Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-06-22
VOLUME XVI.


who the ID can make rations or firewooC
out of them. l say I've right to grumble
and I'll do it ! 1t does me good"
That's right, Blake, !" exclaimed another
"speak the truth and shame the devil. Aim
we all half starved? Besides, | like t,
know the man in the Pennsylvania lin,
that's got whole coat or two shirts to his
back It's time to grumble when yol
come to that" ... ... .
That's all very true, if there's any go
by it," interposed fourth speaker. ~
you could only grumble the mess into ful
rations and warm quarters, I'd jine with al
my heart"
Corporal Garter continued his game, YET
while he seemed to disregard alike the con
versatiOn and the defiant attitude of the
principal malcontent, Blake he had listen.
ed to every word with a greedy ear He
was man of keen perception, firm patriot
ism, and indomitable energy qualifications
which had enabled him for long time tC
lose sight of his own privations, and hole
in check those inferior spirits who, although
true to the cause of the colonies and theil
native land, were not insensible to the
physical suferings which the circumstan-
ces of an unequal war had inflicted upon
them. He was, in fact, just such man as
| Napoleon Bonaparte would have converted
into a field Marshal, or at least Brigadier
| Nor was his influence confined to his own
company. In all the subordinate messes of
| the Pennsylvania line, his name was as well
| known as General Wayne himself, who
| commanded ; and in all their petty alterca-
| tions Corporal Carter was called in as the
arbiter or court Of appeal, and his decis-
| ions, when made, were as conclusive as the
verdict of court martial.
For long time, in common with his
comrades, he had endured all the privations
attendant on the poverty of the colonies,
and what appeared to be the indifference of
Congress to their wants, and the apathy of
the people. He saw, too, the growing dis
content among the troops, amounting at
times, to insubordination and almost to alb
solute revolt, and while his best energies
were employed among the crank and file" :"
to maintain correct discipline he had him
self felt, and keenly too, that they were en-
titled to something better than starvation
and nakedness for their services. Still no
means within the reach of his humble sta
tiOn had suggested itself to his mind by
which their condition might be improved
He knew the officers of the line were obli-
ged to share more or less, with privates
there notifications and wants, and that
| consequently, an appeal to them would be
not only futile. but ungenerous. So he had
made up his mind to do his duty, hope for
the best, and abide the issue
He listened, therefore, to the slight ebbu-
lition of insubordination just quoted, with
deep interest. Knowing that a similar
spirit pervaded the whole brigade, he saw
plainly that unless some measures were
speedily adopted to keep the crank and
file together, the service would be dis
graced by general desertion, or, perhaps, an
unbridled mutiny. The conversation in the
mess continued, growing less and less pa
cific, and the Corporal finished his game at
call fours," losing his Jack" in the last
hand, by paying too much attention to 9TH
er matters. He then arose from the table,
and addressing Black, as though he had
not heard what was passing demanded the
cause of his complaint.
Black answered by holding up an apol-
ogy for boot, through the front of which,
five discolored toes, that disda ined the COW
ering of a stocking, were protruded. At
this symbol Of suffering, and manifest cause
of complaint, the discontented soldier poin-
ted, with look of peculiar significance
al know it." said the Corporal, as he
glanced at the dilapidated covering, "and
now look at mine. It's Hobson's choice
with us, and there's not much to brag of be-
tween the two or for that matter between
us or old Mad Anthony himself, for if the
truth was known, he's not much better off,
Pm thinking don't we all share and share
alike 2"
"Well, s'pose we do, that don't warm
us, nor give rations Pm tired O the SER
vice, and mean to quit it somehow"
"What quit Gen. Washington ! sup
pose the next thing you will do will be to
join the red coats they give full rations
and better pay, Pm told"
Look here, Corporal Carter" exclaimed
Black, if it wasn't you, by Cd I'd knock
you down for that. Don't you talk to me
about jinin' the red coats Pm as true to
liberty as you or any other man, and if | do
quit the service it'll be because | can't
keep body and soul together in it--don't
say that again"
"Well," said the Corporal, soothingly, II
didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but you
mustn't talk that way, it's Christmas Eve,
you know, and we are promised double ra-
tlons tomorrow keep your spirits up,
boys, and if you will leave it to me- I'll see
If we can't wake up Congress, and get
something done for u.s."
This proposition was received with a
burst OF appreciation by all present, and an
unanimous declaration that they would be
governed by the Corporal in everything.
My first order, then," said he, "is, that
that not one word of what has passed in
the mess tonight, shall be uttered by any
man to another. Do you all promise obedi-
ence 2"
We do ! we do !" was the universal re
sponse, "GOod night !"
The 1st day of January, 1871, dawned on
the village of Morristown New Jersey, in a
clear, brilliant winter morning The ground
was covered with a light coating of snow
and the air was just sufficiently sharp, cold
and bracing, to give elasticity to the mind
and vigor to the frame. In consequence OF
the ill-conditiou of his troops, the morning
parade of Gen. Wayne, Or as he was some.
times called, Mad Anthony, had been a
matter more of form than of fact, for sever
al days, and for the New Year a general
holiday to the men had been announced in
orders. The officers of the command had
made arrangements to nav their reSnects tC