Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-07-10
AN INCIDENT OF THE CIVIL WAR.
HOW THE FIRST VIRGINIA CAVALRY
GOT THEIR COFFEE.

burg, an incident occurred which we
think worth recording.
While the Confederates picketed the
south side Of the river, the Federals
picketed the north side. The pick
cts were some distance apart, but
were in sight of each other. Ra-
tions were very scarce, and hard tack
was all that was issued to the men at
this time. We had no coffee, but there
was plenty Of sassafras in this locality,
and SO we had plenty Of sassafras tea.
Now the very first time we went on
picket, we were surprised to hear
Yankee call out: "Say, Reb, have
you any sassafras over there?" The
Reb made no answer. Say, Reb,
how do you like sassafras tea ?" The
Reb did not know whether to get mad
or laugh. He thought, how did the
Yankees know that we were living on
sassafras tea? So he answered back
"Say, Yank, how would you like to
have some good tobacco" The Yank
was silent for awhile, then he called
back: "Reb, if you will tote square
l will meet you half way and give
you some coffee for some of your to-
bacco." The Reb said Cali right.
They met at the river, and the Reb
crossed over to where the Yankee was,
and without the formality Of shaking
hands commenced to trade. The trade
being satisfactory to both parties,
they returned to their respective posts.
1t was not long until there was an
other call from across the river.
Hey, Reb, have you any more tobac-
COZ"
Eyes, was the reply. a second
trade was made. This opened up
the way for a wholesale traffic of cOf-
fee and tobacco between the Yankees
and Rebs.
1t was the First Virginia Cavalry
that had the good fortune to picket
this part of the line When not on
duty the boys would scour the coun-
try far and near, visiting the barns
and tobacco houses, where it was to be
found in abundance, so as to have a
good supply on hand when their turn
came to do picket duty.
General Stuart, while passing
throu h the camp oGthe First Virgin
ia Cavalry, snufed the pleasant odor
of the steaming coffee, and he Won
dered where the First got their coffee,
knowing that there had been none IS
sued to the men for a long time. 1t
did not take Stuart long to figure out !
matter Of this kind. The next day |
Stuart sent one of his staff to inspect |
the picket line along the Rapphan-
mock, and when he came to where
some Of the First was posted he wit
messed tableau that surprised him
not a little.
Seated around fire some eight or
ten Rebs and Yankees were smoking
and drinking coffee as unconcerned as
if all the world were at peace.
We suppose the officer reported to
General Stuart that all was quiet
along the Rappahannock, but he al
SO learned where the First got their
coffee.
The next day was Company F's
turn to do picket duty. For once ev-
cry man was ready to go on picket,
and with a good supply of tobacco
they anticipated Jolly good time in
trading with the Yankees, and not
much trouble in doing picket duty.
But, alas for their hopes As the
company moved out I received orders
to FIRE on the Yankees as soon as we
came in sight of them. This was
sad disappointment to the men. Not
only were they TO be deprived of the
opportunity of trading with the ene-
my, but the order to FIRE into them
would be carried out also. l was in
tight place. The order must be
obeyed, but how could I order my
men to FIRE into the poor devils with
out moments warning.
The picket line was about three
miles from camp. When within a
mile of the plckets, sent man
ahead to notify the Yankees that my
orders were to fire on them, so as to
give them plenty of time to get away.
When the company came in sight of
the riverth Yankees had disappeared,
which was great relief TO me. AS