The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-15
RALEIGH n @, THURSDAY, JANUARY Is, 1880

and knowing my intention to volunteer at
once, he wished to retain me as one OF ms
own men. Although very verdant, l soon
realized this piece of fnesse, and 1t almost
defeated itself; Notwithstanding my VOW TO
join the first reg inlent met with
SUMNER SOLDERING.
However in day or two the unfavorable
features of my Introduction were worn away
bv courteous treatment from the reglmental
officers, and the more well bred of the young
volunteers. A comfortable cot was furnish
ed. and took my meals at the colonels
table with the staff. Col. Eppa Hunton was
lawyer Of some prominence at Warrenton;
a man of much tirmness, who arose to the
command of the brigade, and IS now well
known as a member of Congress, a member
of the Electoral commission, etc. The Lieut.
Colonel, Major, and senior Captain, were
Berkeleys, descendants ofthe ancient Berkeley
family, one of whom was the Royal Cover
nor Nearly all the officers were men of
wealth. and many of the men were OF excel
lent family. 1t will amuse old soldiers to
read that each company of the regiment had
two baggage wagons a cooking stove, and
quantities Of camp-stOols, mattresses, etc.
The Head Quarter equlpage hlled tour or
five wagons, or nearly as much as an whole
brigade two years later. The colonel
tent was unique. 1t consisted of an old
modern Pullman coach; being divided into
three compartments one for cooking, one
for eating, another for sleeping-an outfit OF
chairs, tables, culinary utensils, ana cook
and chamber-maid, rendered the establish
ment complete and comfortable as an ordl
nary cottage. 1t was drawn by pair of
horses, and rolled along at the head of the
baggage train, a novel spectacle amid the
| green woods. In the same comfortable
| fashion of summer soldering, each day after
| dinner we carried orr chairs outside the
car, in the shade Of a mammoth oak, and
| indulged post-prandial discussion Of CT
gars. pipes, and the condition of the coun-
try. In brief period the majority of the
regiment would assemble in a circle around
us to listen to the conversation, as if it were
a crossroads political debate. The fact that
l had left Philadelphia only few days pre-
yious. and had seen Washington amid all the
distraction succeeding the battle Of Manassas,
made me an object Of special interest to all
A thousand and one questions were asked
from morning until night, each newcomer
| repeating the series as for example, w hat
do the Yankees say about the war w hat
did they say about Bull Run ?-How do they
like Southern cold steel ?-Ain't some o
ever try us agin n?-Has old Abe Lincolr
fled from Washington ?-Is it true tina
England has recognized us s?-etc., etc.
Occasionally found it hard to keep III.
temper while contesting the loud d-lunged as
sertion of small witted braggarts, that tn
Yankees wouldn't fight, that lone South
erner could whip ten Yankees" and simila
bragadocia of provincial pride, freshly in
flated by the extraordinary discontinue Q
the Federals at Bull Run. In boyish indig
nation wrote in my journal, still preserved
-''When old Scott and Lircoln and Sew
ard proclaimed that the war would end i
sixty days, they were trying to deceive thei
followers In order to get them fairly starte
on the track of war, but the upshot of it a
seems to be the deception of the South
For one half these troops believe the wa
already over, and the North a-tremb!ing
her boots for fear we may invade her. Be
ter wait half dozen years before We talk {
peace.
PRO PATRIA.
) At the end Of week, to wit, on the 16t
day of August, there came rumors Of an ho
tile inroad by the enemy, near Waterford
| the extreme Northern portion OF the count
and orders were issued to prepare to marc
at dawn, with a full supply of ammunition
A fight seemed probable; and my decisio
: was taken. Repairing to Col. Hunton, l il
formed him Of my vow to volunteer IN II
= first Southern regiment l might meet
Providence should favor my escape throug
: the many perils of the trip;) and l now d.
3 sired to redeem my pledge. He at on
e sent for number Of the captains to intr
s duce me, whereupon enrolled as memb
of company II, composed of young men
: Leesburg, commanded by Captain J.
! Wampler, who afterwards built ''Batte