The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-26
SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF
 CONFEDERATE CAMP LIFE
BY W. R. HoUeHToN.

From constant life in the open air, for after the first year we seldom had tents, we grew to be weather wise. When we got ready to march in the early morning, if the fog was rising, we did not tie our our shoulders, confident that we should need their protection from rain before eleven o'clock. If, however, the fog was falling to the earth, each blanket was rolled up. the ends tied together, and it was worn horse-collar fashion over the shoulder. The men pulled their socks over the bottoms of the legs of their pantaloons to fend off the mud. and thus equipped long lines of men might be seen on the march. Some of the monu- ments capped with a life sized eonfeder- ate, show an exact representation of the soldier thus arrayed.
 If the rain-eame whilst on the march, the blanket was folded near the middle, a string or strap passed through ana tied about the neck, and the owner was kept dry to his knees. l do not think that l was completely drenched with raln half q dozen times during the war, and l did not own an umbrella for years afterwards, as it seemed an useless sort of encumbrance, but civilization has in that sort rather contaminated me, and l sometimes carry one, though l feel like apologizing for it on slight provoeation.
 In Virginia.
 In 1861, whilst discipline was strict and the tents had to be pitched in exact line, the position of one mess at Aequia Creek, fell in a gully. and the boys filled up to a level the space with fresh earth. One night there came a heavy storm of rain, and good-slzed stream washed away the earth and tent, and the boys had to run to other tents for shelter Shoes, articles of clothing, cartridges, boxes. belts. etc. were scattered in the pathway of the torrent for a long dA- tance, and after this experience. no amount of orders could make the men risk themselves in such position. and tents became a thing of the past.
 As we lay on our blankets we had fine opportunity to study the brilliant stars above us, and some of the men of super for attainments, would talk by the hour about the different consultations and the mythological fables with which the an- cients surrounded those groups. One evening just after dusk as we marched dlOiB tue DdSe Ol the biue ftluke III the beautiful valley of Virginia. the newly risen full moon was obscured by an eclipse. It came so suddenly and the gloom was so pronounced, that a feeling of awe stole over the men, and they be- came silent. We had not heard that an eclipse was due, and were inspired by some of the mystery and awe which sav- ages feel when Heaven suddenly shuts out Its light from man.
 There were many fine bands in both armies. At Fredericksburg, the armies were on each side of the river, and at night the thousands of camp-fres were plainly visible. A federal band would play Yankee Doodle" Hail Columbia, " and other tunes and in the frosty air every note was distinct and clear, Then one of our bands from hilltop would discourse Dixie" Maryland, Bonnie Blue Flag, each side applauding its music with ringing shouts. Then one side or the other would give Annie Lau- rie, Home, Sweet Home,' and friend and foe alike joined in the applause to music and sentiments shared by all. Ii frequently happened that we heard these contents between bands of the opposing sides. General Grant. to his honor be il said ordered that no bands play at Ap- pomattox, and there was very little or SHOutlnB DJ lIt lOt ne 0eEODO Georgia had one of the best bands in our army, and it frequently drew lmmens. crowds to our evening parades Some times the band would go to Genera Benning's campfire and give him a ser enade. for the brave old man was de- servedly popular. He would smoke his pipe and look in the fire whilst the, played beautiful airs. until they were about ready to depart when he would say: "Now, give us The Gal I Left Be. hind Me, and he would keep time witl a vigorous batting of hls foot whilst his fayorite was being played distinction given no other air. The tune is ovei four hundred years old, but I wonder why this generation neglects what was so popular once, and in which there seems to be real music, to daily witt ''rag-tlme," coon songs, and opera airs that nobody understands. But infan boys smoke cigarettes now, and infan' 1 girls drink wine and beer at suppers II public places, and of course, music, lik. all things else, has changed.
 | Old Rock, as the boys loved to cal | General Bennlng, had been on the Su preme court bench of Georgia, was { wealthy planter, brave in battle. but hac good many oddities. Among them, ht was very plain of speech and would talk back in kind with compound inter est to any of his men. He was leadin, us toward Fort Sanders at Knoxville and as we marched by the left flank. m, position was next to him as we came tC a little branch flowing over the rocks He halted the brigade knelt down anc drank deeply of the stream. As h, arose, I called his attention to a dcaf horse which had fallen Into and damned up the little stream just above the wa. ter making it's way through the frag ments. He looked over his glasses at the object, wiped his mouth with tn, braided sleeve of his coat, an1 said: "l don't care a d---n, 1t was as good q drink of water as I ever had in my life Forward, march" He was ever kind sc his men, and on one occasion, toak ir person my application. for furlough f, General Longstreet saying that one hao been refused to him. but he would tr> for me, and he succeeded. After Apno mattox he remained with his men a, they made their way slowly |, Georgia and now there is a camp named in hi, honor in Columbus.
 At Malvern Hill.
 Our colonel, E. M. Butt of Buenna Vista, was blinded by a shall at Nal. vern Hill; Lieutenant Colonel Harris was killed at Gettysburg, and Lieuten. ant-Colone w. S. Shepherd commanded the regiment a great part of the time He was, and is vet a hachetnr xvitt