Sun River sun., 1884-12-18
"Jollnny."

Vouuuy "uo uppuehNiS ooOut ~
years old, slight in form, clear. fair
complexion, brown.eyed and attrac-
tive. Who he really was We never
knew. We first saw him while on the
march to Green River, Ky; it was
afternoon, and very hot, when he
quietly fell in by the side Of an order
ly Of one Of the companies, and after
short conversation said, in u pleas
ant voice:
you look SO tired. Let mo carry
your knapsack: it will rest you.'
The sergeant, being glad to get rid
Of his loud, gave lSsn tLc knapsack as
requested. He knew that the boy.
who said his name was Johnny, did
not belong to our regiment, and could
only learn that he was citizen. and
that his home was in Pennsylvania.
Toward night We came to a body of
timbor. through which creek ran;
here we halted to camp, and when the
boys broke ranks Johnny was in his
element full of fnn, throwing sticks
in the water to spattcr the boys faces,
singing snatches Of songs, and max
ing merry generally. Soon tho fires
were burning all about the camp. The
smell of fried bacon and the aroma of
coffee was rapidly sharpening our up
petites. The sergeant and lieutenant
OF his company were patiently wait
ing the slow movements of their cook,
u dilapidated old darkey,, when John
ny. taking in the situation, asked por-
mission to help get supper. Without
an answer "a look from tho lieutenant
being sufficiently ho rolled up his
sleeves, washed his hands and arms,
and in short time had some splcn-
did light buscuits baked, the bacon
was fried 10 Il nice brown. some eggs
were cooked and tcmptingly placed
Oh the bright tin plates, washed and
frightened while supper was cooking.
For weeks after, Johnny cooked for
this mess. and always had everything
neat and tidy. In few days wc an
rived at our destination. by this
time the whole detachment had be-
come acquainted with Johnny, and all
liked him. Yet tho sly glanccs cast
ut him, and the whispered CONVERSE
tons carried on in groups here and
there, showed that the boys suspi-
cioncd him OF something.
At last it came out; Johnny was be-
lisved to be girl, and on being taken
to headquarters aud questioned, nd
mitted, with tears streaming down hel
checks, that she was, and begged !hnt
she might be allowed to stay with US
y % A fight with the enemy was
liable to occur any hour, and no time
was to be had to send her out of the
lines. The next morning, at daybacak
the expected battle began and ragged
furiously for three hours.
During all this time johnny was on
every portion Of the field,regardless Of
danger, between the contcnding lines
giving the wounded water or such at
tention as the most nce dcd, tendcrl,
caring for all, Union and rebel alike
When the battle ceased, her clothing
and bare arms were red with blood
Seeing the colonel Just then, sh.
touched her cap and said:
"Didn't We whip them nicely
Three cheers for our brave colonel.
The next day the command startet
TO join its brigade, and when we reach
cd Lebanon Johny WAS left behind
Months passed. Sherman's victor
, ious army, of which our regiment wa'
+ Il part, had surrounded Atlanta; fight
. ing was constant and furious. and ont
T Of our men among many others, wa
badly wounded and conveyed to ;
hospital at Marietta. While there
= half delirious with pain, he was ava
I kcncd by hand laid gently in his
n women's voice saying:
"Don't you know me? / am Johnny
At first he did not recognize her
she wa. now dressed in womens ap
parel. But when he looked again h1
. knew she indeed was Johnny, but t.
that poor boy, sick in body and min'
from the loss of Il limb, it was lik'
. meeting long lost sister.
1t is needless to say that from
thence on until he was able to g'
, home he had every care that it wa
possible to give; Johnny was will
him nearly every hour, as tenderl.
nursing him as n mother They ha1
many conversations regarding he
life. She was one of those mystcrie
of which army life was full. Prehap
some great wrong, some great sorrow
drove her from home OF this W,
may never know; but we do know
that many a blave boy who was wound
=