Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-09-18
SOLDIERS AT HOME.
THEY TELL SOME INTERESTING
ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.
How the Boys of Both Armies whiled
Away Life In Camp-Foraxing Ex-
periences, Tiresome Marches-Thril
ling Scenes ON the Battlefield.
"NIississippi Bill"

"Mississippi BILL"
did you ever hear the story of Mis-
sissippi Bill?"
I had not heard it, so the old man
proceeded to tell it.
william III. Young was native of
Mississippi, but his parents removed to
Louisiana when he was a baby. His
father was whig; had been q soldier
in the Mexican war; his grandfather
was soldier in the war of 1912; and
his great-grandfather fought under
Washington. AS soon as the boy was
old enough to understand the patriotic
whig lost no opportunity to impress
upon his mind the value of government.
Once when he had told of Washington's
struggles he said to the lad: My boy,
whatever befalls you, never raise your
hand or voice against the Government
During the year 1860 the lads faith
er, mother. one brother and sister
died, and he went to live with cousin.
When the war came the cousin entered
the Confederate army. Other relatives
soon followed him. The lessons of his
father were indclibly stamped upon
the boys heart and he refused all in
vitatiOns to enlist. Once, when young
fellow accused him of lacking courage,
William demonstrated, by thrashing
him, that 1t was not lack of courage
that kept him out of the army.
"Williamh heard that there were Union
troops at Baton Rouge. One Sunday
evening at dusk he rode away from his
Louisiana home. The second night
found him at the home of one of his
fathers friends, who warned him, the
next morning, to be careful, as the
country was daily secured by rough
riders.
While quietly trotting along twc!v,
miles from Baton Rouge he suddenly
came upon a Confederate picket. He
rode up close to the man in gray, who
was armed with carbine, saber and
revolver. Who are you and where are
you going:' was the brusque inquiry.
Whipping out his revolver he pointed it
at the head of the Confederate and
said: 1 am going past you, sir. Move
a muscle and will drop you from your
AiOl hC WIS DtltIly LCU.
When two or three yards beyond him
the Confederate wheeled his horse and
rode away, to get help, probably.
Young called upon his blooded mare
for her best speed. She went like the
wind. Half an hour later he ran upon
the Union picket line. More questions
were asked. These are some of them:
What do you want, .Tohnny? Coming
in on a spying tour?' What will you
take for the mare?' Bill was ready
with answers. and when the bantering
ceased he told his story; the Union boys
believed him. He was taken to the
captain of the 'Oconto River Drivers
What do you WANT asked the captain.
i want to enlist in the Union army
Where do you come from! Louisiana,
but WAS born in Mississippi.' And you
want to fight against the SouthY L
; don't know that l want to fight against
the South. sir. but do want to fight
for the Government my ancestors
fought for. | want to fight for the flag
that was very dear to my father
"'Ilien they took him to the colonel,
who had him sworn in as member of
the River Drivers and the boys gave
him the name CT Mississippi Bill
"You ask what kind of n soldier
Mississippi Bit made That is easily
answered. He took to the cavalry se1v-
ice nj once. and within Il month was as
gallan. 81 rough rider as the command
possessed. He noticed that they kept
close wal'i. OF him. He asked them
why. n sergeant said. We'll. to tell you
the truth. Mississippi Bill we are not
quite certain that you are not here to
spy out the land and by and by go back
to the Jol,nnies and give them heap
/. of valuable information.
"'lf you knew my heart you would
not have given that answer. What can
do to prove that am what claim to
he. a Union boy. willing to risk my life,
to even give it OH the field of battle, to
/; show my love for our flag. my dead
fathers government. my government? 2
| after that they stopped watching
/, him.
| "'1Iow is your Johnny recruit getting
| along:' asked the colonel of the captain
Of the River Drivers
\ lone OF the best men in the COM
! pany. colonel
GOOD fghtcr:'
ga regular darcdevil.'
"'Does his duty uncomplainingly?
/ "..Always.'
"'Why don't you give him little pro-
/ motion, captain:'
"'I'll do 1t today
"That evening on dress parade the
| adjutant read off the name of Private
William II. Young, promoted to cor
poral, and he will be obeyed and re-
spected accordingly The boys chin
went down to meet his breastbone; but
1t came up when the parade was dis.
missed and the company gathered
around him, shook his hands. cheered
| and congratulated him. All mississippi
Bill had to say was, Boys, didn't ex.
! pect this. Do you think I've earned it !?
| "'Yes,' dozen men sang out.
"'Then will earn some more promo
tions. for haven't done my best yet.
i \ \