The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-05-05
The Blue and the Gray.

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While Longslreet was in front of Suf-
folk pecking at US with Wright's bate
ries, instead of coming in and "wiping US
out" as he could have done before we
we're reinforced, report came in that he
was MESSING a heavy force to the south
east of our lines the weakest point of
our defense. To learn the true state Of
things at this point L was sent with q
small! scouting party by way of the Shin
gle Company's canal into Lake Drum
M ond, to scout from thence south of the
Dismal Swamp.
Going in skiffs we reached lsnding
on tolerably solid ground and camped
for the night on little knoll in dense
thicket Of scrab pine, half mile or
theresbouts from the point Of landing
Of course | had sentinels well nut from
our bivousc, for we knew by many
sounds that the enemy was not far from
u.s. All went we'll through the night and
at dawn we made coffee and cooked
some venison that l had got from old
buhC db tuc uCdu VI tuC Cduot do VIC
came by his place on the previous after
noon. The senlineis were called into
breakfast, for there seemed to be no i'm.
mediate danger. We had just squatted
to our coffee and grist when sound
struck our ears which made everv mar
in silence spring up and grasp his Sharp's
carbine. 1t was the heavy tread Of men,
We had just got our arms in hsnd when
a dozen men in rebel grav, led bv Lieu.
tenant over SIX feet high and lean as q
nail, broke right through the brush IN
front OF US. -ss1'ss
In second, while both parties stood
at ready, the Lieutenant cried out:
"Hold on, Yanks! II you'uns won't
shoot we'ans II hold fire. That coffee
smells mighty good-we'uns haven't had
none for year. We've lots of tobacco,
though"
He and his men looked so gaunt and
hungry, and go little like enemies just
then, that / cried out:
"If you'll stack your arms ont there
and trust to US, you shall share in grub
and coffee and then be free 10 go back
and fight II out il yon want to-"
"Good as sweet corn! We'uns are
mighty hungry, you bet"
They at once stacked arms and we did
the same, and while our cook put more
coffee and more steak on the FIRE. we sat
there on the ground, the Blue and the
Gray. and talked as If we we're old
friends Not about the war or it's causes,
hut about camp life and other things
And The way our coffee went down
with hard tack and juicy venison steak
would have satisfied the proudest land
lord that ever braeged OF bis table.
After We had filed up, the VIrgiuians
brought out their tobacco and did Their
share OF treating. The Lieutenant had
huge canteen OF old peach brandy, and
that went the rounds.
After we had got so friendly asked
the Lieutenant how be came to be in Oh
that point. He replied:
81 was sent to watch least yon'uns
came This way in force to take us on The
flank. Our main force is massed in front,
where our batteries are ready to 60 in il
vou'urs weaken, and the old man Long.
stree.) was afesred you might come
through the swamp and tickle Us ia the
rear. What wese yon'uns dom here ?"
"Just out on o hunt for fresh meat
got this deer last night"
"Well, the hest O. luck to you. You
don't feel like fighting now, DO your"
"Not il you bnys don't. 1t would be
a pity to spoil this picnic that way."
So we all shook hands, traded coffee
for tobacco and separated, at aeast for
then, IS friends. The next day on the
lines we we're ell rowing lead and irou
al each other.