The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-01-02

emerge sooner than any man in the
army, appeared from the shadow in
his 'dug- g-out" and talked TO the old
sorrel as he led him off.
"Pse sequestered a bag of oats dat
Squandcred from de majolIs waggin,
an you gifts u Christmas bellyful
sure: Pm glad of dat, but whar's de
grub for Caesar and de cap5ain and
de rest Of de boys on Christmas day?"
He muttercd something about Elijah
and the ravens aud the Lord, and
the sp.rrows that fall but few
minutes later disappeared in his COM
Portable hole in the ground, singing
"My love she af a coal black rose"
in happy-golucky 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 overcoat, and holding before
each officer brilliant little piece of
silk ribbon patch work, exclaimed: !:
ga Christmas present for each Of
us from the lovcliest Virginia girls
you ever saw"
"a silk tobacco bag by thunder"
said the first lieutenant.
"Ihe very thing | wanted" said
the first sergeant.
They enjoyed the smoke. The
first sergeant, who was caterer for
the mess, told him. that next to u
good meal, which they couldn't get,
a smoke would satisfy the keenest
appetite.
"rhat reminds me, how about q
camp Christmas dinncr?" said the
captain. "When | called on the
commissary today he hoped to have
Il little bacon to add to our allow
ance, and told ne that the 'bome
things of which the Virginia and
North Carolina families have de-
p we'd themselves to give the soldiers
one more Christmas dime would
probably reach headquarters this
evening""
"Thcy haven't come yet" said the
lieutenant, "but the commissary SER
geant is now at headquarters with Il
detail to bring down what is to be
issued"
"I found two or three boxes for
the men, continued the captain, cat
the South Carolina home in The city,
in the old Exchange Ho'el,' and
ordered them sent out with the quar-
tcrmasters' stores. But the lnilroads
are in dreadful condition, ;nd the
only safe route now to the South is
by the Richmond & Danville road,
so that our men will be sadly dis
appointed in not getting boxes con-
tanning something from home.'
Tired of waiting for the "spider
wagon" as the commissary wagon
was known, the men had gons to
bed; that is, had exchanged tAei1
situation in Turk fashion for lying
posture. But a sudden shout, Come
and get your rations!" brought q
member OF each mess, even at that
hour of the night, to the commits.
sary's quarters, if a plank or two
laid on stumps could be so desig
mated. And with infinite care ant
absolute mpartiality, the beef an(
flour and salt, slice of bacon and ,
handful or two of COW pcas-th(
last two items an almost unkr OWL
luXury-were parceled out to each
mess. And then were apportioned
the four or five turkeys and cab
bage, our contribution for Christ.
mas dinner to the army. A feast
for a king, but scarcely a bite fol
200 hungry soldiers.
The officers gave up their share
While some Of the mcsses drew lots
for a turkey or a head of cabbage
which was not enough for two
others, composed of strong and hearty
men, gave up theirs to the weakly
or delicate.
The captain and his mess of sis
differs held council before
turning in, Caesar and the cat
erer forming the advisory board
The result was an appropriation fol
Christmas Of S75 in Confederate
money, beng onc-slXth or Their com.
bIncd months pay, for no boxes
were expected from home.
Their combined months pay was
$450 in Confederate money, worth
SIS in gold, or, rather, in what gold
would buy in the bc.:icgcd city, fol
no gold was actually to be had
Caesar at daylight started for the city
with orders to do the best he could
with the Confederate money in big
roll in his pocket.
In due course Caesar returned from
the city, and disappeared with the
caterer in the "dug out" called the
kitchen, with half dozen bundles
and mysterious air.
IN each mess in camp the "cook''
| was DuSV. every ot hnr mon, bo, hmm,