Show A GEORGIA COLONEL colonel joseph georgo washington mills is thu king of rod alv tho mountain kingdoms that lio a straddle of tho line which divides georgia and seo and is one of tho most noted characters of that mountain region in the seventies colonel mills wg a republican residing in atlanta and ran for congress on the republican ticket about the time of ho political upheaval that brought ou such radical changes iu tho state government ho was a victim of existing circumstances and without waiting until the ballota were counted ho aavo up the fight in disgust not long afterward ho removed to the remote corner of the commonwealth where he now resides and possessed him belf of the historic town of red clay including abo ancient council ahonso where andrew jackson and the chiefs of the cherokees met for the last time preparatory to the removal of the tribes to their now territory in the west he is full of anecdotes and his stories carry one bask to the days of the old georgia militia of which he was one of the commanding officers 1 I shall never forget said ho one day my first experience as a drillmaster I 1 was elected captain of a company down in cobb county the muster roll of included the warlike denizens of the forest depths in the neighborhood of lost mountain hunters traders trappers and crackers of low degree were included to this organization I 1 knew the character of the men that I 1 had to deal with and as my father was major general enoch R mill then commanding the justly celebrated georgia militia I 1 felt that I 1 must keep up tho dignity of my office by arraying myself not only in authority but in all the gorgeous habiliments of a high official in the georgia militia 1 I called to mind an old friend of my fathers captain hoholl who lived over in gwinnett county and who had recently resigned the command of his company ho possessed a gorgeous ani form with the most fetching epaulets that I 1 ever beheld and I 1 made up my mind that I 1 would apply to him fur the loan of his to wear at my first drill which was to occur on the following priday it was iu the beat of the summer after crops were laid by so I 1 mounted my gray pony and rode to the home of captain hoholl who extended to me an exceedingly warm reception cep tion lend you my coat and epaulets said he when I 1 told my mission of course I 1 will I 1 will do anything for tho son of general mills who is my warm personal friend sir I 1 am proud to say try on the coat and let us seo liow it fits aha it is tho very thing take it with my compliments sir epaulets and all end may you wear it with the same distinguished honor with which your esteemed father has won the uniform of a major general of the georgia militia sir hero is my sash also sir and ho handed mo a silken sash as long as a fence rail with a gold fringe on it like an old fashioned window curtain after bidding him an affectionate adieu I 1 mounted the gray pony and started back home hold ou there shouted captain howell after I 1 had ridden n few paces here is something else that you will need captain mills and he overtook mo and banded me a copy of scotts tactics I 1 present you with this sir as the authority in the land it has been carefully compiled by general winfield scott after the most approved methods and usages of the greatest commanders of alio ago sir it is above and beyond all statutory law and is second and subservient only to tho constitution of tho united states sir only follow its instructions and carry out its regulations and your future is assured captain mills with the uniform and sash carefully packed in my saddlebags and that copy of scotts tactics in my left hand I 1 rode off down the winding road in the direction of lost mountain where the citizen soldiers of my command wore pursuing their peaceful avocations A casual inspection of the cover of the book me a military officer in full regimentals and as I 1 opened it and began reading my heart swelled and my bosom glowed with military enthusiasm and patriotic ardor about 3 in the afternoon I 1 arrived in the heart of the forest around lobac mountain and it occurred to me that as I 1 had never drilled of soldiers I 1 ought to engage in some preliminary action and not make a display of my igno ianco to ho men whom I 1 expected some day to load to glory so I 1 turned aside into the forest and after riding for or yards through the densest woods I 1 ever saw I 1 dismounted at ho root of a fallen tree and tied my pony divesting myself of my coat I 1 put on tho em blazoned and garment presented to me by captain how oll and invested myself with the glowing sash and its tinseled tin soled cassels tassels floating in the wind taking position celoso to the fallen tree where I 1 thought it would be utterly impossible for any one to come upon me without my discovering his approach I 1 assumed n haughty and commanding posture and with a copy of scotts tactics opened in my band I 1 bead drilling tho imaginary squadron carry I 1 called iu agento rian tones order ahmel right shoulder ahmel admal recover ahmel