thought it came from the camp of the en- the bowels, and had fallen near where emy across the creek; but as I listened, I Eddie lay. Knowing that he could not found that it came up from the deep ravine; for a few minutes it was silent, and then as it became more light I heard it again. I listened—the sound of the drum was familiar to me and I knew that it was our men. Drummer boy from Tennessee Beating for help the reveille. live, and seeing the condition of the boy, he had crawled to him, taken off his buckskin suspenders, and corded the little fellow's legs below the knee, and then lay down and died. While Eddie was telling me these particulars, I heard the tramp of cavalry coming down the ravine, and in a moment a scout of the enemy was upon us, and I was taken prisoner. I requested the officer to take Eddie up in front of him, and he did so, carrying him with great tenderness and care. When we reached the camp of the enemy the little fellow was dead. I was about to desert my post to go to his assistance, when I discovered the officer of the guard approaching with two We all listened to the sound, and were satisfied that it was Eddie's drum. I asked permission to go to his assistance. The officer hesitated, saying that the orders No Title of Soldier given to the Devil. were to march in twenty minutes. I promised to be back in that time, and he con- Among the multitudinous developments sented. I immediately started down the of one kind and another made by the war hill through the thick undergrowth, and of the rebellion, the light which it has upon reaching the valley I followed the thrown upon certain points and passages sound of the drum and soon found him of Scripture is not to be reckoned as inseated upon the ground, his back leaning significant. At the funeral of an army against the trunk of a fallen tree, while his drum hung upon a bush in front of him, reaching nearly to the ground. As soon as he discovered me he dropped his drum-sticks and exclaimed, "O, Corporal, I am so glad to see you. Give me a drink,"-reaching out his hand for my canteen, which was empty. I immediately turned to bring him some water from the brook that I could hear rippling through the bushes near by, when thinking that I was about to leave him, he commenced crying, saying: "Don't leave me, Corporal, I can't walk." I was soon back with the water, when I discovered that both of his feet had been shot away by a cannon ball. After satisfying his thirst, he looked up into my face and said: "You don't think I will die, Corporal, do you? This man said I would not-he said the surgeon could cure my feet." Sergeant in the Federal ranks, who was murdered, Rev. Mr. Healitt, who preached the funeral sermon, said he would not call the murderer a soldier, because the word soldier was an honorable title, borne by Joshua and David and others mentioned in the Bible; he wished every one to remember that the devil is nowhere in Scripture called by the honorable title of soldier-a fact of no mean bearing upon the course of those who enlisted in the army of the Union to put down a sectional rebellion. "Sweet Sixteen" on the Male Side, and a "Darling" too. A lad of less than sixteen years, named Darling, from Pittsfield, Mass., enlisted in the early period of the war in Captain Cromwell's company, in the Northern Black Horse Cavalry. On learning that he had a sick mother at home, who was I now discovered a man lying in the sadly afflicted at his departure, the Capgrass near him. By his dress I recog-tain discharged the youngster and sent nized him as belonging to the enemy. It him home, as the brave lad supposed on a appeared that he had been shot through furlough. The Captain received the fol lowing acknowledgment of his kindness. Meantime, awaiting thy orders, I am from the sister of the "bold soldier boy." | respectfully thine, It is certainly worth reading: PITTSFIELD, MASS., Oct. 20, 1861. CAPTAIN CROMWELL- -DEAR SIR: My brother, David H. Darling, a lad of sixteen, left home and joined your command without the consent or even knowledge of our parents. I went from school to see him last Thursday, and stated these facts to your second lieutenant. Our young soldier returned home Friday, on furlough, as he supposed, and seeing the effect of his conduct upon my mother and a sick sister, gave his consent to remain. But he is very much afraid you will think that he did not promise to return in good faith, or, to use his own term, that he has "backed out," so he made me promise, before I returned, that I would explain it to you. JENNIE DARLING. P. S.-If you are married, please hand this over to your Second Lieutenant. J. D. So much for Jennie. The Captain's response to this winsome epistle, failed, alas! to greet the public eye. Sharp Practice among Volunteers. That all the rogues were not in the army nor out of the State Prison was very clearly made to appear—and by the following fact among others, the scene of which was New York city. Mr. Blunt, the head of the Committee on Drafting in that city, took in multitudes of volunteers black and white-paying the three hundred dollars, without being able to determine whether they were, in all cases, honest and acquainted with their catechism. One was taken of this class, who appeared especially loose on both those points. A black fellow, who had been enlisted for the navy and received his three hundred dollars, applied in the course of an hour or so to Mr. B. for the privilege of putting his money into the savings bank. It was "Where is the rest of it?" says Mr. This, then, "is to certify," gentlemen, that the young Darling aforesaid has not abated his desire in the least degree to serve his country under your especial guidance, although he has consented to devote himself in the more humble capacity of staying at home