The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-24

of Christmas cooking in the air, the plum pudding redolent of all rich fruits, spices and spirits. the rich re- sults of .hog killin'," the scent of just cut cakes, of sauces and jeliies, syiia- hub. charlotte-russes, puddings and the rest of the good things, l recall a story my uncle used to tell o1 nis Christmas fore in war time. He nad a 1ank hill soldier for mess cook called ~Cai." When Cal called the officers mess to breakfast the repast was parched corn. Simply parched corn. vet the Christmas breakfast was eaten with cheer. Again Cal called the mess to dinner. The entire dinner was parched corn. The long march ana supper. Parched corn again. Cal. had done his best and served his all Christmas fare.
 I wonder if many an old veteran does not think of such dinners now when all the excellent comforts of his re- built fortunes surround himF
 This book of Mrs Hulrs has forcibiy recalled to me all heard of those sad, but stirring times.
 Mrs. Hull has not attempted to adorn her record of the Boys of Our Confed- eracy. She has gathered into this vol yme but the simple story of the age or our boys, the date of enlistment, ana alas, in most cases, the record of how bravely they died. those children Many of them entered the army at II, IF. and IA years of age.
 Mrz HuIl introduces her volume with the excited remark of General John E. Wood concerning the order of draft of all boys of I6 and over: This or der once given, every boy in Mary land, all of whom are standing on top toe to cross the border, would De witn Lee before night. and with an army oI boys, Lee would whip the world, as they are incapable of fear because they do not know the meaning of danger.
 Stonewall Jackson made such re- mark, when young Pelham, the gal Iant Pelham" of Alabama, with one gun, checked Burnside's advance on Fredericksburg: Give me, crleo Jackson. more men and fewer oroeIs give me 50,e00 Pelhams and l will sub- jugate the world"
 Mrs. Hull thus makes mention of Governor Thomas Seay: Tn the deatn of ex-Governor Thomas Seay which oc- cured at his home in Greensboro, on Monday last, Alabama has lost an able and devoted son. He had just reached his 50th year. and would doubtless nave been crowned with further honors by the people of Alabama had he lived Ex-Governor Seay was but IF years of age when he enlisted in the Confeder- ate army. and served to the close of the war"
 Mrs Hulps book would be of more value if she gave dates, and made hef information more accurate, put 1t Tn better shape for reference. This fault shows through the entire book, though doubtless much time and labor has been expended in procuring so much and such valuable data as that that fills these pages.
 The company with which Governor Seay marched to the front was com posed of boys of about his age, from Greensboro and surrounding country It was called the Cradle Company" A roster of that company and their ages would be of interest.
 Another young Alabama soldier men. tioned is T. G. Bush, who Organized in 1861 at 13 years old two military companies to aid the Confectionery. Two years later he was adjutant of the corps of cadets of the University of Alabama when those cadets were or dered into service. In 1864 he became adtutant of the 52nd Alabama. Tn 1865 he entered the University of Mis- sissippi. He graduated in two years his older brother taking first honors and he second honors." Of his indus trial victims in piping times of peace Alabama is crying out. The record of many of the boy companies that left the colleges and universities of the South Mrs. Hull gives.
 From Washington and Lee University marched a band of sixty-seven.
 "As sure indication of the sort of fighting the company did, the following incomplete statement of the losses il sustained in some of the battles. is given: First Manassas, killed wounded. 40 present in the fight; Sec. ond Manassas, killed, wounded, 2t present for duty; Charlottesville, killed, 16 wounded out of, 28 present ir battle. The casualties of the com pany is four years service and con tests in which 1t took part were: Killed t26; wounded, 59; died of disease con tracted in the service, 25; captured. 46 The company was recruited from time to time, so the total roll was 160 iron beginning of the war to the end"
 The deeds of the Boys of Cane Hil College of Arkansas are recorded, go ing in under command of Pleasant H Buchanan.
 A letter quoted from young Edward Pendieton, Mayor of Culpepper, of Vir' Rinia, will show the spirit of the times ''The Washington College boys are il the field; the Emery and Henry, th' Hampden- Sidney students passed through last Saturday, fine compan! and we'll equipped, but ours will be th' finest company ever sent out, composed of the flower of Virginia and all thu South Duty calls, and must go M! comrades are going; why should l re main while they are fighting for ou liberties. If I have done wrong, yo' and mother must forgive me. because think 1t my duty to go. If l survive, will have the gratification of knowing I had been one of my country's defend CTS. If am to fall, l can say Tn! will, o Lord, be done Tell mother t' send me a small Bible or Testament which is the most important of all"
 Mrs. Hull draws our attention to thu earnest spirit of honest patriotism, no blest obedience to the call of duty, tt the Christian fortitude, that animated these boy soldiers.
 A few-too few-pages are given tt Col. John Baker Thompson and hi boys, the students of St. Johns College Little Rock.
 Mere mention of the boys of the Uni versity of Alabama is made. But, O course, the demands of space were in exorable. Many books would not hol( a hundredth, not thousandth part O the record of the bravery of the Boy in Grey. An account by Col. T. c. Mo Corvey of the cadets of our Universit! in action can be found in an article 0 Century of some seasons ago.
 Gen. Robert E. Lees youngest son Robert E. Lee, Jr., left school and en - tered the army. President Davis thu related the boys coming to him to en list: Lees youngest son, Robert then a mere boy, left school and cam down to Richmond, announcing hi purpose to go into the army. Ills olde