The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-02-14
The Two Armies.

Inc IOllOWlHS aloioio 10 Aioihi -Oo''''0
Revie1o: =.
Here stands Federal camp. A thou
sand and ten thousand snow-white tents
farther than the eye may reach: The Star
Spangled Banner of richest silk floats on
the breeze which swells with sHail Colum-
bia" or "Yankee Doodle" of some grand
band of brass which has fgnred in the sa-
looms of the metropolitan cities. Sleek and
well fed war horses neigh and prance, great
herds of lowing cattle are seen in the rear.
In wonder tent officers with blazing insig-
mia and rich broadcloth send the jest around
over all the viands of Fulton market and
wines of France. The champagne pops.
The fume of regalias scents the air. Vel
vety mats and cushions and cunningly de-
vised camp equipage are spread around
Books, newspapers and stationary, maps,
charts and pictures! Enter again. This
time YOU are in the soldiers tent. What
comfortable blankets, and oil cloths and
overcoats which might defy the SHOWS Of
Greenland; what we'll filled haversacks;
little stove warns him, good coffee cheers
HIM; all of those oxen bleed for him,
and we'll baked bread crowns@is board =
See that yellow flag. It-c covers. the hospi-
tai. Enter if you please. There are piles
Of bandages, pills and potions OF medicine
and specifies in neat boxes and vessels Of
glass crown the shelves. Those cases are
the most exquisitely fine instruments of
surgery. Those surgeons and nurses are
practiced and expert. There are cordials
and wines in those bottles. There are
lemons and ice and all the delicacies Of
the tropics in those enclosures. Those
sick men are clothed in fine linen and re-
pose on genial couches. That body is
being embalmed to be sent home.
Oh, dreafy contrast! We are now In
Confederate camp; no tents are here; war
has worn them out. No silken banner
doats-it is in shreds and patches and call
not be replaced. The solitary fife and
drum discourse the inspiring strains OF
"Dixie." Lank and worn the war horses
plucks the leaves and barks the trees; a
few COWS, tough and old and attenuated
await their fate. Under that tree grey
frocks, faded and worn, with some lace and
embroidery, an old newspaper printed on
one side, an old map and a spy glass which
was used in the Mexican war, tell that
Stonewall Jackson or Forrest are there
Around the fire, smoke dried, reclining on
the naked earth, two or three OH blan,
ket, as a matter of economy; the over
coat is in tatters, the haversack is turned
inside out, the canteen has been traded for
from Yankee prisoners, the cloak has been
picked up on battle-feld-you have the
Confederate soldier! Those boots cape
and let in the cold and rain; that hat has
been shot to pieces; those pantaloons have
lost six inches ofthe extremity-bttt when
can they be replaced? The soldier cooks
his hard meal bread and toasts his bacon
on the embers, and in his tin cup he has
contrived a substitute for coffee, which is
not honored by either milk or sugar. No
BILE soldier He is not cursing the COM
missary or the quartermasters but recount
ing the adventures of yesterday in which
many dear comrade went down, telling
rough Jokes of the day, or rejoicing III the
glorious conflict of arms which the NOR
row will bring forth.
But we have said nothing of our hospi-
tails. Seek not to recall the sickening pic
ture. At first we did very well, but soon
even ordinary comforts were fmpracticable
and thousands died from the mere want
OF those .ministrations OF medicine ana
genial stimulants which it became impos-
sible to provide.