The National tribune., 1891-12-24

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W. Jimt II die Tor 10.
MRN And the jOlliest men,
H1lhA - ber OF our mess looked
HANHA along his gun-b barrel at
d Z%FTf Gj space between the
~ kYi, kE1 ears Of a white porker
rs y 81 TAcN roofing in the field.
AS1AI ITH NgA We were foragers
gfHHI7 f&NNnf from the main line of
~SGX march-fOragers rot
HNAA = exactly authorized by
,~k( "a y military law and strag-
H EHS glers strictly forbidden
S-@ TO stragZle. For we
were in the enemy's
country and were actually surrounded by
bushwhackers. and had daily brushes with de-
tachments in front and rear Of our columns
We had started on \ weary march to join the
other columns concentrating upon Murfrees-
boro. Baggage and provision trains and every
thing that could impede the rapid movement
of the troops had been left behind. Salt pork,
crackers, and coffee, and limited supply Of
each WAS our daily diet.
Hero IL was Christmas time, and all the world
up in our Northern homes would be around the
conventional dinner table tomorrow. The
boys talked of nothing else but Christmas days
and family dinners and home rs we marched
along the hard stone pike, or else silently and
modify contrasted situations. But this ele-
ment was small-the rule was cheerfulncss.
Jim was ono Of my messmates. He was Of
Italian birth, had been a street-organ grinder
in st. Louis. aud was the Mark Tapley of our
company. On an especially painful march, a
cold wet night out, or when one days rations
had TO cover half a week, Jim came out strong.
He had been enlivening the weary hours by
occasional snatehes of song from his extensive
repertOry on this particular day, and when it
was whispered along the ranks that we were to
be given a rest on the morrow Christmas day,
Jim issued a formal invitation to our platoon
10 take Christmas dinner with him. There
were good many jokes cracked at our own
expense, but when Jim seriously promised Us
genuine turkey and cranberry sauce for Christ
mas day we thought il the best joke Of all
The boys played upon this theme, while Jim
began 10 look serious.
- / must 60 10 market" he finally whispered
to me. Then he suddenly spoke to our Ser
geant: "I've got pebble in my SHOE" and
stepped out Of the ranks. As he did so he
pulled at my blanket, and / said 1 would help
him. "All right, boys" said our Sergeant,
hurry up-yOu know the orders"
When found what Jim was up to followed
him under protest. We sneaked along the
fence as though overcome with the march
until favorable opportunity offered. when we
slipped into the woods and struck out cautiously
at right angles from the passing column. Our
regiment was of the leading division that day
and the Second Brigade so we knew that our
advance guard of cavalry hankers had Just
covered the ground to the right and left and
we would thus be in less danger from stray
Confederates than we would be from our own
rear-guard. The latter meant severe punish
meuL But there was a whole corps behind
and our own division stretched back for a mile
or two.
When we had got far enough away from the
column 10 avoid our own cavalry scouts we
turned in the general direction Of the march.
sticking TO cover of woods and fences and keep
ing sharp eye out for Confederates and game.
The first living thing was this razor backed
white hog in the middle OF an open field.
Jim and laid down fat in y fence corner
and looked at il and glOated over 10. The
pOrker had long tail curling over to the right
in jaunty way.
." II would be nice roasted in hot ashes" said
Jim, mOi5tening his lips from his eanteen. But
there was a log hut within fair ganshOt Of that
hog and the smoke coming from the rough
wood and clay chimney indicated that it was
occupied. There was q narrow country road
skirting the other side of the field near the
house. and that road might develop stray troop
ers-Our own or the enemy'sEequally disa-
greeable for me.
If we shot the hog we might not only not get
him but bring down on Us armed hOrsemen. III
we got the animal We still had long march
ahead before camp, and IL would be q wearis0me
JVo w NLAJ Va II uf1u \
take him we might not get another chance, for
pretty soon or regular foragers would be sweep
ing the country. So we looked ut his pigship
and ruminated. Finally. Jim could stand il no
longer, and declared no must have that pig or
die for it. His bullet took fatal effect, aud the
razor-back keeled over without a squeal.
But we remained perfectly quiet 20 study the
effect on that house and road. Not soul ap-
peared. Keep your rifle on the house, old
man." said Jim, who bad reloaded his Spring
field and drawn his knife. I'm going after
that four-legged turkey. If any demonstration
is made blaze away, aud follow, if necessary,
with my gun"
Z" He leaped boldly over the fence, and ran
for the kicking hog. In another minute he
had cut the animals throat and was dragging
him toward our hiding place. Not another
soul in sight.
"Ill investigate said Jim. "Our cavalry
probably scared 'em away" So be took his
gun and followed the fence around to the road,
leaving me to cover his thanking movement.
lie then ran rapidly down toward the house.
i saw him try the door. listen aud enter. He
came out almost Immediately and waved his
hand and joined him.
They've bOlted, ;" cried Jim, "and here's our
Christmas turkey. all cleaned and stuffed, aud
here's our cranberry sauce, and here's the whole
layout, corn bread and syrup, and-qaick
your blanket! Watch Outside-Pll scoop this
Christmas dinner-well, should say. Talk
about Provideucel / wish il was cooked"
/ heard him going on as / stood outside, gun
in hand. In another minute he came out
swung the heavily y-laden blanket across my
back and started back across the fields
al must have some Of that pig-we'll want
some variety tomorrow" he explained, at my
remOnstrRnce.
Having secured rs much fresh pork as we
dared to additionally burden ourselves with,
we returned by diagonal approaches to the col
umn aud came mp with our regiment some four
hours after il had gone into camp, and long
after dark. There we learned that there had
been some active skirmishing during the
day, and that we had been given upas captured
Our Captain had been called TO account by the
Colonel, aud it took our Christmas turkey to
straighten things out atheadquarters. But our
mess had fresh pork and corn pone and jelly
and other good things galore, while Jim sang
us rattling Italian wine song, and we bumped
our blackened tin cups in the chorus.
That Christmas dinner was to US then one
OF the happiest hours on earth. -Four days
later Jim fell in line of battle at Murfreesboro,
shot through the heart. Two others of the
mess received wounds that closed their military
service. The Christmas dinner mess never met
again.