The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1885-04-01

P"lVy Nuufessed TOOK his pipe from his
mouth and nodded assent. OF course I
had him "hgbt his battles Ger again..
"Iniuns2 Yes, dey used to give us
heaps Of trouble. Not much for two or
three years though. Victoria and his in
june was awful bothersomo. Dey wouldn't
fcller as and we had to foller them. Devil
lead right iuto ambush every time. Fust
thing you know bang bang y when you
don't see muffin. You're jest hghtn' trees
and rocks. Dey jest used to keep us a
goiu' all de time.
Boomers? Well I guess doy'el not try
it again until de government lows 'em too.
Dey's give us lots Of trouble and we've
never &c 'em. Jest surrounded 'em and
starved 'em out De solgers is gitten
kinder mad now and would jest about as
soon fight as not"
While chatting with my colored friends a
tall man with a bronzei face and long
blonde hair a Ia Custer entered. He was
wagon-master Jack Cunningham, fine
specimen Of the plainsman. He asked for
half dozen quinine powders, which Act
ing Hospital Steward Nance proceeded to
place in capsules, continuing his talk the
meanwhile.
Out again in the open air he pointed out
to me the quarters of the officers. "Dat
fust one is Lieutenant Finley's our adju-
tant. De second leetle tent wild de stove
pipe outn de end is Gen'rel Hatch's; but
he stays up to the hotel most of de time
While conversing young mulatto with
a corporals stripes, came up accompanied
by very black private, who asked of Ser
geant Mason (does that remind you Of
Betty and the baby p the privilege Of going
up town. 'No, sab, =" said the Sergeant,
"Why didn't you go dis mornin' when
told you. You wants to get out Of stables,
dats ALL"
''But my tooth aches; 1 want to get it
pulled" pleaded the private.
"NO, sab !" vehemently reiterated the
Sergeant, 'DaFs jest an excuse" But re-
lenting he added, ''Well go to de Captain"
As the corporal and private went toward
the Captains quarters Sergeant Mason
pointed at the latter aud said Oats the
vuEt uiggah in de army. Dey's allus
suthin de matter with him, and he's too
lazy fur anything"
While en- route for Caldwell had OBJ
served quartette on board the train en-
joying a pie SAINT game of euchre. The
quartette consisted Of an elderly dude, with
Prince Albert coat, tight pants and a
Derby hat; a whiskered individual with the
shoulder straps and yellow stripes of a cav
airy lieutenant-sO handsome that I was
sorry wasn't young lady that I might
fall in love with him-and twovery stylish
ly dressed young ladies'. I was always
stack on soldiers clothes, and so was con-
tinually Watching the little party, which
occupied seats short distance in front of
me. And when I heard the elderly dude
addressed as Gen. Hatch I couldn't keep
my eyes off Of him, though was rather
surprised to see him in the habiiments of
civilian. On their arrival at Caldwell the
party got into an army wagon and we're
driven through the binding snow to the
hotel. The same afternoon I witnessed a
pitched battle with snow balls between the
gallant General and a young Lieutenant on
one side and some ladies on the other.
The young officer was on the hotel portico.
terribly harrassed by the Amazons, when
the General raised the window and sailed
forth to his relief. Just at that point the
enemy received Teiuforcements and the
General was forced to abandon his purpose
and beat a hasty retreat; but the enemy
anticipating his plans, sent a detachment
to execute a flank movement and close the
window from the inside and his means of
escape cut off he cut his way through the
enemY's lines to a door, which however, he
did not enter until he was covered with the
beautiful snow, liberal allowance no doubt
finding its way down his spinal column.
The junior officer, finding himself at the
mercy Of the foe was obliged to surrender
unoondiionally. q always dill think
would rival Archie Forbes as a war cores
Pondsnt, and merely narrate the above
for practice. consider the description
very thrilling, and the ARRAY was witnessed
by, large crowd Of spectators on the other
side of the street, any Of whom will certify
to its corrsctness.)
The life Of D. s. army officer during
peace is one Of the sOftest snaps imaginable.
With a good salary, furloughs at any time,
and just enough excitement to make post
life desirable, he has a jolly time. Be
sides this the soldier-mashed sisters,
cousins and aunts of the oficers-usually
very tony society ladies-aEs to be found
thick at every military post, and he he's all
the social enjoyments Of more eastern
points. 1 see 1 have missed it by not
being a general Cor at least a maior.)
The army officer as you see him at the
western fort is a very afabls and wsll-sdu-
Gated parsonage, most Of them being turned
out from West Point. Only about fifteen
promotions are annually made from the
non-commiBsoned ranks to the line, 80 it is
very dimcult for any one not educated at
West Point 70 win a commission. The
army officer is glad to talk with you about
the East, and will oourteously answer all
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