West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-09-29
A RATHER BAD NIGHT.
BY GEORGE CARY EGGLEsToN. .
fGoldeu Rule


BY GEORGE CARY EGGLEsToN..
lGolden Rulc.l
We were living in the deserted
village; that is to say, my battery of
light artillery was stationed at Button
=. G. BlulltOn at ordinary times has
population of about three thousand
souls; but at the time of which | write
1T had no population at all. 1t is built
upon high bluff overlooking an arm of
the sea, or more properly, Il graf bay
broken by islands into various inlets
Hilton Head lies within sight and all
the waters of the great island-studded
bay are navigable by large steamers.
BlufitOn never had any business to do
Its population consisted wholly of
wealthy planters and their families Its
houses were all elegant, and its streets
were shaded by trees not planted i'm
rows, but growing wild in the midst of
the thoroughfares. But Blufiton was
exposed to the direct assaults of the
gunboats; and so, early i'm the war, the
entire population left, and went to
points in the interior of South Carolina,
and at the time | write of there was not
a soul in the town except the men in the
battery to which | belonged. Our
captain was acting as commandant Of
outposts, and as adjutant of the same
Our supports consisted of two or
three small troops of cavalry, whose
camps were several miles i'm the rear of
our own. These cavalry men did all
the picketing and in the event of an
attack, we and they were charged with
sfluty of harassing the advance of
pemy, and delaying him ON his
to the railroad, seventeen miles
Apg enough for troops to be sent
Charleston. 1t was wild,
Psy life, which i enjoyed in
~; and / count my six months at
EBluiiton at once the idlest and most de-
y lightful life | ever led.
We lived in the handsomely furnished
houses, made free use of very rich libra
ries, fished, played at chess, dozed upon
jogging boards " i'm sea-breeze-swept
piazzas, and altogether did nothing
most industriously and delightfully."-.
The only duty to be done was the max
ing of grand rounds among the pickets,
and this task dcvolved upon me about
once week. The pickcts were stationed
at all available points of observation
below-all points from which the chan
nelsof the bay could be seen and to visit
them required an all nights ride, which
in that country is by no means an
agreeable undertaking. The weeds rise
above the head of hOrseman, and the
dew is 80 heavy that it drips as rain
might from every leaf. Riding all night
in such weeds, one becomes water-sOaked,
and chilled TO the very bones, even
during the fierce summer weather
while during the fall and winter a
night-ride on this sub-tropical coast
brings with it degree of suffering
from cold which no New England
weather v.rnIupcg IL. .r... Il
picket-posts, however, was absolutely
necessary, as upon their efficacy depen-
ded our safety, and that of the railroad
we were set to defend. If single
picket slept a fleet Of gunboats or ships
launches might come TO Button wholly
uuannounced; and the battery, without
support, would of necessity fall helpless
into the enemy's hands.
1t was Christmas Eve, and n heap Of
hard pine was blazing in the great fire
place in my quarters. My negro servant
was busy in the kitchen without; and
my guests half a dozen officers from my
own and the cavalry companies. we're
already assembled. had invited them
TO dine with me upon haunch of
venisOn, "A wild turkey, fish, oysters,
crabs, shrimps, etc, all of which,
except the first two, could be taken at
any time within q hundred yards Of my
door. The materials for a bowl Of egg
nogg, the universal Christmas drink at
the South, had been provided in advance
and my little party-gving promised to
be a thoroughly successful hit Of hOspi-
tality.
My man Curry had Just begun 10 put
s-e six O'Clock dinner Onthe table. when
messenger came to report that Lieut..
c., the officer appointed 60 make the
picket-rounds that night, was III and
could not go. 1t was my turn next, and
there was no escape. At the holiday
season pickets especially need watching.
and knew very well IL would never do
to leave them unvisited that night.
There was nothing for it,, therefore but
Co turn my guests over 20 the captain,
my messmate, and order my horse.
My guide-fOr without n guide no one
could possibly find his way at night
through that country-was a dull. tact
turn fellow, with whom found IL inn
possible 10 maintain n conversation and
so my twelve miles ride b the farthest
picketpost which / visited first was n
very disagreeable substitute for the
iOvial, social evening | had MANNED Nv
the time ] reached Bears Island. I was
wet 20 tho skin with the dew, and stiff
with cold IL was about ten o'clock
when we rode across the causewav from
the mainland 10 the island, and the frst
thing ! observed was the utter darkness
Of the place. Ordinarily the pickets kept
up little FIRE behind o screen. at which
10 warm and dry themselves during the