The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-02-09
A SHINPLASTER.

- ~~N@A|-sS~A9 49, 49,
know may be one of the unredeemed,
but have had such varied experiences
and was able to do so much good the
day Richmond was evacuated 1 feel
must tell about it, for l was as much a
subject of dispute in my day as gold and
silver and bonds are now. I was sent
forth fresh and crisp from Washington
to paymaster in the Army of the Pc
tomac on the Virginia peninsula, and
he delivered me, along with a lot Of
larger notes, to captain of the Fifth
Pennsylvania cavalry
The captain placed the big notes IN a
letter which he wrote to his wife-a
sweet, loving letter-in which he told
her he was going the next day ON a
raid up the peninsula, and that if all
went well he might sleep in Richmond;
that she must keep up brave heart and
that he would be home soon. When he
sealed this letter, saw the muscles of
his mouth twitch and his brave blue
eyes moisten, and l Struggled up within,
for knew the brayest were the tender
est, and he was wishing that he could
go with that letter.
But there were no drawer men in the
war than the Pennsylvanians, and
knew that, live or die, he would be
game and do what was right
The next morning we started off and
got along very well until about IL
miles beyond Williamsburg, and just at
the fork of the roads we were attacked
by the advance guard of Shingler's
South Carolina cavalry. We had only 40
men in our party, and the rebels were
numerous. The captain saw he had bet
ter retire, so he turned his horse, order
ed retreat, and the men threw their
guns over their shoulders and dashed
down the road, firing as they retreated
We went into new position, behind
the college walls-the college had been
burned-and as the hot lead spattered
against the old English bricks I shud-
dered, and every time the statue of Lord
Botetourt was hit felt as if everything
sacred was being desecrated, and could
almost hear the British lion growl
While was made for circulation was
based on protection, and when charges
were made against me feared would
be ground into pulp before was with
drawn
Our enemies were REINFORCED, and
my captain, seeing discretion was the
better part of valor, again retired and
dashed down the main street. Before
he had gone two squares bayonet was
thrust through his thigh, and he was
made prisoner. In very short time I
was exchanged for bag Of tobacco and
became an ally and associate of armed
rebellion. A shinplaster has no affec-
tions or attachments, you know.
was put in what was called pocket
by my rebel owner, but it seemed to me
like rag bag. was so frightened /
thought would die and was sure
would never smile again, but that night
laughed myself sick at the ludicrous
and hairbreadth escape Of my new
friend.
He was worn out with excitement Of
the day, and as he passed house by the
college, just across from the presidents
house, one of his friends asked him in,
pointed to feather bed ON the floor,
and he sank down in it and slept as
only Confederate soldier could, for he
had not seen a bed of any kind for so
long He was in high feather at his
good fortune. He was too tired to
dream. was awake, studying my new
surroundings. Suddenly a friendly
hand shook him up and said, "You are
caught. " He crept to the window, pull
ed the curtain aside, and there, sure
enough, were my friends of the Fifth
Pennsylvania cavalry.
If ever my Union soul longed for a
voice, it was then. He could have put
his hand on them. He double quicked
into his clothes and buttoned me up
against his heart, which was going faster
than a weaver's shuttle. 1t was bril-
liant moonlight night in April He had
put his horse in an open shed and pushed
cart in front of it to keep him from
getting away. He realized his danger
and the absolute necessity for quiet.
Just as he stealthily entered the shed
a calf ran between his legs and beloved
as only calf can and threw him over on
the cart. 'Well, " thought /, Il will now
be back with the Fifth Pennsylvania
cavalry" He clutched at the horse
jumped ON his back, dug his spurs in its
side and dashed down the road l had
been over twice before. The bit was out
Of the horses mouth, and he was going
like John Gilpin-and no possible way
for the rider to control his horse-right
to the Confederate pickets who had or
ders to shoot any and all cavalry COM
Alg down that road. After great yelling
he made himself known to the guards,
and he never stopped till the horse got
to the camp.
was presented to his sister, and then
was taken to the parlor in Richmond
and put in something I had never heard
Of before-a glory pitcher. / had great
curiosity to know what a glory pitcher
was. Day and night kept my ears open
to try to find out, and on the Fourth of
July did, for they took me out and
filed the pitcher with punch and drank
General George Washington's health,
and heard them say that when General
Washington died these pitchers were
made of china, with picture of Gen
eral Washington being taken up to glory
on their sides Every 22d Of February
and Fourth of July they were used for
punch If l had been sound money,
would have known that a sister Of the
poet Longfellow, Mrs. Pearce of Port
land, Me-, had one of these pitchers,
but was Of mushroom growth-lmew
nothing of traditions and really very lit
tie about myself
Well, remained a prisoner in soil
tary confinement in Richmond until
evacuation day came. 1t was Sunday,
and heaven seemed to give one grand,
glorious smile to the last day of the
Confederacy A smile like a martyr
wears on his dying face, and nature,
every tree and flower, was bursting
with green leaf and blossom, struggling
to be free, and / thought the fearful
eyes of my dear ladies should take COM
fort and remember that they, too, had
been prison bound and now were free
ing themselves.
l had grown to love the lady in
whose care I had been, she was so pure
and brave, and became unhappy lest
some evil should befall her and her lit
tie children. saw her kiss her husband