The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1880-02-27
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE.
BY POTTER, The PRINTER.

AusSflDcu 70 tue suINlfOfh OF the leutu
Mississippi regiment.
The story told in the following lines is
founded ON fact. A similar incident oe-
Cured in the company OF Capt. j. W. Fite,
of the 10th Miss. regt:
Say, Dick, you can reach that pine-sOrter
mend the light,
I'm nearly done my eleanin' now-got her
topble bright.
I've packed this gun for mOre'n three
year, and long's hits been mine,
1t never got SO wet before, nor half so hard
TO shine,
That'n do, | reckon-now I'll put her
away;
I'm mighty apt to need her, though, about
the break O. day.
The Yankees pushed us hard to-day-to-
night they'll let Us rest,
They're bringin' up men and heavy guns,
and to-morrow1l do their best.
Dick, I've never backed down yet-but
ABOUT tO-mOrrOWs ngnt,
I'm thinkin' hit will be my last-that this
is my last night.
No use to tell me not to talk about hit in
that way;
lts fact-it'll happen shore-Pve felt it
all this dayl
And I wanted 70 git to camp, so l could
meet with you.
Aud tell you what wanted done-s thing
know you1l do.
If you git home, you 20 aud see-go-and
see-my-wife-
That smokes got in my eyes-----Dick,
don't care much for lite,
But ! tell you, hits mighty hard to turn
my back on all,
Aud go to the front ag'in, when know III
fall
Tell her how never finched-but always
was in line,
That | never missed charge or fight 4!
I've been thar ev'ry time.
needn't say, Dick, I've got nothin' but
love to send her
She knows that, bless her heart-God in
heaven defend her
you'll do itw Well, knowd that, Now
you go to bed
want to talk to Sam awhle-Sam, are
you sleep or deadi
"Tm wake, Mars. Toni amt dead-I
heerd cbery word you said
You white folks t'ink nigger's sleep
whenebber he nod him head
You's got de blues You's Mt 'em many
time! Nebber killed you befo'.
| don't see how dey'll git you now, for
tighten 'cm one time mo-"
Shut up, Sam-you listen to me: "To-
morrow when we fight,
You follow up the best You can-try and
keep me in sight,
It'll not be long till need you-itll be
early in the day
And want to give you, my faithful friend,
the last words can say.
You know what to do and where to go.
and who to go and see
Tell her all about it, Sam, and what you
done for me.
You'll soon be free. Sam; know we'll
lose this fight
And l know you'll not forget what tell
you this night.
Act towards all as you've done by me-be
faithful, kind and true;
You'll find that rs you treat the world, the |
world will so treat you.
Sam, give me your hard, black hand-Pm
sorry we must part
But knew ! have the truest love of your
big, honest heart
Now, you go to bed, Sam-a nigger loves
to sleep
I'll set by the fire awhile-my last watch
here I'll keep
. ..
"Cap'in, come for to Say dat is gwine
home;
Mars. Tom he's dead and gone now--left
me heah--alone
Mars. Dick, he was to oken-de Yankees
got him sho'l
l seed him when he rendered! He flung
him hands up, SO
Dey didn't troubble mel was holdin' Mars.
Toms head.
We's on'y dere mint, sab, and poor Mars
Tom was dead
| was wild him when he fell, sab tote
him of de fel'
Den l lay him in de groun', and by de
grave kneel,
And say Please, God, 'ceive Mars. Tom,
torgib him all him sin,
And make 'en, stop dis killin', and oil
come home sg'inp"
n q