Evening journal., 1897-02-15
A SHINPLASTER.


am a 20 cent sreenback, and for all
/ 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 / was as much a
subject Of dispute in my day as gold and
silver and bonds are now. was sent
forth fresh and crisp from Washington
to paymaster in the Army Of the Po-
tomac on the Virginia peninsula, and
he delivered me, along with 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
scaled this letter, saw the muscles Of
his mouth twitch and his brave blue
eyes lnoisten, and I snugglod up within,
for l knew the bravest were the tender
est, and he was wishing that he could
90 with that letter
But there We're no Drawer men in the
war than the Pennsylyanians, 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 wcll until about ll6
miles beyond Williamsburg, and just at
the fork of the roads we were attacked
by the advance guard Of Shingler's 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 Il 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
burncd-and as the hot lead scattered
against the old English bricks 1 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
We're made against me / feared / would
be ground into pulp before was with
drawn.
Our enemies We're re-enforced, 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 a bayonet was
thrust through his thigh, and he was
made prisoner. In a very short time |
was exchanged for a 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 a rag bag. was so frightened l
thought ] would die and was sure l
would never smile again, but that night
l laughed myself sick at the ludicrous
and hairbreadth escape Of my new
friend.
He vas worn out with excitement Of
the day, and as he passed a house by the
college just across from the presidents
house, orc of his friends asked him ia,
pointed to feather bed OH the floor,
and ~ saak dewn in il and slept as
only Confederate soldier could, for he
had rot seea a bed Of any kind for so
long HI was III high feather at his
good fortune. He was too tired to
dream. was awake, studying my new
surroundings Suddenly 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.
II ever my Union soul longed for
voice, it was then. He could have put
his hand ON them He double quicked
into his clothes and buttoned me up
rgainst his heart, which was going faster
than weayer's shuttle. II was n bril-
liant moonlight night in April. He had
cut his horse in an open shed and pushed
y cart IN front Of it 10 keep him from
getting, away. He realized his danger
and the absolute necessity for quiet.
just as he stealthily entered the sized
a calf ran between his legs and beloved
as only calf can Ind threw him over on
the cart. ''Well, thought /, - will now
be back with the Fifth Pennsylvania
cavalry. He clutcled at the horse,
jCmped on his back, dug his spurs ia its
side and dashed down the road | had
been over twice before The bit was cat
of the horses mouth, and he was gong
like John Gilpin-and no possible way
for the rider TO control his horse-right
to the Confederate pickets, who had OK.
ders to shoot any and all cavalry com.