cumstances would permit, he in the mean- and forgetful of the fearful scenes around time propping up the pluck of his assist- them. ant by various quaint remarks. Said he, "I don't keer a darn for that third finger; for it wa'nt of no 'count no how; but the pinter and t'other one were right good ones, and I hate to lose 'em. I should'nt

When the song was finished, they reloaded their guns and again entered the fight, to the special damage of the rebels, who had to pay for the "charms" which "music hath."

have come to the rear if I had been able Joe Parsons' "Little Favor" from a Rebel

to load my gun, but I was'nt."

66

Going in quest of satisfaction.

Here is all that need be said of "Joe Parsons, of Baltimore," as told by a newspaper correspondent:-Joe enlisted in the First Maryland regiment, and was plainly a "rough" originally. As we passed along the hall we first saw him crouched near an open window, lustily singing, "I'm a bold soldier boy," and observing the broad bandage over his eyes, I said,—.

"What's your name, my good fellow?" "Joe, Sir," he answered, "Joe Parsons."

"And what is the matter with you?" "Blind, Sir-blind as a bat."

"In battle?"

"Yes at Antietam. Both eyes shot out at one clip."

having his hand dressed, he looked over in
"I was hit" he said, "and it knocked
the direction of the firing and stood a
moment. Turning presently, he said, me down. I lay there all night, and next
day the fight was renewed. I could stand
'Stranger, I wish you would jist load up
my shooting iron for me; I want to have the pain yer see, but the balls was flyin'
a little satisfaction out of them cusses for all round, and I wanted to get away. I
couldn't see nothin' though. So I waited,
spiling my fore paw." His gun was
loaded for him, and he started back for and listened; and at last I heard a feller
the top of the hill at a double-quick, in groan' beyond me. 'Hello,' says I. 'Hello
yourself,' says he. 'Who be yer,' said I,
quest of "satisfaction." His name was
Lappin, or Lapham, of the Ohio Seventh. 'a rebel?' 'You're a Yankee,' said he.
'So I am,' says I, 'what's the matter with
you?' 'My leg's smashed,' says he.
'Can't
yer walk?' 'No.' 'Can yer see?'
Yes,' Well,' says I, 'you're a
rebel, but will you do me a little favor?'
'I will,' says he, 'ef I ken.' Then, I says,
'Well, ole butternut, I can't see nothin';
my eyes is knocked out; but I ken walk.
Come over yere. Let's git out o' this.
You p'int the way, an' I'll tote yer off the
field, on my back.' 'Bully for you!'

Root Hog or Die: "Music hath Charms."
At the battle of Lookout Mountain, a
soldier belonging to an Ohio Regiment
coolly sat down on a rock during the
thickest of the engagement, to wait for his
gun to cool off, as he had fired it very
often and effectively. The boys who were
fighting around him deliberately ceased
their firing, and waited until he sung for
them an old and familiar song, " Root Hog
or Die," and which he is said to have sung says he.
with such humor as to make all merry gether.

6

And so we managed to get toWe shook hands on it. I took a

wink outen his canteen, and he got onto my shoulders. I did the walkin' for both, an' he did the navigatin'. An' ef he didn't make me carry him straight into a rebel Colonel's tent, a mile away, I'm a liar!"

pose with the infantry he had at command, but the General was not at all at loss, and did not think of retreat. He ordered his men to lie down in the wood, ready to rise up in a moment and deliver their fire. Then he ordered his cannoniers to fire a few rounds of ball, and afterwards a number of blank cartridge.

Nerving his Hand One Instant More. On that memorable hill where the army of the Union paused in the last of the The Confederates, cautiously advancing, Seven Days' Battles and hurled back the at once guessed that poor Sigel had got out shattered hosts of the enemy, a soldier lay of ammunition. Their commander, with gasping, while life ebbed away with his a shout of triumph, gave the order to fast flowing blood. The roar of the battle charge in a body upon what he thought was around him, and the dying man heard were empty guns. But when the screamthe sounds of the strife strangely inter- ing secessionists got within less than a mingled-it cannot be doubted-with those hundred yards of Sigel's guns, his cannonhome sounds that come to the ears of the iers were ordered to use grape and canisdeparting, in whatever scenes they meet ter, and fire as quickly and accurately as the final summons. For him the war was possible. over. To him peace was coming-the At the same moment the infantry rose, peace that passes human understanding. advanced out of the wood, and poured in It was in this solemn moment, the soldier their volleys upon the bewildered enemy. saw his General riding swiftly down into The result was not to be doubted. The the battle. The sight caused his ebbing Confederates, dismayed at the storm which life for one instant-only one-to flow tore their ranks in pieces at such close disbackward. Gathering his strength, the tance, halted, shook for a moment, then soldier seized his bloody cap in his freshly nerved hand, and raising it in the air waved it as the warrior passed him, cheered lustily, as of old in the camp when he was hale and strong, then smiled, laid his head back on the sod, and went away forever from battle-fields and the sound of human strife. It was not the person of his commander alone that the soldier cheered-not the General merely,-that the dying man recognized and loved even in death. It was the representative defender of the American Union and of the American Constitution,—the great cause for which men lay dying, which inspired him.

