Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1886 — REMINISCENCES. [ARTICLE]

REMINISCENCES.

BY GAPTAIN JAMES MONTFORD.

The ladies of the Colonel’s family were “discussing” the war one evening. One proof of the strong effect the war had upon the popular mind is that it is often, even to-day, the subject of conversation in numerous families. It is not the wonder of nine days, or nine years, but the recollections of a generation. The Colonel’s wife had imbibed a great many of his opinions, and she was almost as good a soldier—to talk—as the worthy Colonel himself. “No,” she said, in response to some suggestion from her niece, “the Colonel does not think the Southern women were worse in war-time than those of the North would have been under similar circumstances.” “Perhaps he really does not think so,” said the young lady, “but he always leans that way.” “Well, here he comes. He can argue it out with you himself.” A moment later footsteps approached the door and the Colonel entered. “We have been criticising your stories, papa,” said his daughter, “and cousin thinks you are rather hard on the ladies.” “I do nos intend to be. I merely relate my storius because they are dramatic.” “The only way you cnn make amends is to tell another story, where the ladies are better disposed,” cried his niece, smilingly. The Colonel shook his head as he sat down.

“I scarcely know whether I remember a story of that order or not. I have noticed that adventures with ladies usually happen to the bachelors, and 1 was married before I went to the front.” • “Then you can entertain us with something that occurred to a single man.” “Well,” said the Colonel, after a moment of thoughtfulness, “I remember a story that caused some talk at the time.” He lighted his second cigar, and conlinued as follows: “About the first thing a soldier becomes impressed with is the idea that he deserves something better to eat than the commissary affords. At moments of leisure his thoughts usually turn upon eating. “In consequence, they were often making excursions in search of pigs and poultry. Some would roam about day after day and find nothing, while others were more fortunate. “Charley Wise was said to be very lucky in this respect. He seemed bom "for the good things of this world. The best green corn and the plumpest chickens—at least, so his comrades declared—fell to his lot. “Early in 1862, when the Army of the Potomac moved from Washington, nearly everyone was in good spirits. It was the general opinion among the troops that we wer9 to put a period to the Confederacy. “The first discomfort we sustained was when we went on board the little steamer, and when forced to disgorge the most choice contents of our knapsacks. This forced yielding up of the treasures we had hoarded caused a little discontent, but it soon wore off. “The next day after boarding the steamer we arrived at Old Point Comfort, and our tents were pitched amid the ruins of the once beautiful village of Hampton. “We were not pressed for food at that time, but many, partly excited by the strangeness and beauty of the country, partly by the idea that rests upon the soldier that he deserves something unobtainable, wandered about ‘in search of whatever they might devour.’ “Late one afternoon Charley Wise started out alone.

“He was a tall, well-made fellow; strong as a mule, quick witted, and venturesome to a degree. He soon had left the camp far behind, and, wandering around, lost his way just as darkness set in. “This disturbed Charley very little, and as he came in sight of a brightly illuminated farm house he resolved to enter the E remises, and if he could pick up anything e wanted, to do so; if he failed, to inquire his way back to camp. “As he advanced he saw that the building was large and well appointed. There were an unusual number of lights, and he guessed that some festivities were in progress. “Entering the orchard, which was upon the left side of the building, he made his way cautiously around toward the back of the house, where he supposed the outbuildings were situated. “He discovered the stable and its appendages at last, but was forced to take a roundabout course to reach it. Beaching the front comer of the building, he suddenly found that further progress in that direction was cut off, “Two darkies sat upon the steps of the stable. “Glancing around the corner, Charley could barely distinguish their forms. “Fearing discovery— gentlemen engaged in business similar to Charley’s were occasionally caught, and roughly ÜBed— he stood quiet for a moment. “The negroes were talking together, and, being but a few paces distant, their words were plainly audible to our adventurer, “ ‘Major am berry brave,’ one was saying, ‘but I heerd Massar Sim say dat he ran g~at risks in cornin’ here to-night.’

