Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-25
PosF NHNsRRR ONE.
Blood which stirred Up a Camp OF
Georgia Copsederates.
"BoA, Wiet'' 20 Af9aNV t6o.l Asdium.

remembered by the Georgia. soldiers who
found themselves on the peninsula In
Virginia. rltbwas a bitterly cold winter
and to us pampered children OF wealth,
who had never known hardships OF any
kind, it was peculiarly so. Our regiment
went into camp about ten miles below
Yorktown, and proceeded at once to build
winter quarters. These were built of
logs notched at the ends, and fitted one
on the other until a square pen of
the requisite height was attained. The
cabins were covered with 4-fO0t boards, the
cracks between the logs celled with the
same, and the chimneys built of sticks
and mud. Our cabins set in rows like the
cabins of a negro quarter before the war,
and our bedsteRds consisted of two stout
poles rounded at one end so as to fit in
auger holes in one of the house logs. The
outer end rested on upright pieces which
answered for legs. On this frame planks
were laid, and on these planks wers piled
a liberal quantity of wheat straw. over
this was spread blanket, which answer
ed in place of bed-tick, and maybe
another blanket and comforter was spread
over the first blanket as covering. Many
a night have l slept on just such bed as
| have described, and wished the men
wheat straw in Virginia without season.
ing. That was before the war burst upon
us in earnest. In less than six months
from that time | had learned, by contrast,
to associate that once ahhOrred bed with
beds Of the finest cider down that were
ever made.
As soon as our camp was established,
line of sentlnels were placed around it.
At that time the Yankees were quite bold
on the lower peninsula, and we were
taught to believe that squad of them,
mounted on fiery chargers, might rush in
on us at any time. We had a dread of
such a meeting, because we mad not then
become hardened to bloodshed and didn't
want to kill any of them. In fact, IT
caused us to shudder to even have to take
the life of pig, but we had to kill about
100 of them, at different times, in that
camp, to keep them from biting our horses.
Virginia pigs are very savage.
One night, about 10 O'Clock, l was
placed on Post No. 2. John Sly was
placed on Post No. 1. About dark that
evening a man drove into camp with a
cart load of oysters. This was an every
day occurrence, and therefore excited no
unusual interest. But this man had
never been in our camp before, and he
seemed to be i'll at ease. | watched him
closely. and the thought arose in my
mind that he was Yankee in disguise.
But did not mention my suspicion to
any one. As soon as be sold his oysters
he departed, promising to bring in anoth-
er load the following day.
l had been pacing up and down my beat
about half an hour. The night was as
dark as ink, except when flash of light
ming illuminated, mOmentarily, surround
ing objects. Back and forth | passed.
inn hann mo s1D a
heavy peals of thunder began to shake
the earth. A binding flash of lightning
accompanied by crash of thunder was
followed by torrents of rain. Hating
where post No. joined my beat, listen
ed for the measured tread of John Sly, but
there was no measured tread. | waited
minute after minute, but ne did not APP
pear. Raising my voice TO its highest
pitch l shouted:
Corporal Of the guard, post number
one"
The call was passed around the line,
and in short time | heard Corp'l. RAM
rod on post No. l. In his hand he carried
a lantern, and by its light / could see
that he was surprised at not finding John
Sly on his post. Coming up to where
stood, informed him that made the call
for post No. l, as | wanted him to come
over the beat so as to see, if possible,
what had become of Sly. i then told him
of my suspicious of the oyster peddler,
and suggested that maybe this man had
returned to camp under cover of dark
ness, and, perhaps, had found it neces-
sarY to quietly take Sly's life in order to
get inside the lines unperceived.
AS unfO.ded these suspicious, the Cor
pOral seemed terribly agitated. He was
not afraid for himself, but he seemed TO be
in dread lest Yankee should suddenly
appear before him and he would have to
kill him. After awhile his knees ceased
knocking against each other, and / sug-
gested that we 20 over post number one
and see il we could detect any signs of a
struggle. Near the Other end of the beat
we halted, and saw at a glance
that a struggle of some sort had
taken place there but a short time
previous. About two feet from the beat
l held the lantern close to the ground and
discovered large pool OF blood. At first
| thought | would not make known my
discovery to the Corporal, lest the fear OF
having 70 kill some one might unsettle his
mind. / was quite sure that was gazing
upon John Sly's blood, shed by the hand
of a Yankee spy, and ! expected every
moment TO see his glazed eyes looking at
me.
| finally decided that it was best TO
acquaint the corporal with my discovery.
AS soon as he saw the evidence of a foul
assassination his face became white with
fear lest he should the next moment have
10 imbTue his hands In the blood Of a fel-
bowman, albeit Yankee. Alter he had
suppressed his rage sufficiently to speak
be ordered me to take the lantern and
march ahead of him 10 the guard
tent. If there was Yankee lying around
loose in camp, he did not want 10 meet
him first, because he knew that be would
kill him instantly. He was a man OF
great presence Of mind. When we reached
the guard tent he aroused the relief
guards, hurriedly told them what had
taken place. and ordered them to 10 to
each cabin and alarm the regiment.
In ten minutes the camp was in an up
roar. Men were hurrving here and there,
some half dressed, all with arms in their
hands. Post number one was soon COW
cred with excited men. There was a dense
crowd around the pool OF blood, some
trembling with rage, while others trem.
bled with something else. Squads OF SOL
diers were securing the camp In all direc-
tiOns, but neither the dead body OF John
could be found.
When the search was about 10 be aban-
doned, Long Hungry hove in sight, rub
bling his eyes as II he had just woke up.
As soon as be was told OF the pool Of blood
ard the probable murder Of Sly, be burst
into a roar OF laughter. "Come on, Cor
pOral," said he, sand let me show you
something" He conducted the Corporal
down the row OF cabins TO the last one on
the line. just back OF this was a small
Kitchen stepping lightly IN 10 the doOr