The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-09-03
/" EATING Crow

age, was maze OF Imported Drlck, MS Cnlln-
nies were tall and massive, and the rooms
were large and pleasant The chief attrac-
ton of the old place, however,, were the
grounds that surrounded the mansion. |
They were very extensive and inviting. |
Large trees gave luxuriant shad e, and the
underbrush in portions of the grounds az
forded shelter for rabbits and other small
game. There were walks, and orchards,
and arbors, and the whole bore such a scene
of general peacefulness and repose that it
was no wonder the wild Bucktails were
charmed with the prospect, and anxious to
penetrate into spot which gave such
promise of enjoyment.
The Bucktails we're not the most tract
able soldiers. They came from the step
ping-off place-the wilderness of Pennsylva-
nia-McKean, Potter, Forrest and Tioga
clung to them during the entire war, through
q fancy of Col. Kane, brother of the Artic
explorer, who became their commander.
He recruited the regiment in the early days
Of 1861 beginning on the day of the arri-
val of the news of the fall of Fort Sumpter)
from the bacxwoodsmon, who were famous
marksmen. They were all deer hunters,
and as designation each man was furnish
ed with tail of buck by Col. Kane, and
when they marched from Camp Curtin
with the bucktails in their hats it was
novel sight. Col. Charles j. Biddle, of
Philadelphia, was made the Colonel, and
Col. Kane the Lieutenant Colonel of the
regiment-both men noted for their short,
attenuated forms. Neither was scarcely
more than five feet high, and their combin-
ed weight was that of 220 pounds
1t may readily be guessed that these sol
diers had little respect for Virginia aristoc-
racy, and the tent poles had hardly got
settled in the ground before a noted raider
named well-Smith--s his deer
killer and started on little expedition.
He was a Sergeant, and of immense size,
and went by the name of the Big Sergeant.
He made straight march for the Virgin
ian's manor. Now, the old man had many
pets about his grounds, and among them was
tame crow which he valued very highly.
He also had tame rabbits, doves, &c. The
Sergeant climbed the stone wall and drop
ped himself and his gun on the inside of the
grounds. The first thing his eye caught
was this tame crow, which unconcernedly
flew near him, and lighted on limb and
began to cav at him. The Sergeant put
his rifle to his shoulder and banged away,
and Mr.. Crow came huttering TO the
leaned it against the wall, and went to get
his crow.
Instantly there came running from the
house, in high state Of excitement, the
old Virginian, and when he saw that his
pet crow had been killed his rage had no
bounds. He rushed for the Sergeant's gun,
and swearing that he wouldn't have given
the crow for the whole Yankee army, VOW
ed that he would blow the soldiers brains
out. With this he brought the piece to
cock aud glanced along the barrel. The
Sergeant begged for his life, and the Vir-
ginian swore he would take it.
The Virginian finally thought of COM
promise, with look half between amaze
ment and rage told the Ser. that he must
eat that crow raw. In vain the other pro
tested, the Virginian insisted on the price
of his adversary's life. So the Sergeant
pulled off some feathers and began to gag
and eat.
How do you like crow?'' Kissed the
Virginian through his teeth.
The only answer the other gave was
request tobe let off. He was sorry he had
shot the crow; didn't know that it was tame,
and he wouldn't do such thing again.
Finally the old man took the gun from its
aim and told him he needent eat any more
His heart full Of joy the Sergeant threw the
bird upon the ground and said;
Well, kin eat crow, but don't like
It,"
The story might stop here if it was only
to show the origin of the phrase but the
rest of il is the best.
The old Virginian, after surveying his
dead pet for an instant in a sorrowful man
ner, returned the gun and started for his
mansion. The other quickly brought his
piece to his shoulder and called out;
"Hold on there, Mister.p
"What do you want P" asked the other,
as hSturned and beheld "bead" drawn
on him.. tAtf ~ hfH
I'd like TO have you eat the rest of thil
crow"
Then the old man fumed and swore, ant
tore about in frantic manner, saying he's