Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-30
Fitzgerald. Major McNei1Iy. DR.. Gibson.
Captain Barket, and Lieutenant Bob Sims.
They ali went fo s1een each night hungry

Fitzgerald, Major McNeilIy, DR.. Gibson.
Captain Barket, and Lieutenant Bob Sims.
They all went to sleep each night hungry
and got up hungry regularly every morn.
ing. They had three meals day, peas
and sweet potatoes for breakfast, sweet
potatoes and peas for dinner. and pea
soup for supper. It was better than any
had been accustomed to for several weeks
past, but like a sick man who takes J
tonic after each meal, the boys got up
hungry three times a day. The condit-a
lions finally reached q stage when
change of menu was necessary. and Cap
tain Fitzgerald called his niger up and
said: Sandy, the orders are strict
against foraging; Furthermore, this coun-
try is greatly impoverished; but we must
have something to eat BE 1t known that
Sandy was famous forager. He had!
tramped it over Virginia, Maryland and's
Pennsylvania. There were no stories Of
sufferings or pleas for relief unknown to-
him. Early the following day Sandy saun-t
tered forth with his sack and rope, SEEK
ing bite for Marster, the General, and
the other members of the mess. T
boys lounsed about camp and waited i'm
patiently for Sandy's return. Finally, he
arrived, and stated, 81 m gwine ter give
you alls a fine dinner" Members OF the
mess. except the General. stood around
iightful doors and INDUCED in many plea
santries before the repast was ready.
One by enc they advised the General OF
the. good dinner cooking.
Finally, the meal was announced. Their
appetites had been sharpened by the
flavor from the juicy pork, and all were
as hungry a could be. The General ask
ed the blessing before the meal was serv-.
ed in order to save time, doubtless.
Sandy, in great triumph, placed most
magnificent roast before the General,
served on clapboard. It had been pre-
pared with much care and dressed with
little aprigs of wild parsely. When the
General caught sight of the roast he
looked fearfully severe. with his heavy,
shaggy eyebrows depressed, and cried out
in the fiercest and most stentorian voice,
'Where did this pork come from?'
Sandy trembled and all the others of
the mess thought that the General was
carrying discipline too far, and wished
they had eaten at the mess fire.
One of the other negroes OF the mess
replied:
Sandy fotch dat hog here
sCome here, Sandy said General Hum
phreys. ''Where did this meat come from,
sr?"
Sandy, in his mildest form and politest
manner replied:
General. Use always hearn it said
sir, dat folks what was raised right would
eat whit was sot befo UNI ard ak no
questions.
When the party Quoted from the hearty
laugh, the dear brave, good old General
had abandoned his rigid look and said:
"Go ahead, boys, and enjoy yourselves.
but viii! not eat a piece OF stolen shoat
give me q cup Of soup and a sweet pota-t
to. Sandy"
Tom Baskins, a Madison county boy,
reared in the midst Of a most refined
neighborhood, would not bear the thought
and began to press the General, and
urged him to enjoy The roast. Tom would
have no appetite il the General refused to
participate but General Humphreys was
obdurate Then other members of the
mess tried their persuasive tones. but ali
to no avail, and the meal proceeded. Cen.
eral Humphreys, however, was the hrsii
to break the silence. The ravishing, deli
cious aroma filled his nostrils and he
saw the boys wipe their mouths. He said: !
Il will rot change my determination. Il
will not eat a bite Of stolen pork, butt
| Baskins you can help mo to some OF.
the gravy