Rubber Cannon Balls
Springfield Tennessee
As war reminiscenses are all the rage at the present, The Recorder is going to reminesce. A few years ago a jour, printer by the name of Brock, from Columbus, Georgia., worked in this office for several weeks. He was a great talker; was a walking encyclopedia. He told us of a Federal Brigade that had taken quarters at Brooks Station, in this State, encamping in the forest. The Rebs. under the leadership of A. Steinhelmer, learning of their whereabouts concluded to give them a tist. Enroute, the came to a point there had been a monster passenger train wreck, the debris of which was scattered in all directions. The detail, consisting of artillery, cavalry and infantry, halted at the wreck to see if something that could be made useful to the C.S.A. might not be found. Among the others things picked up, the artillery detail, consisted of six pieces, precurred one or two bushels of rubber springs, used on the axels of all coaches, and put them in their cassions. Wearily they trudged alone until the early afternoon of the next day they bore in sight. They soon put their pieces in placed and opened up on the yanks. The dueling was kept up for several hours, with no perceivable rout of encamped Federals. At last it was made known that all the shells and shot of the Confederate Artillery were exhausted. They were puzzled as to what should be done. Finally one of the artillery men suggested that they shoudl give them one round of rubber springs. Quickly the command was put into execution. Into each piece two springs were placed. At the command twelve springs went into the air. It is said that nothing on earth was every before comparable to it. These springs didn't just strike and drop down but they leaped, bounced, bounded, killing a man here, another there, tearing down tents, batter-whanging around for at least fifteen minutes, leaving but a few men and horses to get away; if perchance the Confederates had gven them a chance.