who joined in the year 1861, just before the company left Richmond for the front. He was living in New York when the war began, but returned to his native State, and joined us, being elected to a lieutenancy2. His physique was remarkable3, being very tall, and as slim as a fence rail almost, and with a long neck and mustaches as flowing as those of a “grenadier of the foot guards” of France. His individuality was marked, possessing a great fund of wit and humor, enlivened by a slight vein4 of sarcasm5. He had read a good deal, and had also touched elbows with the great world, which rendered his conversation always very entertaining. His gallantry on the field of battle was conspicuous6, being one of the coolest men in action that I ever saw. His memory is cherished highly by every surviving member of the company. He has long since passed to the “bourne whence no traveller returns,” and rests on the other side of the river.
A striking member of our company, “the 1st Howitzers,” was Carey Eggleston. He was a long, gawky looking young soldier, and did not make a very good showing on dress parade, but just as soon as fight opened, and our guns were turned loose upon the enemy, his whole nature seemed to change with the excitement, and he seemed exhilarated with ardor7 of battle. At the battle of Spotsylvania Court House he was acting8 number one at the gun where I was number three, when a fragment of shell shattered his arm. Gangrene afterwards set in and caused his death. He was but a mere9 youth, only eighteen years old, and was the only one I ever knew that really loved fighting.
Of some interest to many is the 7:32 A.M. accommodation train on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad from Ashland to Richmond. It conveys as passengers
daily business and professional men to the city. A prominent characteristic of these travelers is the haste displayed by each in getting the morning’s paper; indeed it seems that to secure one at all hazards and risks, the most desirable accomplishment10 in daily life, and then to quickly board the train and rush for a seat on the shady side—if it happens to be the summer season—while the less fortunate make out the best they can on the sunny side. The choice of seats, of course, is reversed in the winter time, when the sun is the favorite side. After obtaining his favorite seat the “newspaper fiend” draws his paper, folds, presses down its side in the most skillful way, and then holds its pages up to his eager gaze with the thrilling delight of what he gleans11 in its perusal12. This folding and preparation of the journal is done with a peculiar13 expertness by the veteran news fiend, for instance, when he wishes to find the continuance of an article from one page to another, he will turn it over and rearrange it in a most adroit14 manner, that no amateur could perform; only the genuine newspaper fiend could accomplish such a result. He first folds the sheets into a quarto or folio size with the greatest finesse15, and takes fresh hold reading. When you notice his lips quiver, he has come to something especially interesting; he becomes quite oblivious16 to all outside influences, being entirely17 absorbed in what he is enjoying in the columns of the news items. As a matter of fact he is not fond of books; a fine volume of literature is not varied18 enough for his tastes. The morning paper, fresh with news of the whole world, appears to him as a perfect kaleidoscope of reading matter, which he perfectly19 appreciates until the train reaches its destination.
During the battles around Richmond, when the Federal
army under General Geo. B. McClellan invested the city, one of the brightest pages in the history of the Confederate war was enacted20. The noble women of the South by a concert of action, united in aiding the surgeons in alleviating21 the pain and suffering of the wounded. The whole seemed a veritable hospital. Even the churches were stripped of their cushions to be used therein for the comfort of those who were brought in from the front. The kind sympathy and cheering words of these devoted22 women caused many a wounded soldier to look and revere23 and thank his Creator that such ministering angels had been provided to sooth him and inspire hope in his weak and stricken body. This gracious and noble conduct of the women of the Confederacy forms one of the most valuable pages in the annals of the great war between the North and South. Many who took part in that memorable24 struggle and strenuous25 time have passed over the river that separates life from eternity26, but their deeds and their memory will be cherished as long as time endures.
A gleaning27 of some moment is the tearing down of the old Reuger building to give place to a new and more modern structure of ten stories. It will stand upon the site of the original house, on the corner of Ninth and Bank Streets, where it had stood for more than half a century as a restaurant and hotel. It is doubtful if any establishment of its kind ever dispensed28 better cheer in either liquor or substantial refreshments29, than the “Reugers”—father, son and grandsons—served up to their many patrons. In the new hostelry there will be maintained the same high prestige hitherto enjoyed by the lovers of good fare in Richmond and vicinity.
A prominent person in Richmond during the period “antebellum,” was Captain Sam Freeman, who was the
superintendent30 of Capitol Square and the public buildings within the same. It was he that introduced the squirrels on the grounds, and took a good deal of interest in and care of them, being his especial pets. After the close of the great war, the former office was merged31 in that of the Land office and Superintendent of Public Buildings.
I recall a very high-toned gentleman, a first-class Virginian, who was waiting upon a very attractive lady, who was riding in a carriage with the window down. He being at the time on horseback, and drawing alongside the vehicle, he leaned over and remarked to her: “Miss Judy, I have a disagreeable duty to perform, namely, to court you.” She very promptly32 replied: “Well, Colonel, if it is such a disagreeable task to you, I would advise you hot to perform it.” But being so full of his subject, he continued his courtship, and, of course, was promptly discarded. She afterwards married another gentleman who was more tactful in his mode of courting her.
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1
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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lieutenancy
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| n.中尉之职，代理官员 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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gleans
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| v.一点点地收集（资料、事实）( glean的第三人称单数 )；（收割后）拾穗 | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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finesse
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| n.精密技巧，灵巧，手腕 | |
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oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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alleviating
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| 减轻，缓解，缓和( alleviate的现在分词 ) | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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revere
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| vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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gleaning
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| n.拾落穗，拾遗，落穗v.一点点地收集（资料、事实）( glean的现在分词 )；（收割后）拾穗 | |
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dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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31
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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