The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1910-02-17
Observation-Disclosures

Buffers coming, Railroad tracks
all torn up and the telegraph wires
cut. You boys had better get right
back TO Petersburg I'm going there
TO give the alarm
A dust covered farmer mounted on
foaming horse, who had come tear
Ing down the Richmond turnpike,
shouted this startling news to two
barefooted newsboys who were resting
In the shade on the side OF the turn
pike, few yards from the point where
1t crossed the Richmond and Peters
burg railroad,
The time was IN the early days Of
the siege of Petersburg, when General
Benjamin r. Butler was operating op
the James river
The older Of these two newsboys
was fifteen. ] will call him Jack.
was the younger one and was eleven
years old.
We discussed the question whether
we should go home or go on toward
Richmond and endeayor to get II
glimpse Of General Butler, whom Con
federate boys at that time regarded
as sort OF monster
We started at q brisk walk along
the railroad, with our unsold stock
Of Richmond papers under our arms.
As we turned curve near the Swift
creek bridge we saw. about mile be-
yond. sight that greatly excited us
The air was full OF black smoke.
through which we saw an occasional
fash Of flames Presently We came
close enough to discover that the source
Of the flames was great pile Of tele-
graph poles and railroad ties,
"Butler's men did that" said Jack
well have to be mighty cautious.
Let's get into the ditch along the track
and keep sharp lookout"
Just beyond slight rise Of the
ground north of the house was I'm
ion encampment The smoke lazily
rose from hundred campfres, and
the white tents cleaned In the bright
sunshine In manner that was almost
painful TO the eyes.
Gradually II dawned upon us that
the camp had been suddenly abandon
ed-so suddenly, indeed. that the din
ners were left cooking on the fires,
and all sorts Of camp utensils and pro.
visions were scattered promiscuously
around.
We made straight for the big tent
In front Of which the flag was flying
Jack lowered the flag. With beating
heart | entered the tent. | found II
Uttered with torn papers and maps,
In one corner was camp chest upon
which were painted the words. Gen
eral u. r. Butler. U. s. A."
In a tent In the rear Of General But
ler's. which was probably used as a
kitchen, we found stock Of provi.
sions that set US wild with delight
We had little to eat at home and now
had been for several hours without
food.
A pot OF coffee steamed on the fire
in front OF the tent On the shelves In
side was a boiled ham, and about 1t
lay a variety Of canned meats and
fruits. while chest was found to con
tain a quantity OF freshly baked bread,
oh" said Jack, III we only had
wagon we might carry home lot Of
these things"
Well" said !, 'the next best thing
In to tote home as much as we can on
our backs. What are we going to
taker'
Il reckon" said Jack. that the folks
at home would like tea and coffee best,
They are scarcest."
We decided TO load ourselves down
with those two articles. We found
some empty sacks and divided the
contents Of the sack Of green coffee In
General Buffers kitchen tent into two
parts OF thirty or forty pounds each.
Then into two other sacks we poured a
chest OF oolong tea. These were tied
up and put inside the sacks containing
coffee. and Jack also stuffed into his
sack the dag In front Of the generals
tent. which he had taken down when
he FIRST entered the camp
He suggested that give him part
of my coffee In order TO tighten the
load. and at first was inclined to do
so, but when | thought how the people
al home after many months use u
chieory. parched corn. roasted sweet
potato parings aud other poor substi.
tntes for coffee would enjoy the gen.
uIne article ] made up my mind that
would carry home the contents Of the
sack II had TO drag |, over the en-
tire i've miles.
We had been 10 much excited with
paF dis, Otefi.s lhai we lad not no
ticed that the sun was very low. II
would be darg before we could reach
home We gaEed longingly at what
we were leaving behind and started (
homrwari
We took the turnpike With the hope
~ rriting a ilfi in some passing We
hicle As we irndged along We saw
lwo Confederate carairyineu riding to-
ward us. In our fear lest they should
rob Us Of cur preclous possessions we
siong as near the woods hs
We ecnid eri. hoping they would pass
WITHOUT notIeing u.s.