The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-18
CONFEDERATE TIMES.

| but the Confederates who could get away
were glad to skedaddle.
The Federals raided all day, however, for
profit or amusement, every day and Sun
day too. When daylight declined they
| hustled into camps. Occasionally they
were fired on from the bushes-buckshot
were picked out of their soldiers once in a
while, and more than once a dead Yankee
was found in the road-and nobody the
wiser.
When the news came to Georgia of Presi-
dent Lincoln's assassination they started
early in the forenoon, stayed out later at
night and were, altogether, more violent
| and aggressive. The ''rebs" then had mora
hiding out to do.
Among those who fed to the swamps
and canebrakes were three young officers
of my acquaintance for this is an ''Ower
true story''), but their names and rank ara
unnecessary to mention. | will designate
them as Lieutenants A, B and c, because
they went to other pursuits, and their sol
diering occupation was soon done and over
with after General Wilson occupied Macon.
Confederate money had played out. Ora
tuitous food and lodging became, there
fore, a matter of loyalty to the government
then undergoing throes Of dissolution. In
their enforced retirement they had many
amusing experiences. Hard times and war
times failed to quench their enjoyment of
the comic side of this sort of life. When
they came in to our refugee home after
dark for shelter it was as enjoyable for US
to listen as for the narrators themselves to
experience. One night they were tramp
ing down in Twiggs county, a score of
miles from the city. FOotsore and nearly
famished, they at last discovered light in
the woods at some distance from the main
road.
heavy rain bad fallen in the afternoon,
and the night was foggy and starless.
They scrambled through the bushes and
fell over dilapidated fences until they
found themselves near the house. but
gang of dogs on the inside of the inclosure
made it prudent to halloo, to which only
the dogs replied. For some minutes it was
doub whether the human or the canine
species would prevail in the noise and hub
bub tEat ensued. The officers began to
think it would be best to seek the road
again. Sore and weary legs were to be
preferred to bitten legs-and the pack was
apparently intent on tasting blood.
Hungry men, however, are usually per-
sistent. At last the door opened; man
bearing a torch, holding it high over his
head. and peering into the gloom, called
out: no is ita What's yer want?"
Lieutenant A-as we will call him
stepped forward and said: I'VE are travel
ers, are benighted, and would like supper
and lodgings. Can you allow us to come
into your kitchen for the might've are
muddy and tired from walking in the rain
and very hungry"
Before the torch holder decided to reply
female voice in his rear squeaked OUT
mo, sir; we don't take in travellers. We
hain't bite to eat but plain corn meal,
and leetle enough of that, God knows.
Old Wheeler's cavalry cleaned us out last
winter-we've putty nigh starved since he
went along;" concluding in lower tone
of voice to the torch holder, "Why don't
you tell 'em to go to the Wilder Jones,
'cross the creek; may be she'll take 'em
IMP"
The man did as he was bidden-recom-
mended Widow Jones' hospitality and
stopped-waiting for further prompting.
But mister" said Lieutenant B. as we
will call him, 1--WE are very hungry and
very tired If your good lady will only be
80 hluu tS W dIlOW us W SlI ny your hlDCuGu
fire we will cook corn cake ourselves, not
to give her any trouble. | promise you we
will not annoy you. We must find shelter
very soon as it threatens rain again. Do
reconsider and take US in. Your good wife
is too clever and good looking to forbid US
a shelter / know
The woman here interrupted addressing
her husband, 'Tell 'em, Jonas, we don't
want no barney nor no comp'ny needer.
Eff Wheeler's creeter comp'ny had er lef' us
anything but corn meal, and but leetle O.
that, we might er spared some Of it--but l
want yer to shet that door and come in.
How dyer know but these folks is trying
to git in and rob US of the leetle bit that
Wheeler's crowd left2'
This was too strong an insinuation for
Lieutenant b. Madam, l am proud to
tell you l am Confederate soldier. live
in Texas. / have been on Georgia soil
since the battle of Missionary Ridge try
ing to protect helpless womanhood and in
nocence from the most terrible foe known
to their history. When the Yankees con-
quer this country you will suffer, fear.
am truly sorry to see you mistrust your
bast friends. Say, comrades, shall we gos
for ONE interrupted here by the old
man. wish we had some grub fifteen for
you folks, but, as the old 'ooman told you,
we hain't bite to spare, and nothin'
amakin' Jack and Buck, the two oldest
sons, the conscript TUX, and thar amt
anybody TO work but me and our darter
Sallie in here. Sorry TO disobleege you all,
but it's jes' like the old 'ooman says-ws
haint got bite to give you"
Just then Lieutenant c., as we will call
him, stepped out with Yankee overcoat
on his arm. They had found it in the road
that morning; perhaps it had dropped
from some troopers saddle who had load
of plumber piled waist high before him.
Before his comrades had suspicion of the
role he proposed to play be rushed up TO
the speaker, clasped his hand in a cor
dial, gushing manner, with tremendous
'Howdye do, my good Union friend3"
An what are your" inquired the old
woman, who had also stepped outside the
door by this time, the Pickering torshhCht
playing on her coarse features, rough hair
and uncouth apparel
We'll, my good woman, what should |
be but Federal officer. with this ovsrcoat,
We have been feeling our way-haven't
we, boys-to see how the land lay, Gen
eral Wilson is in Macon-the town Is over
flowing with his soldiers-snd we are on a
hunt for shotguns and rebel victualz- Give
me your hand, old fel! If you are not
friends TO the Yankees, Pm as mech mis-
taken SIS the fellow that burned Nis cost
tails when be thought &c was only warm
Ing his shins- Snake hands, my good
woman All of you give me your paws
Who'd thought to find Lincolnites down
here in the dark corners Of Twiggs' Bless
goodness, we've struck Union folks this
time slra Come slnnr- hnEs- We are vel