Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-11-05
MIS- CELLAME0 US.
A WAR INCIDENT.

A clever citizen of Jefferson, who can both
sell aud appreciate good JOKE, writes to the
-Bnltimorean, as follows:
am living just in the midst of the former
members OF the old Second Virginia Regi-
ment, erewhile forming a constituent and
prominen. part of the Stonewall Brigade
Most of my neighbors, quondam veterans,
sometimes delight to fight their battles over
again, and to relate stories of Stonewall Jack
son, their beloved commander Some of
these stories are really pathetic. and others
very humorous. OF the latter description is
one told by my friend, Captain West, and l
will give it to you in his own words:
"You, perhaps, remember that o short
time before the commencement of the war l
received q severe fracture of the thigh, which
prevented my active service in the field.
could not walk without stick. and as for
riding in the cavalry, it was impossible
So. after filling two or three positions in the
quartermaster and commissary departments,
! was made forage master of the reserve di>
vision, under Kirby Smith. My quarters
we're at Hooe's farm, short distance below
Manassas Junction. Major Hawks, you
member, was Jackson's chief commissary;
Banks. the Yankee general, only acting as
purveyor of provisions. 1t is little singular
but both of these n.en were from Massachu-
sets, Hawks having been born in that State,
but reared and educated in Virginia, repre-
senting his adopted county (Jefferson) several
times in the State Senate. The South had
no truer friend. nor its army more faithful
or.energetic officer. OF this fact Gen. Jacks
son was welt aware, aud esteemed him
cordingly He was an old friend of mine,
and st the period I speak of "a short time
subsequent to the first Manassas), his quar-
tiers were on the old Braddock road, near
Ceutreville.
"One Sunday, being completely at leisure.
thought would ride down and see Hawks
Happily, found him at home. and shortly
after my arrival. with his accustomed hospi-
taity, ne opened his liquor case. 1t was one
of those oId>lashioned, oaken, iron bound
chaps, with gilt bottles and glasses, such as
one seldom sees now -a>days, and the very
sight of which alone is calculated to improve
the favor of even Indifferent whiskey. Some
mint was brought, and though we had no ice,
clear cool spring furnished the water, which
made our jnieps exceedingly palatable.
ave were just finishing "a largo and in
fuential feller,' when a boy came to say that
the butcher wanted to see Major Hawks at
the corral. relative to some cattle. Hawks
asked me to excuse him, saying he'd not be
long gone handed me some Yankee papers,
recently received, and, pointing to the liquor
case, said: IF you feel like taking another
ju'ep before get back, help YOURSELF l
glanced at the papers, and walked into the
back room, where one Of my brother-in laws
darkies, who had come into the service as a
teamster was cooking an excellent dinner
After chatting awhile with Sam, walked to
the front do1r, and saw n horseman about
ILL IL "a ~ E1tj L. 81
tent upon making US visit AS he came
nearer, l observed that he appeared to be
rather awkward horseman, and rode with
his stirrups much too short. lie was dressed
in faded suit of blue, with ono of those
little, round-top, fall in>front caps, and,
though there was no wind, he had the strap
under his chin. lie had a sharp, piercing
eye, rather prominent nose, and full crop of
whiskers. He dismounted, and, after hitch
ing his horse, approached the door. As
lie came nearer, slight, grave smile gave
pleasant expression to his countenance. In
the most quiet manner possible he enqnired
If Major Hawks was in? l nformed him
that the Major had just gone to the corral to
about some cattle, and that in all prob
ability he would be back directly. l invited
him in, gave him the only chair that was in
the room, and, seating myself upon bench.
proceeded to entertain the stranger till the
Major should return.
II talked learnedly Gas I supposedly upon
the current topics of the day discussed the
merits of the war; spoke of the recent bat
tie, and touched upon Stonewall Jackson,
telling, par parenthesis,' how [ had heard
that the students at Lexington used to call
him fool Tom Jackson 1 wondered what
the Yankees expected to make by sending
Ri hill
General Johnson's idea for pitching all those
tents upon the hillside, with not a man to
sleep in them. My visitors smile occasions
ally frightened. until it very nearly assumed
the full proportions of downright laugh
and especially was this the case when men
toned the little pieasantries of the Lexing>
ton students. H. would now and then make
a remark, which would lead me to criticisc
the situation yet more closely.
'.After while, | vas thinking I had
thoroughly exhausted every topic when a
bright idea presented itself. Said I: Sir.
when you rode up, was just about to mix
myself julcp Of the Majors whiskcy !;
won't you join me?' No; l thank you, sir;
] seldom, in fact, never, drink liquor of any
kind. except incidentally But, sir, let me
persuade you this time; this is some Of
Major Hawks private stock and it is much
better liquor than you Will find about the
camps generally. Let me mix you julep.
I'm sure it will do you good Thank you.
Captain, thank you prefer not but don't
lie, me prevent you from helping yourscf.'-
Finding he would not be persuaded mixed
up gothic and wishing him health and
high fortune for many years to come. tossed
it down. The effect was fine. In few mo-
ments l began to recoIect many things that
had not spoken of, aud was proceeding to
dacuss matters with the tone and air of