The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-05-22

rrbishc1 THE aogT bows that tie ais
tin1uishea General appreciated The hrmor
auss md q THIS instances he Was cerlsiniy
haply IN he conception of manly joke
The aritsr was per-. 81 acquainted with
the victim, Nr s.. 81 Florida IN the
mind 81 the inselligent reader, the story
win dcrire interest from the assurance of
is iruthfnlncs During Tie winter q
l862-68. after TIE Confederate victory IL
Frcdflicxsb1rg. two men AZ time, from
each company u the army, we're allowed 70
beahsenf on furloueh Whenever the fur
Tough previously granted to any company
expired, the two men whose claims Tor the
next were adjudg6d to have precedence,
would make application through their cap
tain colonel, brigade commanderanc 80 on
% to the General IN Chief. Several days
usually elapsed from the time the papers leii
company Headquarters Until they returned.
This was the regular channef through
which an such applications, al official pa
pers. and, indeed, all communications from
inferior to superior officers had 10 pass. ".
was an efficient soldier. and several months
before the time mentioned above, he had
been detailed for extra service as a teamster.
He was very anxious to visit his family
whom he had not seen for great while,
and thinking that probably the winter
would pass away, active operations
be resumed, and furloughs suspended,
before he would have an opportunity TO
apply, IN the regular way, for leave of alb
sence, he concluded that as he was in extra
service and not with his company, there
might possibly be an exception made in his
case, both as to the time aud manner Of OBJ
tanning fuT1oGgh. He therefore decided
upon bold stroke Of policy, which was
nothing less than making direct, personal
application TO General Lee The Generals
Headquarters were, at this time, near Jor-
dams mountain, and about one mile from
the wagon camp to ghich ". belonged.
The latter was encouraged IL his purpose by
Genes1EL Lees well known Kindness of feeling
and politeness Of manner towards his sol
diers " conceived his brilliant plan n
night-the time when the weary soldier
thinks most Of home-and resolved to put
it into execution next day, If practicable.
Accordingly the first hour of leisure on the
following morning found hinl--not without
serious misgivings-w vending his way to-
ward the headquarters Of the 'sAuny Of
Northern Virginia. On coming near, he
saw seminal quietly walking his post sever
al orderlies ere passing about on horseback;
small groups of officers were dispersed here
and there, about the grounds; while the
center Of attraction, General Lee himself, was
slowly pacing back and forth before histent,
his hands clasped behind him, his head
slightly bent forward, his whole manner in
dicating that he was absorbed in profound
thought. VS. courage almost failed him.
After hesitating some little time, he was on
the point Of turning away, and giving up his
purpose, when suddenly tender thoughts
OF the absent loved ones came thrpngirg
into his mind, aud he reflected that by his
timidity he might be about to throw away
golden opportunity. He now wound his
courage up to the highest notch and stepped
resolutely, but still uneasily, forward. Very
soon nc found himself within few yards
of the great commander. The latter looked
up and w removed his cap respectfully,
and saluted in the most approved manner
The General paused and regarded him
mildly, Thus encouraged, w, began, with
much embarrassment, to unfold the object
of bis visit. Most officers Of high rank
would at least have sternly ordered
him to his post on learning mis- errand, but
General Lee did not. lie was evidently sur
prised at first, but very soon that expires
sion of his feature gave place 10 q slight,
half-amgsed smile This gave strength TO
W Is words and elequence to his tongue
Now that the ice was broken; now that he
was actually in General Lees presence, tel
ling his wants, and the General listening so
patiently and so kindly, all his former timi-
dity was gone. He pleaded his cause man
fully. he first spoke Of bis anxiety to see
his family, from whom he had been sepa-
rated SO long, and Of the earnest desire Of
his dear ones to see him; then urged the
rf ~-sss ,s.+
of view, explaining also. the reasons which
had impelled him to apply in person to his
commander. Then he referred modestly,
to the duration, faithfulness and efficiency
of his past military servicgs--and his
record, truly, was a bright one. When
he paused, General Lee inquired as to his
proficiency in driH. VS. hopes took wing;
in truth, be had been so fortunate as to
serve in company whose captain thorough
~ understood his duties and faithfully dis
charged them The General now signifed
bis wish TO make a slight test of w. 3 accom-
plishments IN the ''school of the soldier. y
1t was all compliance and hope He as
sumed without fault the first position of g
soldier then came eyes right and left, y
the facings, salutes, marchings, ETC., all Of
which was executed IN cOmmendable
style. After time, as w. stood, erect in
person and buoyant in spirit, few yards
from General Lee, and fronting him. the
command came, Bout face ct was done
admirably; then, 'Forward-march, A" and
w moved of with beautiful precision.
After proceeding twenty or thirty yards, he
was every moment expecting another COM
mand, either to halt, OF change direction,
but none came, and on he went, every mus
Gle and every nerve under the strictsst dis
-. a. L.. 4.
seventy yards had been reached, and still
no command. The soldier was beginning
to feel slightly uncomfortable but could
not hazard his reputation for discipline by
glancing back, OF wavering in any manner.
On and still on until one hundred Yards had
been passed-it was very strange, but posi-
bly, General Lee was only putting his disci-
pine 70 a severe test, and o. course, it
would not do to falter Finally q spot was
gained fully one hundred and fifty yards
from the point Of starting. Here, an i'm
preston which had, for some time, been
taking form in VS. brain, suddenly
became deep conviction; It was, that ne
had been very much sold Fortunately
he was going exactly in the direction Of his
camp, He now ventured to take glance
in the rear. The various officers about
headquarters we're regarding him attent-
lively. but General Lee had resumed his
walk back and forth before his tent. aud
was TO ali appearance, oblivious of VS.
existence. The latter reached his camp
very shortly, ard was not communicative
for long time thereafter M
Mrs. Stoves proposal to Introduce ailiga-
tors into the Florida Legislature has serious
Is injured her reputation among the blacks
of that State asa friend Of the coiored race.
They repstrd II as more nor leae chan AZ, AZ