Battle-Christened Kittens
On the morning of the eighth of April, 1861 (just after the battle) Corporal
Ed. H----, of Company B, ------ Illinois, came running to me with three
playful little kittens under his arm, peeping maliciously out of his
haversack.
"Why, H-----, where in the name of all that's wonderful did you come across
these kittens?"
"Found 'em - ain't they beauties, though? I say, Captain, you may have one,
if you'll promise to take real good care of it."
"Kittens! kittens on the Field of Shiloh ! Why," exclaimed a sergeant at my
elbow, "I thought that every living thing in the shape of bird, beast and
insect, was either killed by the iron hail or the thunder. Why, they're as
natural as life. If you've no objection, I'll take one, H----."
Instantly, a score of eager hands were outstretched toward the demure pussies.
"Found 'em in a house over there," said H----, nodding toward a deserted
cabin- "old pussy's gone off and left 'em. Never mind, we'll take care
of
'em."
And well they did. To see the men who the day before breathed nothing but
dire vengeance and slaughter, nursing and feeding those motherless kittens,
would have effectually dissipated any doubts the observer might have
entertained concerning their genuine tenderness and sympathy. Soldiers are
immensely fond of pets ; those kittens were carried on knapsacks hundreds of
miles, and when the black coffee was gulped down without a murmur, kitty
would rub her paws and yawn contentedly over the cup from which she had just
licked the last vestige of milk.