The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-28
THE HUMOROUS SIDE.
A Unique Menu Found at Starving
Nicksburg.


In that thrilling history Of the war writ.
ten by Mr.. 7. &. DeI.eon OF Mobile Ala
entitled -Four Years IN Rebel Capitals"
one chapter is devoted to a record of the
VIII anu humor OF those dark days OF
storm and stress.
The author shows how the Southern
war-worn. starving. could pour out his.
soul IN noble SONG, and how he rose in
defiant glee over his own suffering. striy.
ing 10 drown the sigh In a peal of reso-
nant laughter. Many anecdotes are told
OF the grim humor Of the old soldiers u
those who could laugh while they suffered
and fought and starved
BUT strangest amid all strange hu-
iloIs OF the war, writes DeLeon, was
that which echoed laughter over the
leaguered walls OF Scared. starving des-
perate Nlcksourg No siege In all history
tells or greater peril and suffering, borne
with wondrous endurance and heroism
by nrn and women 1t is a story OF pri-
walton unparalleled, met by fortltude and
calm acceptance. which recall the early
martyrdoms tor faith And. indeed. love
or country grew 10 be a religion especi-
ally with the women OF the South. though
happily none proved il by stress SO dire
as those Of her heroic city. and they cher
ished II I'm the darkest midnight of their
cause. with constancy and hope that
nerved the strong and shamed tho lag
gard.
THAT history is one long series OF
perils and priyations--of absolute isola-
tion-sufiicient to have worn down the
strongest and to have quenched even
The smile Of the South, on the lips and
the eyes
OF her barefooted boys"
Yet, In Nicksburg. torn by shot and
shell. hopeless OF relief from without.
reduced 10 dlrest straits OF hunger within
the supreme rebel humor rose above
nature; and men toiled and starved.
fought their hopeless fight and died-not
with the stoicism OF tho fatalist. but with
the cheerfulness OF duty well performed.
And when Vicksburg fell a curious proof
Of this was found A manuscript bin of
fare surmounteS ny rough sketch Of q
mules head crossed by a human hand
holding a bowie knife.
That memorable menu reads:
Hotel De Vicksburg. Bill OF Fare. for
July, 1868.
Soup: Mule tall
Boiled: Mule bacon. with poke greens:
mule ham, canvassed.
Roast: Mule sirloin. mule rump. stuff
ed with rice; saddle OF mule. a Tarmee.
Vegetables: Boiled rice rice. hard boil
ed. hard rice. any way
Entrees Mule head stuffed Ia Reh;
mule beef. jerked a la yankee; mule ears.
fricaseed la getch. mule side. stewed.
new style. hair on; mule liver. hashed Il
l'explosion.
side Dishes Mule salad: mule hoof.
soused: mute brains a lomelette: mule
kidneys. hraises on ramrod: mule tripe.
on half ParroO she'll mule tongue, cold.
a In Bray.
Jelies: Mule foot Ohree-to-yarD; mule
bone a Ia trench.
Pastry: Rice pudding pokeberry sauce;
cotton wood berry pie Ia ironclsd;
chinaberry tart
Dessert Whiteoak acorns: Beech nuts;
hlackberry-leaf tea; genuine Confederate
coffee.
Liquors: Mississippi water. vintage
1892 very superior. 50. limestone water.
late Importation. very fine. s3.75: spring
water. Vicksburg bottled mp. 81.
Meals at few hours. Gentlemen 10 watt
upon themselves Any inattention in ser
vice should be promptly reported at the
office.
Jeff Davis e. Co. Proprietors.
Card.-The proprietors OF the justly
celebrated Hotel de Vicksburg. having
enlarged and reftted the same. are now
preparinc TO accommodate all who may
favor them with a call Parties arriving
bv the river. or by Grants inland route.
Wi find Grape Canister & Co.'S car
riages at the landing. or any depot on the
line Of entrenchment. Buck. Ball e Co.
take charge Of all baggage. No" effort
will be spared 20 make the visit OF all as
interesting as possible.