Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1865-01-27
IFrom Leaves from an ofacers Journal ]
"Sambo on Guard"

shall never try such an experiment, again,
and have cautioned my officers agains; II.
eTis wonder escaped with life and limb
such charging of bayoners and clicking
of gun-locks Sometimes tempted them
by refusing to give any countersign, but
offering them piece of tobacco, which
they could not accept wiihou; allowing me
nearer than the prescribed bayonel's dis.
tance. Tobacco is more than gold to them,
and it was touching to watch the struggle
in their minds; but they always did their
duty at last, and never could persuade
them. One man, as if wishing to crush
all his inward vacilations al one fell stroke,
told me stoutly that he never used tobacco,
though found next day that he loved it
much as any one of them. 1t seemed
wrong thus to tamper with their fidelity;
yet it was vital matter to me TO know
how far it could be trusted, ou, of my sight.
1t was so intensly dark that not more than
one or two knew me- even after had talk
ed with the very next sentinel, especially
as they had never seen me in India-rubber
clothing, and can always disguise my
voice. 1t was easy to distinguish those
who did make the discovery they were
always conscious and simpering when their
turn came while the others were stout
and irreverent till revealed myself, and
have offended.
1t rained harder and harder, and when
/ had nearly made the rounds, had had
enough OF it, and simply giving the coun-
tersign to the challenging sentinel, under
took to pass within the lines.
"Halt!' exclaimed this du-ky man and
brother, bringing down his bayonei,-" de
countersgn not correct"
Now, the magic word, in this case, was
"Vicksburg," in honor Of rumorrd vic-
tory. But as / knew these hard names
became quite transformed upon their lips,
Carthage" being familiarized into Cart
ridge, and f" Concord" into Corn-cob, bow
could possibly tell what shade Of Pronun-
citation my friend might prefer for tl,is
particular proper rame
Vicksburg," repeated, bIandly, but
authoritaiively, endeavoring as zea'"u<y
as one of Christy's Minstrel>, to a>>imlate
my speech to any supposed prediction IF
the Ethiop vocal organs.
Halt dar Countersign not correct"
was the only answer.
The bayonet still maintained position
which, in a military point of view, was im-
/ pressive.
tried persuasion, orthosraphy. threats,
tobacco, all in vain. | could not pass in.
/ OF course my pride was up, for was | 10
defer to an uniu,ored African on g int
of pronunciation Classic shades Of Har-
ward, forbid Affecting scornful inditftr-
ence, | tried to edge away, proposing 10
myself to enter the camp at some other
point, where my elocuiion would be better
appreciated. Not a step could stir.
Halt y shouted my gentleman again
still holding me at bis bayonet's point, aud
/ winching and halting.
explained to him the extreme absurdity
, of this proce eding, called bis attention lc
, the state of the weather, which, indie ed
, spoke for itself so loudly that We coulc
hardly hear each other speak and request
| al ..l i ho,,
with mute eloquence, refused the appli
! cation.
There flashed into my mind. with more
4 enjoyment in the retrospect than had ex
D perienced at The time, an adventure on
lecturing tour in other years, when hat
spent an hour in trying 10 scrabble into
country tavern, after bedtime, on the cold
0 est night of winter. On that occasion
9 ultimately found myself stuck midway il
: the window, with my head in tempera
: ture of 80 deg, and my heels in temper
+ ature of 10 deg, with a heavy window
b sash pinioning the small of my back. How
y ever, had got safe cut of that dilemms
r, and it was time to put an end TO this one.
e s. Call the corporal of the guard sal
It /, at last, with dignity, unwilling either t
IS to make night Of it or TO yield my in
n cognio.
l. Corporal ob de guard!' he shouted
IS Justify Post Number Two!" while
Is could hear another sentinel chuckling wit
S. laughter. This last was special auar
e placed over tent, with prisoner
e charge. Presently he broke the silence.
70 "Who am dat p he asked. in stag
Of whisper. "Am he buckra shiie man
10 "DuUno whether he been butkia ,
l. moi" responded, dogsedly, my Cel berus
r. uniforms shut fse bound 10 keep III
b. here till de corporal ob de guard come"
l. Yet. when that dignity arrived, a. d
le releaved myself poor Number Two al
peared utterly transfxed with terror, al
il seemed to look for nothing less than ia
e, mediate execution. OF course prai' {
es his fidelity, and the next day cOnpli'urr' It
Is him before the guard, end mentioned hi