The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-01-08
In the Confederate Army.

A glorious night. that Christmas
eve of 1864. crisp, cold aud exhilar-
asing to the young soldier who rode
rapidly down the Osborn pike, leaving
the lights Of Richmond behind. think.
Ing of the Christmas eve cheer he had
enjoyed With kind friends in the city.
who we're more mindful OF the boys 10
the trenches than Of the dangers to
their homes.
The officers had hut at the head
Of the parade facing the forti6cation,
and as the captaio dismouuted his faith
full man, Caesar. who could get nearer
to battle, hide safer, and emerge
sooner than any man in the army, ap-
peared from che shakedown in bis "dug-
out" and talked to the old sorrel as be led
him off.
..rse sequestered bag of oats dat
squandered from de majors waggiu, an
you gifts Christmas bellyful sure: I'm
glad of dat, but whar's de grub for
Caesar and de captrin and de rest of de
boys on Christmas day?'
He muttered something about Elijah
and the ravens and the Lord, and the
sparrows that fall; but few minutes
later disappeared in his comfortable
hole in the ground, singing MY love
she of coal black rose" in happy-go-
lucky style.
For few minutes they were silent,
half sitting. half lying on their blankets
before the FIRE. Suddenly the captain
dived into the pockets of his overooat,
and holding before each officer bril-.
liant little piece Of silk ribbon patch
work, exclaimed:
ga Christmas present for each of
us from the loveliest Virginia girls you
ever saw"
"a silk tobacco bag by thunder y
said the first lieutenant.
"Tbe very thing | wanted" said the
first sergeant.
They enjoyed the smoke. The first
sergeant, who was caterer Tor the ness,
told him that next to good meal.
which they couldn't get, smoke would
satisfy the keenest appetite.
"That reminds me, how about a
camp Christmas dinner p said the cap.
tain. "When l called on the commits.
sary to-day he hoped to have little
bacon to add to our allowance. aud told
me that the home things of which the
Virginia and North Carolina families
have deprived themselves to give the
soldiers one more Christmas dinner
would probably reach headquarters
this evening"
..They haven't come yet" said the
lieutenant, ''but the commlssary SER
geant is now at headquarters with
detail to bring down what is to be is-
sued
II found TWO or three boxes for the
men," continued the captain, cat the
South Carolina bone in the city. in the
old Exchange HOTEL and ordered
them sent out with the quartermasters'
stores. But the railroads are 10 a
dreadful condition, and the only safe
route now to the South is by the Rich
mond & Daoville road, so that our men
will be sadly disappointed 10 not getting
boxes containing something fron
home"
Tired of waiting for the "spider
wagon" as the commissary wagon was
knowa, the mao had gone to oed that
is. had exchanged their situation IN
Turk fashion for lying posture. But
a sudden shout, Gene aud get your
ra,iops.' brought member of each
mess. even at that hour CT the night, 10
the counissary's quarters, if plank
or two laid on ssumps could be so deslg-
dated. And with Infinite care and
absolute impartiaIity, the beef aed flour
and salt, slice of bacon and handful
or two Of COW peas-tbe last two items
an almost unknown luxury-were par
cled out to each mass. And theo we're
apportioosd the four or I've turkeys and
cabbage, our contribution for Christ
mas dinner to the army. A feast for
king, but scarcely bite for 200 hungry
soldiers.
The officers gave up their share.
While some of the messes drew lots
for turkey or head Of cabbage,
which was not enepgh for two, others,
composed of strobg g aud hearty men,
gave up theirs to the weakly or deli
cate.
The captain and his mess of six ofi-
GERS held council before turning 10,
Caesar aud the caterer forming the ad-
visory board. The result was an ap-
preparation Cor Christmas of SO 10
Confederate money, being one'slxth OF
,heir combined months pay, for no
.ooto3 f-oco homo