Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-17
For the Spectator.
GLIMpSES AT THE PAST.
BY CHIPS.
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
STANDARD PRESENTATIONS.
1t was my good fortune, many years ago, to
witness standard presentation in one OF the
upper districts of South Carolina The recip-
tents of the honor were the members Of new
ly organized company of volunteers under the
command Of the redoubtable Captain Pitcher
ar eloquent member of the State LEGISLATURE =
He had under his command a fine corps OF
Those gallant souls who shoulder guns,
And twice year go out training"
1t was as fair morning as one would wish
to behold, when, obeying the call of the rolling,
drum, Captain Pitcher marched, with martial
step to the muster ground, having clean buck
tale IN has hat and woolen sash tied around
his body, over which WAS belt, from which
was suspended a large cut-and -thrust-ssord,
which, from its venerable and veighty appear
ance, might have been the selfsame Weapon
which Goliath drew upon the heroic David
but 1t was not. On his right shoulder rested 2
knot of plated yellow cotton, which passed
for an epaulette OF a commissioned otncer, for
such was he who had almost ''flled up the
measure OF his country's glory"
shoulder arms |" exclaimed the double
lunged commander and general confusion en-
sued among broom-sticks and corn-stocks.-
Right face"
Keep off my toes" exclaimed one.
Il reckon you don't know your right from
your left, says another.
You lie u e1claims q third
"Silence in the ranks" thunders Captain
Pitcher.
The martial instruments tune up. Bass
druna-bang! Share druna-rub-a Fife
toothe toothe. Bugle-terra, terra Captain
Rtcher-"Quick time, forward march !'-mu-
sic strikes up
"Come all ye bold Virginians,
I'd have you for to know
That for to fight the enemy,
We're going for to Go.'
Thus they roceeded-higgledy piggledy-
one tumbling over the other until they arrived
at Squire Goodwins, where they we're greeted
by the loud cheers Of legion of little rsgged
urchins, who rushed out of the school house in
spite of the threatening shake of the old peda-
gogues hickory switch. But, what inspired the
warriors most, and brought the glow of con-
scious pride into their leather countenances,
were the smiles of band of fair spectators,
who stood crammed together in the windows
and under the portico which stretched along
the front Of the .'Squire's''' house A nod from
the Captain sufficed as hint, and the band
struck up the fashionable air of Polly, put the
kettle on, in compliment to the ladies, who
giggled, and ,as grateful return waved their
handkerchiefs and kissed their hands to the
brave defenders of the fair.
Halt front left, no, right dress p
shouted the Captain. Back, there, back !
Heads up-,eeyes right steady !-now-front
Order arms!'
A bucket of whiskey now went the rounds,
much to the encouragement of home nsdnufdc-
tme, for no man fell short of half pint, the
usual guage of backwoodsman who knows the
true capacity of his gullet. Fallstaf was a fool
to either of them, for his leather-lined paunch
seldom knew anything stronger than sack
theirs were proof against the action of modern
wbiskey.
When the best part of the days duty was
over, the troops we're again called into line, and
what few rifles there were among them, proved
by their unsteadiness that the bearers had lost
the best part of their understanding, though
they had stored in an additional quantity Of
new spirt. At the roll Of the drum, rosy
checked, plump country lass stepped sneaking-
y from the crowd of damsels, bearing stand
ard or rather, yard or two of white homespun,
with turkey buzzard, surrounded by thirteen
black lustres worked in the centre (doubtless
intended for the American eagle and the thir.
teen original starsl and over the whole, in bla