The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-20
Scouting Experiences.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Some time dur
ing the Summer of 1864, while our regiment
was encamped at Decatur, Ala, the writer and
several Others whose names ! cannot recall,
secured horses and started early one morning
on a self-c0nstituted, volunteer, and independ-
ent scouting expedition of about 20 miles.
Passing through piece of open woods, an OBJ
ject of interest attracted our attention. 1t was
a Southern rustic, and somewhat representa-
tive, schoolhOuse. Round logs the size of six
inch stovepipe occupied the space never intend
ed for studding and siding Pieces two feet
long were cut out of two logs. This opening
formed the window. The community were
innocent Of all information relative to the
Yankee invention known as oiled paper
glass. In character the door correspond
ed with the window. All the door lack
ed was latch, hinges aud a few boards
TO swing back and forth. This destitu-
tion made it perfectly easy for persons to
pass through either way. Smaller pupils could
pass between any two logs composing the I'M
pretentious structure. Within were the teacher
and half score of small tOW-heads. The insti-
tuition bore marks of recent invention. Its
founders began too late to prevent the rebel
lion of the chivalry.
On we dashed, expecting change of scene.
Going up lane we saw five children. They
were pulling a small wagon, and looking to-
ward their home near by, they did not observe
US till close upon them Hearing the noise of
pattering boots, they looked around. o, what
afrighted mortals! One jumped into the near
est fence-corner; another sprang for the farth-
est fence corner, but fell short about 70 rods;
the third squatted on the top rail of a stake
aud-rider fence close as tree-frog to a syea-
more limb. Had he chirped, rain would have
deluged US in 10 minutes. The remaining two
struggled fiercely for q persmmon leaf be-
meath which they sought in vain to hide. As
last resort they surrendered, saying we are
oVerpowered but not subdued."
On we went, and soon drew rein in front of
their fathers residence of one room and one
half story. In due time he made his appear
ance and c0nyersed freely. Among other
things he told US was the following story:
Last year q company of Union cavalry,
armed with Spencer carbines (seven shootersl,
were encamped on that hill. They became
careless. One day squad of rebel horsemen
surprised and scattered them. One Federal in
the hurry forgot his carbine. This was picked
up by one of the rebels. He could not solve
the mystery of its construction. Another came
up, but seeing no place for a cap, he failed to
comprehend the mode of firing the arm.
third hurried up and, taking hold of the weap-
on, looked at 1t In amazement. Then turning
it sidewise, lower side up and upper side down,
smile-a knowing smile of triumph-seven
by nine inches Overspreading his chiYalric face.
it! One of those Yankees began to make a
new gun, and hadn't time to finish it, The
whole company accepted the solution as salts
factory. And no doubt every one of those lin.
tied Solomons voted for Cleveland
The rebellion was born in South Carolina,
where to-day there exists So per cent. of Hit
eracy, a greater degree than in any other State
in the Union. The spirit of rebellion is cher
ished in ignorance. The patriot cherishes 10y
atty; and when he feels constrained to wave
bloody shirt its color is not gray, but blue.
A few days ago opened an old book-older
than the age Of Herodotus-and to my aston
ishment discovered that % words were devoted
to the discussion of free trade. At first | was
surprised that so few words were employed in
setting forth the facts pertaining to such re-.
markable doctrine. But waking up from a
kind of Rip Van Wrinkle slumber, l found that
thousands of rays of political truth had been
brought to a focus. but if any provide moi
for his own, and specially for those of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse
than an infdel." Compare two nations with
two families, and the reasonableness of protec-
ton becomes manifestations w. Fox, Co, G..
102d Ohio, Fredonia, Kan.