The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-08-20


degrees that we were officers, and they
had an ambition, it seems to have a
select party, and dance with their
sweethearts in their true colors, in
their own officers uniforms. Women
| the world over are as foolish about
brass buttons, swords and shoulder
fstraps, as I ever was about drum.
I never hear one to this day, with
out wanting to fight something. Ker-
shaw had this gang Of boys, like other
troop in the field and you could not
call them anything but a gang, for they
spreed together, frolicked together,
and fought together, and each would
give his life for the other.
After awhile it got rumored in
camp that our girls in Rockets were
fixing up for US ''show down" at
a deserted dwelling down the river
lpiece, and Capt. "Dell" was to man
age our end of the line, and the girls
would take care of the other. Dell
had kinsman, who commanded a
brigade of cavalry in our front, from
whom he was wont to get passes to
go to Richmond, when it was impos-
sible to get them elsewhere. Capt.
Dell got the passes all right, but
whether his kinsman or his A. A. Gen.
eral ever saw them is another queS-
tion, for sometimes I think Dell wrote
them himself. But they passed the
guard marked "correct.'
The day was set, and the word went
out to be ready and to be sure to 60
out two and two, so as not to excite
suspicion. Each officer was to tell
his next in command such yarn as
would suit each case best. Now, un-
derstand, the girls were to look out
for refreshments, dance hall, music
and such, at the other end-we to pay
for all, Of course,-and it must be
said to their credit, they did it well.
Just as We were getting away, Duck
legs came up and said he wanted to
90, but for what, we didn't know. This
was some time before night, mind
you, because we had to go to Rich
mond first to hire each new uni
fors for the occasion. We could rent
uniform for $4,000 per night,
$500 extra for hat. Some Of the
boys didn't want Duchegs to goi>
but 60 he would. Sometimes he came
in handy. !;
Now, let me tell you something
about this ,Ducklegs. He was a tall,
ganghng, skinny surgeon of the til,
who, when he sat down tailor-fashion,
to play cards, made it necessary to
take the tent pegs up to give his legs
room to crook. He never drank,
never smiled, never saw the funny
end Of a joke, his face bearing gener-
ally the hard expression Of black
smith shop. He would gamble with
us boys, and lose his money like
prince, and l had the first time to ever
see him crush card, tear up deck,
or curse the run Of hard luck. Never.
Well, Duck went, and it was a bless
ing to the boys that he did. He al
ways had plenty Of money, and would
lend it, spend it, or even lose it, with
equal indifference. He was a good
doctor, though.
We ali went to Richmond and got
our rented uniforms and hats. [ re-
member mine we'll, broad-brimmed
black felt, one side tucked up with a
silver star, a great ostrich plume, as
large as your arm, trailing out be-
hind. It was no use for Duck to get
new uniform, for being a surgeon,
he kept his nice. But he must have
a new one, and no one objected.
"Hot Spur,' our big fighting lieu
tenant, spoke Of US getting "boiled
jshirts' to put on, but, gracious!
the boys kicked over the traces at
that.
"What in the world do you want
with white shirt?'' some one asked,
''with your coat buttoned to your
chin.'
"It would give me confidence to
know it was there,'' said "Hot
Spur"
Of course, they had worn their dir