Out of Ammunition for a Time.

broke and fled with cries of horror, leaving their dead heaped upon the field. A young farmer lad, belonging to a dragoon regiment which was sent to charge upon the flying enemy, remarked, "They lay there like grass cut down by a scythe, in great swaths."

"God bless the old Fla-."

Major Barnum, of the Twelfth New York regiment, was one of the many brave officers who were mortally wounded in the battles of the Peninsula. While lying down breathing his last, in the agony of his bodily suffering, a friend asked him if he had any message to send home. He replied

"Tell my wife that in my last thoughts were blended my wife, my boy and my flag."

The following is a specimen of Sigel's strategy at Pea Ridge: A considerable force of the Confederate army was sent to charge some batteries which Sigel had stationed a little in front of a wood. The force was somewhat too formidable to op- able to the Union cause, he said, "God

He asked of the physician how the battle went, and when told that it was favor

bless the old fla-," and expired with the ly, and registered his name 'Morganprayer finishing inaudibly with his closing Cavalry ;'-desiring dinner, supper, a bed lips. A noble prayer and a noble death. and his bill, at the same time throwing down a twenty dollar note of Confederate scrip. "We are not taking that money now," said the polite clerk. "The hell

"Shackasses" just at the Right Moment. One of General Fremont's batteries of eight Parrott guns, supported by a squad- you ain't; then, Sir, we don't trade," and ron of horse, and commanded by Major with a pompous 'Ahem' he moved off. Richards of the First Pennsylvania cav- The conversation and demeanor of the alry, was in sharp conflict with a battery officer attracted the attention of the crowd, of the enemy near at hand, and both shell and several looked at the name, among and shot were flying thick and fast, when others, Lieutenant —, who, on glancing the commander of the battery, a German, at the register, was observed to change one of Fremont's staff, rode suddenly up color, and with a nervous motion to hurry to the cavalry, exclaiming in loud and ex- from the room. A murmur of surprise cited tones, and amazement soon swelled into a cry of "Pring up de shackasses, pring up de "Morgan! Morgan!" but the stranger shackasses, for Cot sake, hurry up de shack-was not to be seen. Scarcely twenty minasses, im-me-di-ately!"

utes elapsed when a company of infantThe necessity of this order, though not ry, fresh from the office of the Provost quite apparent to the reader, will be more Marshal, rushed into the room with bayobvious when it is mentioned that the onets fixed and determined countenances. 'shackasses' were mules carrying moun- "Where is he?" inquired the commandtain howitzers, which are fired from the ing officer. "He passed out the back backs of those much-abused but valuable way," replied a wag, "and is now at the animals; and the immediate occasion for Sewanee House." "Right about face," the 'shackasses' in this exigency was, that and away they went at double quick-the two regiments of Confederate infantry last report representing them as still going. were at that moment discovered descend- The originator of the cock-and-bull ruse ing a hill immediately behind the Federal was Captain Morgan, of one of the brave batteries. The 'shackasses,' with the how- Ohio regiments of cavalry, a worthy officer itzers loaded with grape and canister, were and an inveterate wag. soon on the ground. The mules squared themselves, as they well knew how, for the shock. A terrific volley was poured into the advancing column, which immediately broke and retreated. Nearly three hundred dead bodies were found in the ravine the next day, the effects of that volley from the backs of the 'shackasses.'

Behind the Trees: Maine and Georgia. At the siege of Yorktown, and during the first day's skirmish on the Federals' right, two soldiers, one from Maine, and the other from Georgia, posted themselves each behind a tree, and indulged in sundry shots, without effect on either, at the same time keeping up a lively chat. Finally, that getting a little tedious, Georgia called Morgan, the Confederate guerrilla chief, out to Maine, "Give me a show," meaning created terror wherever he stepped foot. step out and give an opportunity to hit. Apropos of this wide-spread sensitiveness, Maine, in response, poked out his head a is the following account of a scene which few inches, and Georgia cracked away and occurred at the City Hotel, Nashville, missed. "Too high," said Maine,―" now Tenn. A tall gentleman entered, pushed give me a show." Georgia poked out his through the crowd rather unceremonious-head and Maine blazed away. "Too low,"

Morgan! Morgan!

cried Georgia. In this way the two alter-giving a flanking fire, when they retreated nated several times, without hitting. Fi- with quite a number of prisoners in their nally, Maine sent a ball so as to graze the possession. The Confederates had got tree within an inch or two of the ear of fairly under weigh, when the Ninth Ohio Georgia. "Cease firing," shouted Geor- came up on the double-quick, and charging gia. "Cease it is," responded Maine. on their now disordered ranks, succeeded "Look here," says one, we have carried in capturing all their prisoners, besides on this business long enough for one day; taking in return a great many of the Con'spose we adjourn for rations?" "Agreed,"

66

said the other. And so the two marched away in different directions, one whistling "Yankee Doodle,' the other Dixie.'

