Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-11-01
SOLDIERS DEPARTMENT.
LAST or THE REBELS.
How M. Quad Licked an Old Fellow Back
Into the Union.

The last stopping place before de-
scending into the lowlands was at Cuii-
mans. There was quite settlement
hers and in a ravine close by was one
of the largest illicit stills in the South.
Soon after my arrival at the house Gull
man took occasion to say:
1--WE are going up to the still pretty
soon, and you will meet five or SIX OF
the boys. All will be glad to see YOU
but we have an old man here who may
be disagreeable. He was in the war
for about three months, and Is always
Dragging about it. He claims to be the
last rebel, and that he never surrender
ed. Knowing that you are Yank he
might say something disagreeaole. 1
thought / would post you in advance so
YOU would know how to take him.
"All right" | replied, and thought no
more about it until | caught sight OF him
at the still. He was curious looking
old fellow, about sixty years old, hav-
ing a long, white beard which made
him look wonderfully like Billy goat,
and keeping his jaws constantly work
ing on his tobacco. He was the last
one TO be introduced, and looked me all
over and refused to take my haad.
II swore that I'd never shake hands
with a Yank until the South was on
top he explained, land I'll spit to
sputter if go back on my wordla
Just as you feel about it, old man.
| replied, and he sat down on log and
tried to look very savage. In about
five minutes, however, he suddenly
jumped up, cracked his heels together,
crowed like a rooster. and yelled out:
"Whoopl | was thar! Yes. was
thar in the thick of it, an you'uns got
fits that day.
"Where was that?"
"At Chickamaugl Whoop! / was
right thar, an we uns did lick you uns
fur skilletsm
Come. Uncle Bill, it's too late in the
day for that. said Cullman.
mo, faint too late-never will be
too latel Didn't we wollop the hull
passed. OF 'em from Dan to gloryn
"Did you kill anybody?n asked.
''Did II Listen to he'un! Did II
Dan to glory, but hear him talking!
Why, sir. | cum right at EN- with the
bayonet! walked right up to one of
'em an jabbed my bayonet right
himr'
what part of the field was that
on?"
I'm the center, jist across the creek.
| kin shet my eyes an see it now. He
was about your size. Oh! how he hol-
lered''
my friend, am sorry to spoil your
story. but am the Yank you bayoneted
that day
'YouP You can't be. He'un was
killed"
Il am the very one. knew you in
a moment
IAN you'un wasn't killed2n
"No. Your bayonct went through /
ny coat and never touched the skin.
Then grabbed your gun and you ran
away. / have the gun home now, and /
III send it to you. Why didn't you
top when called to your
He stood there with his mouth open /
or half a minute, and then sat down
without a word. 1t wasn't long until I
lie broke out again, however. He was
lettled at the laughter of the men, ana
lie sprang up and yelled:
"Whoopl I'm the last rebel left
Ilivel l kin lay any Yankee on airth !
N his backr
The men winked at me to tackle him,
nd pulled of my coat and said:
mo you can't, old man. Come out
lere and try it onln
He made a rush and seized me, but
lie was all wind. | had him on his
Jack in twenty seconds. He got up
nd went back to his log, but he had
recovered his wind when he
elled:
I've never surrendered, and / never
rill! Whoopl | kin outrun any Yank
n top the arithr'
Cullman placed us on line on level
pot and announced the goal, and Uncle
lilly came out bad second best.
.'See here. Uncle" said one of the
len after we got back, "you might as
Tell give in. The Yank's way ahead
Give I'M Give in to he'unl Lower
ny flag to a Yank-never! l can beat
e'un all to flinders on a jump, an he'un
nows it.
l thought so, too, but when we came
D try it beat him by ten inches. HIS
Id legs had lost their springs. When
e sat down this time he had tears in
is eyes, and there was lump in his
hroat as he walled out:
'Drat the burned Yankl He'un
-asn't killed at old Chickamaug? He'un
lid me on my back! He'un outrun mel I
; he'un going to put his foot on my
eek? Neverl kin wallop he'un from I
kilps to skillets in five minutesi'