Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1867-04-24

. ulOuul, L sll4 AC41 lllG III ~ llllu. III lLAG
morning, for Major NJ camp, where
I found that, though 1 had been
quite correctly informed, my purchase
would be saddIed with onerous and IN
expected conditions. The horses were
not to be sold separate but, more than
this, numbering family carriage was to
go with them in the bargain. The con-
ditions we're absolute, both coach and
horses having belonged to a friend of the
quartermaster, who, holding plantation
within the lines of the enemy, had, in
wholesome fear Of Yankee depredators,
sent him the entire equippage. 1t was
certainly an odd thing for a cavalry Of
fcer in the field to become owner of a
stately family coach nevertheless, I had
no alternative, and so, having PAID the
comparatively cheap sum of 500 dollars
/ for the whole concern, l drove off with
my bargain. The laughter and wonder
ment which greeted my appearance at
headquarters, gravely tOolingmy carriage
and pair up to my tent, may easily be
conceived. This setting up of my car
riage became an inexhaustible source Of
joking and bantering, to which l had to
submit with the best grace [ could new
er did Jest wear so well or long it out
lasted by a long span the poor old car
riage, its parent, which, after serving on
many a merry expedition with the young
ladies of the neighborhood, gradually
succumbed to the shocks of the rough
roads and 'crOss-country jaunts; and in
few weeks its frame had, bit by bit,
resolved itself into its component parts.
Only a heap Of ruins at my tent door, and
the cushions, which served me excellent
| ly for pillows, remained as outward and
visible tokens of its existence. But the
Joke lived still, and even General Lee,
by no means addicted to the jocular vein,
would frequently, on parade or in the
battle field. come out with, "Major, where
is your carriage? ?" and once, in the midst
of fighting, he exclaimed, IF we only
had your carriage, what splendid op-
portunity to charge the enemy with it !"
In spite Of deficient food, scanty sup
ply of blankets, and extreme scarcity of
shoe-leather, and the midst of the most
trying weather, the good spirits of the
army we're unabated. Joyous sounds Of
song and laughter broke forth continu-
ousIy from amidst the camps, and the
bands Of the different regiments played
merriIy every evening. 4 theatre even
was erected, where the performances Of
negro miHstrels and other entertainments
afforded immense delight to officers and
men, and attracted ali the young ladies
of the neighbOrhood About the mid
die Of the month some interruption to
the usual monOtOnOus routine of our
camp was made by the visit Of Colonel
Bramston, of the battalion of Grenadier
Guards stationed in Canada, with whom
[, with great pleasure, shared the ac-
commodations of my tent The short
ness of his furlough, however, deprived
us of his presence a few days after his
arrival Just at this time a pressing
invitation came to the General and my
self from our friends at Dundee, in Han
over county, where DR.. P s eldest daugh-
ter was to be married to DR.. Fontaine,
one of our comrades then acting as sur
geon to Fitz Lees brigade. That we
could accept it seemed impossible; for
on the very same day a review of Viii
liam Lees command was ordered to take
place near Moss-Neck, Jackson's head
quarters, and the distance thence to our
friend s house was not less than fve-and-
forty miles. Nevertheless, to leave still
chance open, and hoping I mightper
suade Stuart to undertake the ride, I
sent a courier with a relay of horses to
Bowling Green, a village about half way
between Moss-Ncck and the spot we
were to reach. It seemed as if the re-
view would never be over; hour after
hour fitted by, till at last it was quarter
to three by the time all was over, when
Stuart rode over to me and call out with
a laugh. "weIl, Won how about the wed
ding? Shall we 90 ?" Without hesita-
ton declared myself ready, only OBJ
serving that as the wedding ceremony
was appointed at o'clock We should
have some difficulty in being present.
ooh, that's nothing" =" rejo;ned the Gen
eral, "let's be of And away We estarted
at the rate of ten miles an hour. Bowl
Green was reached in capital time,
where We mounted our relays and be-
fore the clock struck the appointed hour
of seven we rode through the gate of
hospitable Dundee.
A joyful and most demonstrative re
ception awaited us, for our arrival had
been given up and though our high
riding boots covered with mud, and
splashed uniforms, presented contrast
to the elegant dresses Of the ladies and
the correct costumes Of the gentlemen.
the favor with which we were regarded
was none the less marked. Stuart was
in his element, and the gayest Of the
CAV. When the ceremony was over We
amused ourselves with music, songs, and
tiBlcqnr UiUants. In one of the latter
had the honor ofperforming prominent
part in conjunction with a very pretty
young lady, Miss Antoinette p, with
whom it was my pleasing Office to form
a group initiating the coat of arms of
the State of Virginia, bearing the motto,
Sic semper tyraRniS, which the soldiers
translated, Take yourfoot off my neck,
from the action of the principal figure
in question, representing Liberty, who,
with a lance in her right hand, is stand
ing over the conquered and PROSTATE
tyrant, and apparently trampling on
him with her heel TO play the part of
the poor tyrant who is suffering this i'll
treatment, as is was my lot to do, would
1 confess under ordinary circumstances,
offer but little qualification even to the'I