The National tribune., 1902-12-25
naked eye

well, l should say" returned his
partner. "Up to his old tricks. Making
up for watering in the dirt by Raging out,
as soon as he gets into camp, finer than a
peacock going accounting. Just look at
him."
The Adjutant was certainly sight to
delight the eyes of men who had been
floundering for the past two months
through the Winter rains and bottomless
swamps of South Carolina. His young
face clearly shaved, and his freshly-trim-
med hair as slick as comb and brush could
make it; mounted officers jacket fitting
him as if he had been poured into it; a
gorgeous wealth of shining gold lace coiled
up into shoulder knots, pantaloons of fine
blue cloth, ornamented with broad satin
stripe; silk stockings showing beneath
them, patent-leather slippers on feet; we'll
Numbered shirt making voluminouS show
ing from the tightly-buttoned jacket, in
collar and cuffs. He was standing in front
of his tent, on one of the rich rugs 81 had
His tent was tricked out with other rich
hangings, and he looked more like young
prince, out for holiday, than the young
man who had been the first to plunge into
every morass the regiment had encounter
ed on the march from Savannah. The
Adjutant was one of those
Every ell fop, and every inch SOL
der" In camp there was nothing too
good for him. In battle and on the march
dure more than he. Consequently all his
men exulted in his dandyism, which they
would not have tolerated for an instant
in man less brave, less active and
Jealous. and less kindly and generous.
adj. can just put on the style he wants
to, and the more he puts on the better we
like it, they would say. There's enough
A No. ! man in him to support heap
more frills than he can ever put on, try
as hard as he pleases."
Good morning, Sergeant. You're on
time, as usual" the Adjutant greeted ST.
"'As | told you last night, there's no rest
for the wicked or the mounted squad of
the 2OOth Ind. The Colonel's got in COM
mand of the brigade again-whenever
they have anything very particular to be
done they manuver that to come about
and he's got special orders to clear out
every citizen, every lame duck, every mig
ger, and every useless mouth. The army's
got to be refitted here, cut down to clear
bone and muscle, and put in shape for
sharp, short campaign, which will smash
Joe Johnston to smithereens, and Lee too.
If we can get at him-end the war. and
let us all go home. But to do this we
mustn't carry an ounce Of dead weight
anywhere, particularly in this brigade,
which, as usual, will have the most to do
We don't want along a single soul that
isn't helping-we don't want to feed him
or have him In the way"
You're quite right" said 81.
"Great scheme" added his partner.
NO cats around the house that don't
catch mice"
Seems to me sometimes that there are
more niggers with this army than SOL
diers," said 81. "And. Great Scott, what
appetites they have. I've seen little
squad of them eat up whole COW, almost
as clean as the crows could, and a great
deal quicker"
Poor darkies. they are naturally hun
cry, and fresh beef is great treat to
them" said the Adjutant, feelingly. "All
the same, we've got something more i'm
portant to do than playing Commissary
for them. The orders are stringent to
gather up everybody that don't belong to
the army, and start them down the river
to Wilmington. Officers are to be allowed
their necessary servants, but no more. The
Quartermaster, Commissary, and pioneers
will keep just enough of the best negroes
for tcamsters and laborers. All the rest
must go. The Colonies and Captains have
orders to clear their camps. and your duty
will be to round these up. take them over
to the general corral and go with them to-
ward Wilmington until you are satisfied
there's no farther danger from the rebel
cavalry, and then return to this camp
Here comes the first batch, and from our
own camp"
Capt. BrOome, quiet, faithful, con-
scientious man. one of the best officers in
the regiment, came up with n squad of Is
or 1G negroes. of both sexes. and all mid
dle-oged. Here's my quota, Adjutant,"
he said. every freedman and freedwo-
man in my company camp, except a serv-
ant for myself and one for my two Lieu
tenants. Caring for them has been work
of necessity and mercy for us, which we
have done as benevolence to the poor crea-
lures. but I am very glad it's to be taken
mp by some one else. They have been
kindly treated by those into whose hands !
they are going"
20, they will be-" answered the Adm |
tant. THE Freedman's Bureau hasl