMBS inter de barn
steals all der pidgeons, an Glars de track
70: ole Virginny. Yah! yah! Use a
awful cuss, | is
pigeons! What did you do with The
pigeons?' | asked my curiosity carrying
me away from the subject in hand.
,Libs on EN- to be shure, mass'r -
Dey'se bully fodder, nicer dan dc hard
tack. Yah, yah! Use jis' got one left.
And sure enough, as he spoke, he drew
from one oi.the capaeioas pockets Of his
tattered coat sorry looking pigeon, still
alive, which, before We could guess his
inteutiop, he proceeded to pnt to death in
a very summary manner. Nipping the
head of the bird between his finger and
thumb, he twirled the body around in
the air till it fell to the ground, completely
twisted from the head, which remained in