Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-11-02
A CAMP EPISODE.
One of the Amusing Incidents that
Occurred ut Fredericksburg
PHILADELPHIA Times

Hi'"NSifh'" AthiSs-
''Fore de Lord, / cotch you now.
shuah."
These words, not much in themselves,
were uttered under such peculiar cir
cumstances rs to cause shouts Of wild
laughter in the confederate camp, locat
ed beyond the town Of Fredericksburg,
Va, and they were the expression Of
satisfaction given utterance to by one
of the numerous faithful servants and
followers of young Marster." The
splendidly-organized, armed, and
equipped army Of the Union, under
General Hooker, lay encamped along
the north bank of the Rappahannock
river, in Stafford County, while the con-
federates, under General Lee, guarded
the south bank. Rations, as usual, were
scarce within the confederate lines, and
chicken was a luxury seldom to be en-
joyed. jim, the we'll known attendant
OF the lieutenant Colonel of the forty
seventh Virginia Infantry, who enjoyed
the reputation of being not only
"a splendid cook, but also sue
cessful forager, had upon one of
his expeditions by some means,
fair or foul, secured a rooster,
destined on some important occasion to
sdorn the table of the Colonel. Coops
not being regarded as q part Of camp
equipage, Jim secured his prize by
tying it by the leg to his cook-tent uI-
til the captive rooster became domes-
ticated to camp life, when it was allow
ed to roam around the camp, yet ever
under the watchful eye of Jim, its cap
tor The ordinary routine of camp
life was occasionally varied by shot or
shell, sent as a reminder from the
Stafford Heights into our lines. Men
soon become accustomed to sgch
things in war times, and Jim was not
an exception to the general rule, as the
future demonstrated. The Colonel,
summoning Jim to council, informed
him that company OF great Importance
would that day visit the camp and in
quired of his faithful ally whether it
would be safe to invite them to remain
and dine. Assuming an air of deep
thought, scratching his head, and gaz.
ing intently on The ground, Jim re.
piled:
"Marse, tings am berry scarce around
here; but | 'spect by KILN OBJ dat
chicken an maxim dumplin' soup,
wild what tings ole marster sent you dc
odder day, we mought make out to git
up far kind of en- tum-men tain-ment,
sar."
"All right, jim; then upon your re
sponsibihty | will invite my friends to
remain to camp dinner said the
Colonel.
Immediately in front of Jim's tent
there remained panel or so of an old
Virginia worm fence left standing,
which had been carefully guarded and
used by Jim for his culinary work. A
search for ''dat chicken" disclosed him
scratching in corner of that old
worm fence. Jim went for the chicken,
and that wise old bird sought refuge
first on one side and then on the other.
lodging under and through the rails in
SO successful Il manner that jim, tired
and Disguised, mounted on top rail
and sat down, waiting patiently for his
chicken to seek some other refuge
where he could capture him easier,
all the time giving expression to his
disgust at the chickens obstinacy in
refusing to be caught.
Suddenly flash was seen ON the
Stafford side of the river, and the whist
ling Of a shot was heard. There was a
crash and to the horror of the camp,
rails were sent about, the remnant of
Jim's fence lay strewn around, and Jim
was recognized on the ground in spread
eagle style. The Colonels dinner was
forgotten aud jim only was thought
of. As the soldiers ran to pick up
what they supposed to be Jim's hfeless
remains, ne was seen to pull himself
together, gain q sitting position, and
gaze around him upon the scene of
disaster with eager and anxious gaze.
His eyes soon rested upon the fright
ened rooster making the best possible
time down the middle Of the camp:
jim, springing nimbly to his feet, with
out expressing surprise or fright at his
escape, giving a Loud gutiaw, and in
lively tones of pleasure, exclaimed, as
he started on rapid run after the
chicken: Oar, now, bress God, you
can't git under dat fence no mo-: fore
God, cotch you now, shuah." He cap
tured his rooster, and retired amid the
cheers and shouts of the camp to his
tent to make "dat pot ob chicken soup,
wild dumpln's for young marster's COM
pany."