The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-02
Y /.

--- cause" To be a male
and have a name ap-
peared to be all that was necessary for the Of
ficials to say that you were competent to go to
the front
Now. speaking of names, CONSUMPTION un-
earthed one of the longest names l think 1t
was ever my province to hear. ! had read of
titles which seemed to include the alphabet
several times but this one-John Thomas
Richard Crumpi Pleasant Fletcher Thaddeus
Leonidas Jackson Rufus Charles Henry Porter
Gilkerson-beats all l ever remember. Suisse
quentIy it was compressed or condensed into
Ruby Gilkey. If this name had been printed
on cloth it would have bandaged this diminu-
tive subject into the smile of an Egyptian
mummy; but, nevertheless, he was proud OF that
long handled name, and whenever he was
asked for it he would repeat in from end TO
end.
The family seemed to have penchant for
extensive names. He had diminutve sister
who visited him in camp who also. when OPP
portunity presented, would rattle off her name
thus: Martha Ann Elizabeth Susan Maria
Nancy Jane Montgomery Motley Dickerson
Gilkerson. The family was numerous one.
preservation, by precipitating them all, or at
least the favorite ones, upon their children.
EVERY DAY BROUGHT ITS QUOTA
of dilapidated humanity to camp-young old,
lame, halt and blind. One at least feigned
blindness, with huge pair of spectacles which
he declared he could just see enough with to find
his way, and without them was helpless, so far
as sight was concerned. Notwithstanding
the others were panied as well as humiliated
in being summoned there, there existed mirth,
fun and mischieviousness at this fellow. Some
one removed his glasses, which improved his
condition wonderfully; for, unconscious OF 1t,
he pursued his way for half day, when he
was reminded of it. Suddenly replacing his
them that the Surgeons had not dropped
on to it; nor did they. He was continually
kept in camp, but as each quota YVES forwarded
TO the front he remained behind, until the
final surrender, several months later.
At this particular time little Robespierre was
in his glory. He was 3 citizen of q Southern
city, and his duty and delight was to sec that
every one except himself reported, or was re-
ported, to Camp Watts Every morning he
and his partner. who was indebted to Robes
pierre for his place, would shoulder their guns,
and, in company with another "bomb-proofer,"
make the rounds of all the places Of business
in the city. It made no difference how strong
were the papers of exemption retained by the
citizens ne insisted strenuously and defantly
upon their going and reporting to the Camp.
and in several intances assumed dictatorial
authority and trampled under his feet the
papers Of exemption, property of the sum-
moned. The wires were kept red-hot between
that city aud the authorities at Richmond, and
unless the subject had lt-edged influence at
the latter place he was branded q sure-go to the
front.
THIS DEsPor,
so-called Robespierre long since left for that
place from whence no one returns, and for his
sake we will hope he is at rest. II the doctrine
me tcmpss courses is true and II there be con-
script officers in the great beyond, he unques-
tionably win make hustler. The trite say
ing, +" The grave covers all things and let the
dead rest" did never apply to Benedict
Arnold's case and we submit why should it to
such despot as I've related.
At this juncture material was so badly needed
at the front, contumacious conscripts who had
been sent forward deserving and thus sent
forward again and again, were hunted down
rs though they were wild beasts, and when
captured, without judge jury, court-martial,
or semblance OF hearing, were summariy
executed. 1t was Familiarity called losing
them, intended as warning to the absentees,
and was publicly proclaimed that unless they
reported within given time they would be
treated in the same manner. Squads Of cavalry
went patroiling from house to house. examin-
ing every possible hiding place, helping them
selves ountifully to all edibles in sight; but
the pitcher finally went to the we'll too often,
as illustrative, and SO did one of those Hessians
go 10 certain house one time too many. Tho
wife and mother Of that home, q frail little
woman, weighing not over 80 pounds, her face
farrowed with deep traces of care, trouble and
anxiety one morning sifted the last meal she
had in the house for baking. She placed it on
what she termed spider, rude cooking
utensil having Eat surface, without top with
three legs. A six-footer from squad walked
into her home this morning and espying the
bread nearly done called to his comrades
Here's a CO." Taking the bread from the
spider, he at once commenced breaking to
divide ii. Instantly superhuman strength
pervaded that little woman; the line of
sanity's demarkation between reason and sanity
was cycloned with the strength assuming the
equal Of Lady Audley" when she jerkcd the
windlass from beneath Talboys and sent him
htherward to the bottom of that 40-foot we'll
She seized that spider, dealing that fend q
hcrcalean blow, who was robbing her children
and self of the last morsel. One of the legs of
the utensil
PENETRATING HIS SKULL,
dropping him as eifectually as if mimic. ball
had plOwed him from center to circumference
That little woman still survives. and the writer
has frequently since conversed with her of the
occurrence. She relates that she has not the
remotest idea what possessed her, but some
thing inspiring, probably. However, she did
Confederate authorities nothing ever was done
or exceptions made about it.
Towards the last, what might be termed the
riding conscrpt or patrol officers became
what might be termed utilitarians, carrying
wagons and other vehicles, for the purposes of
foraging as well as conscript hunting. On
certain occasion they had penetrated near the
Federal lines, reaching an old estimable lady's
house. whose hams had great reputation in
that section, as has a certain Virginia ham to
the present day. She took a great pride in the
mode and process Of curing her bacon. Being
intermediary between the opposing forces
lines was worried, anxious and troubled lest
she should lose it. She had heard of the ap-
proach of the so-called conscript foragers, first
90 miles away. then 10, five, and three The
nearer they came the more the old lady paced
up and down her yard aud porch, wringing
her hands, going to the smokehouse to view
her pets, and in every way conducting herself
though she would have to part with some
thing as dear to her rs the apple of her eye,
and when hope had about expired, verifying
tho saying. THE darkest hour is just before
days happy thought came to her mind. Hur-
riedly summoning her slaves ready at hand, she
caused every piece to be taken from the smoke.
house and promiseuously scattered throughout
and over the yard. About this time the fora
gers rode up. After making Inquiries as to