The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-11-15
General Lee and lis Troops.

About week after the seven days
battle aronnd Richmond, which ended
in McClell,n's retreat to the james at
Uarrisons Landing, lad business at
headquarters then established about
three miles ont of Richmond. On my
arrival | learned that General Lee had
been called to town by President
Davis, but would return abont noon.
By the time he came half a dozen gem
erals were waiting for him. He saw
them one at time, and dispatched
their business, and they departed. Ny
business required me to wait till Il
written order could be prepared for
/ me. During this time fine looking,
stalwart soldier came in, dressed in a
dirty shirt and trousers, and with an
old SLOUGH hat in his hand. The
General accostcd him thus:
"Well, my man, what can do for
yon?"
general, I have come straight to
headquarters to get a furlough for a
few days"
The General said: "Don't yon know
have issued general oder that no
furlonghs can be granted at this time ~
eyes; that order was read at dress
parade last night, and that's the reason
have come to you, for I knew it was
no nse for me to apply through my
Captain and Colonel"
"Then do you expect me to be the
first to disregard my own orders y
"Yes, General; and if you will lis
ten to me, think you will do it,"
"Wcll, let me hear what You have
to say"
"You see, General, am from the
Eastern shore of Maryland. left my
wife and chilaren there last summer OH
my farm, with plenty Of ringers, to
support them well, and came over aud
volunteered for the war. have been
in all the fights, and have never been
absent q day from duty. get letters
from home now and then and every
thing has been going on till lately.
Here is letter from my wife, brought
over lately by some scouts, and she
says since the Yankees have got to
scouting about there, the negroes are
doing badly, and she thinks they will
run away. Now, General, am in for
the war, and my wife backs mo in it,
but you see, if 1 lose them 'niggers' it
will leave my wife and little children
in a mighty bad fix. wantn furlougl'
for ahont week. know where can
get boat and some help, and I'll 60
over there some dark night and bring
I the 'niggcr' men over here and hire
them out to support my family. My
mind will then be easy, and I'll never
ask for another furloagh. Now, Gen
eral, take the thing home to yourself
and you can't refuse me, lrow."
The General directed him to wait on
the porch outside, and he would think
about it. The man retired, and the
General walked the room several times
and remarked to those present, "This
is hard case. The man is evidently
honest and truthful, and am sure lie
is good soldier, and the poor fellow
is in great trouble. But can't violate
my own orders and give him fur
lough.' After some reflection he re.
marked, ~ have it," and called to one
of his staff and said, Assertion that
mans name, company and regiment
and make an order detailing him fol
secret service across the Potomac fol
ten days" He then informed the sol.
der what he had done, and directed
him to cross the river to procure al
the information he could, and before
his return he might make his own ar
engagements abont his negroes; anG
when he came back to report any in.
oiNtitiou hC OotuiuCu lloiu lhO CuCuu }
) at headquarters.
It was this sort of interest in his
men that endeared him so much tc
them. At the time of tins incident his
mind was occupied with the great
events of the two preceding weeks
and, with his Generals and the Cabi
net at Richmond, he was doubles!
absorbed with the gravest public ques
tions and yet he took time to hear {
soldiers story of family troubles, ant
actually to invent a way to relieve
him without impairing his discipline
-[Galaxy.
"KIss Me, MAMMA."-"Kiss me
mamma. before Sleep" How simple
a boon, yet how soothing to the LITTLE
snpplicant is that soft, gentle kiss
The little head sinks contentedly OF
the pillow, for all is peace and happi
ness within. The bright eyes close
and the rosy lip is reveling in thu
bright and sunny dreams of innocence
Yes kiss it, mamma, for that good
night kiss will longer in memory wlleT
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