Forum Host- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
- Location
- Mt. Jackson, Va
Since the end of the war, 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 employees into squads according to their respective ranks held by them in the army. The farmer 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?"
" Thems is privates, sir, of Lee's army. Very fine, first rate workers."
" Who are those in the second group?"
" Thems is lieutenants and captains, and they work fairly well, but not as good workers as the privates."
" I see you have a third squad: who are they?"
" Thems 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 in the southern army; but I ain't a-goin to hire no generals."
General John B. Gordon
" Who are those men working over there?"
" Thems is privates, sir, of Lee's army. Very fine, first rate workers."
" Who are those in the second group?"
" Thems is lieutenants and captains, and they work fairly well, but not as good workers as the privates."
" I see you have a third squad: who are they?"
" Thems 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 in the southern army; but I ain't a-goin to hire no generals."
General John B. Gordon
Bringing the