The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-29

grsndsires and grandsons, while those who were neither too old or too young to endure the hardships of the bivouac and the camps had quilted their peace full habits, and gone to risk their lives and shed their blood for what they deemed to be right.
 During these stormy and eventful days-never 1 trust to return-many a father embraced and kissed for the last time his wife and babes, and went to join the ranks of war. So anxious were the southern boys to go into the army, that the president of the Con- federate states had to issue procla- nation forbidding it. He said that to permit them to go to war, would be like grinding up seed corn.
 1 never heard of an instance of a boy being opposed to his father being a soldier. I had an uncle, who was too old and infirm to be 8 soldier. Once my little son, then only four years old, said to him:
 "What will you say to your chill dren for not being a soidiert"
 A few days after that, the little fell low got frightened by big dog, and came running into the house. My un- cle said to him laughing:
 "Ben, soldiers mustn't run"
 "Ahp he said, "Uncle John, the best of soldiers must run sometimes"
 The boys always seemed to have great contempt for the Home Guards they had no more respect for men who were only playing at war, than for tin soldier.
 1 once asked little fellow what the company to which his grandfather be- longed, was going to do. His ready, lisping answer was, "Dey is going to shoot wDabbits."
 There was great deal of truth in the boys words, although he hid not intend to be sarcastic. There were, however, many instances where the southern boy cut loose from the ties and endearments of his home to take his place by his fathers side. Some- times they became couriers, more learned to beat the drum, and to blow the bugles.
 When the fight began, and the show CT of leaden hail fell thick and fast around him, the drummer-bo was generally with those who foremost fighting fell.
 , l was once on scout in the Shen- andoah valley with only three or four men, and caught wagon train going up to Sheridan's army. AS his camps were near, it was necessary for us to unhitch the horses and mules very quickly, to prevent their being recap tured. There happened to be riding along with the train, small Yankee boy carrying lot of northern news- papers to sell to the Union soldiers.
 told him that if he would assist us in getting the animals unhitched, 1 would let him go. The bargain was instantly struck, and the little Yankee dashed about among the teamsters, ordering them to unhitch, with as much authority as if he were Sheri- dan himself. kept faith with him, and let him go on with his horse and papers. have no doubt that Yankee boy made fortune.
 On one occasion 1 was with my men in pursuit of body of Union cavalry and passed by school house, just as the boys had been dismissed for their play time. The blue-coats were still in sight, and we were having a hot skirmish with them, as they kept up a sharp fire from their carbines under which they were covering their re. treat.
 The boys were, of course, all on my side; unconscious of danger, they stood cheering us among the missing bullets, and paid no more attention tC them than if they were so many snow. balls flying around. Fortunately none of them were struck.
 There was one boy among them then about twelve years old-who wal as fat as a squab. As he lived a few miles away, he rode to school on horse. back. AS he came out of the school. house with his books under his arm he saw the fight going on, and could not resist the heroic impulse to talk. part in it. So, throwing away hil books, he mounted his horse, and bor. rowing pistol from one of my men he plunged headlong among the re- treating foe.
 He never returned to pick up hi books, and that was the last of hi school-days. Having once got tast, of the glory of the war, the parenta authority ceased to have any further influence over him. He joined my command, was once severely wounded and was one of the bravest of the band that made the Shenandoah valley en- chanted ground.
 Since the war he has become celebrated as the genial Boniface of the Fauquie Sulphur Springs. His name is Col onel Maddux.- Youth's Companion.