An Army wedding.
--There are very few soldiers who have been in the Western army who will not recognize in the following picture, drawn for the Montgomery
Mail, a great similarity to many army weddings which he has seen.
The marriage took place at
Bull's Gap, Tenn:
‘
An
Alabama soldier, who to name would be too personal, but who is uglier than the renowned
Suggs —— in fact, so far diseased with the chronic big ugly as to have failed procuring a furlough from Brig.
Gen. Law solely on that ground — wooed and won a buxom
Tennessee maid of doubtful age.
’
Whilst "Special" was out that day with his gun, on a porcine scout, for the purpose of reinforcing his haversack, he was interrupted in his reconnaissance by a husky voice emitting from a ten by-fifteen pen, inviting him to halt.
Entering the low door, he found a wedding was on the tapis, and
en route to a happy termination.
A mirthful Texan — not necessary to name — had a copy of the
Army Regulations in his hand, and his throat was decorated with a piece of white bandage, such as is used by our army doctors — all ready to tie the hymenal knot so light that it could not be undone by the teeth.
The bridegroom stood largely over six honest feet in his socks, was as hairy as Esau, and pale, slim, and lank.
His jacket and pants represented each of the contending parties at war. His shoes were much the worse for wear, and his toes sticking out of the gaping rents thereof, reminded one of the many little heads of pelicans you observe protruding from the nest which forms a part of the coat-of-arms of
Louisiana.
The exact color of his suit could not be given.
Where the buttons had been lost off in the wear and tear of war, an unique substitute, in the shape of persimmon seed, was used.
The bride had essayed to wash "
Alabama's" clothes, while he modestly concealed his audacity behind a brush heap, awaiting there until they were dried.
The bride was enrobed in a clean but faded dress.
Her necklace was composed of a string of chinquapin, her brow was environed by a wreath of faded bonnet flowers, and her wavy red hair was tucked up behind in the old fashioned way. She wore a stout pair of No. 9 brogans, and her stockings and gloves were made of
rabbit skins--fur side next to the flesh.
On her fingers we discerned several gutta perch and bone rings, presents at various times, from her lover.
She wore no hoops, for nature had given her such a form as to make crinoline of no use to her.
All being ready, the "
Texas Parson" proceeded to his duty, with becoming gravity. "Special" acted the part of waiter for both bride and groom.
Opening the book aforementioned, the quondam parson commenced, "close up!" and the twain closed up. "Hand to your partner!" and the couple handed.
Atten-ti-on-to o-r-ders! " and we all attention.
Then the following was read aloud: "By order of our directive General,
Braxton Bragg, I hereby solemnly pronounce you man and wife, for, and during the war, and you shall cleave unto each other until the war is over, and then apply to
Governor Watts for a family right of public land in Pike, the former residence of the bridegroom, and you and each of you will assist to multiply and replenish the earth" The ceremony wound up with a regular bear hug between the happy mortals, and we resumed our hog-hunt, all the while "guffawing" at the stole indifference manifested by the married parties on the picket line at
Bull's Gap.
On our falling back from the gap we observed the happy couple perambulating with the column through the mud and snow, wearing an air of perfect indifference to observation or remark from the soldiery.
Should this soldier, who captured "the Maid of the
Gap," obtain a furlough for the purpose of locating in Pike, will not our friends of the
Mail oblige them with an introduction to our gallant
Governor Watts?
