The Daily Dispatch: May 26, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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A good Joke.

--Some time ago one of the "mulish," an officer, was passing up Broad street, and just in advance of him were the Provost Marshal's pikemen. Knowing that some of them were decidedly green, he determined to astonish the guardians of the city.

Pikes--"Hault!"

Melish--"What for?"

Pikes--"Your pass, sir."

Melish--"Do you know who you are talking to, sir? I am Gen. Lee."

Pikes--"Oh! beg pardon, pass on, sir."

The "melish" did pass on much to his amusement, and as he cast, in the words of the poet, ‘"one longing, lingering look behind,"’ he observed the pikemen admiring him with astonishment, and no doubt thanking their stars that they were so fortunate as to fall in with the Commander in Chief in their official business! They are in many instances stupid beyond forbearance in the discharge of their duty. A few days ago, a big buck negro came down Broad street, on horseback, dressed up in full dress uniform, at a splurging pace, and when near the Provost Marshal's office one of the canine species, not liking his looks, attacked him; whereupon his ebony majesty drew his six-barreled repeater and deliberately shot poor Tray dead, when the streets were crowded with ladies and children. Strange to say, the pikemen did not interfere with Cuffy, nor ask him for his pass or his authority for shooting the dog, notwithstanding they were spectators to the whole proceedings. We were under the necessity some time ago of having to show these same pikemen the Assistant Provost Marshal's office!