Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-10-02
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
RACE FOR A ROOSTER.
A fredericksburg Episode which WI
Make the Boys Laugh.

'Fore de Lord / cotch you now,
shuah."
These words, not much in themselves,
were uttered under such peculiar cir
cumstances as to cause shouts OF wild
laughter in the Confederate camp locat-
ed beyond the town of Fredericksburg,
Va, and they we're the expressions Of
satisfaction given utterance TO by one
of the numerous faithful servants and
followers of young marster." The
splendidly organized, armed and equip
ped army of the Union under General
Hooker lay encamped along the north
bank Of the Rappahannock river in
Stafford County, while the Confederates,
under General Lee, guarded the south
bank. RatiOns, as usual, we're scarce
within the Confederate lines, and chicken
was a luxury seldom TO be enjoyed. Jim,
the well-known attendant Of the Lieu
tenant-Colonel Of the Forty-seventh
Virginia Infantry who enjoyed the rep
utation of being not only splendid
cook, but also a successful forager, had
upon one Of his expeditions by some
means, fair or foul, secured rooster,
destined on some important occasion to
adorn the table of the Colonel. Coops
not being regarded as a part of camp
equipage, Jim secured his prize by tying
it by the leg to his cook tent until the
captive rooster became domesticated to
camp life when it was allowed to roam
around the camn yet ever under the
watchful eye Of Jim, its captor. The
ordinary routine of camp life was oc-
casionally varied by shot and she'll, sent
by way OF reminder from the Stafford
Heights into our lines. Men soon be-
came accustomed to such things in war
times, and Jim was not an exception to
the general rule, as the future demon
strated
The Colonel summoning Jim to coun-
ell, informed him that company Of great
importance would that day visit the
camp and enquired Of his faithful ally
whether it would be safe to invite them
to remain and dine. Assuming an air
Of deep thought, scratching his head and
gazing intently on the ground, Jim re-
piled:
"Marse, tings am berry scarce around
here, but 'spect by KILN oh dat chick
en- an maxim dumplin' soup wild what
tings ole marster sent you de odder day,
we mought make out to git up far
kind OBJ mer-tain-ment sar.
"All right Jim; then upon your re-
sponsibility will invite my friends to
remain to camp dinner" said the Col
onel
Immediately in front of Jim's tent
there remained a panel or so Of an old
Virginia worm fence left standing, which
had been carefully guarded and used by
Jim for his culinary work. A search
for dat chicken" disclosed him scratch
ing in corner OF that old worm fence.
Jim went for the chicken and that wise
old bird sought refuge first on one side
and then on the other. lodging under
and through the rails in so successful
manner that Jim, tired and Disguised,
mounted on top rail and sat down wait
ing patiently for his chicken to seek
some other refuge where he could cap
ture him easier, all the time giving ex-
preston to his disgust at the chickens
obstinacy in refusing to be caught.
Suddenly a flash was seen on tho
Stafford side OF the river and the whist
ling of shot was heard. There was a
crash. and, to the horror of the camp,
rails were sent about. the remnants of
Jim's fence lay strewn around. and Jim
was recognized on the ground in spread
eagle style. The Colonels dinner was
forgotten and jim only was thought Of
As the soldiers ran to pick up what they
supposed to be Jim lifeless remains he
was seen TO pull himself together. gain
a sitting position and gaze around him
upon the scene of disaster with eager
and anxious gaze. His eyes soon rested
upon the frightened rooster making the
best possible time down the middle OF
the camp; Jim springing nimbly to his
feet, without expressing surprise or
fright at his escape. giving a loud guf-
faw. and in lively tones of pleasure ex-
claimed, as he started in a rapid run
after the chicken:
Oar now, Dress God. you can't git
under dat fence no mo-, fore God cotch
you now. shuah." He captured his
rooster and retired amid the cheers and
shouts of the camp to his tent TO make
dat pot oh chicken soup wild dumplins"
for young marster's company. John
Taylor, in Jury.