Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-02-09
THE LATE. CONFEDERATE AND FEDERAL

ARMIES COMPARED Here stands Federal
camp. A thousand and ten thousand snow
White tents sweep farther than the eye may
rescb Tal The Star.Spaugled Banner. Of richest
elk floats on the breeze, which swells with the
"HalI Columbia: or Y ankee Doodle of some
Grand band of brass which has figured in the
Saloons of the metropolitan cities Sleek and
wajl-fed war horses neigh and prance, great
herds of lowing cattle are seen 10 the rear. ln
wonder tent officers with blazing Insignia and
rich broadcoth send the jest around over all
the viandS Of Fulton market and wines OF
France. The champagne pops The fume Of
regal.as scents the air. Velvety mats and
cushions and cunningly devised camp equpage
are spread around, Books, newspapers and
stationery, maps charts and pictures Enter
again. This time you are In the soldier tent.
What comfortable blankets and oil clot his and
overcoats, which might defy thesnows of Green
land what we'll filed haversacks; a little stove
warns him, good coffee cheers him; all Of those
oxen bleed for him, aud we'll baked bread crowns
his board See that yellow flag 1t covers the
hospital. Enter If you please, There are piles
Of bandages, pills and potions and specifies in
nen boxes, and vessels of glass crown the
shelves Those cases are the most exQulsltely
fine instruments of surgery. Those surgeons
and nurses are practised and expert. There
are cordials and wines in those bottles. There
are cmons and ice and all the delicacles of the
tropics in those enclosures Those sick men
are clothed in fine linen and repose on genial
couches That body is being embalmed to be
sent bone
Oh, dreary contrast! We are now in Con
tederafe camp DO tents are here war has
worn them out. No silken banner foats-it is
- cl, o,6 .p1 o,ppof bi. rap(o cod
The solitary fife and drum discourse the inspir
ing strains Of Dixie. Lank and worn the
war horse piucks the leaves and barks the
trees few COWS, tough ard old and attenu-
ate,i, await their fate. Under that tree gray
fa,cks, faded and worn. with some lace and
embroidery, an Old newspaper printed on one
side, an old map. and spy glass which was
used in the Mexican war, tell that StoncWall
Jackson or Forrest are there. Around the
fire, smoke dried, reclining on the naked earth,
two or three on blanket: as matter OF econ
omy; the overcoat Is in tatterS, the haVerSack
il turned inside out, the caDteen has been
traded tor from Yankee prisoners, the cloak
has been picked up On battlefeld-you have
the Confederate soldier Those boots gap and
let in the cold and rain that hat has been shot
10 pieces; those pantalooDs haves lost SIX
inches Of the extremity but when can they be
replaced? The soldier cooks his hard meal
bread and tnasts his bacon 90 the emberS, and
in his tin cup be has contriped substitute for
coffee, which Is not horored by either milk or
sugar Noble soldier He is not cursing the
commiSsary or quartermaser, but recnunting
the adventures Of yesterday in which many
dear comrade went down; telling rough jokes
Of the day, or rejoicing in the glorious conflict
of arms which the morrow will bring forth.
bora of ,tn]S
Seek not to recall the sickening picture. At
first we did very we'll, tut soon even ordinary
comforts were impracticable, and thousands
died from the mere want OF those minlstratlons
of medicine and genial stimulants which it be-
came impossible to provide.-DeB0lo' RevaeeC.
AN INDEPENDENT PAUPER An old fellow
in a town in Essex county, Mass, once respect
able, who, through looking upon the wine
when it was red, and fluids of other colors, was
reduced to the condition Of a paupe,, was
allowed occasionally liberty beyond the poor
house walls, which he improved by calling on
dear friend who clandestinely sold the crea
ture On his last visit he imbibed glass or
two, and received, besides, a couple OF glasses
ina bottle, fortified with which he sailed forth
to tallinto the arms of constable, who had
watched him through the window; the result
Was, the friend was prosecuted and the pauper
summoned as a witness. When placed upon
the estand be was asked if he knew the prisoner.
Certainly, he had known him many years.
Did you ever go there?'
Yes; always when he weot to town.
And now," said the magistrate, did you
ever buy any liquor there p
"Which?" said the old fellow, suddenly
hard of hearing.
Did you ever buy any liquor there p
i decline to answer!'' said the witness.
You must answer or be committed for con
tempt said the judge, sternly.
We'll, y replied the old fellow, after few
moments pause, what will be,the penalty?,
Imprisonment in the Salem Jail, responded
the Judge
Indeed Well, as I think that an improve
ment on the poor house, shant tell y
aod ne didn't; thereby saving his friend.
TNHE EJRETNSTIp ANrF C0MDANV OF