Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-27
HOwTHE CAPTAIN EAT MULE MEAT.

Il y well known fact, that during the
siege Of Port Hudson, mule meat was an ar
tiele Of "provender" issued to the Confed-
crate soldiers after the last COW, sheep and
hog had been killed and eaten. Many of
the soldiers sw0re they wouldn't eatit: while
others, just as determined, said they would
eat anything Daddy Longlegs," as they
humorously called Gen. Gardner. would is
sue to them as rations. But the beginning
was everything-who was 10 take the in
ltlatory IN the matter, so as 10 give the ex-
ample TO Others, there was the rub" Gen.
Gardner, brave as he is noble-hearted, or
defed hfteen pounds from the first mule
killed for his own mess, TO show his men
that he was willing 10 eat Of the same dain-
ties provided for them. His example was
followed by nearly all the command.
Among the officers Of the post, there was
certain Arkansas Captain, commissary in
Gen. BeaPs brigade, who could not bring his
mind to the sticking point" Swallow the
undiluted mule he wouldn't said he couldn't;
and finally swore he'd be burned il he would
not starye first. His brother officers often
joked and quizzed him upon his delicacy in
the matter, but of no avail-the Captain
could not be induced TO solace his internal
arrangements" with roast or fried mule, no
matter how hungry he might be.
One day, while sitting in the rear of our
quarters, indulging in an excellent hash,
the only dish upon the table except shoe
cake" the captain stepped up and seeing us
busily engaged at the meridianal repast, in
qulred the nature Of the dish which seemed
so luxuriant 70 the palate. We invited him
TO partake Of such as we had TO offer and
satisfy himself on the point.
1t is nothing but hash made of piece
OF the last milk COW in the port" encour-
agingly, said we and continued eating as
If life depended upon its rapidity.
Hash, eh last milk COW killed p solilo-
quized the captain, as he slowly seated him
self and commenced shoveling" out
plateful of the fragrant hash. "Why, / |
thought the last COW was killed few days |
gop
'Oh, no there was one saved on the sly |
by the butcher, but old Frank smelt it out. |
and gave orders to have it killed at once |
got a nice piece from the butcher for old ac- |
quaintance sake" said we, as if beef had |
been common article of consumption with |
us all the time.
The captain said no more, but event i'm |
with an appetite The dinner was enliven- |
cd by many sallies Of wit on the part of our /
guest at those condemned by cruel war, to |
partake of the hybrid character of meat
just then much in vogue at the post; nay, he
even invited himselfto dine with us until
our "cow-meat" should be exhausted.
The dinner over, pipes filled with fragrant
leaves of the blackberry, common substi.
tute for tobacco, were passed around, much
10 the qualification of the captain, who de-
clared that he had never dined more sump-
tuously at any time since he had honored
Port Hudson with his presence.
''Glad to hear, cap that You are pleased
with our poor fare"
poor farel think it was excellent. Now.
you see, If / had dined at my quarters, /
should have been compelled to eat that con-
ounded mule meat, or have gone hungry
Tor want Of something better. Thanks, how
ever, TO your kind invitation, have avoided
Inc nauseous dose for one day more, at
least"
We allowed the captain to get his pipe
under full Roadway, before we again broke
he silence.
"Capt. H, you have been very compli-
nentary upon the dinner set before you to-
lay, and are under many obligations for it /;
1ut do you know what you have eaten?"
AT these words he turned deadly pale.
"Know what | have eaten Certainly
You said the hash was made of a piece of
he last mich COW in the port p
$50 we did, Cap, but the truth may as
veil be told now as at any other time. That
lash OGs made Of mule meat p'
"WhatP' roared he, springing to his feet
and you allowed me to eat it without tell
ng me what it was? Look here sir, if /
hought you meant to insult me, P'-here he
'roke down-he could contain himself no |
onger. The "retchings," "short comings,"
md "up-heavings" of our guest can be bet
er imagined than described. Suffice to say,
hat after the joke had exhausted itself at
lis expense, he "came down" as quietly to
lis mule meat as if he had been accustomed
o that sort Of "beeT' all his Louisiana
sugar Planter.