Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-03-27

1t is we'll known fact that during
the siege of Port Hudson mule meat was
an article OF provender issued to the
Confederate soldiers, after the last COW,
sheep and hog had been killed and eaten.
Many of the soldiers swore they wouldn
eat it; while others, just as determined,
said they would eat anything Daddy
Longlegs,' as they humorously called
Gen. Gardner, would issue to them as
rations. But the beginning was every
thing-who was to take the initiatory IN
the matter, so as to give the example to
others, there was the rub General
Gardner, brave as he is noble-hearted,
ordered fifteen pounds from the first mule
killed for his own mess, to show his men
that he was willing to eat of the same
dainties provided for them. His ex-
ample was followed by nearly all the
command Among the officers OF the
post there was a certain Arkansas Cap
tain, commissary in General Beal S
brigade, who could not bring his mind to
the sticking point" Swallow the undl-
luted mule he wouldn t, said he couldn't;
and finally swore he'd be burned if he
wouldn't starve first. His brother otii-
GERS 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
dish of hash, the only dish upon the
table except hoe cake" the Captain
stepped up, and seeing us so busily en-
gagged at the meridianal repast, inquired
the nature of the dish which seemed 30
luxurant TO the palate. We invited him
to partake of such as we had to offer and
satisfy himself upon the point.
at is nothing but hash made OF
piece OF the last milch COW in the Port.
said we, encouragingly, and continued
eating as if life depended on its rapidity.
Hash, Ell last mich cow killed =
soiloquised the Captain, as he slowly
seated himself and commenced shovel
ing" out a platefuIl of the fragrant hash.
why, / thought the last COW was killed
few days ago
"Oh, no! there was one saved on the
sly BY TIE butcher, but old Frank smelt
it out, and gave orders to have II killed
at or ,e-got nice piece from the
butcl r for old acquaintance sake, said
we, as indifierently as if beef had been
acommon article Of consumption with us
The captain said no more, but went
in with an appetite The dinner was
enlivened by many sallies Of wit on the
part of ar guest at those condemned by
cruel war, to partake of the hybrid "
character Of men just then much in
vogue at the post nay, he even invited
himself to dine with US until our COW
meat {" should be exhausted
The dinner over, pipes filed with fra
grant leaves of the blackberry, common
substitute for tobacco, were passed
around much to the qualification of the
captain, who declared that he had never
dined more sumptuously 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 fare think it was excellent
Now, you see, if had dined at my quar-
tiers, should have been compelled to eat
that COMPOUNDED mule meat, or have gone
hungry for want of something better
Thanks, however, TO your kind invitation,
/ have avoided the nauseous dose for one
day more, at least
We allowed the captain TO get his pipe
under full Roadway, before we again
broke the silence.
Capt Nj, you have been very
complimentary upon the dinner set be-
fore you to-day, and are under many OBJ
legations for it; but do you know what
you have eatenY'
At these words he turned deadly pale.
Know what / have eaten Certainly.
You said the hash was made from piece
of the last mich COW in the Port !"
$50 we did, Cap; but the truth may as
well be told now as at any other time
That hash was made Of mule meat"
What" roared he, springing to his
feet; land you allowed me TO eat IT
without telling me what it was. Look
here, sir, If / thought you meant to in
suit me, I"-here he broke down-he
could contain himself no longer. The
"retchings," short eomings' and up
heaving Of our guest, can be better i'm
agined than described. Suffice it to say,
that after the joke had exhausted itself
At his expense, he came down as qui-
etly TO his mule meat as if he had been
accustomed 10 that sort Of beef" all his
I;fa To,tisfaun SUGAR PldHfer.