The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-12-31

thlngss OF which the Virginia and
North Carolina families have de-
priyed themselves to givethe soldiers
one more Christmas dinner would
probably reach headquarters this
evening"
.They haven't come yet, . said the
lieutenant, sbut the commissary SER
geant is now at Headquarters with a
detail to bring down what is to be
issued"
81 found two or three boxes for
the men," continued the captain, cat
the South Carolina home in the city,
in the old Exchange HOTEL and
ordered them sent out with the quar-
termasters' stores. But the railroads
are in a dreadful condition, and the
only safe route now to the South is
by the Richmond & Danville road,
so that u men will be sadly dis
appointed in not getting boxes con-
tanning something from home"
Tired of waiting for the "spider
wagon" as the commissary wagon
was known, the men had gone to
bed; that is, had exchanged their
situation in Turk fashion,for a lying |
posture. But a sudden shout, Come
and get your rations!' brought a
member OF each mess, even at that
hour of the night, to the commits
sary's quarters, if a plank or two
laid on stumps could be so desig-
mated. And with infinite care and
absolute impartiality, the beef and
flour and salt, a slice of bacon and a
handful or two of cow peas-the
last two items an almost unknown
luxury-were parceled out to each
mess. And then were apportioned
the four or five turkeys and cab
bage, Il contribution for a Christ
mas dinner to the army. "A feast
for a king, but scarcely a bite for
200 hungry soldiers.
The officers gave up their share.
While some of the messes drew lots
for a turkey or a head of cabbage,
which was not enough for two,
others, composed of strong and hearty
men, gave up theirs to the weakly
or delicate.
The captain and his mess of six
offers held a council before
turning in, Caesar and the cat
erer forming the advisory board.
The result was an appropriation for
Christmas of $75 in Confederate
money, being one-sixth of their COM
: bined months pay, for no boxes
were expected from home.
| Their combined months paw was
!, $3.50 in Confederate money, worth
: $1S in gold, or, rather, in what gold
4 would bay in the bcsieged city, fol
no gold vas actually to be had
Caesar at daylight started for the city
with orders to do the best he couit
with the Confederate money in a bis
roll in his pocket.
In DIE course Caesar returned from
the city, and disappeared with tn,
caterer in the "dug out" called tn,
kitchen, with a half dozen bundle
le and a mysterious air.
2, In each mess in camp the "cook'
4, was busy, every other member hun,
II around the fire, gave officious adyic
n about the art of cooking, and go
snubbed for his pains. While som
le smoked their pipes to keep dow
their appetites and pass the time o
u waiting, others organized a footract
a, others practiced from an old book O
is songs, and all looked with affection
et ate interest at the bubbling pots an,
glowing Goals.
le We were located in what RENAME
"a Of a pine forest, and no holly berrie
"a or mistletoe or Southern moss was q
hand. That one Christmas dinner
at the pick of three days. raticns, wa
n, ready, at last, in every mess and i
a the captains quarters Caesar an
nounced, with a dignified bow, tina
"a dinner was served.
!, "Why, bless my SOUL" said tn
n jolly first lieutenant, "here's a stuffe,
q roast pig with an apple in his mouth
" and a rice parleau and sweet pota
toes, and a huge tin cup of blac.
g coffee"
Caesar" said the captain, "yo,
always was a trump, but you re
:, served your best card for today"
Pr 81 do1't know about cards, sir,
replied Caesar, "but | was raise,
- bout de culinary of a roast'n PIG
e and you hab my respects Cor a gool
dinner and merry Christmas"
. With this exordium we collected
u around the board, or rather tw,
Is boards, which formed the table, us
ing Il folded blankets as diyans
Armed with a knife and homemak,
wooden fork and spoon, and a tir
q plate and cup, each proceeded tc
discuss the viands. There is art in
Q carving as we'll as in cooking a pig
I but why discuss the dinner?
q The meat was fat and Juicy, and
although the meat was rather dark
and less delicate than a Chester
county infant, the diners did rot
o discover the fact that it was q
e grounding, captured by some of
e Caesars sable friends in a hill on the
James river, until a week after the