The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-29

baDjo-player, sweeney, who accompanied
him everywhere and made the camp ring
with his thumbing or the loud, rcsomdlng
chorus, "If you want TO have ag0od time,
jine the cavalry" in which Stuart Joined
with ardOr.
STUART AND A FORMER CHUM.
Stuart was making, a reconnaissance in the
summer OF 1861, when, riding ahead with
two or three officers, he saw coming TO
meet him Federal captain, whom he re-
cognized rs Cadet Perkins, an old West
Point friend:
"Hallo, Perk !" he exclaimed, " glad TO
see YOU. What are you doing here? "
"Why, Beauty" replied Perkins, using
Stuart's nickname at West Point, how
are you? didn't know you were with
us!
"And didn't know you were on our
sidep' retorted Stuart. "What is your
cOmmand?"
Perkins pointed over his shoulder to a
Federal battery coming IN sight.
"There's my command" he said.
"Oh the devil!" cried Stuart. bursting
into roar Of laughter. Goodbye,
Perk !" and wheeling rapidly he went back
at Il gallop, followed by laughter from
Captain Perkins. who had probably enjoy
cd the mystifcahOn.
THE WITTY HARSON.
Stuart had many persons around him as
fond OF the comic aspect OF things as him.
self. Among these was the " Pars0n," as
we called him, who was full OF wit HIM
self and the cause Of wit in others. The
Parson was the soul OF good humOr-a
fount OF gavety, in fact, from which flowed
fun and laughter in unfailing stream. For
a long time he was seen 1litting to and fro
on his white horse in every engagement,
but at last lie was captured and had
some amusing experiences which he related
TO us on his return. His capture took
place during the bustling campaign culmi-
mating i'm the second battle OF Manassas.
Stuart had been sent in front OF Jackson,
who was making his famous flank and rear
movement against General Pope to reach
Manassas and destroy the Federal stores
there, and many comic scenes followed
while the great depot was burning. Men
in rags were seen eating lobster-salad and
drinking champagne. and when Stuart
reprimanded one OF his young officers who
had become somewhat clated, the young
fellow ordered him to mind his own busi-
ness, rs "he was in command there"
whereat Stuart burst into laughter and
rode on.
sT0NEwALL JACKSON's NAP.
Soon afterwards occurred the melan-
choly event of Parson IS capture. We
had followed the retiring forces OF the
Federal army, and Stuart and his staff
spent the night outside the lines, at the
house Of some young lady friends near
Frying-Pan church, returning the next
day TO take part in the final fight near
Germantown. Here a triiling incident
occurred-tO digTess temporarily from the
affairs of the Parson-which showed STU
arts Joyous mood in action. We had pass
ed the infantry, waiting orders to advance
on the Chantilly road, and General Stone
wall jackson, seated on the ground with
his back to a tree, was peacefully doing
in the midst OF a sharp picket fire Il hum
dred or two yards on. and Stuart pushed
one Of his guns down the road to shell u
body OF Federal cavalry.
AS TO DAMP POWDER.
The c9yalry was soon seen TO be decoy.
As tn gun came into battery line Of
sharpsho0ters, hidden in tall weeds about
seventv-iive yards distant, rose up and
opened hot fire on the gun detachment.
Ii was altogether very " unwholesome "
place, to use Il military phrase. The hiss
of the bullets was incessant, and | said to
stuart Things are getting hot, Gene
ral." lie laughed, facing the fire with
great indifference, and said in matter-ol-
fact tone: "It is getting rather warm. /
wish you would go to General jackson ana
tell him | want some sharpshoOters on my
left" The battle, however, began nearly
at once, and continued during a violent
storm, winch gave rise to one OF Jackson s
| bon m0tS. An officer came TO himand said
| that his command would have to fall back.
as the rain had wetted their powder and
the guns were useless.
"No," said Jackson; "hold your ground.
| II the rain wet your powder 1t will wet the
enemy's too"
A reply similar to that Of General Hoke,
OF North Carolina, when some one said III
great perturbation:
"The enemy are very near you-yonder,
General"
"Not nearer to me than / am TO thcm,''
Hoke said, laughing.
THE PARSON LOST.
After the Germantown fight Stuart push
ed on toward the high ground to the LETT
OF Fairfax Courthouse, in pursuit OF the
retiring enemy. But night had come. and
nearly a tragic or comic incident followed.
AS he was returning one Of his own brig
AIDES took his force for Federal cavalry
and had sounded the charge on the bugle
when the terrible mistake was discovered
But the incident OF the occasion, which
produced most impression on the cavalry,
or rather the headquarters, was the myste-
terious disappearance OF Parson -. lie
| had accompanied the advancing column
either thirsting for action or In hopes OF
commissary spoil, for the Parson was an
! epicure and devoted to the good things OF
life, when suddenly the staif had lost sight
| OF him in the darkness, and he was no
more seen for many a day.
THE PARsoN RETURNS.
We mourned him as one lost to lis and
were beginning TO grow resigned to the
inevitable, when one day the worthy Par
son reappeared as suddenly rs he had van.
ished. lie was portly, ruddy, more loyla
than ever-not the least bit OF ghost. Oh
indicating IN his rotund person the slight
est experience Of prison life. He was re-
ceived with an ovation, and became the
centre Of admiring eyes. Very seldom,
indeed, had we seen.so portly Confede'
rate--onc displaying SO unmistakably a
recent familiarity with the good things
eatable and drinkable OF this life. Then
eager questions followed. What had hap.
pencd To him ! Where had he beenf Whai