Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1866-02-24
HOW THE CAPTAIN EAT Mn
NEAT.

1t is q well known fact, that du,;,,
the siege Of Port Hudson, mule meat ~.
an article Of "provender issued to y.
soldiers after the last COW, sheep and ho.
had been killed and eaten Many Of ths
soldiers swore they wouldn't eat it: Will.
others. just rs determined said they woo,d
eat anything Daddy Long legs
they 'humorously called Gen. GARn.r,
would issue to them as %rations. But tha
beginning was everything-who was to
take tue initiatory IN the matter, 50 a. h
give the example to others, there VA.
the rub" Gen. GARDNER, brave as he ia
noble-hearted, ordered fifteen pouud.
from the first mule killed, for bis own
mess, to show bis men that he was will.
ing to eat Of the same dainties provided
for them. His example was followed BY
nearly all the command. Among tue off.
GERS Of the post, there was a certain Ar.
kansas Captain, commissary 10 General
BEAL's brigade who could not bring bis
mind to the sticking point swallow
the undiluted mule he wouldn't. said he
couldn't ; and finally, swore he'd be dr.
neil if be. wouldn't starve FIRST. His broth.
er officers often joked and quizzed him up.
on 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 hun.
cry he might be. q :
One day, while sitting in the rear Of
our quarters, indulging in an excellent
hash, the only dish upon the table, except
hoe cake" the captain slept up and see.
ing US busily engaged at the meridioual
repast, inquired the nature Of the dish
| which seemed so luxuoiant to the palate.
We invited him to partake Of such Is we
had to offer and satisfy himself upon the
point. eef
I" 1t is nothing but q hash made Of .
piece of the last mich COW in the PORT"
said We. encouragingly, and continued
eating as if lie depended uponits rapidity.
"Hash, eh last mich COW killed y
soliloquized the captain, as he slowly
seated himself, and commenced " shovel.
ing" out a plateful Of the fragrant hash.
Why, l thought the last cow was killed
a few days agoy
ooh, 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 q nice piece from the butcher
for old acquaintance sake" said we as i'll
differently as if beef had been a common
article of consumption with us.
The captain said no more, but went
in " with an appetite. The dinner vas en-
livened by many. ssallies 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, be even invited himself
to dine with rs until our "cow meat'
should be exhausted. .'
The dinner over, pipes filed With fro"
grant leaves Of the blackberry, com
mon substitute for tobacco, were passed
around, much to the qualification Of the
captain, who declared that be had never
dined more sumptnously at any time since
be had honored Port Hudson with bis
presence.
"Glad to hear. cap. that you are pleas
ed with our poor fare"
".Poor fare ! I think it was excellent.
Now, you see, if l had dined at my quar-
ter., l should have been compelled to cot
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" t9tL
VIZ allowed the captain to get bis pipe
under full Roadway, before we ags'n
broke the silence.