The National tribune., 1886-10-21


studying chronology with the Chaplain, has
got the camp collie. The hospital Steward gave
him glass Of whisky with 40 drops OF the ex-
tract OF copepperment in IL, bul II didn't do
him no more good than so much water. lie is
awful sick, and I'll bet my longest rattlesnake
against six 20-cent settlers tickets that If you
don't come he'll be dead man inside of five
Minutes
This woful intelligence, despite its melan-
choly nature, made US all laugh. but who could
help laughing 10 see such a specimen OF hui
manity as Rattlesnake" was? lie was the
teamster of Company A, a long, lean, leathery
fellow, Standing six feet one and half inches
in his stocking feet, his unkempt hair flying in
the wind, and out Of his shirt bosom pr0lruded
the heads of two living rattlesnakes, which he
had captured and tanned, and which were has
constant and inseparsble OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
able from the fact that none Of us, no matter
how brave cared particularly to take charge of
two such companions Prior TO the war he had
travelled with circus IN the capacity OF snake
charmer, and from this he had gained his title.
Although very eccentric, Rattiesnake what
his real name was i never knew was good
hearted, jolly fellow, and was always ready to
do his duty. The physicians took their de-
pariure at which we were very sorry, as IT was
well-kn0wn that
no FINER SCHOLAR
or ADLER man than DIR. Hazett could have
been selected 10 thoroughly explain the occur
rences Of the previous evening. Alter some
moments, when quiet was restored, the colonel
said that he had depended upon DR. Haziett,
but as his services could not DC had, OF course
il would devolye upon HIM 10 make good his
promise 20 us, and he resumed his lecture:
" In your reflections, aud amidst this maze
OF conjecture, no clew exists 10 account Tor the
cries YOU so plainly heard. understand the
feeling Of concomitant wretchcduess and misery
that these circumstances have brought upon
you. IL is wise dispensation OF Providence
that life is made up of cOntraricties which often
admit Of no explanation. ii is right that such
should be the case, for many reasons Let us
suppose, for an instant, that we knew the hour
when our life's span is 10 end. What miser-
able existence we would have.
- change would DER oLr spirits come,
And we'd be sad indeed"
AT this iuncture the Colonel was again in
terrupted by has Orderly, who entered aud
said
Lieut. West wishes 10 speak TO you on very
important business. Shall i admit him into
your presenter"
Me- said the Colonel; "don't you see /
have company? Tell the Lieutenant i will
join him outside in moment In the mean
time, soldiers, you will excuse me while at
tend TO the Lieutenant's business. will then
give orders that we must not be interrupted
again until the meeting comes TO an end"
While waiting the COlonel's return i will give
a description of the officer whom he went out
TO see. Lieut.. Oliver T. West Chat was his
rank at this time) was in command OF Go. A.
lie was native of Allegheny City, machinist
by trade, and when secession was proclaimed
aud the guns of the rebels opened on Fort
Sumter, April H. Is6l, he threw aside his tools
aud offered his services TO his country. lie was
of manly appearance, mild and unassuming in
address, amiable in disposition, yet with all
Of great frmneSs and decision. Though no
officer in the regiment was more familiar
terms with his men land nowhere is familiarity
more apt TO be injurous), yet the native gen.
tility and sober dignity of his department al
ways chastened, without restraining, the free
dom OF intimacy His was indeed character
full Of moral excellence. Of highminded eour-
tesy and pure, unsullied honor. Lieut. West
had the sentiment of Knight of the olden
time for the gentle sex, and was much thought
OF by the rank and file.
would here remark that the soldiers Of 81
seldom made a mistake in their bestOWal of
confidence and esteem for their superior officers,
and Lieut.. West filled the bill. Shortly after
ward he was promoted 10 the Captaincy of Co.
A, which position he held with credit until
mustered out, June ID, 1854, by reason Of ex-
piration Of his term. 1T was remarkable
feature about Lieut.. West that he owned more
damaged overcOats than any officer in the regi-
ment Every time he went on a scouting ex-
pedition lac would invariably return
WITH his oyERooAT BURNT
more or less. The cause of this was very plain,
for when be would biyonac for the night he
would select place nearest the fire, aud no
sooner had he got asleep than he would roll
over and arouse us by circulating:
Boys, I'm on fire."
Trusting nv readers will pardon this digres-
sion, wiz carry them back TO the Colonel's
hut, where we ind the Colonel just returned
from his confab with the Lieutenant. His first
words were:
Lieut.. West reports TO me that the uncanny
goblin story has spread all over the camp, and
the guard now on duty at the Cheat River
Bridge Is completely demoralized. / have ex-
planned the affair 10 the Lieutenant, and he has
gone 10 pacify their troubled hearts"
Then lac quietly called the name Of John
Hurst, Of Go. q, who stepped forward. This
soldier was an Englishman by birth. a native OF
Lancashire, with an intelligent cast Of counte-
nance, short in stature, and the round typical
head Of John Bull. He could not have denied his
1 birthplace If he had wished TO do So We knew
+ him generally "a amischiefmaker and well ct
ted 10 carry out any practical joke he might have
on hand. just as Hurst took his place before
the Colonel that fearful cry rang out through
the hut, Corporal Of the Guard! 4" so thrilling
and bloOd-curdling as 10 cause complete con-
sternation 20 be depicted on every countenance
and if IL had not been for the presence of our
/ Colonel we would have fed 10 escape from the
appalling cry. The Colonel smiled, and taking
Private Hurst by the ear, said:
Soldiers. am ashamed Of you. This is your
ghost behold him; look and see if YOU can
find anything supernatural about him. lie is a
ventrilOqust of the FIRST class, and now you will
understand"
This cleared up the mystery, and we left the
hut, yowing that no matter what might happen
in future, we would never be frightened by
ghosts. Some of us remembered that this Hurst
had never left his bunk, but kept very still dur
/ ing all oar excitement The fact that he was
vcntrioquist was only known 10 Col. Moss, who
had met him before the war.
i well remember when We were in pursuit OF
Stonewall Jackson in the Spring OF '62 found
myself IN the farmhouse Of one Of the "F r.
VS. in the vicinity of St-asburg. my mission
being 10 get square meal. j was Joined by
/ Hurst, whose intention was the same as mine
We were hospitality received by the slaves, but
/ the lady OF the mansion did not take kindly Il
our wants. Although we offered 10 pay for III,
meal in
CONFEDERATE sHINPL.AsTERs
or greenbacks, she refused TO furnish US food
so we cut the matter short by demanding tina
dinner be cooked for us. She said:
Well, ] suppose j must feed you Yankee
whether wish 10 or not, but will remain il
the dining-room and sec that none Of my silve
plate disappears"
This iusnting remark we did not mind, a
we had gained our point
Hurst winked at me knowingly, and sait
quietly:
A l - I.