The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-06-12
A CHRISTMAS DINNER.
A SOLDIERS TALE.
An Escapade Which Reused and Alarmed
a Union Camp.


After Sheridans army moved back TO win.
chester. in the fall of 1864. the cavalry was
.,,.,.,,,.. ... -.
p'oNoNns ou' SUNNI h'e hn''es, anu hao NOT
as yet mado winter quarters, but were getting
what comfort they could out OF op-tents md
r,ii exas
'",' ",'
pur'hg 'he carry part OF the 'aii our pickets
were well out to Middletown. On this line
we became very well acquainted With the
people living In the vicinity. Although the
men were all In the Confederate army, tho
vermonters became very good friends with
the female portions Of the community.
Christmas night 1864, three OF the Vermont
cavalry officers were invited to eat n Christ
mas supper at one Of the houses near where
our reserve picket-post used to stand. have
forgotten the name OF the people, but the In
cident seems fresh in my memory and was
one Of the few real enioyments Of soldiers
life.
The house to which the officers were invit-
ed was some four miles outside OF our picket.
line. Rather ticklish trip, when one might
expect to find father or brother mt home from
the Confederate army.
Nevertheless, those officers we're bound to
have their Christmas supper, regardless Of
what might be outside the picket-lines. That
did not worry us rs much as how we were to
pass our picket-lines out and In again.
Finally, we made up the following yarn to
relate at the picket-line; We represented
ourselves as Cus,er's scouts, and we we're
going out 10 see II we could fnd where Early
was; that we might be gone until IL O'Clock;
TO be sure and tell the relief guards that we
were out and would come in about IL, so
they need not call the 0fiicer OF the Guard
when we came in.
Our story passed current with the plckets.
and we were soon trotting gaily to our sup
per When we reached tho house we found
private OF some regiment who had stolen
outside without story or permit, The night
was quite dark, and after making our horses
as secure aud comfortable as possible, we
were royalty welcomed by the lady OF the
house and her daughter We could not well
stand picket anu enjoy meal at the same
time. SO me concluded to get tho meal first.
The lady assured us IL her son, who was in
the virginia cavalry, should come home, even
II accompanied by some comrades, she could
guarantee us from capture as her guests.
We began our supper, which, Tor an i'm
poverished country swept by both armies al
ternatoly, was eiaoorate' our eyer.ready
reviewers were close at nand. we had been
enjoying the ieast Tor Anew minutes when a
rap az the uoor was hearo' we had trusted
somewhat 70 the ihstinct OIL our norses 10
warn us oil the approach OF any one, but this
was comPie'e surprise; we at once TOOK
p0sitioh Win ievone. IN eacn nanu, ana
aioweu ,ne lauy 70 open Tue uoor.
Beho,a three chatming uaughters OF the
SCUM hle IN uhpekhowh 10 them tGat we
were 'hete; Iney nau come OUT aiter uarK 70
MAKE our nostess nnu uausnteIs eaii' not
uaring 70 leaVe tneii h1he IN uayngn. we
at once throw up our hanus anu crieo sur
ren ier' .
After our supper me iauies sang ior US ana
We ehio!eu Iew houts mos, pieasantiy' AZ.
tnouRh tue lnuies woulu sing hothlng put
o9utherh songs we were NOT particular
wnat they sang Us our oDleeuVe point was
square meal.
Inc ulhe rapiu'y slipped py wnen we must