The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-03
"Oh, you must havcSome namc." said.
"what did they call you at home?'

presiding oncer, NJ tno Same timo knisHuc
his brows iuriously to conceal the laughter
which almost choked him. Silence, or
will commit you for contempt"
Somewhat startled by the vchemcnco o.
this injunction the little fellow remained 81
lent, and taking of his cap, strokiug his ma
ofa head in a serious manner, which wa,
more comical than his mirth.
"Well, my FRIEND" ! resumed, "whero de
you come irom?" -......
"No whar OBJ late, mass'r. i'se beer
sleepin' out recently. Yer SEQ I'sc awful
cuss, I is. Yah! yah I'se-
"Silence!'! roared the judge.
"Sar.in. sartin, mass'r. Yah! yah!
"who do you belong TO-" I resumed.
"Yah |! yah ain's got none. Yer see
he's gwine away. hc is"
"But what was your masters name!"
"Cunnel Billy"
"Billy what?"
"Dun'no. Yer see dis chicken were left
behin' wild old missus an de gals, vile Mas
s'r Billy gwino to de war way upto Richmo'.
An yer see. dc old missus she dun glib dis
mig lickin'. SO jis slips out in dc night
time, climbs inter dc barn, steals oil dc pig.
cons. an Glars do track for old Virginny.
Yah yah ESQ awful cuss, is."
"Pigeons! What did you do with the
pigeons!" asked, my curiosity carrying
me away from this subject in hand.
"Libs on 'em to be sbure, mass'r! Dey
is bully fodder, nicer den dc hard tack.
Yah yah! Use got jis' one left"
And sure enough, as he spoke. he drew
from one Of the capacious pockets Of his tat
tered coat sorry looking pigeon still alive,
which. before VIC could guess his intention,
he proceeded to put to death in a very SUN.
mary manner. Nippins the head of the bird
between his finger and thumb, he twirlcd
the body around in the air till it fell 20 the
ground, complotely twisted from the head,
which remained in hishand.
"what are you doing that for" lex
claimed, somewhat horrifcd at what l saw,
as were the rest of the Court"
The little fellow threw away the pigeon 8
head without answering, picked up the body
and laid il at my feet with "Yah yah }"
from which judged that it meant as a pres
en-. for my breakfast.
"well. what is the decision Of the Court?''
said laughing, and turning to the Major.
al really do not know" was the reply.
"Ask the monkey il he will fight and which
side he favors."
Iput tho question.
"De Union all do time, shore!" was the
enthusiastic reply.
"What can YOU do?"
The li,,lo fellow cast comprehensive
glance around him in every direction. as IL no
could do any and everything under tho sun,
and was merely puzzled upon which to try
his hand for an outset.
At length his eye caught sight Of kittle-
drum which was taking an airing short dis
tance OF, and with a guffaw Of delight he
run toward it. Quick as thought the strap
was over his shoulder, the sticks were in his
hands and throwing back his head with q
gesture Of pride. he rolled oifthe reveillo with
The flourish and accuracy Of a master.
"Bravo!" cried Captain Allen. "You're
tho man we want. Why not havo him
drum for our company1" no added, turning
to me. johnny went to tho hospital day
before yesterday, and we have had but little
music since" .....
can excellent idea :" said 1.
The Major also agreed; and Starlight, to
his infinite satisfaction, was forthwith in.
stalled rs second drummer.boy. Company O,
|-th New York Infantry.
His name-by which he was altogether
known among us-- originated, at the sugges-
ton OF one Of the officers. In che wonderfully
starry aspec. Of the night preceding tho early
morning ofhis "capturo." a'h
lie was favorite in the company, and a
standing joke with tho regiment. in single
day. No one could surpass him on tho
drum. and he never complained Of too much
work. We made him wash himself thor
oughly IN the river, and thcn presented him
with q genuine uniform, Of which hc ap-
peared as proud as q young peacock Of her
sprouting tail.
Little Starlight was not one Of rs long,
but II I should undertake to describe one-hali
of his whimsical characteristics "the Gun
would 70 down on the unfinished tale"
He never got out Of humor. was never eI'
ce.sively hungry. and his slender frame was
Of iron mould. lie endured, without mur-
muir or any marks Of fatigue. marches which
tired to the utmost the stalwart frames OF
hardened veterans, ard would. alter tho
march, executs wish gusto dozen break
downs. jim Crow, and Bob Ridleys for the
diversion Of the weary regiment. J mover
saw him ainch when under 6re, and | have
seen him under the hottest. He had pen
chant for obtaining trophies on tho Aeld OF
battle; and carried 50 many knives and pis-
l tolls upon bic person that he was quite Q