The National tribune., 1899-04-27

Having made several trips over the
road, was quite familiar with it. The
county was sparsely settled and the ride
was very lonely. | was told that Mosby' g
guerrillas were securing around between
there and Centerville. j pushed ahead
and did not see many people until near
CenteryilIe, and they, with lew eXcep-
tons, negroes.
About midway OF the trip lived an old
white man, and | stopped at his house.
Tommy Moran, oar cook at Headquarters,
had given NE a small quantity Of coffee
and a supply OF hardtack, and stopped
at this place TO feed my horse and take a
lunch. | handed my newly made irIend
a Washington Chronicle which | had with
me, and TO my surprise ne said: 81 cannot
read, sahw Asking him how far 1t was TO
Washington, he replied: well, sah, about
a sight and a hug, sah; right smart
ways, sab. If you ride sharp you make
1t by dark, sah!'
It was about o'clock that evening
when | stabbed my horse on 18th street IN
Washington.
was up early next morning to make
nv return trip. After making few pur-
chases for the boys-buttons, postage
stamps, ETC., and some bottles OF Old rye
for Can't. Remington, OF the 9th NIs.-he
used it at little parties which the officers
frequently had, and i often heard them
talking about Aunty, and showing the
buck.
LIQUOR being contraband, it had to be
hidden among the papers, which were
strapped TO the saddle and wrapped WIN
gunny- -sacking, or an old blanket, to keep
them from chatting, and a rubber -poncho
covering ior the rain.
About 8 o'clock of the ilih | was ready
to return. After having passed the neces
sary examination at Long Budge, passed
nm iy Fort iiunyon and our old camp on
Il; rfirfnts ard w UIltSlIc
OF the pickcts. Night found me back at
nv old friends with whom ] had lunched
the day before, and after the Old gentie
man had taken Il drink OF old rye, we ldo
a good supper. The old rye seemed 10
suit the old fellow more than all else, ana
| thought | would be one bottle shy on
Capt. Bill and let the old fellow enjoy
himself. We chatted pleasantly ior
while, and | tried to explain 10 hlm In
what part Of the world my home IN Eer-
mont was. He had never heard OF 1t, and,
in fact, did not know anything, only
Virginia, having never been out Of the
State When | read him something OF the
var he said he thought | was nsht
peart," and he tried TO induce me TO sLdy
with him. lie said | reminded him oi one
OF his sons who was with Jeb Stuart; ne
had two-one with Ashby and one with
Stuart-and he said they were right
peart" and could read The Bible night
smart"
The next morning We breahasted on
bacon and corn-pOEc. On the rotd again,
| WIS in hopes OF soon getting back ~ the
BOYS, not knowing the army was Oh the
march. About the middle OF the forenoon
] passed New Baltimore, and when about
two miles from il drew up 10 two cavalry
men OutpOStS-one u Corporal, the otler
l. private.
'.Whah you going at'" was the question
he put 10 me. Producing my passes,
which were from Gen. Patrick, the then
Provost Marshal Of the Army OF the Poto-
mac, / said TO him, Il rather guess am
in the wrong pew"
Il reckon, my boy, you is"
"See here" / said, Il have got some
real good Yankee whisky; III give you
some oi it ii you want it."
You ought 10 have seen that fellows
eyes snap. lie was u typical Johnny-reb
long hair, broad OF speech, and vithal
good fellow. SO down under the bundle
Uf papers | went and brought out one OF
the bottles, and said TO him, Now my
good fellow, if yUu viii let me Git cut Of
here III not stop ill get 10 Washington,
where ] came from"
The Corporal drew his saber, and steadied
It Ly the handle while / used the point to
loosen up the cork. On Offering il to the
Corporal
Il reckon, sab, you had bettah take q
drink beiOh do, sah."
did so.
began 10 wish ! had never started out
TO put down the rebellion, for ! could see
lac was q determined fellow, and, being
two Of them, one might be cautious and
afraid of the other. ] wished | was in my
mothers kitchen up i'll old Vermont.