STANDING ARMY. [No title given for original.]

A Tennessean--a full six-footer--presented himself to the sergeant at the recruiting quarters, Old Levee street, yesterday, and offered his services to Uncle Sam for the next four yeras. The sergeant, rejoiced to meet with such excellent material for a dragoon, slapped him approvingly on the shoulder, slipped half a dollar into his fist as an earnest of future favors, and complimented him on the prospects of glory that were opening to him and to all "enterprising young men" who joined the service, both in Mexico and Oregon. "It speaks trumpet-tongued," he added, "for the patriotism of all such young men as you are, to see them come in at a time like the present, when we are threatened with war from two opposite quarters, and enroll themselves in the standing army of the country."

"Hold on, stranger," said the Tennessean, "did you say standin' army ?"

"Certainly I did," said the sergeant ; "and what more honorable service is there ?"

"Honourable h--ll !" said the Tennesseean--"Do you think I came all the way from Cocke county to jine your stay-at-home, standin' army ?--No : tell me where I can find a marchin' army--an army marchin' to the 'Halls of the Montezumas,' as old Sam used to say--or a fightin' army, and I'm thar--certain. D--n your standin' armies--they're no account--and I'll jine none on 'em. Good bye, stranger !" and saying this, the Tennesseean sloped.

Picayune.


Notes: New York Spirit of the Times 15.16 (14 June 1845): 180. University of Virginia Alderman Library.

Erin Bartels prepared this typescript.

We would like to thank the staff of the Library of Virginia Archives and Special Collections, Alderman Library, and Barrett Collection for their assistance. This page contains material in the public domain and it may be reproduced in its entirety or cited for courses, scholarship, or other non-commercial uses. We ask that users cite the source and support the archives that have provided materials to the Spirit site.