The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-09
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
Whal 0nr Veterans Have 10 Say a5oLt
Thciy Old Campaigns.
Eanguluar! Combat with Deadly RoIIing-Pin.

OAAlhE Allt lhle hsll WIZ ANAlN hAAiNAbuof AsAa
few probably more SO than the one which am
about % relate. ana which occurred on the line
of the RappahannoCk late in the Fall OF lSb2.
The 25th oil November of that year was a clear
but bitter cold day. bringing water 20 the eyes
and uumbucss 90 the feet aud hands OF those
who were exposed To the weather, and especially
a. those manning the pickct-posts along the
edge OF the stream. Indeed, 80 intensely severe
had been the weather few days before that
two or three OF my comrades Of the picket line
had been frozen TO death on their posts and
brought into camp stihened cOrpses. Just at
this time lfor what reason none OF us knew our
daily allowance Of ratiOns had been very SEN
sibly reduced. much 10 the Inconvenience Of
myself and comrades, who like the most of sol
diers IN the field, had rousing appetites On
the afternoon Of the day named, AT o'clock,
myself and four comrades were relieved for four
hours from duty two picket-posts near a
burned bridge ut Falmouth
il was nearly dark, and we were cold and
hungry, and our near prospect Of relief from
Uncle sam was far from encouraging. Our
haversacks were nearly empty, and what were
we 10 do. One OF my comrades proposed a for
aging expedition TO house situated on bluff
near the river and quite some distance north Of
Falmouth. We had been frequently near IT,
aud from It's appearance and surroundings
thought that il would just be the place 10 go 10
have the Inner man " strengthened, should
our camp provisions ever run short lt did not
take long 10 consider the proposition Of our
comHde, and az $50 o'clock, with shouldered
muskets we stole away and started for the
house, cur comTade volunteering 10 act as Cap
tain. The ground was frozen hard and snow
had commenced 10 fall In three-quarters of
an hour we reached our destination. Two Of
my comrades went TO the door and knocked
while the other two and myself kept at a dis
lance 10 watch how they would be received.
The door WINS Sann anpned hy a roDuh nouprful
woman, apparently OF Irish birth, who, upon
seeing soldiers, fed out Of their sight into a
back room. j aud my two companions then
advanced, aud with the others entered the
house. We opened the door and walked into a
room. plainly but comfortably furnished, where
we found an old Engishman for such he after
ward proved TO be- seated on a bench opposite
a bright log fire, smoking long pipe. Our
visit must have been one of no little surprise to
him, for be arose aud said quite neryously:
Well, lads, what's yer business here at this
time o. night2"
Our Captain replied: Don't get scared, dad /;
were only after grub-that's all"
Blast It," said the old man, as he turned 10
leave the room. "Ill try and get ye all some
thing TO cat Sit down and warm yerselves
and III tell Peg-but make no noise, for yer in
dangerous quarters; the folks up above"-
pointing 10 the ceiling-"don like a hair on a
Yankee soldiers head. All their lads are in
Gen. Lees camp just over the river there"
He then left the room and locked the door
after him. Gagged" said one Of my compan-
ions. Smart trick" said another. We now
thought Of treachery and such like things, but
being well armed we feared nothing but over
pOwering numbers. The old man had been
absent for probably 10 minutes when TO our
surprise, we heard a loud noise overhead like
stack of muskets falling down on the floor. and
also the voice of woman as if scolding. At
~. L. a
coming down a back flight of stairs all Of
which increased our suspicious of foul play.
We remained silent, fully prepared for the
worst, should II come. In few minutes the
old man returned, and in a trembling voice
said:
Bad luck, lads, bad luck they say no cursed
Yankee shall have bite here. would will
ingly give We all something TO eat myself. but
Im-lm-Im an ould man, living here with
my two daughters and I'm afraid, We see, for
they are strong secesh. and both of their hus-
bands are in the Confederate army"
Well, my old friend" said our Captain, I'VE
care nothing about that; my men are hungry
and want something to eat, and we think there
Is plenty here"
Plenty" replied the old man, but it's not
mine"
WELL" said the Captain, eve must then
have enough, for which we will pay fair
price"
A few days before this part of the army, in
Guiding ourselves. had been paid off, and the
men were flush, but victuals in Falmouth could
moi be had from the few remaining residents at
any price.
Just then the confused voices of women were
heard IN an upper room, and soon little inside
door was quietly opened and a very pale lady,
dressed in black, carrying email burning
lamp, entered the room. Addressing us, she
said:
Soldiers have won mt ,o;etal-o,, az ,,t,o0 Q
wish you would -, but before finishing
the sentence she burst into tears.
Madam" said our Captain, don't be alarm
ed we only come here for something TO eat
not 70 plumber or destroy. You know it's hard
20 suffer hunger when there's plenty at hand {"
Then" replied the lady, in dignifed and
yet indignant manner, suppose we must do
what the Bible tells us 10 do Feed our enc
mics. p"
That's a singer" said TO one of NV COM
panions Then, handing key 10 the Captain,
she said:
open the cellar door and 20 down and take
enough TO supply yourself and men, but please
don't destroy or burn anything"
When the Captain was in the act of unlock
ing the door heavy step was heard coming
down the stairs, and a coarse voice shouting:
" Don't let thin Don't let thin the thav-
in, murtherin' blaggardsl"
In another minute the woman who had
opened Tue 'front.' door DDG Then lied out of sight
rushed into the room and what picture-hair
oisheyeed, dress torn, and face void of the
slightest trace of her sex. She was fearfully
excited, and with large rolling pin threatened
the lives Of all the blue-coats in the house Il
they did not " lave amadiately."
OF course she had 10 be restrained in order q
allow our chief 10 do as the lady had directed
Myself aud one of my comrades seized her BY
the arms, seated her on bench in the room
sDd there she was held till our Captain per.
formed his work in the cellar. She kicked
attempted TO bite, swore, laughed and cried
and wished every Yankee soldier in sheol. In
vain did we try 10 relax her hold Oh the rolling.
pin.
Suddenly she broke my companions grin on
one of her arms and dealt me a blow on the
mouth with the heavy weapon, knocking one
of my teeth out, which ] never saw alterward
and drawing the claret so profusely that NV
post had 10 be occupied by another. while the
lady and old man looked on In amazement
wondering, suppose, what next Our Captain
soon returned from the cellar and deposited on
little table in the room the result of his mis-.
slon, cons sting OF six large hoe or johnny cakes
three hayersacks full Of potatoes large dried
Goldfish and jar Of English mixed pickles. On
seeing these the crazed and violent woman
still under guard, fairly boiled with rage
Now, madam" said the Captain TO the lady
have you any pork here"
Nothing but live stock" was her reply.
Well, then, madam, we want hog dead OF
alive have you any objections 10 our killing
one2"
None now" returned the lady, with sigh
II would be useless 20 protest; take all you
want, and then, please take VOur deuartur e D