Morris tribune., 1905-03-18


horsemen on jaded steeds rode up to a
plain stone farmhouse standing at the
junction of two common country roads,
both of which led to the Delaware riv-
er, mile or so away. In the clearing
back of the house few wretched tents
indicated bivouac Some shivering
horses were picketed under a rude
shelter, formed by fnterlacing branch
es between the trunks of little grove
Of thickly growing trees which had
been left standing as 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-s
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. 1t 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 Christmas dinner; ammuni-
ton 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
saddiing and rubbing down the horses.
A welcome contribution had been
made to their fare in 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 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.
Yes. that's So" replied the other.
laughing: then sadly: 'aThose 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 goodr' 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.
{ 4 Z ( =
Look at me! No stockings. ieggings
torn. no shirt. and you'd scarcely call
this thing on my back a coat. would
you? What could be lighter? So COM
DrtabIe. too, in this pleasant summer
weather.
"Oh. shut up, old man! You're better.
or than am, anyway. You've got
r00s tO helm yOur shOxss ont and inst
look at mine,' said another, sticking
out a gaunt leg with tattered shoe on
the foot, every toe of which was plain
" visible through the torn and worn
openings. And just look at 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 v-aun.ed. bruised.