Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-01

horsemen on jaded stecds rode up to Q plain stone farmhouse standing at the junction of two common country roads, both of which led to the Delaware riv- CT, mile or so away. Tn the clearing back of the house few wretched tents indicated q bivouac. Some shivering horses were picketed under rude shelter, formed by interlacing branch es between the trunks of little grove of thickly growing trees which had been left standing as a windbreak Bright fires blaZed in front of the tents, and the men who occupied them were enjoying an unusually hearty meal
 The faded uniforms of the men were tattered and torn. Some of the sol diers were almost barefoot, wearing wretched apologies for shoes, which had been supplemented when practi- cable by bits of cloth tied about the soles of the feet. The men themselves were gaunt and haggard. Privation, exposure and hard fighting had left a bitter mark upon them. Hunger and cold and wounds had wrestled with them, and they bore the indelible imprint of the awful conflict upon their faces. It was greatly to their credit that, like their leader, they had not yet despaired A movement of some sort was evidently in prepara- ton. Arms were being looked to care fully; haversacks and pockets were being filled with the rude fare of which they had been thankful to par take as a Christmas dinner; ammuni- tion was being prepared for transpor- tation. Those who had them were wrapping the remains of tattered blankets about them, under the straps of their guns or other equipments, and the fortunate possessors of the ragged adjuncts to shoes were putting final touches to them, with a futile hope that they would last beyond the first mile or two of the march; others were saddling and rubbing down the horses.
 A welcome contribution had been made to their fare in a huge steaming bowl of hot punch, which had been sent from the farmhouse and of which they had eagerly partaken.
 Whats up now, wonder?" said one ragged veteran to another.
 Don't know-don't care couldn't anything be worse than this" was the reply.
 We've marched and fought and got beaten, and marched and fought and got beaten again, and retreated and retreated until there is nothing left of us. Look at us," he continued, "half naked, half starved, and we're the best of the lot, the select force, the picked men, the headquarters guardr' he went on in bitter sarcasm.
 ''Yes, that's so,' replied the other, laughing; then sadly: Those poor fellows by the river are worse off than we are, though. What wouldn't they give for some of that punch? My soul wasn't it goody' he continued smack ing his lips in recollection.
 Where are we going, sergeant?" asked another.
 days rations and light marching or der'"
 "Well, we're all of the last, anyrsay. Look at me! No stockings, ]eggiags ! torn, no shirt, and you'd scarcely call this thing on my back coat, would you? What could be lighter? So com fortable, too in this pleasant summer weatherv'
 "Oh, shut up, old mani You're better | off than I am, anyway. You've got rags to help your shoes out, and just | look at mine," said another, sticking l oLt q gatuat leg with tattered shoe on 1 the foot, every toe of which was plain 1 ly visible through the torn and worn l openings. And just look at this" he l went on, bringing his foot down hard | Af, 5 >.osI making an imprint which was edged with blood from his wounded, bruised l unprotected feet That's my sign ] manual, and it's not hard to duplicate in the army wonder either" | That's true. And to think that the cause of lberty's got down so low that we are it's only dependence. And they call us the grand arnyY'
 Well, as you say," went on another l reclzlessly, i've can't get into anything 1! worse, so hurrah for the next move, say l."
 Three days rations and light march. | Ing order, meaning, suppose, that we | are to leave our heavy overcoats and l blankets and foot stoves and such oth- | CT luxuries behind. That rather indi- cates that we are going to do some thing besides retreat. And l should like to get a whack at those mercenary Dutchmen before I freeze or starve," l" was the reply.
 Bully for you!'
 I'm with you, old man."
 t'I, too.'
 "And T." came from the group of ufl- daunted men surrounding the speaker.
 And to think" said another, 'of its
 being Christmas day and all those, lit
 tie children at homei Oh, we'll" turn
 ing away and wiping his eyes, march
 ing and fighting may make us forget,
 boysl I wouldn't mind suffering for
 liberty If we could only do something,
 have. something to show for it but a bloody tEail and story of defeat