Trying to persuade Mr. Greeley to enlist.
One of the New York dailies, in 1861, got off the following very good story, of the efforts of some of the Duryea [457] Zouaves, to persuade the “philosopher” of the Tribune to enlist in their regiment.While walking up the Bowery, a few days ago, we noticed a small-sized crowd in front of the recruiting office of Duryea's Zouaves, between Hester and Grand streets. Upon coming up to the gathering, we discovered the well-known figure of Horace Greeley, surrounded by some half-dozen red-breeched and turbaned soldiers.
“ Come, Mr. Greeley!” exclaimed a strapping fellow, who stood six feet high and was proportionably broad across the chest and shoulders, “now's your time to enlist! We give one hundred and eighty-eight dollars bounty to day. Wont you go to the war with us?”
“Gentlemen!” answered the philosopher, “it's impossible. I am too old; besides, I am doing a great deal more service at home.”
“Then you wont go?” asked another Zouave.
“I cannot do it, my friend,” replied Horace.
“You aint afraid, are you? You don't know how well you'd look, until you saw yourself dressed up in Zouave uniform,” chimed in another.
“I have no doubt I should cut a pretty figure in your dress.”
“Especially if you wore a white coat,” interrupted a waggish bystander.
“But that is nothing, my friends. Dress neither makes men nor soldiers. Principle, good character, good habits, and resolution are every thing.”
“ Oh yes, that's all right-but that aint enlisting,” persisted the first speaker. “Uncle Sam wants soldiers, and talking or writing isn't the thing. There's lots of [458] men older than you in the ranks, and any quantity of editors, reporters, and printers. If a few men like you enlisted, our regiments would soon fill up.”
“That is true-but it is impossible for me to join you,” continued Horace.
“ You'd soon get a chance to wear the straps. Maybe you might sport a spread eagle,” put in another Zou-zou, persuasively.
“No, no; gentlemen. I must leave you; but,” turning around in a quiet manner and eyeing the crowd, which by this time was considerable, “perhaps some of these citizens I see gathered about you will volunteer. If any one will do so, I will give an extra bounty. Does any one wish to join?”
At this unexpected offer the crowd began to give way and scatter about, while several proposed three cheers for the white-coated philosopher. We did not hear whether Greeley secured any recruits by his extra bounty; but he soon after moved off, followed by the Zou-zous, who laughed quite heartily at the attempt made to entrap Horace into the Union army.
