The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-05-13
"REMINISCENCES.
by CAPTAIN JAMES MoNTFoRD.


The ladies of the Coloners family were
discussing" the war one evening.
One proof of the strong effect the war
had upon the popular mind is that it is
often, even to-day, the subject of CONVEX
sation in numerous families.
IL is not the wonder of nine days, or nine
years, but the recollections of generation.
The Colonel's wife had imbibed great
many of his opinions, and she was almost
as good n soldier-to talk-as the worthy
Colonel himself.
''No," she said, in response to some sug-
gestion from her niece, "the Colonel does
not think the Southern women were worse
in war-t time than those of the North would
have been under similar circumstances.
"Perhaps he really does not think so"
said the young lady, but he always leans
that way"
"Well, here he comes. He can argue it
out with you himself"
A moment later footsteps approached
the door and the Colonel entered.
1--WE have been criticsing your stories,
papa" said his daughter, land cousin
thinks you are rather hard on the ladies'"
Il do not intend to be. / merely relate
my stories because they are dramatic"
1.-THE only way you can make amends is
to tell another story, where the ladies are
The Colonel shook his head as he sat
down.
81 scarcely know whether / remem-
tber a story of that order or not. / have
noticed that adventures with ladies usually
happen to the bachelors, and was married
before L went to the front"
Then you can entertain us with some
thing that occurred to a single man."
well, said the Colonel, after moment
of thoughtfulness, Il remember story that
caused some talk at the time"
He lighted his second cigar, and con-
tinued as follows:
About the first thing a soldier becomes
Impressed with is the idea that he deserves
Something better to eat than the commissary
affords. At moments of leisure his thoughts
usually turn upon eating.
I'm consequence, they were often making
excursions in search of pigs and poultry
Some would roam about day after day and
find nothing, while others were more for
tunate.
Charley Wise was said to be very lucky
m this respect. He seemed born for the
good things of this world. The best green
corn and the plumpest ckickens-at least,
so his comrades declared-fell to his lot.
"Early in 1862, when the Army of the
Potomac moved from Washington, nearly
everyone was in good spirits. It was the
general opinion among the troops that we
were to put period to the Confederacy.
1.-The first discomfort We sustained was
when we went on board the little steamer,
and when forced to disgorge the most
choice contents of our knapsacks. This
forced yielding up OF the treasures we had
boarded caused little discomfort, but
1t soon wore OFT.
"The next day after boarding the steamer
we arrived at Old Point Comfort, and our
tents were pitched amid the ruins of the
once beautiful village of Hampton.
awe were not pressed for food at that
time, but many, partly excited by the
,strangeness and beauty of the country,
partly by the idea that rests upon the SOL
der that he deserves something unobtain-
able, wandered about in search of what
ever they might devour.'
"Late one afternoon Charley Wise started
out alone.
"He was a tall, we'll made fellow; strong
as mule, quick witted, and venturesome
TO a degree. He soon had left the camp far
behind, and, wandering around, lost his
way Just as darkness set in.
"This disturbed Charley very little, and
as he came in sight of brightly illumi-
mated farm house he resolved to enter the
premises. and if he could pick up anything
he wanted, to do so; if he failed, to inquire
his way back to camp.
"As he advanced he saw that the building
was large and well appointed. There were
an unusual number of lights, and he guessed
that some festivities were in progress.
Entering the orchard, which was upon
the left side of the building, he made his
way cautiously around toward the back of
the house, where he supposed the out
buildings were situated.
"He discovered the stable and its APP
,pendages at last, but was forced to take a
roundabout course TO reach it. Reaching
the front corner of the building, he sud-
denly found that further progress in that
direction was cut of.
1.-Two dnrkies sat upon the steps of the
stable.
Balancing around the corner, Charley
could barely distinguish their forms.
Gearing discovery-gentlemen engaged
in business similar to Charley's were oc-
casionally caught, and roughly used-he
stood quiet for moment.
"The negroes were talking together, and {,
ibeing but few paces distant, their words
were plainly audible to our adventurer.
"'Major am berry brave, one was say
ing, but heerd Nassau Sim say dat he run
great risks in comm here tonight.
"'Oh, no, thought Charley, that &C
counts for all those lights back there
al doan think so, drawled the other
black. DE Major am fighter, tell yo;
If dem Yankees do cum, dey'll cotch it..
Charley moved cautiously back. and was
soon out of hearing. Then he began to
consider the case.
at was quite evident to him that an off,
Ger of the Confederate army was in the
farmhouse. Should he Charley hurry
back to camp, and give warning of the Ma
jor's presence in The country That would
be quite n nice commencement for him. he
Thought but, then. the officer had stolen