New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
ONLY CUPS OF COLD WATER.
111-rr.E CHILDREN WHO MUSTERED TO
THE SOLDIERS OF VICKsBURG.


rEREsrING PARTS PLAYED IN 1T
BY THE WEE ONES.
A chi,d.s part in war has possibly never been
considered as existing at all. In the roles cast
for the great drama there are none assignee 20
infants even though children-that is' poys-s'ii
minors before the law, are often pressed INTO ser
vice Yet In Cuba many extremely young chhoren
have been doing tho work OF soldiers; nave $1,000
I'm dor fire as they assisted in loading the musKets'
or have lodged bullets In their mission aS
carriers of ammunition and food and their young
minds have grasped tho full significance OF tho
words and battle
c.,, ossur,ed roles arc these: understudies. vol
unfairly taken and In practising the parts many
a Young life has gone out The corpses OF men
and horses are not the only ones found after tho
battle"
Not in Cuba only have little children aided their
country in war Yesterday an interesting tale was
told 70 a Tribune reporter OF the deeds OF some
Juvenile rebels at the time Of the siege OF Vicks-
burg
'They lived these little Confederates," said tho
narrator with their parents only score OF miles
from tho Mississippi stronghold. suburb which
was on the direct route between NcksourS ana
Jackson The loyal and confident Southerners felt
cafe IN that part OF the country. with Pemoertoh
intrenched at the river and Johnston ho'dn8 th0
State capital. even though there was cannon 10
right o, them cannon to left OF them. cannon IN
That Vicksburg could fall never seemed possible
"One hot summer day greater sensation tnan
usual occurred when scouts brought IN WORD that
The Yankees are coming
Two little children were playing In tho front
yard OF their home with their negro nurse. Upon
hearing the shout tho girl picked UP baby under
each arm and fed 10 tho house. taking immediate
refuge behind her stately mistress. who. In impos-
ing hoopskirt. seemed n bulwark OF refuge to the
frightened maid
M a.
IN an dey gwine ter eat de chillens"
why En- what kind OF people do you suppose
the Yankees are? was the question OF the aston
ished mistress.
shore. Nls Annie. dey Is black things what
comes ont er De woods" tho reply.
But II was not the Yankees this time. Tney
came later and wers not welcome. Southern hos
p.tal,,y for once being ungracousy offered when
thres four officers were quartered IN every
house and the mistress compelled 20 feed Them
This first detachment OF men, however. were OF
our own army. and they were. sad to say. retreat
INK and marching at double-quick pace under
burning sun Word was sent ahead that they were
perishing for water. but could only drink In pass
ing and tho whole town turned OUT 10 minister 10
them The treasured negro nurse carried her
young charges out to the fence. and "a they could
barely stand alone. sh. fastened them securely IN
the crotch OF tree leaning close TO the walk
She put ,lleir little tin cups in their hands, saying:
Hole fas'. honey. an I'll h yer cups to Glib
dc po soldiers
Then with every other able bodied person In
the place she was of 10 draw water and bring
tuckettu after buckeful 20 the fence. while every
one who could hold Il cup would dip up the re-
freshing hre-givng water FOR the thirsty men.
Many tired faces lighted at sight OF the TWO
babies and their offered cups many a tear rose TO
stern eyes at sight OF infant smiles. which re-
called perhaps. their own little ones az home.
Among these tired soldiers were many strip
lings who looked TO be only children stu. one
fair haired boy. somebody's darling. az he passed
our gate his feet sore his steps painful. but
brave,y undauntedly taken. lifted his cap from
the thick golden curls that lay wet upon mis- brow
and hreathed family as he choked back the tears
Oh my country how do suffer for YOU this
day"
Somebody else's mother heard the words. and
her heart yearned over the courageous child. and
her tender arms longed TO hold him. comfort and
nurse him back to health and hope. 1t could not
be. H. went on. stumbling over the rough and
dusty way and. whether or not he lived through
tho fatigue and the deprivation Of war or escaped
the perlls OF battle. who remembered his brave
face and gallant bearing 10 the end OF her life
never knew. He only one OF the many chill
dren. lads Of tender years. who boro arms for his
coUntry's sake"