The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-11


RANDALL CLIFTON. District Passe
appeared instantly from view, and despite
the most diligent search they were never
afterward located.
One Idea of a Crowd.
For a few days all went well, as we
were determined to give Col. Halloween
and his men no reason to find fault, but
/, was soon discovered when certain very
black Africans were on guard that they
were disposed to be aggressive. For in
stance, we were warned not to assem-
bic in any number as the guards had or
ders to dispense all crowds. These GER
tain Southern recruits construed the
meaning of this order too literally, for
they considered two a crowd, and when
two of us happened to meet and stop to
exchange a few words there was sure to
be heard the ominous click of a gun-lock
as the piece was brought to ready,
accompanied with the command: 'Dispuss
dat crowd, or IN dispuss you? 1t IS
needless to say that in every instance dat
crowd" quickly "dispussed.
BY exercising extreme caution these
wretches were given no opportunity 10
commit murder during our stay, and 1t
was not until our last day on the island
that we suffered as their hands, when two
officers We're wounded without the slight
est proVOcation.
we ndu NIUE 10 complain Ol III tiIe u SeiA-
ment received at the hands of Col. Halo
web and his colored veterans In fact
many of those from the North were kind
and oblging What we had most to fear
were the black recruits from the South
Had Col. HalloWel been Yindictively
disposed he could have vented his malice
on one of our number Lieut.. Perkins OF
Kentucky, who made an attempt TO es-
cape. Perkins had a mania for making
these attempts, and they were always ILL
timed and preposterous. He hac made
many before this one, and many after
ward, but never succeeded. On this par
ticular occasion he got out of the pen ana
wandered around the island until finally
he was picked up more dead than alive
and taken before Cob HalloweQ. The
Colonel laughed heartily when Perkins re-
lated his adventures, filled him full OF
whisky and then returned him to his
quarters. Perkins voted the Colonel
trump and the incident made favorable
impression upon all.
Time passed YEARLY and hope deferred
maketh the heart SICK for as day after
day went by we saw no prospects of an
exchange.
The novelty of the firing had worn off
and not even the excitement incident to
steamers attempt to run the blockade
under fire of The land batteries and the
monitors interested us longer.
Our ra lions were lamentably short, just
enough food being furnished to Keep US IN
an exasperatingly hungry state. But for
this Col. Hallowell was not to blame. Oh,
how often then did L think of the many
good dinners of which had partaken be-
fore this internal war began, and kicked
myself for not having eaten more when
had the opportunity, as though 1t would
have done me any good at that time; but
that was the feeling it provoked. And
thought of the savory Chinese dish l had
NOT enyied my less fortunate comrades In
Fort Delaware. and wished now that |
could ioin them in plate of stew; but
alas there were not even rats on this
miserable stretch of sand.
An invitation to Dinner.
One dav my friend, Maj. James B. Nc
Crearv. of Morgan - Kentucky command,
came dancing into my tent his lace al
a glow with excitement what could nave
hannened him. for McCreary was one Of
me most quiet. digniied men 1 had ever
mot? Possibly he had heard news of an
i,,,Dondiue exchange, for what else could !
have 50 excited him? When he had recov- |
cred his composure somewhat he SAD:
Come and dine with me; l have treat
an store for you But be sure and prlhg |
vour spoon, tin cup and crackers"
= Rather a novel way to invite friend |
40 dine hut not so surprising under the |
circumstances. -
e,,oon 7 ACCOMPANIED MIN 10 ms tent eA- |
.,ol,ino something remarkable to occur, |
Snnd r. did. Reaching down he drew from |
,,,der his blanket a small bottle contain |
Inc about half-pnt of common molasses, |
and as he held ii up to my admiring gaze |
he smacked his lips and exclaimed what |
do you think of that!
Ana so we broke our crackers into the |
IN Guns poured water over them to make |
them swell, and thus take up more space |
IN the vacuum for which they were intend |
"a and then-oh ye gods!-we poured on |
The molasses! What a feast was there, my |
countrvmen! All, how few who VIII read
mis- story know what 1t is to be really |
hungry ,,.c,,...
Our repast over. inquired of McCreary
how he had come into possession OF so
nrecfous a rnorsel. Remorse seemed, now
that, he had partaken of the feast, TO nave
overtaken him, and for a few moments
he was the picture of despair. The ele-
giant. courtly McCreary had never ap-
Deared so to me before, and | knew that
there must be some weighty reason for 1t.
Great heavens, had he purloned the mo
lasses from one Of his comrades, Tor that
was the only crime he could have commit
ted 10 agitate him 80!
Drawing close TO me he whispered IN
my ear. as though fearful of being over
heard. promise that You VIII not eX-
pose me and / Will relieve my conscience
by telling you. traded one of Maj. BIZ
Stewards bone rings 10 a Niger for that