The National tribune., 1904-08-18

1-something like three months I, being
Quartermaster-Sergean of the regiment,
remained at Charlottesville, and was in
strumental in providing forage and other
QuartermaSter stores to the various
squads. The task was not quite so easy
as like work had been, for Sheridan,
months before, had raided through that
part of the country and so efectually de-
strOyed the railroads that they had not
been repaired, and were consequently not
available for our use. To meet the emer-
gency We were instructed to purchase for
age OF the planters as best we could, and
receipt for it; the Paymaster would follow
and pay our receipts. This brought Inc
into immediate business relations with the
planters of the locality, affording oppor-
tunity to study the general makeup of
Southern society, as we'll as the attitude
OF prominent individuals on existing is
sues. One requirement of the Govern
ment In the process of reconstruction was
the oath Of allegiance-termed swallow
ing the frog" Some could take it down
without making a wry face, while Others
frankly confessed that it scratched q lit
tie as it went down. So.-e lyerred, with
evident sincerity, that they were glad the
slaves were free; that they could make
more by hired labor than to own the
laborer. Others deeply deplored that fea-
ture of the general outcome, and en-
phatically declared that the others, simply
lied! The feeling generally was of un-
rest. They knew that other Governments
promptly cOnfiscated the property Of sub
Jugated rebelious subjects to pay the ex-
dare not lanch any business enterprise un-
til informed OF intended action by the Gov
ernment in that regard. Most ANYTHING
would be preferable to suspense.
Our task OF procuring hay was not at
all dimcuit, as we were there while they
were cutting it, and they were particularly
anxious for greenbacks. as they had com
paratively no circulating medium. But
grain for our horses-and we had prob
ably 800 or 1000 of them, including our
teams-was not quite easily obtained.
Socially we found those planters "way
up," and in hospitality unexcelled. We
were often invited to dine with them. One
such invitation was from VIM. T. Early.
cousin of Jubal Early Mr.. Early wos
prominent lawyer, with an Office in the
city and large plantation a couple of
miles out. He was a man of high intelli-
gence and broad culture and could "swal-
low the frog" without mental reserve. Not
so with Mrs. Early. While really social '
and exceptionally painstaking as a hostess
| she seemed quite unreconciled to the re.
| suits OF the war, particularly emancipa-
ton. Oh said she, "it is so humilat-
! ing to treat with ones servants; to bargain
with with ones help" using strong emphasis
| anu itdluTcS. 1t was Sa Id
| that the hatred of the Yankees was more
intense with the women of the South than
| with the men, @''.
| While returning from Appomattox to
richmond, in the preceding April, we
camped one night at Burkville Junction
a crossing OF two railroads. | went 10
the door OF an unpretentous dwelling Nos,
by and asked middleaged lady for a Gun
OF water. She Immediately supplied nv
want, then asked: 'Were you with those
| men who were here last Summer and tore
up the railroad burned the depot. and
raised the demon generally?' / frankly
admitted my connection with that LITTLE
episode. She pointed the index finger nj
her, right hand directly toward me- and
with voice and features that seemed -
indicate that she meant every word. said
You just ought to be- ashamed of your.
self didn't go TO that house for
water the next morning. But | have di.
gressed. The table Of Mr.. Early was
spread as bountifully as that of the aver
age hrst-class hotel OF to-day with a course
OF wine, additionally. But the bread was
.. corn. which was the universal custom
or that locality. The friendliness and
hospitality of that home could not easily
be surpassed.
| Another invitation to dinner I will men,
ton was from one Capt Mickie, also a
wealthy planter, living four or FIVE miles
| out OF the city. Of him we bought oats.
and it was necessary to take four or five
| army wagons, and a detail of half dozen
| men. Dinner was served for the entire
company-prObably q dozen men. The
table was quite as elaborate as that of
Mr.. Early, with the addition of warm
wheat biscuits. A young lady Of intelli.