The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-09-26
How the Chicken
Was Hatched.
IOriginal.l

main army. and we were in such
position between the Confederate
forces that if they could have acted in
concert they might have captured US.
But neither one knew. Of the others
proxi1nity-that is, we inferred they
did not. for they made no move against
us. But even if both knew Of the 9TH
er's presence they could not communi-'
cate with view to making concert
ed attack without sending messenger
through our lines.
One morning when 1 was in charge
of picket post young girl came into
the lines with a basket of butter on
one arm and a basket of eggs on the
other. She said she had come from
small plantation just without our lines
and would like to sell us her produce.
Since our rations had for some time
been largely composed of salt pork
and hard tack my mouth watered for
her wares. / tasted the butter and
found it delicious. as to the eggs,
they looked tempting enough; but,
| yielding to an old habit when buying
eggs, I held a number Of them up to
the light to make sure they were fresh.
All transmitted a portion of the light
except one, which transmitted none.
It seemed to be Of exactly the same
weight, size and shape as the others;
but, looking through 1t, could not see
q ray of light.
| There's chicken in that one" /
| remarked to the girl.
| "If there is, / don't see how 1t got
in. I'll take it out. I think the rest
are all right"
She took the egg out Of my hands.
selected half dozen of the others and
pound package Of the butter-all /
| could take care of while on duty-in-
| tending them for our company mess.
The girl went on in toward the camp,
| and I saw no more Of her. We did
not refuse citizens admittance within
our lines. We reserved our refusal till
they asked to go out. And we espe-
cially objected to their going out on
the opposite side from which they
came in. 1t was passed down among
US from headquarters that we were
between twosfresaand no person what
ever should be permitted to pass
through our lines.
We enjoyed our fresh eggs and but
ter immensely and wished all the dairy
men In Virginia would come in with
their produce. Several officers asked
where we got them, and when I told
them that country girl had come into
camp to sell them one of them went
off to find her. This was in the even
ing after supper. The Enclosure with
In the picket circle was not very large,
and he might easily have come upon
her if she had been in camp. Either
she was not in camp or she was hid
ing. Some one suggested that she had
gone through the lines. AS our safety
depended upon no one in the Confed-
crate interest getting through the lines,
this excited attention. / set out with
several others on still hunt, but we
all came back with the report that no
girl of the description given was in
camp. 1 felt it my duty to report the
matter to the general, only mentioning
the girl and my having bought some
of her butter and eggs. The general
swore a good deal when he heard it,
since he had given strict orders as to
the departure of any citizen from our
lines. Every officer of the picket was
questioned, and all ayowed that no one
had gone out during the day. The
only way could account for the girls
disappearance was that she had stolen
out between two pickets after dusk.
The next morning a flag of truce
was seen coming, and when 1t arrived
the officer in command presented de-
mand for the surrender of the brigade,
stating that they had us surrounded.
The general sent them back with a
proposition which delayed matters till
after nightfall. Then he ordered the
four regiments composing the brigade
to cut their way out in four different
directions, each fighting on its own
hook
That was a terrible night. shall
never forget it. Our regiment took to
a wood, where we came upon several
regiments, and in the fight one half
were captured the other half getting
through and away. I was with those
who were captured. Two Of the other
regiments were taken entire, and
third had the good fortune to strike
an unguarded opening and marched
through it.
The next morning / with the other
prisoners was undergoing an inspec-
tion by the general who had captured
us when one OF the officers with him,
beardless boy, rode UP to me and
put out his hand.
"How are you, captain" he said.
II owe my life to your stupidity. If
you'd been smart would have
swung within few hours after you
passed me into your lines''
'Who are you" I asked, puzzled by
a resemblance / could not explain.
'T'm the country girl who sold you
butter and eggs. My neck being in a
halter, l got nervous and left the
wrong egg in the basket. That egg