The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-08-13


ton, they would open fire and keep
it up for mile or more. Our Gus
tom was to get behind trees near by
and watch the operation. One poor
fellow had his arm taken Off while
thus engaged. A shell passed through
the steam drum of an engine one
day, but such was the speed that the
train did not stop until it had long
passed the danger point. This is the
only time I remembered seeing a
train struck, although there were
many very narrow escapes.
V.
Ordered to .Jan,cS Island.
Our behavior in battle had so
charmed an old gentleman who own
ed large rice plantation near our
camp, that he determined to give US
a Christmas treat, consisting of beef
for all, groundnuts in abundance and
the materials for a battalion eggnog.
AS 1 recall it there were two buckets
OF eggs, one of sugar and one Of
whiskey, and great were the expec-
tations aroused of an old time Christ
mas eggnogg, but, unfortunate ly
on Christmas Day we were ordere d
TO James Island, and embarked on
the cars in a pouring rain. When
we reached our destination. the bat
TALON was marched several miles
south on the island. while a guard
remained at the station tc take
charge of the baggage, which in
cluded the materials for the eggnog.
Somehow by a process never explain
ed great deal of that whiskey dis
appeared during the night, and much
rain water got itself added to what
remained in the bucket, so that by
the time 1t reached camp it was unfit
for the purpose for which it was in
tended.
The sugar had shared the same sad
rate, but the eggs were all right, and
these were equally distributed among
the boys to do with as they chose.
AT this camp we drew suit of
clothes and pair of shoes each. My
clothes fitted me very well, but the
shoes! / wore skies and drew tens. I
gave them away after a vain effort
to swap off. One day we were or
dered to prepare for inspection by the
Governor, and to make sure that
everything was in order, our COM
mandant held pior inspection. Quite
near me in ranks was a cadet named
Boggs, whose gun was in wretched
condition. The lieutenant who in
spected his gun, in handing it back
said. "Mithter Boggth, your gun ith
very dirty. thir" 1 snickered. The
lieutenant turned to me and said
"Mithter K-are you laughing
thir?" l replied. mo, lieutenant
I'm thmiing, thir." l got two hours
extra duty for that piece of smart
ness. Rabbits were very plentiful on
the island. Their flesh is very ex-
cellent food and fresh meat was rare
indeed. l do not know who origin
ated the idea, but several times we
had grand battue after this wise.
We would get some of the neighbor-
ing troops to join us and then sur
round in skirmishing order large
field of broom grass, which would be
set on fire all along the windward
side. AS the fierce flames swept on
the little bunnies would seek to es-
cape by flight, but while many got
through the skirmish line, many 9TH
ers were killed by sticks as they dart
ed past, and we would have fresh
meat for supper that night There
was an abundance of "raccoon' oys-
ters in and on the banks of the creeks
nearby, and we often made excursions
there with bags and bayOnets for
these toOthsome delicacies. Brought
to the camp. they would be placed
near the fire and roasted The burst
ing of the shells told when they were
sufficiently cooked, and as soon as
they were cool enough we ate them
until our appetite was satisfied. II
was on one of these banks that |
first saw the proof Of what l had Oft
en- before heard stated as a fact. viz:
that the raccoon would mutilate it.
self rather than be caught. They are
very fond Of these oysters-hence
their name, / presume-and at night
they resort to the oyster beds and
with a quick stroke of the paw
draw out the oyster lying with it's
mouth open, so to speak. Sometimes