The National tribune., 1884-09-11
WAC Ssels tbs PI~s

To THE EDTTOR: During the FAN Of 1853
the 10th Conn. was cznped about four miles
from Portsmouth, Va, on the road to Suffolk.
The right wing Give companiesj was detailed
to 90 70 South Mills, ". c., 20 watch guerriIlas.
We were to relieve other troops, % this was
considered such an unhealthy place that about
10 days was long enough for the sanze troops to
remain there. We went down through the greas
dismal swamp following the canal, and arrived
at our destination jass before dark, and befors
we could get our little shelter tents properly
pitched, there came up one Of the most terrific
thunder storms l ever witnessed. I think NOS
one who was there viii ever forget that night.
Many Of Us were driven from cur littls tents
by the water, and the writer spent the night
with his back 70 a tree, enveloped ia a rubber
blanket. Morning came at last, and following
it lovely day, and after our breakfast Of pork.
hard-tack and coffee, party Of rs went forth
for adventure. We soon came to a field con-
tanning herd OF nice cattle. We formed
skirmish-line, and after a few shots there was
a surrender, soon after which we were on our
way back to camp bearing our dead. quarfe-sd
and hung to poles, and that night about 20
quarters Of beef could be seen hanging TO tress
tire OF one kind OF meat, and the soldier Is no
exception to this rule. Our camp was overrun
with hogs, and partly to rid ourselves Of the
pests and partly to have a change Of diet. after
a few days we commenced action in th IS quarter.
so that where once there was hanging beef now
nice fat shoat Ornamented the limb. IT'S said
ali things have an end. and the rule held GOOD
IN this case. i long six-and-a-half fo0s North
Carolinian enters camp, not thick enouza 70
make good shadow, though evidently oeleng-
ing 10 the better class IN that region Ee IN
quired for the officer in esnmand. Henry L
PaseO, Major Of the 18th, w5sssae senior officer,
and he was directed 70 his quarters AFTER q
good deal Of talking on his part 20 try and
show that he was loyal, eollOquy s0methinz
like the following took place:
North Carolinian-Your men ara killing my
hogs"
Maj. Pasec-Impossibls; my men would nos
do such thing.
n. C.-AreR them your menY
Mai. P-I command those men
y. C.-DidR't they kill those hogs2
Maj P.-aiy men are not down here 70 XIII
hogs; they wouldn'5 DO such a thing.
y. C.-Di6n't your men Kill those hogsf
Maj. P.-What hogs? with look Of sur
prise.l
n. Chose hanging TO them trees.
Tbs Major steps forward, and with an as
sumed look Of holy horror and surprise, ac-
L
/ but assures the North CarOlinian that the thing
shall be stopped-his pigs and cattle shall %
safe III the futaFe, and our visitor returns h0ms
feeling his object IS accomplished snd his
/ property safe.
The next day the cook Of the officers mess
reported 10 Mai. ?. that he had 10 meat for din
ner. After moments thought the cook waa
dismissed, and the Major turned to his table
and, taking large sheet Of paper, wrote some
thing as follows:
HEADQUARTERS, RIGHF WING, 16rH c. v
SOUTH MILLS, y. O, Oct. -. 1853.
General Orders. No. (.
The officers mess has no meat for dinner. Yoz
VIII act Immediately and DO governed accordingly.
After placing is in a very large envelope,
stamped Official Business" he directed it TO
one Thompson, Drum Major Of the regiment,
and one very seldom seen without smile on
his face and roguery in his eye. Calling his
Orderly, the MAJOR directed him TO deliver tha
document Immediately. The expression on
poor ThOnps0n's face on receipt OF the envelope
was about what you could imagine on the face OF
murderer listening to his death sentence He
looked twice 70 be sure it was for him, brOks
the seal, read, smiled; read again and laughed;
then read aloud. Just about this time 100
pound porker came grunting through camp,
and as fast as the boys comprehended the Joke
they started for the pig. First one would
spring upon his back; there would be a squeaI,
rolling n the dirt, and the next one would
take him. During ali this time the hy Of the
tent could be seen pushed aside occasionally,
disclosing about one-hAlf of the Majors face
covered with very broad smile. The pig was
caught and properly dressed. Thompson took
him ou his back, with enc hind leg over each
shoulder, marches up to the Majors tent,
pokes the pig IN through the opening On the
floor, and tells the Major he must go the WhoIs
hog or nOnei
The officers mess had fresh pork for dinner.
and oil ho1 -
one who may chance TO read this was thers
and can tell it any better than have, let them
90 so-CHAs. W. PAREER, Serg't, Co. !, 18th
Conn, West Acton, Mass.