The Bard of Richmond

He had organized a glee club of the musical talent in his company and our friends brought them over one evening to serenade the household at Belair. Gen. Humphries brigade band also gave him and us a serenade. Everyone heard and enjoyed the serenade this time, especially Professor Crouch's famous song "Cathleen Mavoorneen" sung as a solo by the author himself in rich Irish brogue -- a treat never to be forgotten. The old gentleman survived the war and was for some time employed by the Knabe piano factory in Baltimore, I heard. Later on, when more aged and helpless, it is gratifying to understand that some wealthy Northern admirer of his beautiful composition "Cathleen Mavoorneen" insisted on adopting its old "rebel" author as a protoge and friend and keeping Professor Crouch supplied with every comfort till his death. A high tribute to them both!

Another incident in one of these companies while camped near us, we heard, was a mock duel with pistols (loaded with powder only) to be followed with swords a l'outrance. One of the principals (in the secret) feigned a death struggle at the first fire, and the other ran forward and begged forgiveness. When he discovered the trick played on him, he re-challenged his adversary to sit with him on a keg of powder that he would touch off with a match. Officers interfered and the matter was settled in some way, possibly by one of them getting killed in action afterwards -- a way several quarrels we heard of were ended that had been put by for settlement after the war.