having gone through with this part of the evolution to my entire bioti I 1 began on that portion of the manual which referred to loading and firms tho old lint louk muskets then in use by the georgia militia draw rammer I 1 bite off cartridge I 1 charge cartridge recover open baul prime panl make ready I 1 take aim 1 cease firing I 1 carry arms I 1 well done comrades said I 1 in n congratulatory voice to my imaginary yon do remarkably well for men who have peon BO little bertico Bery ico then bracing myself against tho log I 1 called out attention company I 1 by the right wheel F forward 1 march 1 thou I 1 began to imitate the tramp of soldiers hop hop hep closer order there men closer order I 1 close up the rear rank 1 steady men steady t halt comrades I 1 said I 1 taking a step forward yoo must learn to keep step keep your eyes front and follow your guides and hold your busketa in position this will prevent so much bonfa faion forward march I 1 hep hep hep hep haiti break ranks 1 comrades cried I 1 in a boico trembling with enthusiasm it affords me pleasure to compliment yon upon your proficiency and the care and attention which you have given to these tactics which are taken from tho methods and usages of the greatest commanders of the age I 1 feol that I 1 can rely upon each and every one of yon to do his full duty toward his commander and his country when occasion offers I 1 feel from your gallant and soldierly bearing and exemplary conduct today that your bosoms are inspired with eliat patriotic devotion to home and country which are the mainspring of every soldierly virtue in the flash of your ayea anatlie beanum of your manly forms I 1 behold that pride of patriotism which should animate our count rys defenders and I 1 know that should any foe invade our country and attempt any usurpation of our liberties you would spring to arms and march in the defense of your country and your fi resides to death or glorious victory captain mills said I 1 imitating abo supposititious voice of my firby lion tenant we have listened with the profoundest foun dest pleasure to your words of kindly commendation which wo we shall merit in our future conduct wo hope to do full justice to all your expectations and in the days to come instead of cap am mills wo chopo to hail you as major general mills commanding the georgia militia lieutenant aid I 1 in a trembling voice as if too much overcome for utterance and drawing my bandanna handkerchief from my hat 1 I cannot express alio feelings of deep gratification your words have inspired in my heart I 1 only hope that our relations muy be always as pleasant as they have been u this occasion 0 our first met ting as cou maeder and faithful followers it is now with feelings of the debost interest in your future welfare that I 1 bid yon goodby captain mills said I 1 again imitating the lieutenant wo all join in le turing to yon our most hearty good wishes comrades three cheers and a tiger for captain mills of abo lost mountain volunteers hip hip hoo ra when the echoes of that cheer bad died away I 1 pulled off my military coat and sash carefully wrapped them tip and placed them in my saddlebags along with a copy of scotts tactics and donning my everyday overcoat I 1 started to mount my horse I 1 had one foot in the stirrup when I 1 heard a little rustling in the foliage of the fallen tree turning around I 1 stood face to fare with the tallest mountaineer that I 1 ever laid eyes upon ho rose slowly out of he crotch of the tree and it seemed to me that ho grew taller and taller as he straightened himself he was red whiskered red faced and cross eyed and his flaming hair toll in wild profusion from under his coonskin coons kiu cap in his band ho held one of the old fashioned squirrel puncher rifles that glistened in the sun as he fixed me with his stern and baleful gaze well said ho catching a deep breath ive seen fools ive read of fools ive hoard of fools but of all tho gol darned fools that ever I 1 saw you aro the gol darned infernal est by that tima I 1 had recovered my composure to agomo extent and reaching in my pocket I 1 pulled out a 3 gold piece the only money I 1 had look hero my friend I 1 dont suppose that you feel any particular interest in tolling about this thing you just take this and say no more about it well paid ho sighing regretfully as I 1 am bot iu the fol killing business I 1 reckon ill take you up but I 1 feel that I 1 am missing a mighty fine opportunity 1 I mounted my borso and rode off and that cross eed kept bis word but never in all my enco have ahad such a clo sa shave as I 1 did on the occasion of my fint drill chicago record do you ever go to chuich aided a city missionary of a woman who had applied to him for assistance no I 1 dont was alio reply the fact is I 1 aint fit things to conr my bus banda been out 0 work 0 o long ive run out 0 things and me and my husband have such views id have to go alone if I 1 beut at all what are your views well im a methodist and my bus band hoa one 0 these liero knights 0 pythias youths companion |