Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-08-17
DEsPoILING FARMERS

4 dispatch from In orouehfare TO the
Philadelphia Record says: Our boys OF
the Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers
have undergone severe hardships dur
ing the past week, and are now in camp
here along the railroad. Since we left
Camp Alger we have had varied expe-
riences. At times We have been un-
fed and at times we'll fed, but taken in
all we have had lots Of fun.
While we rested along Bull Run last
Sunday, several of our boys came into
camp and reported that two COWS and q
calf were running loose about q mile
away. This was good news, and sew
era squads Immediately started in
search Of tie beasts. We were armed
with dull axes knives, etc. We were
5000 on our prey, which we lost no
time in bagging. We succeeded in
killing u cow and calf, and for u tim"
lived pretty we'll. The other regi-
ments now shout when we pass bH
"Who stole cow?n The State Feuci
BILE boys are all considered game, and
we say that we will never starv0, AID
YOU bet we will not, Tor if anything
crosses cur line it is dead, especially if
we are hung,y.
Near Bull Run several soldiers gait
ed entrance into a small grAvel ard IL ii
dug up Confederate officer. They
divided his lemaius among the crowd
Us relics.
We b oke GIMP Sunday and march
ed 10 Biistow, distance OF - miles.
Ga this trip we marched through the
t.mous town and battlefield of Mana9-
sas. We were cheeled along the rou g..
We got very little to eat and a poor
supply of water, until we arrived at
Bristow. While here We had quite q
little sport. Food was again scarce, O
we were compelled to search the cour-
ty for something to eat. 1t was sui
prising to see some of our boys of well
to-do families of Philadelphia " =
ing from house to house, asking for
something 10 eat. Of course, We are
all penniless, not having received our
paw for July. The boys are ashamed
| 10 write home for money, and have
proven to be such good "gratters" that
tney care little for wealth, only to buy
smoking and chewing tobacco and ell
velopes and tablets to write to parents
and sweethearts. Some have even
nerve enough to send their girls SOL
diers' letters, letting them pay for the
mail at the other end.
A long -whiskered farmer came along
the road, selling pies, cakes and milk,
He was halted by State Fencible bo y
who purchased pie for five cents. He
handed the farmer quarter and While
the latter was getting the change q
crowd charged on the wagon, took all
the milk and cakes and came very near
upsetting the vehicle. The farmer be-
c. me greatly angered IN for e
acued like wild man. He whipped
his horse and went flying down the
road. He looked back, cursing as ne
went, and flashed an ugly-looking
knife through the air. Several other
farmers Jared in about the same way,
and in the course of a few hours the
tilers of the Virginia sell were scarce.
One happy-looking farmer, with big
straw hat, who stopped to talk with
some of the Seventh Illinois boys, was
surrounded in an instant by hundreds
OF soldiers, who showed him around
and pulled his whiskers. Finally a
blanket was brought to the scene, and
the unfortunate was sent flying up IN
the air. He seemed to enjoy the fun
aud proved too tough for the boys, and
be was let 60. He was considered &
good fellow, and remained with US I'M
til late in the evening.