The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-09-28

Yankee soldiers, and, in company with two
or three Of his staff officers, enters the house
and invites the rather surprised Confederates
to take little walk down the road to see
our Eagle. As the company Of soldiers
aforementioned is on hand TO furnish a safe
escort, although at first little reluctant
about venturing further from their camp,
they finally consent. So they march down
the road, while we-uns" lead their horses.
On arriving where the brigade is resting
in the dark and rain beside the road, with
no shelter but their rubber blankets, the dis
tinguished Confederates are so much inter-
ested in the old Eagle and the ludicrOus,
mud-bedraggled appearance Of the Yankees,
that they conclude, on Gen. Mowers very
urgent invitation, 10 stay with them and
accompany them back to Alexandria when
they get ready to return to camp. As a fur
Their evidence of amity and good fellowship,
the General offers to exchange uniforms
with them, which they quite readily agree
TO. So Wild Joe, in Confederate uniform,
starts out on another lark"
Then, as his soldiers are already as wet
and muddy as they can be, and picket duty
will be kind of rest after their fatiguing
march, he calls for picket detail, and in
the darkness and rain, riding a little in
ceeds to relieve their pickets, informing
them that they are to march Immediately
for Alexandria, TO join force now advancing
down the river to surprise and capture the
whole Yankee force at that place, capture or
destroy their feet, and then meet and de-
stroy Gen. Banks's force which is now on It's
way to join Gen. Smiths army at Alexandria.
Leading them 10 where he has his old l1th
Mo. resting on their arms, he turns them
over TO the hospitality Of the boys of that
regiment, 10 be entertained by them with
some more interesting stories until morning
OF course they find out that it is all
harmless little joke on his part about the
Dight-march to Alexandria, etc, and, taking
the other regiments OF the brigade-the 47th
Ill, 6th Wis, and 9th Minnie places them
In line close in around the steering camp of
the Coniederates for their still more perfect
security against surprise from without As
Monday, the 22d, is dawning, still dark and
gloomy, over the peaceful camp, and the
valiant Confederate soldiers begin to arouse
from their peaceful slumber, and to think
upon the hard weeks duties before them of
foragng on the country for rations, the con-
fscatiOn Of horses and other property TO the
great Secession cause, aud the burning Of
cotton and other property and supplies TO
&C., A'N4A mum 8a44iuB 1ubO tue Hdbds VI
the ruthless Yankee invader, our wicked
Joe surprises them by appearing in the
midst of their quiet camp with an invita-
ton TO them TO march back TO Alexandria
with him and partake of Yankee hospitality !;
telling them that the "Yanks" are well
supplied with wheat, -four, crackers, and
coffee, in addition 10 bacon aud other such
commissaries as their own country affords,
and that, if they will do him the distin-
guished honor of accepting his escort to
Alexandria and partaking of their hospi-
tally, he will highly appreciate their dis
tinguished consideration.
As evidence of his good faith aud honest
Intentions he calls their attention to the
long lines of muddy and tired soldiers of
the Live Eagle Brigade and Old Abe him