The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

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10th Ohio. I am only sure that there was a
figure in it,
There is nothing of particularly thrilling
nature to record of
THE TRIP HOME
from this camp through the bluegrass region of
Kentucky to Lexington and Cincinnati, ex-
cept, perhaps, an adventure with Govern
ment mule that came near closing in an igno-
minious manner my preceding hazardous ca
reer.
Col. De Courcey, Who'll have since learned was
the Irish Colonel with the French name, was
the officer who was in command at the camp !;
he had kindly placed all three of us. c. Lam
yard, Baker and myself-in charge of an Off
Ger and squad of men who were returning as
an escort to their base of supplies in charge of
an empty wagon train. The instructions, as
the blunt Colonel told us when he bade US
hearty good-by, were to see that we were put
on the other side of the Ohio River ." and he
added, with laugh, E" / don't want to see you
coming back through my lines" That was all
right for all of us; the Colonel was excusable
for his little joke about our being spies.
There was also ia the party, or escort, q
young Ohio officer and couple of soldiers, who
were going home on sick-leave, so altogether
we made quite a little squad, that divided itself
into groups of three and four to each wagon of
the train.
There were also couple of mules going back
home on sick furlough These two were tied
on behind the wagon that was in front of ours,
being towed along in this way like pair of
solemn prisoners Of war.
In long procession of wagons, mules and
soldiers, sandwiched one behind the other,
was walking slowly one afternoon with my
head down, thinking over the happy escapes
from the many dangers through which l had
hnar, oil ouIn w znrnsarya1 nd
dreaming of the anticipated joys of q welcome
home, which was soon to be realized, when all
of a sudden | felt quick rush of wind and
dust thrown like gust into my facei at the
same time the rim of my hat was barely touch
ed by the heels of one of those mules. The fell
low who was beside me cried out something
about " looking out" and dragged me back into
| the heads of the team following.
That mule had kicked back over clear space
as long as himself, and had correctly directed
his heels right into my face. Had | been two
inches closer the blow would have been receiy-
ed full on my forehead, and must have fraet-
ured my skull with its force.
This early experience with an army mule
was useful to me in the years that followed
and, in the words of the old colored man.
OATS why / 'spises mule ever since"
] can't remember how long we were on the
road it was a pretty slow march, though on
account of the bad roads. We could not &c
ahead of the train because the officer in charge
| had his orders to see that we were put beyond
the Ohio River, and he was one of those fellows
that carry out orders. We kept his company
| till the last day.
In due time
WE REACHED LEXINGTON,
where the officer transferred us to the charge
| of the sick soldiers. 1t SO happened that JUS
before reaching the town of Lexington we had
all stopped for noon rest at a point neal
| which was fine old-fashioned mansion house
belonging to large farm. The house, as is the
! style of that country, was well supplied with
verandas or porches. In the rear was quite ;
little town of Rhitewashed log cabins, which
recognized as the negro quarters. The stone
| spring-house was close by the mansion. w,
| all went there to get drink Of the cool water
| While we were seated around on the big fla
stones enjoying the refreshing water, an olC
gentleman, talland patriarchal looking, walked
toward us, and in his courteous manner intro
duced himself to the rough looking crowd tina
had taken possession of his spring house, a
"the farmer who lived here" pointing back t.
his house, and politely asked if we required
anything more to make us comfortable. Fo
one, felt ashamed and uncomfortable, whel
Lanyard spoke up and suggested that
" We would like To try little Of the Ken
tucky whisky that we heard so much about
Certainly certainly, sr;" and turning t
a grinning colored boy" who was quitea era
old rat, he directed him to Fetch the brow
jug down"
This kindly reception of the sailors suggest
ion served TO make the old gentleman exceed
ingly popular at once with the whole crowC
The colored man was anxious TO be agreeabl
also, aud with quite frisky manner for on
of his age he soon trotted back with big ju
and two tin cups.
4" Wait on the gentlemen was the brief OIL
der. The old darky smiled all over when
saw the alacrity with which the boys croRde
toward the jug. / had rarely allowed myse
to drink, and when my turn came the old ger
tleman seemed to be offended at my declinin
. it-as if ii were the quality Of the whisky tha
/ was objecting to. He explained:
You need not be afraid Of that, my boy il
pure. The rye was grown right over in the
field, sir. had it made myself, sir; it's for N
, own family use sir"
To satisfy him l took hold of tin cup, an
: allowed the boy to pour out a spoonful or tw
intending TO fill It up with water
} No use in that, sir; it don'tneed any waite
sir"
gulped it down like a dose Of medicine an
put tin cup full of water on top Of it. 1t wi
the irst time / had ever seen whisky dram
from tim bat / saw lots Of it come from Il
r tin canteens soon after.
{ The effect on Lanyard was to make hi
| talkative and somewhat confidential with ii
. genial old host / didn't hear what was sal
but when we had separated, or the jug had bee
emptied Lanyard took me to one side al
! muttered in my ear in half drunken way,
/ great confidence, that
3 I've told the old man that you and l we
> Confederate prisoners, and gave him hint tia
/ we would be glad TO geta lunch" Then grabbil
! me by the arm, ] was dragged up to the bou
4 and made to sit down on the verandah wit
> him. / wasn't drunk-thaGs fact / c0u
4 see peepng through the wiuduw-shades Sc
q eral pairs Of bright eyes. realized at a CLAN
that it was our gray clothes that was the attire
+ ti0n and that the appearance of two real Co
federates on that porch was creating somethi
4 Of q sensation among the lady pants OF Tia
+ "Old Kentucky Home"
e Ia order to crafty my vanity and to sec &
ladies' as well as a desire to have some fun
l., helped 70 keep up this delusion. Lanyar
n object was something good TO eat.
= Lest there should be some misunderstandi
is on the part Of our officer and his companions
I to oar motives, / quietly gave them the ca
4 and / admit now, with q sense Of Ulortifcatit
i that we shamefully imposed ourselves on
kind people Of that home as Confederates, a
through this means we were 80 Hospitality
tertained that the officer in command was
y dueed to proloug his camp in that grove
" night.
te Several Of us were furnished with an eiegG
be supper Of chicken and corn cakes while
officer and myself were agreeably entertain
TO by the ladies In the parlOr during the lc