and minding his mother. Having reached the advanced age of sixteen, he possesses the strength of Hercules, and sagacity of Tacinaque, Agulier's of course granted. The Supervisor, on bravery, and the patriotism of Washing- counting over the darkey's money, found ton, whom you have probably heard men- that there was only two hundred and tioned before. Would that he could add thirty-five dollars. to these a few of Methuselah's superfluous years, for youth, though no crime, is very inconvenient in his case. Of course, the advancement of the Black Horse Cavalry is materially retarded, and its glory dim-dollars more. med for a season; but wherever you are side out.” at the end of two years, he is determined to join you. If thou wouldst take me in his place, I would be very happy to go. I believe not only in this war, but fighting in general, and think that if women were permitted to use 'knock down arguments,' it would civilize not only their mutual relations, but also their treatment of your much abused sex. Blunt. "Dat's all," says Snowball. Darkey complied, but not another greenback was found. This was a staggerer, for Blunt well knew he had paid him three hundred dollars. "Now, you horse marine," says the chairman, "what have you done with the balance of your money?-here are some notes I never gave you.” "Well, Massa Cap'n, I didn't do noffin with 'em greenbacks; I jis ask a feller in dare to change me one hundred dollar bill, and de sailor he did it; and dat are is de money." 66 That his curiosity was now fully satisfied, was no matter of doubt; and the goodhumored salutation of "How are you, conscript?" regaled his patriotic ear from Ah, ha!" says B., "Bring out that every quarter. fellow." Drafted. Wide trowsers came out, looking very Nasby's Reasons why he should not be innocent. His money, too, was examined, and sure enough, there lay ensconced the identical sixty-five dollars the darkey was minus of. "How is this?" says Mr. B. Petroleum V. Nasby, in order to place himself in his proper position before the public, felt called upon to give his reasons -weighty and cogent ones, too,-why he should not be drafted. Says he :— “Well, you see, Boss, that piece of ebony wanted me to change one hundred I see in the papers last nite, that the dollars for him, and I did it, but I ain't government haz institooted a draft, that very good at cyphering, and I rather guess in a few weeks hundreds uv thousands uv I counted wrong. Here's your dust, old peaceable citizens will be dragged to the boy; let's tack ship and put back to port." tented feeld. I know not wat uthers may This impudent piece of rascality was do, but ez fer me, I can't go. Upon a corrected by the Supervisor, the darkey's rigid eggsaminashun uv my fizzikle man, money banked, and the parties again turn- I find it wooed be wus ner madnis fer me ed into their quarters. 2 undertake a campane, to wit: 66 1. I'm bald-heded, and hev bin obliged to ware a wig these 22 years. 2. I hev dandruff in wat scanty hair still hangs round my venerable temples. 3. I hev a kronic katarr. 5. My teeth is all unsound, my palit ain't eggsactly rite, and I hev hed bronkeetis 31 yeres last Joon. At present I hev a koff, the paroxisms uv which is frightful 2 behold. "How are you, Conscript ?" Not the least singular among the great variety of incidents in connection with the draft, is the following, which occurred among the good citizens of Vigo county, 4. I hev lost, since Stanton's order to in the State of Indiana. During the draw-draft, the use uv one eye entirely, and hev ing for one of the sub-districts of that kronic inflammashun in the other. region, the proceedings were watched with eager interest by at least one person, a patriotic" resident of the locality under draft. As the names were drawn he betrayed considerable nervousness-was particularly anxious about the price of substitutes, and thought it the duty of all "veterans" to re-enlist. Finally, impatient under such critical suspense, and un- 7. I'm afflicted with kronic diarrear and able longer to control his anxiety, he made kostivniss. The money I hev paid fer bold to ask permission of Colonel Thomp- Jayneses karminnytive balsam and pills son, the provost-marshal, to place his hand wooed astonish almost ennybody. in the box, and draw forth the unfortunate prize. The Colonel, with his accustomed suavity and willingness to accommodate, 9. I hev varrykose vanes, hev a white kindly granted the request. The individ- swellin on wun leg and a fever sore on the ual accordingly reached forth his hand, uther-also wun leg is shorter than tother, placed it in the box, and drew forth a card though I handle it so expert that nobody on which was written-his own name! never noticed it. 6. I'm holler chestid, and short-winded, and hev allus hed panes in my back and side. 8. I am rupchured in 9 places, and am entirely enveloped with trusses. 10. I hev korns and bunyuns on both pursuit of him. He had to descend the feet, which wooed prevent me from marchin. hill on the side toward the enemy's camp. I don t suppose that my political opin- While he eluded his pursuers, he found ions, which are ferninst the prosekooshun himself in a new danger. He had gotten uv this unconstitooshnel war, wooed hev within the enemy's camp pickets! He enny wate with a draftin osifer, but the had, while running, torn the U. S.' from above reasons why I can't go, will, I maik his cartridge box, and covered his belt no doubt, be suffishent. plate with his cap box, and torn the stripe from his pantaloons. He was challenged by their sentinels while making his way Clever Use of the Countersign. During the fight at Gauley Bridge, Vir- out, and answered, giving the countersign, ginia, on the 10th of November, 1861, a "Mississippi," Second Virginia regiment. glorious instance