The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-03-13
THE CAPTAINS WAR STORIES.
Both of Them Wonderful, Especially the
One About Firing at Puff of Smoke.

One About Firing at Puff of Smoke.
"When l was commanding cavalry
outpost during the war;" said the cap
tain, a former confederate officer, IA
nous for his remarkable war stories,
1--WE were camped near Salem, Va, and
it was the only time before, or since,
that Virginia has had such heavy rains.
We were wet through and through, and
almost dead from exposure. | had re-
ceived for my own use tive-gallon keg
of prime old Kentucky whisky from an
old friend, but before l had chance to
sample the liquor I was obliged to ride
out on scout.
Cali during that ride was chuckling
to myself at the treat I'd give the boys
when we got back, and, incidentally,
how would enjoy some of the contents
of that keg myself. Well, sir, when we
came back after a five hours ride in
that rain, soaked through, hungry and
disgusted, 1 told the men about that keg
of old John Barleycorn. Did they
smileP 1t was the nearest approach to
laugh that had been heard in that
section of the country for many day.
"Upon dismounting, all gathered
around my tent. entered, grabbed
tin cup, smiled and turned the spigot.
But not drop ran out l pulled the
air-plug from the top, but there was
only the tantalizing odor of the good
old red eye Kentucky alone brews.
The men were muttering at what they
called my iIl-timed joke. The disap-
pointment was greater than grieved
humanity could bear.
Suddenly l turned, saw a soldier
happy in his unsteadinesS, in front of a
tent about fifty feet from me. In all
that outpost the only whisky seen in
two weeks was that which I had re-
ceived. Twas but a moment to con-
meet the effect and cause. found three
heavy sleepers in that tent, the ground
was wet with rare, soft fragrant liquor
every tin washbasin, cup and vessel was
filled with that heavenly liquor. The
secret was out, so was the whisky. /
| investigated and found that these men
had learned of my having the keg, had
cut some long rice straws, made a con-
duit fifty feet in length by joining them
together, tapped the keg and run the
whisky into their own tent that long
distance away"
The captain stopped, lighted his cigar
anew, while his auditors nervously
shifted their positions. None spoke for
a full minute. Then the little man who
had tramped the region about Salem
under "OId Glory" asked in mild and
apologetic voice, Captain, what does
the rice crop amount to now around the
Salem. countryg"
mo rice was ever raised there OF
thereabouts, said the doughty but for
getful warrior.
The painful silence was finally broken
by the captain himself, who spun an
other yarn. which was as follows:
"When was commanding a cavalry
outpost during the war had occasion
to make a personal examination of the
land. rode with my orderly to knoll
some half mile from camp, and leisurely
began to study my position with the
aid of field glass.
Suddenly l jerked my head back in
voluntarily, and whizz went singing
rifle ball so close to my ear that coulc
feel the wind of its flight A puff o.
smoke was the only evidence of the
sharpshooter. Not once, but five or si1
times, did this involuntary muscular
action take my head backward from the
line of the shot and save my life.
never could explain or understand thai
providential muscular action. Turning
to my orderly, l seized his carbine
aimed at that smoke mile away, fired
and all was still again. No more shot!
came and we returned to camp. 4n the
afternoon party of us rode over the
country, and coming to the spot where
the shots had come from in the morn
ing, heard groans.
"They proceeded from a wounded
Yankee hidden behind a rail fence H,
said he had fired sew raj shots in tn,
morning at Confederate officer OF
yonder knoll, but had not been able tc
hit him, though he had good range anC
was considered wonderful sharp
shooter. and the reb had fired but one
shot at him and that with direful re
suits. The ball buried itself in his leg
cutting one of the main arteries. Tht
man was beyond human help. We gave
him water and he soon lost all signs o.
life. We rode away and left all tha
was mortal of the poor fellow behinC
that fence"
This tale was too much. One by one
the smokers arose and moved toward.
the door in silence deep and thinkative
The first man to reach the door turned
and in rich New England twang
shouted, "I've been called liar for tell
ing that story, captain, but Pm the
sharpshooter you killed that day."