Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-01-30

oomraues salu 1. taklnU ytoc -
ward. You must learn TO keep step.
Keep your eyes front and follow your
guides and hold your muskets In posi-
ton. This will prevent SO much confu-
sion.
Forward, march, Hep, hep, hep,
hep
Haiti
Stack ahmsl'
Break ranl;sl'
Comrades, cried |, in a voice trCm-
bling with enthu+ilsm, 1T affords mo
pleasure to compllrhont you upon your
proficiency and the care and attention
which you have given to these tactics.
which are taken from the methods and
usages of the greatest commanders of
the age. feel that can rely upon each
and every one Of you TO do bis fun duty
toward his commander ard hIs Cu;ntry
when occasion offers. l feel from your
gallant and soldierly bearing and eXcm-
plary conduct today that your busums
are inspired with that patriotic devotion
to home and country which are the
handspring of every soldiCrly virtue.
In the flash of your eyes and the bearing
of your manly forms / behold that pride
of patriotism which should animate our
country's defenders, and l know that
should any foe invade our country and
attempt any usurpation of our liberties,
you would spring to arms and march in
the defense OF your country and your
tresldes to death or glorious victory
Captain Mills, said 1, initiating
the supposititious voice of my first lieu
tenant, we have listened with the pro-
foundest pleasure to your words of kind
ly commentator, which we trust we
shall merit in our future conduct. We
hope to do full justice TO all your ex-
peotations, and in the days to come in
stead of Captain Mills we hope to hail
you as Major General Mills, command
ing the Georgia militia.
Lieutenant, said l in n trembling
voice, as If too much overcome for ut
terance and drawing my bandanna hand
kerchief from my hat 1 cannot express
the feelings OF deep qualification which
your words have inspired in my heart
only hope that our relations may be
always as pleasant rs they have been ON
this occasion of our first meeting MS com
mander and faithful followers. 1t is
est in your future welfare that bid YOU
goodby.
Captain Mills, said 1, again imi-
tating the lieutenant, we all join in re-
turning to you our most hearty good
wishes. Comrades, three cheers and n
tiger for Captain Mills of the Lost
Mountain volunteers.
'Hip-hip- hoo-ra-yp
when the echoes of that cheer had
died away, pulled off my military coat
and sash, carefully wrapped them up
and placed them in my saddlebags
along with copy of SCOTS tactics, and
donnlng my everyday overcoat started
to mount my horse. l had one foot in
the stirrup when heard u little rustlinp
In the foliage of the fallen tree
Turning around, I stood face to face
with the tallest mountaineer that ever
laid eyes upon. He rose slowly out OF
the crotch Of the tree, and it seemed tc
me that he grew taller and taller as he
Strengthened himself. He was red whisk
cred, red faced and cross eyed, and his
flaming hair fell in wild profusion from
under his coonskin cap. In his hand Inc
held one of the old fashioned squire,
puncher rifles that glistened in the sui
as he fixed mo with his stern and bale
full gaze.
Well, said he, catching deer
breath, I've seen fools, I've read OF
fools. I've heard Of fools, hut of all the
goldarned fools that ever saw you are
the goldarnCd infernalest.
by that time l had recovered my
compoSure to some extent, and reaching
in my pocket / pulled out a So - gold
piece, tho only money 1 had.
Look here, my friend, don't sup
pose that You feel any particular inter
est Ill telling about this thing You just
take this and say no more about it..
we'll, said lie, sighing rcgretfully
AS am not in the fool killing bushes!
1 reckon I'll t%ke You up But fee
that am missing II mighty fine oppor
tunity.'
II mounted my horse and rode off
and that cross eyed mountaineer KEEP,
his word. But never in all my expert
ence have had such close shave as
did Oh the occasion Of my first drill -
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