The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-31
.sabys. payne.. and stuarrs mounted

ton. In the mean time, the SUSPICIOUS
column had gotten cut into the fat coun-
try, free from any obstructing objects.
It's clear outlines could now be distinctly
made out as it slowly drew It's length
along in the open sunlight At this mo-
ment. when all was stu IN doubt ana
anxiety the practiced eye Of an obserV-
ant officer convinced him that there was
no ground for ali this apprehension anu
Induced him 10 announce 70 ms anxious
comrades the opinion that the SUSPICIOUS
column could be no other IMAM " body OF
friendly troops. When asked Tor mis- rea-
son. he had only 20 draw their attention
20 a pecttiiar feature Of their wagon train.
In the early part OF the war. and before
the Conffcerates had captured any Of the
encmy's wagons. the entire transportation
Of tho southern troops was done by wa
cons built In Virginia and OF q peculiar
pattern. They were commonly known by
their Ions. high tops covered with white
canvass, mounting UP at both ends. giving
the appearance Of extraordinary length
to The vehicle.
They were the great '1and- ships that
long ante-dated the railroads and main
tanned the inland traffic Of the country.
They piled chiefly between the East and
the West. and were built 90 stand the
rough usage OF mountain roads. They
were generally drawn by six large horses,
decked in black bear-skin, cOllar-cOvers
trimmed with red. surmounted by bells,
which i'm the mountain regions served TO
announce their coming so that the IN
convenience OF meeting in narrow passes
might De avoided. We remember when
the traffic between Richmond and the
far West was almost entirely done by
these huge vehicles. which consumed
weeks i'm coming from the Ohio river 20
the capital: and we recall with childish
pleasure. the melodious notes Of the
long, tin bugle-horns which always an
nounced their approach. We have listened
TO the far-fame1 "Ranz-des-vaches'
among the Swiss Alps but in our juds-
ment. the music Of those Virginia noun
taineers was far sweeter than that Of
the Alpine-horn. The team Of six horses
hitched in pairs. from the wheels out. was
invariably controlled by a single rein, in
the hands Of the driver, who always sat
upon the right-hand wheel-horse. At the
time OF which We now write, Broad
street, I'm Richmond. was the chief rem
devious Of these vehicles, but they went
over the city In delivering and receiving
their cargOes, and we have seen one OF
them turn short corner at a sweeping
trot. on one Of the narrowest streets with
out detriment TO itself or other teams.
The driver was generally a fine speci-
ment OF mountain humanity; clad in
rough. substantial clothing. Including the
traditional red flannel shirt and broad
brlmmed hat over his capacious Shout
ders he usually wore a peculiarly made
whip, as "A badge of office as well as a
horse-persuader. With this implement he
was particularly expert; often astOnish-
ing the unlearned with a series of mid
air performances rivaiing in rapidity and
herceness the fireworks OF the town-boys
at Christmas our stalwart WAGNER
usually brought with him an assistant,
who was cook. and groom, and who was
expected TO help ale land-ship out Of any
difficulty she might encounter on the
long journey from their home 10 the
capital BY way Of additional security
and for night guard, a big, burly dog
OF doubtful pedigree, was generally found !
under the wagon during the daytime.
The tired teamster and his assistant
rarely rested at the way-sde inns. They
their improvised camping-ground !
on the roadside wherever there was a
stream and room; and halted when the !
even~tide invited rest for them and their |
team. Sometimes when they moved in /
caravans for cOmpany's sake, q was q |
weird sight TO come upon the biVouac |
of those Independent travellers. The sky |
and the roads We're red with the iivid t
glare of fires, fed from the neighboring |
forests; the drowsy men and doing |
teams. overcome by tired natures sweet /
restorer. lay siie * and mouonless IN the t
night. We were in some belated stage |
coach hurriedly rumbling along TO its !
hating place. our boyish fancy associated |
danger. even in this enchanting scene |
and we experienced relief when the coach /
had passed all the sleeping groups We !
may be pardoned for this depression, in /
describing these relics of the highways /
when railroads and telegraphs, and all |
the varieties Of modern innovations were /
utterly unknown.
But to return. IL was well known that /
the wagons used by she northern troops |
we're low and short and quite differently |
shaped from those used 10y the southern !
ers The failure, therefore 10 observe
this Sigh. but important difference by
our authorities had caused this long and
anxious suspense on our side The sug-
sestion made by the aforesaid officer had
already produced a pacifying effect when
outriders came in with cor
-oborating accounts. There were two
small villages or hamlets north OF Cen
.reviHe known respectively as Vienna |
ana Frying-Pan. After the battle Of Ma
lassas the COnfederates had been sent 10
occupy both of these places as stragetic
points The First Richmond Howitzers, |
with other troops, went 10 the former,
Jut for some goOd reason were soon WIN
lrawn TO Centreville. Another body Of
.rocps had been advanced 10 Frying-Pan.
and for perhaps Ike reason had just
leen ordered back to their original posi-
ion. wherever that had been. They We're |
hCrefOre on their retrOerade movement |
when they so innocently but so thorough
Y stirred up the occupants Of Centreyille
When the true cause of the panic had
leen made plain, II was source OF great
notification 10 all concerned. Although
he vigilance OF the troops was COM
nended. they were at the same time open
% the criticism Of their comrades OF
)ther commands. and ever after the sub
ects Of facetious animadyeRsion for their
want Of "savolr-faire" in the art OF war.
w. J.. y.
Tho Girl