Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-14
GOOD eR1NDsroNE SOUP.
Another War Story in Which Two Unic
Officers Figure

Another War Story in Which Two Onion
Officers Figure.
The day after the surrender of Vicks-
burg Colonel Eldred and myself were as
signed quarters for the night in an isolated
house on the road between Vicksburg and
Haines' Bluff. We had been skirmishing
all day over the rough Mississippi roads
and were hungry and tired. We at once
laid seige to the enemy's kitchen, where
we were confronted by the indignant
family. The personnel consisted of a cor
pulent old lady, two pretty daughters and
wrinkled aunty. When they realized
that we had come for supper and lodging
they retired excitedly to a corner Of The
kitchen, where they held a council of
war.
"Look herew said the Colonel, some
what sharply, "we are hungry. Quit
your whimpering and get US something to
eat"
The mother stepped boldly from the
rank, and confronting the Colonel, an
nounced ~the melancholy fact that there
were no edibles about the premises.
"Give US anything" replied the IA
mished Colonel. "We are not fastidious.n
"Well, you see, sab" replied the lady,
impressively, ''frst there were our own
soldiers; then came the Yankees yesterday.
and between the two they ate us out of
house and home"
This is serious" said the Colonel to me
in an undertone, and then aloud: $50 out
into the shed and bring me an armfal of
wood"
Wondering what his scheme could be, I
went out into the yard and returned with
dozen large fagots. The Colonel heaped
them upon the expiring embers on the
hearth in one corner of the kitchen, where
they soon blszed up brightly. Then tax
ing kettle to the pump, he filled it with
water and set it on the fire to boil
what are you going to do?' asked the
old lady.
snake soupw was the ColoneIs laconic
reply. There was a small grindstone on
the dresser This the Colonel laid in the
kettle.
The enemy was beginning to manifest
some interest in our culinary operations.
'Nhat kind OBJ soup am dat gwine
to be?" asked the colored servant with
grin.
''Grindstone soupr' snapped the Col
onel. He seized the ladle, and, lifting the
lid off the kettle, dipped out some Of the
water and tasted it with great gravity.
"H'm p he cried, addressing me, "not
yet strong enough. Will you please get
another armful of wood ?"
did as requested, to the CONSERVATION
of the enemy, which saw its meager stock
of fuel burn away. After pause the Col
onel again raised the lid to taste the mess.
"Ahw he said, smacking his lips with
satisfaction ssthot'c copoathipo NJ,
l trouble you for little salt and pepper ?'
Amid great tittering on the part of the
ladies the condiments were brought
That's queer way of making soupp p
cried one Of the girls, with smothered
giggle.
"Yes; it's economical. Have YOU a lit
tie -four handy?'
After moments hesitation the -four
was brought.
"And now couple of onions, please"
There are no onions, sab p cried the
lady of the house.
"Then bring in some more wood, George;
the stone is not soft yet"
l was just starting to the door when the
commander stopped me.
"Coming to think, / believe there are
some onions left" she sid meekly. "Mil-
bred, go and see"
Mildred, the older daughter, disap-
peared and returned after awhile with
three fine onions. The Colonel cut them
nto bits, and with BETTING solemnity
stirred them into the soup. l could
scarcely refrain from laughing.
"And now, ma'am, a slice Of good fat
bacon, if you please" said the Colonel.
This was too much FOR the enemy. The
old lady advanced. There was fire in her
eye.
"You can't get another thing from usr'
she shouted. "You Yankees think you
are smart. There amt any bacon in the
house, and if there were you wouldn't
get itw
every well" replied the Colonel calmly.
He gave me look and I brought in the
rest of the wood.
"Here's your pork said the youngest
daughter, angrily.
The day was won. Ten minutes after
ward there stood on the table as good and
thick soup as any of US had ever tasted.
The flavor of the grindstone could not be
detected