From The Regimental Flag: Taking a Bee Tree

part of a series from the regimental newspaper of the 2nd Delaware Infantry

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From The Regimental Flag (Vol. 7), March 6, 1862, pg. 4
Written for the Regimental Flag

Taking a Bee Tree.

I was once passing along a certain road the exact locality of which I resume it is unnecessary to mention, when I saw collected together, about a dozen men; having about as much curiosity as is generally allotted to a member of the human family, I of course halted and inquired into the nature of their deliberations. I was informed that they were about taking a bee tree, and I was invited to assist in the operation. Now I have a most decided antipathy to honey, and invariably put as much of it out of sight as I can, whenever an opportunity offers, and therefore accepted the invitation.

Among the number were the discovered of the prize and the owner of the tree, the arrangement was that we were all to eat as much as we wanted, and then the remainder was to be divided between the owner of the tree, and the fortunate discovered.

Two or three tubs, two axes, and some old muslin saturated with sulphur, had been provided.

It will be necessary to state that the bees had been seen the year previous, the discovered had even purchased a spyglass that he might be perfectly certain the bees were there, and on the day we had collected there, he could see the bees plainly, and several others said they could see them. I could not see a solitary bee, but the tree was a large one, and the limb in which the bees were was high, so I concluded that my eyesight could not be as good as theirs.

Well after considerable labor, (for no one cared to work hard,) the tree was cut down, and then the search commenced, the hollow limb was found, and soon the axe had opened a passage to the coveted honey, the axe man called out that he had found it, for the comb was there in full view, but alas when the comb was inspected, it was found to be old, and guiltless of honey, we were sold, the bees had been there, and a few were still there, but they were dead, and we were disappointed, with saddened hearts, and forlorn faces, we returned to our homes, there to brood over our disappointment, and lay plans for another days sport, which might prove more successful.

CORPORAL