6

Family Quarrel Settled on the Battlefield.

Humphrey Marshall.

In the Confederate charge upon McCook's right, at the battle of Stone River, the Confederate Third Kentucky was advancing full upon one of the loyal Kentucky regiments. These two regiments were brought from the same county, and consequently were old neighbors, now about to meet for the first time as enemies. As soon as they came near enough for recognition they mutually ceased firing, and began abusing, and cursing, and swearing at each other; federates. As the recent belligerents were using the utmost license of denunciatory conducted to the rear they appeared to and outlandish names; and all this time have forgotten their late animosity, and the battle was roaring around them, with- were soon on the best terms imaginable, out much attention from either side. It laughing, and chatting, and joking, and, as was hard to tell which regiment would the Confederates were well supplied with come off victor in the wordy battle, for whiskey, the canteens were readily handed both sides were terrible in the use of pro- about from one to the other, until they all fane nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc. But became as jolly as possible under the cirthis could not always last; by mutual con- cumstances. sent they finally ceased cursing, and grasping their muskets, charged into each other with the most unearthly yell ever heard, even on a field of battle. Muskets were clubbed, bayonet met bayonet, and in many instances, when old personal or local feuds made the belligerents rank-crazy with passion, the musket was thrown away, and at it they went with nature's weapons, pummelling, pulling, gouging, and clinching, in rough and tumble style, and in a manner that looker-on would consider a free fight indeed. The secessionists were getting rather the better of the fight, when the Twenty-third Kentucky succeeded in terns were held by two women, who ex

any

Two noble Women saving a Regiment.

When traveling on the cars from Bethel to Jackson, Tennessee, the Twenty-seventh Iowa regiment was saved from a fearful loss of life by the heroism of a couple of Union women. The train was running in the night at a high rate of speed, and just before reaching a railroad bridge the engineer saw a couple of lanterns being vigorously waved in the distance, directly on the track. He stopped the locomotive, and men were sent ahead to ascertain the cause of the alarm. They found that the lan

Singular to say, Sergeant Bruner, who, up to June, 1863, had led on his men in more than thirteen battles, and always in front, had the good fortune to escape being wounded. He captured, with his own hands, three Confederate flags, which he handed over to General Grant.

plained to them that a party of guerrillas tain. The Confederates were driven back in that vicinity had been informed of the with lost colors. coming of the regiment, and that about eight o'clock that evening the villains had set the bridge on fire, and allowed the main timbers to burn so much that they could not bear the weight of the train, and then put out the flames and went away, hoping, of course, that the cars would run on the bridge, that it would break down with the weight, and thus kill and injure many of the soldiers, and prevent the regiment from going through. The noble women had learned of these intentions, and had walked ten miles through the darkness and mud to save the Union soldiers.

Well Done for a Youth.

The gallant conduct of Henry Shaler, of Indianapolis, Indiana, at the battle of Gettysburgh, was worthy of all praise and remembrance. He seems to have more than equaled the self-told mythical performance of the Irishman who "surrounded" a half-dizen of the enemy and bagged them plump. Henry's parents reside in At the battle and capture of Port Gib- Indianapolis, and are Germans. Harry son, Sergeant Charles Bruner, a Pennsyl- is a brick; he did more, that is, he took vanian, of Northampton County, with a more prisoners in the battle of Gettyssquad of fifty men of the Twenty-third burgh, than any other man in the army. regiment Wisconsin volunteers, was the

Thirteen Battles and Three Flags.

first to enter said fort. The flag-sergeant being wounded, Sergeant Bruner seized the colors, and, amid cheers and a rain of bullets, planted the Stars and Stripes upon the ramparts.

Again, at Champion Hill, the Twentythird was about breaking, when Sergeant Bruner took the colors in his hand, and cried, "Boys, follow! don't flinch from your duty!" and on they went, following their brave color-bearer; and the intrenchment was taken.

Gen. Meade's Headquarters.

-one

Again, at the battle of Big Black, Company B, of the Twenty-third Wisconsin, got orders from General Grant to plant a cannon and try to silence a battery, which He took in all twenty-five men,was bravely done, when the cannon was Lieutenant and eighteen men at one time; dismantled, Captain and First Lieutenant he took them by strategy that was stratwere gone and wounded. Sergeant Bru- egy-he surrounded them, and they had ner again cheered on his men, and, in a hand-to-hand fight, the enemy were routed. The Sergeant was made prisoner twice, but his captors were soon put hors du combat by his brave followers, who would die for the brave Sergeant-afterwards Cap

to give up. On the morning of the fourth he went out with his poncho over his shoulders, so that the rebs couldn't see his coat, and thus they thought he was one of their own men. He went up and told them to lay down their arms and come