Scourge of War Boards

Probably in no military organization that ever existed were there such cordial relations between officers and private soldiers as in the Confederate army. This was due, doubtless, to the fact that in our ranks there were lawyers, teachers, bankers, merchants, planters, college professors, and students who afterward became chief justices, governors, and occupants of the highest public stations. Since the war some of these privates have told with great relish of the old farmer near Appomattox who decided to give employment, after the surrender, to any of Lee's veterans who might wish to work a few days for food and small wages. He divided the Confederate employés into squads according to the respective ranks held by them in the army. He was uneducated, but entirely loyal to the Southern cause.
A neighbor inquired of him as to the different squads:
"Who are those men working over there ?"
"Them is privates, sir, of Lee's army."
"Well, how do they work?"
"Very fine, sir; first-rate workers."
"Who are those in the second group ?"
"Them is lieutenants and captains, and they works fairly well, but not as good workers as the
privates."
"I see you have a third squad: who are they ?"
"Them is colonels."
"Well, what about the colonels? How do they work ?"
"Now, neighbor, you'll never hear me say one word ag'in' any man who fit in the Southern army; but
I ain't a-gwine to hire no generals."


*S*