Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-07-22
DE- xRfHNp. fhE srAgoR.


body lilfes.
A writer Ia tho Atlanta CoglStitlition
asks: Do You know, my friend, the
maiore He is rare bird He Is an
optimist on principle, nnd a liar because
he can't help t. TO know the major is q
liberhl education, 81 least 80 far as the
iino art Of prevaricntion is concerned.
Tho major first attracted my attention |
during the war. He was exempted from |
the service on account of some slight |
/. disability, bnt as noon as hostihtes |
opened he announced his intention OF
joining tho army. He made no secret of
his determination even to strangers.
Whenever he saw crowd Of able-bodied
young men he would Introduce himself,
eonRratuiaie them upon their manifest
ability to serve their country in the field,
and wind up with tho statement that,
although cripple himself, he did not
propose to be cheated out Of his share Of
the glory, and was then making his
arrangements 10 20 10 the front.
The effect Of this kind OF talk may be
imagined. In those days everybody was
patriotic or nothing. Many timid man
wins made so ashamed Of himself by the
MAJORS devotion TO the Confederacy that
he precipitately volunteered and marched
of with musket ON his shoulder. All
through '6l and '62 this gallant patriot
gave himself up to his work. Finally it
begen 10 dawn upon us that he was losing
good deal Of time, aud missing all the
fighting right straight along. Something
OF tho sort was limited to him. but he
promptly silenced all criticism. He had
been delayed by so many things, he said.
First, he had intended TO join Col. Blanks
regiment, but the colonel was killed, and
that cRused him TO change his plans. He
had found il difficult TO decide between
the infantry, calvary, and artillery
branches of the service. He had also
thought of the navy, and ut that very
time was waiting 10 hear from a certain
admiral, who was an old friend.
After hearing these voluble explana-
tions, men would wink significantly at
each other, but they kept their suspicious
to themEelYes. II WAS useless 20 nnke
wnr on the major. He was hand in glove
with the authorities, and the women were
all on his side. The sacrifice which ht
proposed TO make in going into the army
In spite of his exemption stirred the femi
nine heart, and SO much was said about i
that scores of men less fit for duty thar
the major found themselves unable Il
stand the pressure. They rushed off Il
the army, but the major still fingered a
home.
During the siege of Atlanta my Of,
friend made himself very useful, and
think hurried up matters not a little. II
attached himself to flag of truce part
one day, and although present as citize
he wore an officers coat He stsolle
about, got left by his party, and wa
picked up by the Federals rs u spy. Ii
was so defiant, so voluble and so brigh
l,oA lie curpiaI 1pfnro fapnpVnl Shgl
man. In the presence Of this torribl
commander the major did not abate on
jot Of his natural dignity. He explalne
his position satisfactorily, and, in II
Spouse to the questions put 70 him sal
that Atlanta was defended by gu, 900 mer
3 that Gen Hood had 300 big guns, III
limited ammunition and all the supple
he needed. The garrison he said, woUl
be reinforced by 10000 militia from Il
south Atlantic states inside Of ten day
To make him stop his everlasting JAY
Sherman ordered him to be escorted
the Confederate lines.
As soon MS the major got back to.t
city, he was interviewed by cyeryho,
from Cen Hood down to the newsbo!
To sall these searchers after truth Z
major was gracious and communicate
He said that Sherman's force, at mt
efnto ehIlllluLb, utllOllhitil 70 ltuibNh Au'
and 90, 1000 more were on the way.
had seen 800 heavy siege guns placed
position, and had learned that it was
programme to open fire on the city "
all of them in lS hours. He had "A
seen brass band with instruments &C
ing $40 900. This band Ind Just arri'
from Washington, and had been sent
to furnish the music whom Sherman ms
his grand entry into the city.
Looking back to those days 1
easily see that the majors fearful va
must have driven both Sherman q
Hood nearly crazy. Both gener
made some very eccentric moyeme
soon afterwards, and my old friend y
,uuloBs -lapUnstiEil fo. DC Vh0ie y,
Ups A"H~ 'sug sis.a 0t ,Illr aiRi'
.. pyTsoEHg, .Gg nearly d aCJrs vi yvsl
found him some time ago comforta
established in a small town, not hund
miles from here. Time had dealt GET
with him. He was rotund md rosy,
his face wore n perpetual smile. |
cepted an invitation to ride with him
the country, and on our trip [ lear
still more abont the man, We pass;
farm nearly all hillsike, but With a
row strip Of bottom land. Tho corn
the hillside wns stnntel and worth
but in the bottom it WAS very fine. 81
ping suddenly in the road, he wi
hailed the farmer, Il Niue, hopglessl i
ing man.
f'Say, Jones" he shouted, "th
mighty fine corn in the bottom
YES it's tolerable was tire despc
ing reply.
"Tolerable amt no uano for it,
my companion There uinl go &
corn in the country ! always lid
those town follows TINT what Won lii
know about farming wlrut worth Sn
ing
The gloomy Jones smiled wifhoyt
pleasure.
ITS my opiuiau oa,f iuued the m
thoughtfullY that yol will soon b
the best -pnyiug !arm ut its sizn 10
country. Just Keep Up The hci
know.
And with nAocry smile and 4 way
the hand, he drove Dr.
Turning to mt he said
Nov, ! taik that way Oh princl
Why call Zones attention "a his hll
farm Poor follow he looks NJ that
much anyhow. I made hn, look GU
bright side Of things and ghoopol
mp. That's tho way 70 70 IT,
Throughout our ride tGis rosy smi
old man stopped every nam woman
child and gave them lust 5uch % raI
as he hal given Jones. sHtmg uis tai
the varying oirums,Wur W each q
On our return q town roaid not
noticing that the MAJORS suroura
words hnd already produced au ID
All many ot the farm hoIs.s rue W1
folks hpd been told Gy tbotr GuSJatt
what had oocuTod they looked
us smiling from their 3aoryNys, III
several uinr.g litt1, rhiIfr.r tp.4ll lri