Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-11-20
AN AaUsEEa oAmp EPISODE.

Fore de Lord, cotch you low, shuah."
Thee words, not much IN themselves. we're
uttered under such peculiar circumstances
as to cause shouts of wild laughter in the
Confederate camp, located beyond the
town of fredericksburg, Va, and they
were the expressions OF satisfaction given
utterance to by one of the numerous faith.
full 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 Rappahsnnock river, in
Stafford county, while the Confederates,
under General Lee, guarded the south
bank. Rations, IS usual, were scarce
within the Confederate lines, and chicken
was luxury seldom to be enjoyed. jim,
the we'll known attendant of the Lieuten-
ant. Colonel of the Forty.seventh Viz
ginia Infantry, who enjoyed the rep
utation of being not only a splendid
cook, but also a successful foraper. had
upon one OF his expeditions by some rleaps.
fair or foul, secured a rooster, destined on
| some important occasion to adorn the table
| of the Colonel. Coops not being regarded
as part of camp equipage, Jim secured
his prize by tying it by the leg TO his COOK.
tent until the caTi=-" rooster became do.
mesticated to camp ilfe, when il was a.
lowed to roam around the camp, yet ever
under the watchfui eye Of Jim, his caD5or,
The ordinary routine of camp life was &C.
casionally varied by shot or shell, sent SIS
q reminder from the Stafford Nights into
our lines. Men soon became accustomed
to such things IN war times, and Jim was
not an exception to the general rule, as the
future demonstrated.
The Colonel, sunmoning jim to council,
informed him that company OF great i'm
portance would that day visit the camp.
and inquired 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 gazing
intently on the ground, Jim replied
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 de odder day, we
mought make out to git up far kind of
en-tum. men, tain.mcnt, sar."
"Al right, jim; then upon your re.
sponsibllity | will invite my friends to
remain to camp dinner" said the Colonel.
Immediately In front of JIn'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
chicken disclosed him scratching in a
corner of that old worm fence. Jim went
for the chicken, and that wise old bird
| sought refuge frat on one side ana then on
| the other, lodging under and through the
| rails in so successful 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 whistling 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
Coloneps dinner was forgotten, and Jim
only was thought Of. Aa the soldiers ran
to pick up what they supposed to be Jims
lifeless remains, he was seen to pull himself
together, gain sitting position, and gaze
around him upon the scene OF disaster with
eager and anxious gaze. His eyes soon
rested upon the frightened rooster making
the best possible time down the middle of
the camp. Jim, springing TO his feet with.
out expressing surprise or fright at his es.
cape, giving loud guffsw, and in lively
tones of pleasure, exclaimed, as he started
on a rapid run after the chicken: "Dar
now, Dress God, you can't git under dat
fence no mo- ; fore God, cotch you now,
shuah." he captured his rooster, and re-
tired, amid the cheers and shouts of the
camp, to his tent TO make "dat pot OBJ
chicken soup, wild dumplin's, ;" for young
marster's company.-[Jehn Taylor, in the
Philadelphia Times.