The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-11

most plausible yarns when on scout"
for ',erub'' ana was capable Of making
himself at home wherever he went Be-
fore the close of host'lities, however, the
difference between city and country-ralsed
was not so perceptible. as they had all
become thoroughly enured to the hard
ships md prdvations of soldier life
CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY.
Although, undoubtedly, an erroneous
idea. the infantry generally seemed to
think that their branch Of the service had
tho hardest duty to perform and that II
was almost invariably their lot to pear
the Brunt Of every battle and this sort
of notion made them at times say nara
things about their comrades in the cav
airy and artillery. For the former, cs-
pecially, they had no particular fond
ness, although they did wish TO see them
about when anything interesting was go
ing m. They called them "buttermil1
rangers" and IL when going into battle,
they happened to meet squadron NOV
ingJtoward the rear. they were especially
severe accusing them of taking to their
heels and leaving the infantry to iiGht
1t out.
Toward the men with the big guns
they had kindller feeling. although
they occasionally felt called upon to
abuse them also At one time. when the
lines of contendlng armies were In close
proximity, both sides planted mortars.
and the daily amusement OF pitching
bombs at each other was INDUCED IN
quite freely In many cases the artillery
! had provided themselves with secure and
| convenient bomb-proofs, for protection
when they were not actively engaged.
! The foot soldiers were not so fortunate
at least they had failed to construct
similar safety holes for themselves, ana.
in consequence. had to take their chances
outside. The ordinary earthworks were
poor protection against mortar shells, and
the men were kept Oh the jump whenerar
! a frolic occurred.
LOOK OUT BOYS"
! One old Reb planted pole upright on
J the works, and taking position imnle-
f! diately behind, sighted the bombs as
| they assembled, and until they started
on their downward course, when, BS he. as
serted, he could determine as to where
they would strike. If he found that the
missile deviated either side of the pole he
felt secure and remained at his post; but
as was often the case, II the shell SEEM
ed to be making Decline for his posi-
ton he would yell out at the top OF his
voice, Look out, boys, hero she comes
and away they would all scamper up and
down the works, as seemed best. This
sort Of thing was very trying on the poor
fellows and when at such times our ar
tllery ceased firing and retired to their
bomb proofs, our boys gave vent to their
iil-feeing against the id artillery"
who after commencing the row and
drawing the enemys fire, would then stop
themselves and take refuge In their holes
leaving the infantry to take their chances
,,,1- n.,a ~ hn Int n ~
very Indignant one day at the loss OF
his dinner by a shell alghting into his
frying-pan while it was on tho fire, the
aforesaid utensil containing his entire
days rations. determined to get aven
with those ''bomb-p proof fellows"
He quietly procured she'll which had
rot exploded, and after removing care
fully all the powder containe- therein,
| inserted q long fuse and awaited his OPP
! portunty. which came very soon. NO
f, sooner had the gunncrs retired, as usual,
to their underground security, and While
| the enemy's missiles were flying In every
direction. he lighted his fuse and rolled
the empty shell into one of the openings
OF the bomb-proof. The occupants see
, Ing this ugly customer coming thus sud-
denly Unto their midst" and apparently
about to explode, did not stand upon the
order of their moving, but came out OF
that place in manner more easily mag
ined than described, which made the per-
petrator chuckle with satisfaction at the
immense success OF his trick. OF course
the joke got out very soon, and the VIC
tins never heard the last OF 1t as Ions
az they remained on that line.
HOW THEY APPEARED.
Some of the commands in our army
saw no hard service until the second
year OF the war. being stationed at point!
remote from active hosti!ties, and the,
found a campaign in the field very differ
ont from life in cosy quarters. with ever,
comfort around them. These. for tn,
time, were called our handbook soldiers
but when they did come out the polisl
was. very soon rubbed off, and when a
last that day at Appomattox dnwned WI
were, In actual knowledge Of soldier life
ell about on an equal footing. Then !
was that a looker-on would have foun'
1t difficult to tell by the personal ap
pearance of officers and prlvates, tn
men who We're entitled to the stars an
shoulder straps from those whose place
We're In the front rank,
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