Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-26

dtion ef the roads In these mountsins. The Ike Of
them, presume, has never been seen. Between
the two Sewels they are impossible to any single
team. 1t requires six horses TO move two horse
load, and even thenit is ssow and tedious business
Ii Is almost impossible f0z horse to movc cut Of
walk from Gen. Floyd's to Gen Lees camp, and
before we could take up cur march on yesterday,
we had to cut new rCad nearly four miles long !!
It was impossible TO move over the cd ROAD, and.
even now, we haye to keep large forces in front re-
pairing the road to make is passabe.
Did You ever, see an army in motion. II is
most interesting and imposing sight, though the
most tedious mode of travelling in the world a
regiment noyes OF In double lie. lei ~ its Colonel
and is followed by long train Of numbering wagons
Then Games another regiment, followed by It's bag
gage train; then comes park Of artillery, then
another regiment and its tram anC OF, alternate
ly, moves the line for miles out Of your sight. If
single wagon stalls TIE whole rear train ms to stop
until the vehicle Is dragged out Of the mud for in
many places the ro1d IS 20 narrow the. not even n
horse, and sometimes not foOten can pass single
wagon. The consequence ID we move about ten
miles day. and when night comes both mel and
hoTses are well broken down with the excessive
labors Of the day. We then have our horses 70 feed
our beevss to butcher, Cur tents 70 piych and our
suPper5 IN cook, when refreshing sleep closes in
upon our labor5. But when the roalI GEd the
weather good we make Is OF - niles day
with less fatigue and trouble.
/ have been curiOust0 note how soon volunteer
service accustOms men 70 al the hsTlsaips and in
cOnvenienees of life. a thousand incilents which
would cause men to curse themselves OF: Of their
boots at home, are endured in ire army with the
greatest patience, and sometimes become the sour
ces Of his greatest amusements. We soon learn to
laugh ct our own troubles, and 70 sUrmount diff
cultes, incur dangers, and endure hardships from
which we would invOluntariy shrink at bona
War, therefore, as well adversely hsth its uses,
ana is TO nation what the latter IS Individual
When peace returns, we will be more hardy, self
reliant. moral and religious people.
| had intsnded to sketch several interesting snd
heroic incidents connected with the battle Of the
Gauley, but have deferred it long, that shall
omit it altogether now. But there Is enc incident
which will venture, at this late day, 10 res
cord. When Gen. Floyd had crossed ths river in
his retreat he discovered that, by the oversight OF
his servant, his fine sword which lie seldom wore
had been left at his late headquarters. To set i.
was q question Of intense importance 70 him ard
his friends, for I verify believe be would 90 soon
lose bis life his sword should have fallen INFO the
hands of the despised foe. Day had jIst dawDed-
our troops were all across the river-I: YES a
full mile and a half TO our deserted breastw0Tks
and to return to them was certainly q NEST periious
The Rev J. J. McYamon Of Smythe county, chap
lain in the 45th regiment, hlpPeaei to be the only
person by the General at the moment the loss was
discovered, and without a m9msat'5 hesitation he
hero!caly volunteered to return for the left prize
lie t-udsed tue whole distance On foot. passed
through our encampmaut 10 the point where the
Generals headG uartars had been, directly at the
breastwOrks and in full view Of the enemy's posi-
ton, obtained the sword, and returned with Il to
the river, just as the bridge was thrown down AMI
the last boat cut one had been destroyed! Such
an act of dsinterestsd courage Is -ellJl perform
ell. and never by one who is not brave man AID
true friend
We have been deeply pinned to learn 70 day Of
the death Of Mr.. J. A. TOtten, volunteer from LO
gan county, who, for long time, has been acting
st our headquarters as CLERK, Provost Marshal. and
Postmaster. he was much esteemed by al Of rs
for his business habits and private virtues. He hsd
just been promoted to a Quartermastcr's place.
when ne was stricken down by that terrible
scourge of the soldier-typhoId fever. He was a
good Christian, but leaves a large and dependent
family to mourn his loss.
Lieut.. Arlington. of Concord. ia quite sick. ard
has been removed to L0wis5urg. 4 god many Of
his companions are also sick, and one Of them,
whose name have forgotten, has died. Captain
Rector himself has been quite sick, anl Is not yet
fit for duty.