Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-08-06

About half after o'clock In the af-
ternoon of Wednesday. Dec. 20, being
Christmas day and very cold, four tired
horsemen on faded steeds rode up to n
plain stone farmhouse standing at tho
junction Of two common country roads,
both of which led TO the Delaware riy-
er, mile or SO away. In the clearing
back OF the house few wretched tents
indicated a bivouac. Some shivering
horses were picketed under rude
shelter, formed by interlacing branches
between the trunks OF a 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
n bitter mark upon them. Hunger and
cold and wounds had wrestled with
them. and they bore the indelible i'm
print OF the awful conflict upon their
faces. II was greatly to their credit
that, like their leader, they had not yet
despaired A movement Of some sort
was evidently in preparation. Arms
were being looked to carefully; haver-
sacks and pockets were being filled
with the rude fare OF which they had
Leen thankful to partake as a Christ
mas dinner; ammunition was. being
prepared for transportation. Those who
had them were wrapping the remains
OF tattered blankets about them, under
the straps of their guns or other equip
ments, and the fortunate possessors Of
the ragged adjuncts to shoes were put
title hope that they would last beyond
the first mile or two OF the march; 9TH
,ers were saddllng and rubbing down the
horses.
A welcome contribution had been
made to their fare in n 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-couldnt
anything be worse than this was the
reply.
We've marched and fought and got
teaten, and marched and fought and
got beaten again, and retreated and re-
treated until there is nothing left Of
us. Look at u.s." he continued, half
naked, half starved. and we're the best
of the lot, the select force, the picked
men, the headquarters guard" he
went on in bitter sarcasm.
Eyes, that's So" replied the other,
laughing; then sadly: Those poor
fellows by the river are worse of than
we are, though. What wouldn't they
eive for some OF that punch? My soul
wasn't It good!" he continued, smack
ing his lips in recollection.
Where are we going, sergeant"
asked another.
Don't know; the command is Three
days rations and light marching or
der"
well, we're all Of the last, anyway.
Look at me! No stockings, leggings
torn, no shirt, and you'd scarcely call
this thing on my back coat, would
lyou? What could be lighter? So COM
Portable, too, in this pleasant summer
weather."
"Oh, shut up, old man! You're better
OFF than | am, anyway. You've got
rags TO help your shoes out, and just
look at mine" said another. sticking
out gaunt leg with tattered shoe on
the foot. every toe OF which was plain
ly visible through the torn and worn
Openings, And Just look ut this" he
went on, bringing his foot down hard
on the snow covered. frost bound soil
making an imprint which was edged
with blood from his wounded. bruised
unprotected feet That's my sign
manual, and lis not hard to duplicate
In the army yonder either"
That's true, And 10 think that N,
cause 0f libery's got down 20 low that
We are ils only dependence, Aud thoy
call M the grand army
! well, ~ you say went on another