National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-04

mile no galloped over tho hard, macada-
mixed road toward Charlestown, clinging
to his bundles of papers and hearing a
bullet whistle by his ears now and again
Us he proceeded. Ho finally escaped cap
ture by the tloetness Of his horse, but the
soldiers were puzzled by finding their
papers full of holes where the confederate
bullets had loft their marks. Such adj
ventures were, however, 80 common that
neither soldier nor newsboy thought
much about them. Newspapers formed n
bond Of fellowship between eastern an d
western armies, for from the daily jour
nails they cleaned tho news of each others
movements. The intelligence that Sher-
mans troops had reached the sea coast
came one evening TO the Army of the
Potomac in the columns of q Washington
journal, and as tho ncwsboys gallopcd
along the lines of ontrenchmonts before
Petersburg they were followed by tumult-
nous chocrs, until IL seemed as If the
whole army was tutoring one mighty
shout Of gadncss. Tho confederate
pickcts, hearing the cheers, were anxious
to ascertain the cause and, when informed,
n deep silence fell on Lees lines. There
was scarcely any musketry that night,
and not single piece of artillery disturbed
the slumbers of the opposing armies.
Musicians were q great feature of winter
camp life. 1t mattered little what the
instrument was as long as it made music.
Violins, flutes, banjos, and the sonO-
rous accordion were to be found in
every regiment. Round the instrument
talist clustered the vocalists, al freSco con-
ecrts being frequently given in the pres
enco of appreciative audiences and huge,
roaring fires. And these performers were
ambitious in their efforts. l once heard
the anvil chorus sung in fair Italian to
tho accompaniment of an orchestra that
only boosted one bit Of brass, battered
cornet There were plenty of drums, an d
q neighboring battery furnished the anvil
and sledges. Sometimes shade of sadness
would be cast over the rough assemblago
as some favorito song would recall noted
singer, who, during the previous summer,
had found soldiers grave ON the battle
field. When books were scarce readers
would be appointed to read volume of
Bulwer, or Scott, or Dickens, the hut
being full on such occasions. The rulo
about distinguishing lights at taps was
seldom enforced while in winter quarters,
and many pleasant hour was passed in
listening to the voice of good reader.
Outdoor sports were not overlooked,
being encouraged by thoughtful officers
Int nCtllHlul tACIClhO luty AlOluCu'
Snow-b ball battles were frequent, and it
sometimes happened that whole brigades
had merry fight with these missiles; tho
strategy displayed was often of high
order showing how well the soldiers were
studying their trade.
Picket life WAS always enjoyable, espe-
cially in the carly spring time, when
signs Of an approaching campaign multi
piled. The warm air, filed with frag-
rance by the budding trees and forest
flowers, was an agreeable change, Tho
sentinels along tho exterior lines being
alert and watchful. As tho season ad-
vanced frequent changes Of coffee and
tobacco were made by the pickets. A
stump midway between the opposing
lines usually marked the place of meet.
ing, and il was curious to watch the fed
erals and confedcrates gravely sitting
round rubber blanket amicably barter
ing their wares. A tea-cupful of ground
coffee was the equivalent for plug of
tobacco, and when coffee failed hard-tack
formed q convenient substitute. These
soldiers seldom gave information about
the armies, the subject being ignored
but the men eagerly compared notes
about previous battles and campaigns, and
were always delighted to meet confed-
fought against.
What brigade do you belong tor"
would DO asked.
"Mahone's."
"Why, it was you fellows we charged
on at Charlottesville"
ayes. And didn't we give it to you hot,
though"
'Ah, that was because we could not use
our artillery. You fellows fought well
that day."
80 did you. 1t was q mighty hard
fight while it lasted. How many cups of
coffee have you got there?"
Thus did these American soldiers pay
willing tribute to each others proves.
Had the work of reconstruction been left
to the fighting men of the north and south
much of the bitterness of that period
would have been avoided.
To the true soldier picket duty was o
positive pleasure. The knowledge that
in his hands rested the safety of tho army
made the most thoughtless grave. Slowly
pacing his beat the sentinel listened to
every sound, watched every movement.
A scampering squirrel among the dead
leaves, a twittering bird in the branches
over his head, the robin hopping over the
grass-all were noticed in silence; but
lot a movement occur in the opposing
line. aud overy musket was instantly
cooked, while warning words ran rapidly
along the chain Of posts. A chance shot
by some excited sentinel gaining an an
cry response, the whole limo would soon
be ablaze. Bullets whistlcd through the
trees as tho musketry grew in strength,
and considerable ammunition would be
wasted before orders came to stop firing.
When the advance began. and the
pickets received instructions to move for
ward and engage tho enemy, every man
ran to the line and work opened merrily.
Night duty was naturally the most trying
for then there was the danger of surprise;
but when the soldier was relieved he
rolled himself in his blanket and slept
calmly, knowing that his comrades were
watching over him in their turn.
When soldier became confirmed
straggler tho habit seemed incurable, and
no sooner did corps get fairly on the
move than these idle fellows disappeared.
They haunted farm houses in search of
food, and too often for useless plumber,
rendering themselves "a nuisance and a
terror to the inhabitants. While endeav-
oring to escape from the irksome move
ment in column, the straggler frequently
did twice as much tramping as the more
orderly troops accomplished.
Coffee coolers" as these stragglers
were commonly called, from their habit
of bivouacking in convenient fence cor
ners and hooks among the trees, were
possessed of that vagabondish instinct
which impels so many mon to become
tramps in the present day. Lazy and
impatient Of control, the confirmed coffee
cooler was irreclaimable. In camp he
performed his military duty in perfume
tory and unwilling manner the fear of
punishment alone keeping him from open
rebellion. Too cowardly to desert in the
field, he hung OH the skirts of the army
while it was on tho march, Sinking tho
picket line and tho battle field, thus
leaving the better men the task of meet
ing the enemy. Coffee cooling, as u
habit, grew upon man as tho love of in
toXicating liquor, aud once it fastened
itself upon him, the coffee cooler, like