Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-05-13
"REMINISCENCES.
by CAPTAIN JAMES MoNTFoRD.

The ladies of the ColonePs family were
discussing" the war one evening.
One proof of the strong effect the wal
had upon the popular mind is that it is
often, even to-day, the subject of conver-
sation in numerous families.
1t is not the wonder of nine days, or nine
years, but the recollections of a generation.
The Colonels wife had imbibed a great
many of his opinions, and she was almost
as good soldier-to tallS--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 wartime than those of the North would
have been under similar circumstances.
Perhaps he really does not think So, p"
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.
ave have been criticising your stories,
papa," said his daughter, "and cousin
thinks you are rather hard on the ladies'.
Il do not intend to be. merely relate
my stories because they are dramatic"
"The only way you can make amends is
to tell another story, where the ladies are
better disposed" cried his niece, smilingly.
The Colonel shook his head as he sat
down.
IL scarcely know whether / remem-
Der n 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,"
We'll" said the Colonel, after a moment
of thoughtfulness, Il remember a story that
caused some talk at the time"
He lighted his second cigar, and con-
tinued as follows:
about the first thing 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.
"In consequence, they Vere 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
in this respect. He seemed born for the
good things of this world. The best greer
corn and the plumpest chickens-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. 1t was the
general opinion among the troops that We
were to put period to the Confederacy.
"The first discomfort we sustained wal
when we went on board the little steamer
and when forced to disgorge the mos
| choice contents of our knapsacks. Thi
forced yielding up Of the treasures we haC
boarded caused little discomfort, bu
| it soon wore off.
"The next day after boarding the steame
| we arrived at Old Point Comfort, and on
tents were pitched amid the ruins of tn,
once beautiful village of Hampton.
ave were not pressed for food at tha
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 starte'
out alone.
| "He was tall, we'll made fellow; stron,
as mule, quick witted, and venturesom
to degree. He soon had left the camp ia
behind, and, wandering around, lost hi
way just as darkness set in.
"This disturbed Charley very little, anC
as he came in sight of brightly illumi
mated farm house he resolved to enter tn
premises. and if he could pick up anythin
he wanted, to do so; if he failed, TO inquir
his way back to camp.
"As he advanced he saw that the buildin
was large and we'll appointed. There wer
an unusual number of lights, and he guesse,
| that some festivities were in progress.
Entering the orchard, which was upo
the left side of the building, he made hi
way cautiously around toward the back o
the house, where he supposed the out
buildings were situated.
ale discovered the stable and it's ap
pendages at last, but was forced to take
roundabout course to reach it. Reachin
the front corner of the building, he sud
denly found that further progress in tina
direction was cut off.
"Two darkies sat upon the steps of tn
stable.
"Glancing around the corner, Charlie
could barely distinguish their forms.
Fearing discovery-gentlemen engage
in business similar TO Charley's we're oc
casionally caught, and roughly used-h
stood quiet for a moment.
THE negroes were talking together, and
being but few PAGES distant, their word
were plainly audible to our adventurer.
"'Major am berry brave, one was say
ing, but heerd Massar Sim say dat he ru
great'risks in comm here tonight
%'Oh, ho,' thought Charley, that nc
counts for all those lights back there
al doan think so,' drawled the otht
black. DE Major am fighter, tell "
il dem Yankees do cum, dey'll cotch It..
Charley moved cautiously back, and wa
soon ont of hearing. Then he began
consider the case.
at was quite evident TO him that an off
Ger of the Confederate army was in Il
farm house. Should he Charley hun
back TO camp, and give warning Of the Ml
ior's presence in the country That wOul
be quite nice commencement ior him,
thought; but, then, the officer nad stole