[emailed June 15, 1997]

A QUICK STORY

Here's one I've been saving for a time when I don't have time to find another one. Like now. What with graduation and moving, by books have a week's worth of dust on them. See you next week.

--------------

"I entered Chambersburg [Pennsylvania] at 6 p.m. This is a town of some size and importance. All its houses were shut up; but the natives were in the streets, or at the upper windows, looking in a scowling and bewildered manner at the Confederate troops, who were marching gaily past to the tune of 'Dixie.' the women (many of whom were pretty and well-dressed) were particularly sour and disagreeable in their remarks. I heard one of them say, 'Look at Pharoah's army going to the Red Sea.' "Others were pointing and laughing at Hood's ragged troops, who were passing at the time. This division, well known for its fighting qualities, is composed of Texans, Alabamians, and Arkansians, and they certainly are a queer lot to look at. They carry less than any other troops; many of them have only got an old piece of carpet or rug as baggage; many have discarded their shoes in the mud; all are ragged and dirty, but full of good humor and confidence in themselves and in their general, Hood. They answered the numerous taunts of the Chambersburg ladies with cheers and laughter. "One female had seen fit to adorn her ample bosom with a huge Yankee flag, and she stood at the door of her house, expressing the greatest contempt for the bare-footed Rebs; several companies passed by her without taking any notice, but at length a Texan gravely remarked, 'Take care, madam, for Hood's boys are great at storming breastworks when the Yankee colors is on them.' "After this speech the patriotic lady beat a precipitate retreat."