of personal bravery was They asked him what he was doing there. afforded in the conduct of Sergeant Car- He said that the boys had gone off on a ter, of Tippecanoe, Ohio. The Sergeant scout after the Yankees; that he had been was upon the post first attacked by the detained in camp, and in trying to find Confederates. The advance guard of the them had got bewildered. As he passed Second Virginia, consisting of twelve men, through, to prevent further questioning, he came suddenly upon him and his three said, "Our boys are up on the ridge,— companions. The bright moonlight re- which is the best way up?" They anvealed the flashing bayonets of the ad-swered, " Bear to the left, and you'll find vancing regiment. He was surrounded it easier to climb." Soon again his purand separated from his reserve. With suers were after him, as he expressed it, great presence of mind he stepped out and "breaking brush behind him." challenged, "Halt! Who goes there?" The advance guard of the Second Virginia, consisting of twelve men, supposing down the shallow stream, threw the dog that they had come upon a scouting party of their own men, answered, “Friends, with the countersign." This time, with a hound on his trail, he made his way to a brook, and running off the scent, and as the day was dawning he came suddenly upon four pickets, who brought their arms to a ready, and challenged him. He gave the countersign At his order," Advance one, and give the countersign," they hesitated. He re- "Mississippi;" claimed to belong to the peated the order peremptorily, "Advance and give the countersign, or I'll blow you through." They answered, without advancing, "Mississippi." "Where do you belong?" he demanded. "To the Second Virginia regiment." "Where are you going?" "Along the ridge." Second Virginia. His cap box had slipped from his belt plate. They asked him where he got that belt. He told them he had captured it that night from a Yankee. They told him to advance, and as he approached, he recognized their accoutrements and knew he was among his own They then in turn questioned him, men, a picket guard from the First Ken"Who are you?" "That's my own busi-tucky. He was taken before Colonel Enness," he answered, and taking deliberate gart and dismissed to his regiment. When aim he shot down his questioner. He the brave fellow was asked what was his called for his boys to follow him, and leaped down a ledge of rock, while a full volley went over his head. He heard his companions summoned to surrender, and the order given to the Major to advance with the regiment. Several started in motive in halting a whole column of the enemy, he said his plan was to give intimation to the reserve, of their advance, that they might open upon them on their left flank, and so, perhaps, arrest their progress. If ever a fellow escaped by the skin of his teeth, from his enemies-and if ever a Snaked Away, and Drummed In. brave fellow deserved to-that man was One of the "sufferers" at Camp Dennithe gallant Sergeant Carter. It was a son, which for a time was used for the care courageous thing to obtain the countersign, of the sick and wounded, was an Irish and nothing but his courage made it after-soldier. The attendant approached him wards available. and said: "Well, Sir, what's the matter with you?" "Wounded, Sir; slight wound in the groin-worse one in the heel." "Where were you wounded?" "Pittsburg Landing, Sir." "What part of the battle?" "Second fire of the last round, Sir." Bridegroom and Volunteer the same Night. Crime and outrage, in all their various phases, are the concomitants of war. An illustration in point is afforded in the adventures of an ex-Confederate soldier from Alabama, the scene of his exploits being in Chicago, Illinois. It seems that one day a young man waited upon the police authorities at the central station in that city, to obtain advice in a search for his sister, a young girl of seventeen years, who had fled from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Chicago, after having fallen a victim to the wiles of a seducer. On this representation being made, one of the detectives took charge of the case, and in the course of time found the girl living with an Alabamian, of the name of Jones. The officer arrested both of them, and then called in the brother, the interview resulting in a refusal on the girl's part to leave Jones, and Jones not only refused to leave her, but expressed his willingness to marry her at once. In addition to his offer of marriage, the man proposed to enlist in the Federal army as a substitute, and leave the money with his bride. The brother was satisfied with this proposition, and the exrebel Jones, having become a virtuous Jones, instantly fulfilled his promise,-a justice of the peace performing the marriage ceremony. Jones thereupon went "Why, you see, Sir, I didn't know what to a recruiting office, enlisted, received I was fighting for, and I didn't want to blow two hundred and fifty dollars bounty a fellow creature's brains out without money, paid it over plumply to the brother, knowing what I was blowing 'em out for, and left Chicago the same night for d'ye see; no more did I want a fellow Springfield, to be assigned to a regiment. The bridegroom declared that he did not mind what regiment he entered, so long as he avoided being sent into Virginia, where, he stated, he was so well known that if captured he would assuredly be hung. Snaked away and drummed in. "What, Monday? Why it was rather hard, wasn't it; to fight two days and then get hurt at the very last?" "Devil a two days did I fight at all Sir." 66 Why, how was that?" creature to blow my brains out without knowing what they was blown out for— so, Sir, I just snaked away Sir! But on Monday they found me, Sir, and drummed me in." He was from Texas. |