Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-23
The Circumstances Of the Confederate and
Federal Armies Compared.

FEDERAL Armies compared.
From DeBoW's Review
Here stands Federal camp. A thou
sand and ten thousand snow white tents
sweep farther than the eye may reach.
The star-spangled banner of richest silk
floats on the breeze, which swells with
the Hail Columbia" or Yankee Doc
die of some grand band of brass which
has figured in the saloons of the metro
poIitsn 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 insignia
aud rich broadcloth send the jest around
over all the yiands of Fulton market and
wines of France. The champagne pops.
The fume Of regalias scents the air
Velvety mats and cushions and cum
ningly devised camp equipage are spread
around. Books, newspapers and station
cry. maps, charts and pictures Enter
again. This time you are in the sol
diers tent. What comfortable. blankets
and oil cloths and overcoats which might
defy the SHOWS Of Greenland; what we'll
filed hayersacks; little stove warns
him; good coffee cheers him all of
those oxen bleed for him, and well baked
bread crowns his board See that yellow
flag. It covers the hospital. Enter if
YOU please There are piles Of bandages,
pills and potions and specifics in neat
boxes and vessels Of glass crown the
shelves. Those cases are tho most ex-
quisiteIy hne instruments Of surgery.
Those surgeons and those nurses are
practiced and expert There are cor
dials 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
repose on couches That body is being
enbalmed to be sent home.
On, dreary contrast We are now in
a Confederate camp no tents are here
war has worn them out No silken ban
ner floats-it is in shreds and patches
and cannot be replaced. The solitary
fife and drum discourse the inspiring
strains of Dixie" Lank and worn the
war horse plucks the leaves and barks
the trees; few cows, tough and old and
attenuated, await their fate. Under
that tree gray frocks, faded and worn,
with some lace and embroidery, an old
newspaper printed on one side. and an
old map and q spy.glass, which was used
in the Mexican war, tell that Stonewal
Jackson or Forrest are there. Around
the fire, smoke-dried, reclining on the
naked earth, two or three on a blanket
as a matter Of economy; the oyercoat ]:
in tatters, the haversack is turned inside
out, the canteen has been TRADED
for from a Yankee prisoner, The
cloak has been picked up on
battle-field-yod have the Confederate
soldier Those boots cape and lei
in the cold and rain that hat has beer
shot TO pieces; those pantaloons hav'
lost six inches Of the extremity-bu
VIXEN can they be replaced III
soldier cooks his hard meal breas
and toasts his bacon on the embers, an
in bis tin cup he has contrived a snbsii
tute for coffee, which is not honored b.
either milk or sugar. Noble soldier
He is not cursing the commissary OF thl
quartermastcr, but recouniing the adveu
lures Of yesterday. in which many dea
comrade went down, telling rough joke
Of the day or rejoicing in the glorion
conflict Of arms which the morrow VA
bring forth.
BIT we have said nothing Of our hos
J pitals Seek not to recall the siekenIn