“ ‘Oh, ho,’ thought Charley, ‘that accounts for all those lights back there.’ “ ‘I doan think 60,’ drawled the other black. ‘De Major am a fignter, I tell yo; if dem Yankees do cum, dey’ll cotch it.’ “Charley moved cautiously back, and was soon out of hearing. Then he began to consider the case. “It was quite evident to him that an officer of the Confederate army was in the farm-house. Should he (Charley) hurry back to camp, and give warning of the Major’s presence in the country? That would be quite a nice commencement for him, he thought; but, then,.the officer had stolen home to meet his .wife and family. That would be rather mean, too. ‘ “He had at last concluded to allow matters to take their proper course, when he heard the sound of horses’ hoofs, and a few moments later several mounted men rode up to the house. “The negroes left their position in front of the stable, and ran toward the house. Soon after, the sound of angry voices reached Charley’s ear, and he came around in front of the barn. “At the side of the house he saw the horsemen now upon the ground; there was a handsome young gentleman in their midst. “He was evidently the Major of whom the darkies had spoken; but Charley could not understand who the horsemen were—they wore no uniforms. “An old, gray-haired gentleman, the Major's father, evidently, several women and servants gathered about. Charley was several rods away, and was unable to hear or understand what was going forward, but at last all the company entered the house. “Then Charley determined to right the mystery, and stole noiselessly to the house. The windows were open, and, as he determined to make no ill use of the information so acquired, he was not ashamed to listen.

“A great deal of high talk took place. The men were Southerners and neighbors, but were ill-affected in the Confederacy. Their leader, a large man, with a proud, sour-looking countenance, was the Major’s enemy, and had seized him as a means of revenge. “As Charley learned this, one of the captors came to the door to look after the horses, and he was driven back in the direction of the stable. “He was determined not to leave the place without paying himself for the trouble of the visit, and he no sooner spied a number of fowls which roosted upon a short piece of fence at the side of the stable than he grasped one. “He did not secure him very firmly, for, with a squawk, he escaped from his hands and flew fluttering along the ground. “Charley saw him enter the stable, the negroes had left tne doors open, and, thinking it would be less trouble to find him in the barn than to take another from the fence he pursued him inside. “After a troublesome search the rooster was a prisoner, and Charley was about to quit the premises in haste when a woman entered the stable. “Charley saw her enter; she was one of the ladies he had seen at the house, and was doubtless the Major’s wife. “She was bareheaded and seemed in haste. Charley tried to escape her observation, but she saw him at once. “ ‘Who are you?’ she demanded, in a tremulous whisper. “ ‘A friend.’ “ ‘lf you are, aid me to saddle the horse,’ and elie pointed to a magnificent bay that stood in a stall directly behind the adventurer.

“The latter hesitated for a moment. He imagined the horse was for the Major’s escape. “The woman understood what was passing in his mind, and her face became pale as death. “ ‘l’ll help you,’ cried Charley at last. “The woman uttered a cry of joy, and a moment later a saddle was placed upon the bay, and Charley led him softly from the stable. “Quick as thought the woman sprang into the saddle, and urging the horse around the side of the barn disappeared. “At that instant there came a confused 11 from the direction of the house, and, ruing, Charley saw the captors rushing nvard the stable. “They poured a volley of questions at Charley, and when they found the woman had taken a saddled horse from the stable became furious. “Our fiiend would have suffered had it not been for his uniform. All but one hurried off in the direction of the orchard, making a vain attempt to retake the prisoner.

“The man who remained was very communicative, and Charley was soon in possession of the entire story. “When they had entered the house with the Major that gentleman and his friends appeared without hope. “But as they were preparing t@ leave the officer desired to enter another room, to take leave of his wife. “The leader of the visitors was against this; but his companions outnumbered him in their assents, and the prisoner passed from their sight, accompanied by his wife and mother. “The leader became impatient as the moments passed; but as the sound of voices still came from the adjoining room, the door of which had been left open, he contained himself for some time. “But at last he entered the apartment, and found the Major and his wife had both escaped through the window. While the mother had been talking to the empty walls, her son was waiting in the orchard for the steed which bore him away from his foes.”