The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-07-09
MY Flrat Night ..on Guard.

A correspondent of the Banner Of tie
South, writes
During the first raid of Banks through
louisiana, June, 1868, made my debut
in military life, joining W-'s battery
of Louisiana Artillery, @. s. A., as ''high
private" "a young, raw and unsophisti-
Gated youth. The battery was encamped
on the banks of Bayou Teche, in beauti-
full country, ornamented in the highest
degree by the wealthy and aristocratic
planters of that fertile section; the
stream bordered with those grand old
live and water oaks, we'll known as the
most magnificent trees in the country.
Z, After being three days in tie company,
1 was detailed for guard duty; and at
night stationed'to watch some choice
Southern fruits and vegetables, brought
into camp for the sick late in the even
ing, and laid out on the grass under n
large live oak, whose branches, spread
ing far out, reached nearly to the ground.
A guard was required to keep off quad
rupeds, as we'll as some bipeds pertain
ing to the porcine species, whose craving
for such delicacies might render the
temptation irresistible.
Though the night was starlight, my
post was dark and gloomy, owing to the
heavy shade of the trees, and I could
with difficulty distinguish objects within
q few feet had no weapon. I walked
my lonely beat, fifty yards from any hu-
man being, around the dainty goods con-
fded to my care. All nature was hushed
in death-like repose; even our horses
being wrapped in their slumbers, usually
taken at this hour, about in the
morning.
Only one who has been in q similar
situation, can realize my feelings on this
my first night of guard duty; having
just left o sweet and comfortable home.
and unaccustomed to military life. My
thoughts naturally wandered back to
scenes and dear ones at home. My
good and kind father, my fond and in
dulgent mother, my sweet, amiable and
loving sisters, ever ready to favor their
wayward and inconsistent brother; all
now seemed desrer than ever to my lone
ly heart. Another sweet face
also arises before my eyes, wandering in
spirit afar off to my distant Missouri
home am growing happy in my
reveries-by no means asleep, but steadi-
ly pacing my beat. Yet, great Heavens!
what Internal yell was that overheard? q
most diabolical, unearthly screaml Is it
the enemy from the lower regions
screeching for his prey? My hat, up
lifted by my bristling hair, falls from my
head; my knees knock together; my
teeth chatter; cold perspiration; my
blood chilled; my stick clutched with the
grasp of desperation. All this was the
shock of q Inoment-like nightmare.
Then comes repetition of hoot-toot-te-
too-oooo-oo! from the commander-in-
chief of the screech- h-owls- his warn
ing blast-now sounding the ASSEMBLY"
for his scattered guerillas, and anon, the
whole forest re-echoes with the cries of
his dusky warriors of the night, going
forth ! on their : predatory :. excursions;
Laugh, if you will. my young sir,
nevertheless, though I pride myself
somewhat on my courage, and have
s'faced the music" ''over and off," 1
frankly confess that "then and there" L
experienced o single moment of terror
such as never had before, and hope
never again to feel! Did you ever hear
n screech-owl in the dead of night?
Then, try and have companion with
you the first time, or you may never
get back your breath again.