Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-13

A yerdant Yeuth Works Hard 20 Join
she militia


she Militia.
A good story is told at the expense Of an
able-bodied youth, living up in Cannon
county, who falsely imagined that the way
to imperishable military glory led through
in little Joe Ceopers Tennes-
see militia. Hearing that a company of
militia was about being organized at Au-
burn, under Capt. Hathaway, the young
man in pursuit Of glory set out for that
place. He was not acquainted with the
people there or with any of the militia al
ready enlisted, and was therefore under
the necessity Of inquiring as to the where
abouts of headquarters. The first person
to whom he happened to apply for infor-
nation happened to be more OF a wag
than patriot, and at once understanding
the nature of the case, determined to have
some sport at the expense of the appli-
cant for militia membership. He
therefore proposed to take the ardent youth
to the enrolling officer, but instead of doing
so carried him before an individual who
had no connection whatever with the mill
tia. This individual, however, readily as
sumed The role he was expected to play,
and gravely informed the verdant appli-
cant that before joining the militia lie
would be required to take solemn oath Of
eternal fidelity 10 the cause he was ex-
pected to serve. This oath, terrible in
form and import, and binding the candi-
date for militia membership to endless and
answering devotion to the crusade OF
Brownlow and Cooper against Ku-Klux
and all other ghostly clans, was swallowed
without wincing, and the new
made soldier declared himself ready
for duty. He was informed that
the company would not be organized
and ready for orders until week from
that day, and that until that time he could
remain at the house of farmer in the
neighborhood, doing such work as might
come to hand by way of paying for his
board. This he agreed to do, and the neces.
sary arrangement was effected with an un.
suspecting farmer living near the imagin,
airy headquarters. The farmer kindly
gave the able-bodied militiaman hospitality
and work for the waiting week, and found
him quite useful in the rail-splitting bust
ness, for which he seemed peculiarly adj
apted. At the end of the week he again
called at headquarters" and reported
himself ready for further duty. The ''ofi-
GERS" in command professed themselves
grstified at his promptness, and at once
proceeded 10 give him instructions TO be
followed in the performance of his militia
~ duties. The first thing required of him
he was told, was guard duty at bridge,
near headquarters" He was furnished
with an old empty musket, and instructed
to stand guard at the bridge, and halt any
persons in masks who attempted TO cross
and bring them forthwith 10 headquar
terra" This guard-duty of the stslwart
soldier was TO be confined to night
time, aud he was TO be relieved
early every morning and allowed
TO sleep during the day. He
stood guard three nights, but on the third
morning reported at Headquarters" thai
he had not been able to discover any Ku,
Klux crossing the bridge and did not be-
lieVe there was any necessity in guarding
that bridge any longer at least until the
weather go warmer-it being now too cold
for ghosts to travel. The "ofiicers" agreed
with this opinion, and informed him that
his services would not be again required
until the militia received marching orders,
saying that he could until that time dis.
pose of himself as he liked. The last we
heard of the embryo hero he was making
inquiries for headquarters OF the real
militia, AID indicating rather profanely
that he didn't want to be fooled again,