The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-01
President Davis Reviewing the Troop.

While looking at a portrait OF Jeffer-
son Davis, as printed in Part or the
Century War Book an eX-Confederate
veteran remarked yesterday: THE only
time / ever saw jefferson Davis was upon
an occasion when | myself was the most
prominent figure.
at was during a review by President
Davis, during the second year of the
war, Of the army corps, Of which was
a member / was, at the time or JONI
ing the army, only sixteen years OF age,
and, as was the custom then in the south
ern States, 1 had, upon enlisting I'm
cavalry regiment, enlisted my own horse
at the same time Father had given me
the best and fastest little mare OF all
the horses on the old place. Although
/ had ridden her good deal. l had not
entire control Of her, and she was In
clined to be a little skittish.
"Well, the cavalry division OF which 1
was a member had been drawn up in
two lines, open order and at the left,
extending as far as the eye could see
were the infantry, also In two lines. II
was in the neighborhOOd OF Richmond.
Va. and all of the best people OF that
section were out 10 see the grand dis
play.
president Davis. erect and spare Of
figure. wearing a gray civilian suit mill
tarv boots. and stovepipe hat. rode slow
ly down between the lines accompanied
by a large staff Of officers arrayed in
a bewildering variety Of gorgeous uni
forms. Mr.. Davis was very cynical,
stern-looking man anyway. and there
was a cold glitter in his eye on this oc-
casion. which made each one of US feel
he took in everything in sight.
Just as he got past our troops the
band which was posted not far away,
burst into Maryland. My Maryland, "
with a mighty blare Of horns and bass
drums to start on
Like a rabbit bursting from a hollow
log. my little mare shot from the ranks
and few down the line. AWAY we tore
past the President and his staff, kicking
up a cloud of dust as we went.
Il tugged and pulled at the bride. but
IL wasn't any use; we went To the end
Of the line before ! could turn her. Then
she came up the back OF the line as last
as she went down. / had got tired hold
ing her by this time. and let her so.
AS we went by the President and party
again. ] couldn't help stealing glance
at his face TO see what he thought OF
our performance.
"Well. I caught his eye. and the men,
ory of the Disguised look he shot at me
makes the cold perspiration break out
All over me to this day. When we came
opposite our corps the mare darted into
her place and stood stock still. | was
co dazed and scared AT the awful way in
which had unwllingly spoiled the review
that | don't know whether | guided her
in or not | only know that | expected
10 be executed. and felt that l would
welcome IL as the only possible relief for
nv modification.
But strangely enough, no official notice
was ever taken Of our own little review
OF the army. 1t was a long time. how
ever before heard the last gibe the boys
OF our regiment used TO fling at me with
regard to il.
Such are the stories which are daily
brought 10 the surface by perusal OF The
Times popular edition OF the Century
War Book" The work itself is fun
OF them. and every narrative in the book
awakens another in the memory Of the
reader.