The National tribune., 1885-07-16
IT WAS NOT WHISKY,
But 1t Was Something that Disguised tn. Drinl

but IL vas something tn8t Uls2uste0 tho DripkeIs
To THE EDITOR: If the portals of the "Con-
fessional are still open, allow me to enter and
lay my burden down, in q spirit akin to that
which moves the contrite rogues who contrib
ute to the conscience fund at Washington.
In June, 1863 after we had given Gen. ]. E.
2. Stuart's folks pretty sound drubbing in
re series of engagements fought near Aldie
Middeburg and Upperville, Va, and had
pushed them into Smokers Gap, in the
Thoroughfare Mountain they slipped away
from US and, making a long detOur, crossed the
Potomac away to the east of US and meandered
toward Gettysburg to cooperate with Lee.
My regiment with others was sent to intercept
them, and it was while on that march the
writer became particeps criminis in an affair
which caused some very unpleasant sensations
under the saber-belt of fellow-soldier, the
| memory Of whose sorrow has haunted me ever
since.
During halt, and while my company was
doing outpost duty, our picket reserve was sta
toned near an old barn, in which comrade-
Bill Prentiss-and the undersigned sought
shelter from thunderstorm, and found there
in, hanging high on crossbeam, an army can
teen filled with something that looked like
whisky, smelt like whisky, aud yet we had q
faint suspicion that it might be horse medicine.
But before screwing our courage to the testing
point we were called to 60 on post, and taking
the canteen along we stood our trick to-
gether on pike near a little town in Mary
land. Our instructions were to be very watch
full, as the enemy were in the vicinity, and
to allow no one to pass our post without the
proper credentials.
Soon after taking our position, two men ap-
preached a Lieutenant and private belonging
to the 9Th Pa. Cav, who asked permission to go
outside the lines to "sheebang," where they
learned they could get some whisky. The pri-
vate said he was very much fatigued and sick,
| ND hod 1ror, in or oh, &c
chest, boil on his leg, had not slept for q week.
and needed stimulant awful bad and the
Lieutenant cOrrOborated his statement. We
told them what our orders were, and directed
them to ride back and see the officer in charge
of the reserve. They turned sorrowfully away,
but before they passed beyond hailing distance,
/ told Prentiss to call them back and let them
test the contents of that mysterious canteen.
Bill needed only gentle hint, as he instantly
called out: "Oh. say, if you are suffering right
hard for some spirits, you can take sup from
my canteen."
Imagine how quickly they turned their
horses and gallOped toward US. Weary pilgrim
over sandy desert never approached bubbling
spring with more joy than did those thirsty
troopers come for the proAtered whisky. As my
cOmrade unslung the canteen and handed it to
the Lieutenant, who, without tasting, gave it
to the private, the latter, with a smile that was
innocent and bland, said: "Boys, you do US
proud. Here's to you" And, turning his face
heavenward, as if to make his neck as long as
possible, he put the canteen to his lips, and at
least q pint Of the stuff went gugle, gugle,
gugle, gug into his boiler.
Great Cesar! / can see him now as his eyes
bulge out and his face turns as red as a boiled
lobster; and when he passed the canteen to
Prentiss, his countenance picture of mingled
rage, agony and disappointment, he yelled,
amid the paroxysnal efforts to catch his breath:
"Tha-thats - n-no - whisky! N-i-y-a-w-k!
HOop-pee Y-a-w-k!" And he rode Off with
ing. When about 20 rods away the private
rose in his ssirrups and shouted defantly:
Diam you [y-a-w-kl didn't think that one
[y-a-w-kl soldier would try to pizen another"
And we never met again.-H. c. WHITAKER,
New Market, Tenn.