The National tribune., 1891-05-07
Read Better than Pension f" on page S.
TRADED MUSKETS.
A Pennsylvania Comrade Tells How He Got 4 New
Springfield.


Springfield.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In April, 1865
after the surrender Of Lee, the 5lst Pa, then
Of the First Brigade, First Division, Ninth
Corps pulled up stakes az Burksyille Junction,
marched to City Point. and embarked for Wash
ington aboard tho transport Cossacll, the same
ship that took all but two companies Of the
regiment to Roanoke Island TO participate in
their first fight, Feb e 1862.
After reaching Washington, we were sent
back 10 Alexandria, Va, aud marched out
toward Fairfax Seminary, where we went into
camp. We were all in a pretty dlapidated
condition, dirty and covered with vermin, aud
our arms wanted cleaniug-at least, two mus
kets in Co. A did.
think it was the FIRST night we were there,
n young soldier Of Co. A, by the name Of Irwin,
aud myself, were on camp guard, along an old
rusd aud Immediately opposite 10 the camp OF
the 2l5ih Pa, new regiment, with the prctti-
est, brightest, and newest Spring6elds we ever
saw. OF course they had not been TO the front.
Irwin met me az the end Of the beat, and, with
merry twinkle Ia his eye, said:
9" IL ! had half a chance would make an
even trade with some one of those fellows over
there, with this old muslyet Of mine"
told him had been thinking very serious
ly OF the same thing myself, from the fact that
my musket was in bad condition, not only
being dirty, bat had lost the sight, aud there
certainly would be general inspection socn.
Then Irwin, holding his musket sidewise,
added:
Look, what work we've got to do"
II Aas then aud there determined that we
would make a trade with the 2I5th that night,
il possible So, along about midnight Irwin aud
j got on the same posts again. Finally, Irwin
gave a low whistle, aud saw him glide across
the road 10 trail arms aud, looking m the dircc-
tlOn Of their guard-house. ! saw by the small
fire they had that the sentinel was taking a nap
IN sitting position on q log Irwin went direct
ly 10 the GTst stack Of guns, aud gently took
mp one Of the new SprinFfelds that was loose,
in exchange for HIS which he left in It's place,
aud came hack very quietly aud quickly; aud,
as the sentinel was still prolOnging his nap,
] went forward At a trail, bat, as did not dare
break stack, had TO 80 one stack closer TO
the sentinel But got a muskct and returned
10 my beat Then / SAID 10 Irwin:
Now we've got them, aud, if they suspect
us, the blasted things will tell on Us by their
nowHoss."
Irwin said, Lets take the chances" and SO
we did.
no one ever troubled US, however, aud, p few
days aiierward, we had company and reci-
mental inspection. Irwin and / generally
stood side by side in the company. but after
this occurrence we tried 10 get some other
fellows saudwiched between Us, for the purpose
Of breaking the m0nOtOHy Of two new mu-kets
side by side. On the morning Of the iugpec.
ton We managed 10 get Eph Paryin between
as, which WAS the best We could do and, as
Capt. Coulston gave Us several admiring glanceg,
we knew that lie could tell where the muskets
came frGm but, as Billie Bolton, the Colonel,
came along, and our pieces went up TO our hips,
he said
Captain. are those two new men2"
The Captain said:
10 Colonel, they are the same old fellows,
with new guns" aud then they both smiled,
and 50 did we.
bought the musket when we were mustered
out, aud il formerly belonged to one /. Rich
ARDS, whose name was stenciled on the sling.
have taken care Of il since the war. have
carried IL Ia the advance guard Of Post llG. Of
Harrisburg, Pa, aud fired il over "a number Of
comrades graves so you see that. if il did not
do much service al first, it is still in service.
ii Comrade Richards is living and brought
my -- old muaket home, aud has il Yet, aud
If il is not 30 bad as Rip Van Wrinkles gun was
after the 20 years sleep, am willing again Ia
trade even np.-LoUIs G. FISHER 60. A, 81 4
Pa, - y. Fifteenth street, Harrisburg, Pa.