Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-03-31
ELLSWORTH, NAINE FRIDAY MARCH 81 1865

! the Major.
II really do not know" was the reply.
"Ask the monkey if he will fight and
which side he favors."
put the question.
"Dc Union all the time, snore !" was
the enthusiastic reply.
"What can you do?'
The little fellow cast comprehensive
glance around him in every direction. as
# he could do any and every thing'under
the sur, and was merely puzzled upon
which to try his hand Tor an outset.
At length his eye caught sight of a
kettle drum which was taking an airing
short distance off, and with gufaw
Of delight he ran toward it. Quick as
thought the strap was over his shoulder,
the sticks were in his hands, and throw
ing back his head with gesture of pride,
he rolled off the revillee with the flourish
and accuracy Of a master.
."Bravo." cried Captain Allen. You're
the man we want. Why not have him
drum for our company" he added, turn
ing to me. johnny went to the hospital
day before yesterday, and we had but
little music since"
"An excellent idea," said |.
The Major also agreed and Starlight
to his infinite satisfaction, was forthwith
installed as second drummer-boy, Com
pany C,-the New York Infantry.
His name-by which he was altogether
known among us-origiaated, at the sug-
eestion of one of the officers, In the
wonderfully starry aspect OF the night
preceding the early morning of his cap
ture.'
He was fayorite in the company, and
a standing joke with the regiment in
single day. No one could surpass him
GU the drum, and he never complained OF
too much work. We made him wash
himself thoroughly in the river, and then
presented him with a genuine uniform, OF
which he appeared as proud as young
peacock after a sprouting tail.
Little Starlight was not one OF US long,
but if | should undertake to describe Que
half of his whimsical characteristics "the
sun would 90 down on the unfinished
tale"
lie never got out of humor, was never
excessively hungry, and his slender frame
was of Iron mould. lie eudured withuot
murmur or any marks Of fatigue
march which tired to the utmost, the
stalwart frames of hardened veterns, and
would, after the march, execute with
eusto, dozen breakdowns, Jim Crows
and Rob Rldleys for the diversion of the
weary regiment. never saw him finch
when under fire, and have seen him un
der the hottest. lie had u penchant for
obtaining trophieSon the field OF battle
and carried so mlny knives and pistols
upon his person, that he was quite walk
inc arsenal. More than once he wss seen
to use his fire arms, and if at long range
it was, nevertheless, with the best intcn-
tions.
1t is true he had his foiblcs, and grave
ones. lie was natura-born thief, and
my most impressive sermcnizing totally
failed to convince him of the gravity OF
his fault. He seemed to consider himself
naturally depraved, and was therefore
philosophically complaccnt with his sin,
meeting my admonltlons with his usual
"psc a awful cuss, mass'r l is" lu my
heart, search as | would, | could fad
less of blame than pity for him when l
though, Of the criminal neglect which
must have attended his bringing up, with
that of the rest Of his wronged and un
fortunate race. Besides, the materla
effects of his thieving were not consldera
BILE. There was not SO much to steal ii
the first place. and when any one dil
mMs anything worth retaining, tigl
clutch upon Staright's wi.dpipc and ;
few preposterous threats would generally
cause him to "shell out" the missing arti
Gle, if it was really in his posscsslon.-
And it seemed generally conceded tina
( his virtues more than counter balanced
his foble. For his hand was ready t.
support wounded man to an ambulance
as it was at riiling the pocket OF ial!ei
foe,
There was enc thing alone which al
most redeemed himiu my eyes; and tha
Was his passionate desire for freedom
his enthusiastic devotion to the caus
under whose banner he served.
Ny duty as chaplain were in sad de
mand in the bloody battle days, whe'
ministrations to the dying and prayer
for the dead we've SO frequently requir
ell, but f. uni some time, nevertheless
to devote to Starlight. The little heather
always listened with the protoundes'
gravity to every thing | said, but with !
pcrccptble stolidity which often dis
coura gcd me, except when | spoke of the
future OF his race. of their prospects O.
freedom aal improvement. Ills eyes
would light up at this, his expressive
features would fairly glow with en-
thuslasm.
"Yes, mass'r,' he one dry exclaimed
II feels 1t in my bones. It'll come roun
or nother. knows I'll be free p
You are so already" said l. "Thl
Presidents proclamation has made yol
SO. You have nothing to fear.
"Jis" SO mass'r," he reoliel. I'D,
Presilen' he am nice man. he am. Blu
doesn't ieei it in the bones yet /; [ neb
er will till git to him. yer know. Jis
lemme git on TO him only once -
s"On to whom % | asked.
"On to de ole man-Cunncl Bill y
Jis' lemme get on to hsm, den III b
free J"
"Yeu surely would not kill YOUR Ok