The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-05-31
A Sniffies "Reminiscences.

1t was in the delicious month Of APP
ril, 1862, that the old 18th Regt., S. G..
V, under command of the gallant Ed
wards was stationed at Green Pond in
this State. The boys were hungry to
be led into the deadly breech--and for
rations. Soldiers are proverbially hun
CRY. CO. D. particularly so, and no
wonder they were hungry, for rations
were tantalizingly short, and they had
nothing to do but think of imaginary
feastS. Capt. Hunt hearing of conf
Portable farmer, not far of, whose
store houses were running over, and
who was reputed, strange to say, to be
filled with benevolence to the Confed-
crate with money in his pocket, detail
ed Private Sparks and myself, with Il
two horse wagon to go for him, and
we went. S. drove. An early start
was made, the morning air delicious,
and freighted with the scent of the
yellow ie<samine which clambered in
profusion over tree and shrub in every
direction. We two became confden-
tial, we spoke OF loves Young dream,
a subject as dear to Il Confederate heart
as ratiOnS to his stomach. In this way
we iourneyed, filled with past bliss,
and the hope of something 70 eat, be-
fore night spread her sable mantle over
natures loveliness, and enveloped two
weary, hungry soldiers in gloom. At
length but long before it was looked
for, the house, OF which description
had been furnished us, appeared in
sight. The approach to the house was
through a long avenue, deeply shaded,
it was restfnl, hopeful place, visions
of cookeries floated before our mental
vision, we felt the generous biscuit
and the savory roast, and the soul SUBJ
DUNG pie. following each other down
our throatS, and meandering about
seeking appropriate space in the spa
cious void below. suggested to my
companion, as my coat had less grease
spots than his own, and furthermore
had more buttons, and l could bet
ter hide the soiled linen, which was dis
played by both, that he remain to mind
the team while I went in to reconnoi-
ter. With elastic step l neared the
house, ascended the steps, and saw q
charming woman tripping lightly thro'
the spacious passage. There has ever
been an affinity between me and wo-
man, we therefore lessened the space
between us, we drew closer, her bright,
penetrating eye quickly discovered in
the greasy soldier, the immortal, long
lost Sniffles, who though lost to sight,
to memory was still dear. l pass over
the eXstatic JOY of that meeting. The
last time 1 saw her she was little ten
year old girl, i'll the rose bud period,
and now Il charmingly developed, full
blown rose OF a woman. The thought
of that meeting comes over me now
with deliciousness which requires too
many words to express, is it any Won
der then, that as she led me gracefully
into the parlor, 1 forgot Sparks
and the wagon. In the parlor were
other girls, and it being spring time,
they were lovely in muslin and ribbon.
My heart melted, my eyes suffused, my
stomach had long since collapsed. l
asked for music, and got "Polly put
the kettle on" and "Uncle Ned" and
when they came to she had to let the
corn cake be-" the girls saw that I was
overcome with emotion, not knowing
that it was produced from hunger, and
their allusions to tea and corn cake.
The character of the music was chang
ed. revived, minutes flew on golden
wings, they grew into hours. The I'M
mistakable sounds which precede the
approach of dinner, struck my tympa-
mum, made by the rattle of knives and
forks, the clatter of plates, followed
by savory smells of roast, boil and fry.
| felt transported, l tioated through the
seventh heaven. thought of woman
as ministering angel, and all this
time Sparks was out in the sun, the vi
tai spark may have fled, while I was
sparkling inside. under the combined
influence of woman, muslin, and sweet
smells. The dinner bell sounded, and
it seemed like the soft peals of a con-
vent chime, could not resist it, l was
always susceptible, and easily led-to
dinner. Going in l found Sparks ell
tering by side door, the farmer had
rescued him from an untimely death,
and brought him in. He sparkled with
delight, the dinner was before Us. there
was no time for recrimination, we ate
and were thankful. After dinner the
wagon was loaded, paid for with all l.
o. T., little more music, tender
adieux, and back to camp we Went.
have since met that lady, but alas, my
friend Sparks yielded up his ticket Of
life Oh the battle field.