That's what we want now----"
The leader took the interruption in good spirit and added an eloquent
request for at least one good meal a day if the Lord in his goodness and
mercy could spare it.
No persimmon tree was ever stripped without the repetition of their old
joke. They all knew the words by heart,
"Don't eat those persimmons--they're not good for you!"
"I know it, man, I'm just doin' it to pucker my stomach to fit my
rations!"
Ned was passing the door of a cabin in which a prayer meeting of
officers was being held. He was walking with his Colonel who was fond of
a sip of corn whiskey at times. He was slightly deaf.
The leader of the meeting called from the door:
"Won't you join us in prayer, Colonel?"
"Thank you, no, I've just had a little!" he answered innocently.
Ned roared and the brethren inside the cabin joined the laugh.
No body of men of any race ever marched to death with calmer faith than
those ragged lines of grey now girding their loins for the fiercest,
bloodiest struggle in the annals of the world.
Lee allowed Grant to cross the Rapidan unopposed and penetrate the
tangled wilds of the Wilderness. The Southerner knew that in these dense
woods the effectiveness of his opponent's superior numbers would be
vastly reduced. Longstreet's corps had not yet arrived from Gordonsville
where he had been sent to obtain food, and he must concentrate his
forces.
Pages:
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477