Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-11-23

some trivial circumstance which served
TO wear off "the dull edge of monot-
ony" In camp life, and gave zest to
their movements
Our division had just reached New
Hope Church after tedious march in
our retreat before Sherman's advance
along the Allatoona & Atlanta railroad.
and being wcaricd out, we were soon
sound asleep. IL was one of those
hot, sultry nights during the latter
part Of May, the pitchy blaclsness of
which was broken only by the light OF
innumcrable hrc-ilics springing from
the earth. The whole camp was buried
In slumbcr when suddenly, about mid
night, there broke out on the still mir
most terrific firing of artillery aud in
fantry, which reused MS into line OF
battle. We waited in expectation of an
attack from the enemy every moment,
when the firing ceased MS suddenly as
1t had begun. Tho next morning the
mystery was explained. II seems that
one of our picltets, seeing the light of
freely In the direction OF the cnemy's
lines took II for the flash OF n gun
from one of their pickets, and, not
waiting to hear the report of the gun,
fired away Mt the supposed enemy. OF
course, this started the entire line
OF pickets, and called out the Dig
guns, which were banging away at the
army Of firc-flles. Pat Cleburne, whose
division was near MS, and who was
fond Of n Joke, rallied at our boys
somewhat for shooting at fre-flies In
stead of yankees. II was only
night or two after, however, when a
picket in Pats division did the same
thing, and brought out n tremendous
firing in the dead Of night Gen.
French now turned the laugh upen
Pat, and the boys on both sides jolted
each other at the event, which was re-
membered afterwards as the freely
battle.
II was the next year that the troop
was stationed at occoquon, on the
Potomac, with orders TO watch the
enemy II they should cross over; 30 1t
kept the company constantly on the
move up and down tho river, and II
would frequently be In sight of Alex
andria and hear the roll of the federal
drums There was located about eight
miles from Alexandria little hamlet
called Accotink, n settlement chiefly of
union men and negroes, who were con-
stantly giving information TO head.
quarters at Washington rs TO the
rebel" movements; SO the troop de-
termined TO teach these fellows q
lesson. 1t was ascertained by the boys
that these "loyalists" were going TO
have big pow-wow and barbecue on
the coming Fourth Of July, when there
would be grand fiag-raising, speeches
and general jollihcation by some Of
the big men in Washington, to help
keep these Virginians true to the old
union "Old Tlbbs," our captain,
smiled, and his Dyes twinkled with
pleasure, as he heard this news, and,
turning to Lieut. c., said;
1--WE will be there to celebrate, too,
boys"
The night before the Fourth, all
hands were In glee for the movement
which was sure TO produce much fun,
as well rs profit Being about twelve
miles from the camp, the troop started
good while before daylight, and
reached the scene OF exploit Just as the
'H' 'Na iAhihks hNAN AAANN hAM lIhul
ndistlnt hill tho little village, with the
union flag proudly waving from tall
polei busy preparations for the barbe-
cuo were in progress; long tables were
spread and the savory viands were
brought forth. the smell OF which made
the boys more eager for the charge A
largo crowd Of both white and blacl,
was gathering, all unconscious of i'm.
pending danger Tho speaking was to
be Mt twelve, but the Impotence OF the
men could be restrained no longer So
"Old Tibbs' gave the signal, and the
troop with the captain leading
length ahead, gave wild rebel yell"
aud swoopcd down urou the terrified
crowd, leaping tables, sending dishes
and plates flying in all directions and
making n complete wreck Of things.
The negroes, who were wild with fear,
scrambled from under the debris and
made for Alexandria 20 give the alarm;
the whites, trembling in terror lest
they should be made prisoners, s,ram-
bled for safe place. The whole scene
was SO ludicrous that the whole troop
was conyplsed with laughter, and 1t
was some little time before "Old Tibbs"
could control his risib'es long enough
TO give serious command, A few mo-
montA' work aud Tho tall oole was cut