The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-07-31
NOT A STRAGGLER.

One morning after the great battle OF Manas-
sas Plains, Sergeant -, of Co. A, Sixteenth
Mississippi regiment, being baretooted, struggled
off from his command, traversng the battlefield
in pursuit of pair of shoes which some fright
ened Yankee might have thrown away in his
flight After looking for long time in vain,
he at last pretty good pair on the pedal
extremities of a DEAD Yankee He sat down at
the feet Of the dead Yaekee, pulled off his shoes
and put them on his own feet. Admiring the
fit, aud complimenting himself upou this addi-
tion TO his marching abilities, he arose and with
knapsack on his back anG gun in hand he was
about starting to overtake his reg iuent, when
he observed coming towards him small squad
ron of cavalry, all Of whom, as 1t was drizzlng
rain, were wrapped in their large rubber oil
cloth over-coats. 1t will be remembered that
the cavalry frequently assigned to the duty
of picking up stragglers, aud hence there is no
good feeling between the infantry and cavalry.
AS they approached Sergeant -, the fore
most one, asked: "What are you doing here,
sir, away from your command.
That's noneeOf your business" answered the
Sergeant:
You stragsler, sin, and deserve the
severest punishment"
"It's lie, sir-I am not stragsler-l only
left my regiment a few moments ago, to hunt
fight yesterday, ard that's more than you can
say-for where were YOU yesterday when Gen.
Stuart wanted your cavalry to charge the Yam
KEGS after we put 'em running? You were ly-
ing back in the pine thickets ard couldn't be
found; but to day, when there's no danger, you
can come out and charge other men with strag-
Cling"
The cavalryman, instead of getting mad,
seemed to enjoy this raking over from the
plucky little Sergeant, and as he rode on, laughed
heartily at it. AS the squadron was filing
nearly past the Sergeant one Of them remark ed:
"Do you know who you talking top
"Yes-to a cowardly Virginia cavalry man ,"
"No sir-thats Gen. Stuart"
aWhat?"
"And his staff"
"Thunderation -
With this exclamation the Sergeant pulled off
his hat, and readjusting it over his eyes, struck
double quick on the straightest line for his
| regiment.
SINGULAR ROBBERY.-A few evenings since,
as young gentleman walking on the Com
mon, in Boston, he came IN contact with
person going in another direction. Both begged
pardon and passed on. A moment after it oc-
Cured to our hero that there ght be some
thing wrong, and he instinctvely put his hand
to his watch pocket and found that his repeater
was goaa Turning round, he say the person
whom he had SO suddenly met, walking a
lesurely pace, short distance from him
Graspipg bis revolver purchased in garroting
times), he ran toward the robber, came up to
him, drew his pistol and placed it in uncomfort-
able contact with lis head, and in language
more torcible than elegant, demanded his gold
hunter, assuring him that should he hesitate an
instant he should pull the trigger aud cause a
miscellaneous scatter Of brains thereabouts.-
The supposed robber unhesitatingl5 pulled out
watch, gave it to his dangerous opponent and
got out of his way quick as possible
With infinite satisfaction and thankfulness
the young gentleman put the watch into bis
pocket, and in fever of excitement at bis ad
venture, walked home. On his arrival there his
mother noticed the excitement which he was
under, and asked him the reason of it, where
upon he narrated to her the circumstances of
the robbery and Recovery of the watch "Why,'
said She ''your watch is in your room where
you left it after changing your clothes before
you went OUT The young man was dumb
founded, took out the watch from his pocket
with spasmodic twitch, and op beholding 1t
became still more excited, for it was not his -
He went to his room and found his own watch
where he had left it. AS soon as possible, how
ever he advertised his ILL., gotten watch, and
took other measures, hoping to live to ask the
pa rdon of his victim, whom he INDEPENDENTLY
robbed, but at last accounts nothing had been
heard Of him, so that he fears he may be COM
PEELED to keep the watch as trophy of mutual
fright