New-York tribune., 1875-05-20
THE MAY MUSTER.

country town one of the greatest events OF
their childhood. Spring planting, then, was
indssOluby connected in the mind of every
farm-boy with the pomp and circumstance of
glorious war. The militia companies, in their
nicely starched white trOwsers and parti-
cOlored coats glIttering with gold braid,
were all that the country knew of
war for well-nigh half century, and
their grand assemblage for parade in the
country town in May the sole means taken to
reassurc the mind of this greatest nation on
"the globe" of its security against foreign
foe. 1t is safe to say that the regular army
in popular estimation before 1860 was re-
garded as a sort of costly National police to
restrain the Indians, and West Point but as
public crib where aristOcratic families could
find support and education for their sons at
the expense Of the nation. 1t never en-
tered into the mind of the ordinary
citizen that either the one or the
other could be of the slightest pos
sible use to him personally. The legends of the
Revolution were household words to him from
his cradle-the farmer who left his plow,
the blacksmith his anvil, to beat the trained
British legiOns If the country were ever in
just such means, and it was the British soldier
that was again to fall who else could it be
In the May musters the school-boy saw the
whole Revolutionary war fight its battles over
again and what idea of patriotism had he be-
yond reverence for its heroes, hatred Of the red
coats and Dragging belief in the present bgness
and power of his own cOuntry7 How blind
was this belief, and how boastful, even
among educated men, it may do us good now
to remember The American was a braggart
in the press, in Congress, at home and abroad.
The May muster did its part towards nou1ish-
ing the national self-cOnccit. For weeks the
village of Tarrytown, and all its congeners
from Massachusetts to Iowa, was in fever
of preparation. Every matrOn prepared scores
of pies, every maid furnished her last Sum-
mel's finery for the entertainment of the war
ike host. And when the day arrived, with what
proud beatings of heart did the women-folks
watch father set out in his cOlonefs uniform,
with Joe, as first lieutenant, by his side! The
gallant colonel on week days served out sugar
and molasses across the counter but he looked
none the less hero for that; and Joe, who
had been casting shecpsh, hopeless glances at
the Squire's pretty Jenny for year, met her
undaunted now in his glitter of blue and gold,
and by his martial bearing won the day.
There was sure to be good weather all that
week; schools were dismissed; Tom and Bob dis
appeared at dawn and were seen no more until
night. Was not Daddy Potters meadow a
tented field where the rattle of sabers, the
tramp of battaions, and the scent of hot gin
gerbrcad and pOp-beer made the day en-
chantedl Was not Daddy Potter, paunchest
of taiors, there himself as adjutant, sternly
drilling his men all day longf Had not the
Cavalry just arrived with all the terrific tramp
ling which forty horses could produce l-the
Clap City Guards in blue and silver, and the
Groom County Rangers in froggcd hunting
shirtsq This last attire was looked upon doubt
fully as daring innovation hardly in accord
with the solemn pomp of war, but was
forgiven on account of the fine effect produced
by the gray horses Of the Rangers and their
Roman helmets, from each of which streamed
horses tail. Excitement rose to its hight
when the General of Division (od John Stoke
ley, the stOrekeeper at Plattstown,) arrived
with his staff, all gallantly mounted and in the
Continental blue and buff. Dr. Brown, who
dOsed the whole country, rode beside him in
navy blue coat and green sash as surgeon of
the regiment. Anybody could know by his
bearing that he was used to cutting off arms
every day under fire, and had never heard of
DOvers powder or calcined magncsia. On the
last great day, the ladies of the village re-
paired to the scene in all their pink and yellow
lawns and futtering ribbons in buggies, and
gigs, and spring wagons, and the great sham
battle was fought with the British. Some of
the maneuvers were mastery, especially when
Joe's company depoyed behind the barn, and
took them in the flank. For a year afterward
the conduct of the battle furnished discussions
at the grocery, the old men asserting that
certain movements were not in accordance
with military tactics. But the British were
always whipped-always.
The May musters are over now with other
pleasant follios of our youth Potter's meadow
is planted in rye, and echoes no more to mar
tial music. The women would say, God
forbid that it should. Since the day the Tar
rytown boys marched away to the Wilderness,
with old Potter as captain, they shudder at
the sound of a drum and fife. So many of
the boys never came back! The old doctor
saw them die, and laid his gray head among
them at Charlottesville. Tom and Bob went
through the war and are at home now. They
say it was a savage business, but that it
made men of them. 1t brought them and all
Americans out of their village bigOtries, face
to face with the reality of things taught
them humber estimate Of themselves, a
juster one of their own and other countries.
Whatever harm it wrought. it L.s Lifted W.,