Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-12-14

firing was resumed, and we were De-
tween the lines.
"Now there was danger, great dam
ger, indeed" and we went scurryiDg
down the path toward the house with
whistling bullets flying about. Once
in the house we covered at the foot
of the winding stairway as place OF
safe retreat. Two bullets pierced the
wall, one dropping on the floor over
head. Even my boyish brain began
to think active service, with means Of
defense, and the glory of open con-
hict, would be better than such un-
known but terrifying experiences.
A deserted camp-ground was sure
to be strewn with some of the soldier 8
cast-off possessions. When Imboden 8
Confederate cavalry abandoned an en-
campment which was not more than
half mile east of our village, moth
er, taking me along, made a forsging
expedition upon the desolated place.
We returned laden with various arti-
cles, the one of greatest usefulness be-
ing some excellent tenting material.
This was speedily converted into shirts
and trousers, enduring, indeed, but
not charming to behold.
With some troops in both armies,
war afforded the opportunities to de-
velop the ruhanism inherent IN their
natures. Some illustrations of this
fact came under my own observation.
Some of the Hessians were not many
degrees above the brute creation,
snatching morsels from the swill-tubs
and devouring them, breaking open a
sacred desk in the Lords sanctuary
and drinking the sacramental wine,
and sneaking or forcing their way
into private houses for plunder. In
spite of protests and resistance from
my mother and the hired girl, one
such fellow made his way into our
kitchen. He appropriated a frying
pan and some other utensils. Not
having an opportunity for use of
broem-handle or other defense Of wo-
mankind, (the marauder had the skill
let), the housewife vowed vengeance
and capture of some articles to re-
place the losses.
Some months later one of those in
explicable and singular occurrences
which sometimes transpire afforded
just the opportunity needed to exc
cute the threat of retaliation. Among
some struggling footmen grizzly old
German hireling of the Feds" lashed
to the saddle of his steed, came lop-
ing along. His arms in motioL with
the horse, his gathering sabre, jost-
ling carbine, the rattling of frying.
pan, and thud of pair Of new boots
strapped together behind him made
ludicrous spectacle for the group gaz-
ing from our front window. The
boots and trying-pan fell suddenly to
the road, but they were unheard and
unheeded by the Dutchmen. Moth
er cried, Frank, run out and pick
them up" hesitated, dreading the
passing infantry. She commanded
positively, "Go, at once l snatched
up the articles, the soldiers cheering
the little Reb. The stolen frying.pan
was replaced, and served it purpose
for many years. The excellent boots
fitted father as if made to order, and
he wore chem long after the conflict
had ceased.
Another amusing episode, in which
I was a frightened onlooker, occurred
on this wise. Father was the pos
sessor of fine pet rooster which fed
from his hand, stood on his knee and
crowed, and in other ways afforded
amusement. This consequential cock
was strutting about the street while
some Yankee soldisrs were strolling
along. One chap picked up chanti-
cleer. His owner, seated on the
porch, saw the action, leaped into the
street, seized the fowl, tossed him in
to the yard, eIcltlngly e1clalmlng,
"Let that chicken alone, sir" Big
eyed and quaking, l expected an az
sault from the man with fists and
feet, but, instead. he moved on, look
ing sheepish as his comrades jeered
him with taunts and laughter.
When encamping nearby, the Yam
kees would often exchange sugar and
coffee with the village housewives
for services as bread bakers or for
spread. Applebutter to most of them
was a new and relished edible. Real
coffee was a treat to those who had
long used as substitute psrched
wheat, rye, and other grains, or a