New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-19
tal Correspondence of the Republican
" RECRUIT ON THE BORDER.

Ric Grande, determined, in a mo-
of intense patriotism, to follow the
ule of Terrence, and join the gang.
Indication was quickly and favorably
iered, as said could do almost any
from tarring second hand rigging
king solid report to the Secretary of
treasury. Advance money was given
shich unceremoniously expended for
mash and pigtail tobacco.
Ii the other recruits, took up tenn
~ abode ON the ironclad Canonicus,
NJ for Captain Freeman to steam the
n John A. Dix alongside and take us to
Front, which term means the Rio Bravo
ne Rio Grande. That was all right, in
time, and when at sea l naturally took
,yatons of all on board. Captain
was on the weasel, but we could not
much OF him, as his title and commits
urnished him an excuse for dignity.
st supposed that he would mess with
scruits, on the forward .deck, but it
ed a. if the company Of Captain Free
snd General Google, in an upper cabin,
more to his taste-taste is a good word
there. Three or four times each day
steward carried steaming hot meals
that upper cabin, but he never asked
Dor fellows to indulge in such fine fare.
took hard tack, and meat that looked
poor mahogany, but it was good enough
aw recruits.
natural curiosity caused me to wan.
over the steamer, even beyond pre-
bed limits; it was hard to learn that |
placed myself outside Gf my ueual
sphere; it was difficult to under
that because had agreed to serve
country | must not be recognized as
hing better than a machine--a sort of
1t for Mexican lead. Well, having
Ehg to do, kept q close watch on the
krs. First; Captain Freeman | found
genuine sailor and navigator, alto
r careful of his people and vessel; he
on deck just when least expected,
log after everything, making no die.
Of his shoulder straps. Then followed
ad Lieutenant >. L.. Mcclure, acting
fsl in the absence of Lieutenant ID. +.
h. Ia his quiet, kind manner he kept
hings trim and neat. Third Lieutenant
Hanks was always about, having his
ha eye open for breakers. The chief
nttr, Mr.. j, M. Case, if he ever slept,
have cradled himself on the walking
or in the engine room, as he was
10 at all hours. His assistants, Messrs.
Taylor and w. y. Blackmore, were
part of the machinery, ever pre-.
for duty.
|ell, in due time we reached Brazos
ago, where the Dix was to anchor.
Eed somebody where Brazos was 10
A sorry finger pointed toward ID
IN sand pile, on which stood single
BY shanty. That was all that remain
once fourishing town. The Sep
Der gale had swept The village out of
Pence, and it is DSt likely that Brazos
ago will ever exist again Opposite,
PAdre Island, rested the wreck OF the
oler Ida Lewis. sad picture on
ate beach.
taking of Padre Island, Texas, reminds
t agood Joke. just after the late war
10 from Down East purchased the entire
., intending to raise cattle, as sand was
to feed them on. The fact gradually
led on him that his project was fail
10 in his moody moments he reduced
anded possessions to paper. Several
: Of card board were magnificently
ed with beautiful drawings of shady
y, lovely gardens, prolific orchards
psndid mansions well furnished with
vagant furniture. Parenthetically,
mention of the item that the owner
nlently buried several large tanks of
oil beneath the arid sand. In his illus
Ons the proprietor did not fail to throw
fnts that coal oil existed in probably
Quantities on the island; indeed, he
actually pumped out some himself.
unable, financially, to operate this
Ense scheme, he was quite willing to
10 OF few shares, and he found pur-
As in New York. Machinery was sent
I'd soon after the bubble burst. Mr..
is now fugitive from Uncle Sans
recruits were transferred from the
pa little harbor steamer and ] .nded at
Isabel, thence by railroad up to
nsville, ard thence on board the Rio
where we were put into blue uni
That war vessel did not impress
to an enthusiastic degree. She was
and bar, opposite the garrison, and a
fellow suggested that dozen wheel
70 be placed under the hull to keep
East.
won as my new togs were on took Q
Brownsville. A resident informed
At rain never fell there, and believed
nan saw odd looking men pulling
Hof water from the river. The tel.
psbare legged to hips and drag their
BY rope attachments. The cask
sside and on each head is pivot,
ah the rope is attached; the owner
aags his load, his pull rolling the
along silently. The owner takes his
own to the river, sinks it until it is
then hauls it to his patrons any
n the city, for which he receives
silver picayrne. Well water is unfit |
asehold use, and the same is the case
snoras. Because there is NO rain
streets are very clean.
I'd that my greenbacks were quite as
coin in making small purchases,
Arge transactions there is a differ
nve or six cents. The silver com
ad circulation is like the last run of
Aost of the two bit pieces are as
a nanar-nuifa uunrn nnt-nAIa |