Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1862-11-18

NASHVILLE, Sept. II, 1852

In two wooden stocksdes at the railroad
crossing of Elk River, on the Northern
line of Alabama. There we were, living
Oh half ratious from the Government; but,
to sustain life, we foraged among the
neighboring peach orchards, and drew
large "incidental ratons" Of fresh pork
and poultry. This We did in true military
style, having learned that Congress infen-
ded TO pass law to subsis; our army,
partly, on Rebel resources The village
Of Prospect, near by, Consisting Of tso
new store houses, and three dwelling hou.
ses,) bad long since been deserted, and
slong its streets moaned plaintively Sum
mer evening signing breezes as they swept
through rank growth of weeds and this
ties. While exploring a musty drawer ia
one Of the stores, | found tho roll Of q
Company Of the native chisalry who were
off for the wars, together with several badly
written letters received from them after
their departure, telling the dear ones left
behind that, "5y my troth" no live Yan.
kee should ever set foot in Prospect. :,
Alas for such prospect! Those splan-
did drawers We used for our commis.srg
stores, and the walnut counters for dinner
fables, while Sergeant held und.pu,ed
sway over this treasure house Of tapestry
and velvet. Merchant marines or Ameri-
cans tars could not have Jared better than
We did at ths, place. But, on the morn
ing of Aug. o9ib, five railway trains came
mp from Huntsville, going to Nashville,
and We we're ordered to tear down and 20
along. We soon got aboard, bu. after
coming about FIVE miles the Colonel in
command called halt, and ordered US to
unload thousand bales of cotton. This
Va done in less than fre minutes, when
We again proceeded with all haste We
soon came to burning bridge, and learned |
here that three hundred guerrillas had
fred into the train ahead, and, after being
repulsed BY our troops, had fred bridge |
on each side Of the train. We we're now
three miles north Of Pulaski, to which
place the four trains in the rear returned
and rem,ined, while We built two bridge,
Of cotton bales. These We completed in
twenty -four hours. The cotton previously
unlcaded, together With thOusad compo-
fipS the bridges, was lost. While the
trains lay a. Pulaski, 1 had to gather up
some thirty men, and fix bayonetS at the
car doors, where our cooks and other con-
trabands were housed, in order to prevent
some bold slave owners from taking them.
The Kentucky cavalry are ever ready to
accept rewards offered for cOn;rabands.
Our journey to Nashville was rather
tOilsome, as our trains we're SO heavily la
den that the soldiers had to get Of and
push them up all steep grades, which COM
prised about oue.four,h of the way. We
were four days going one hundred miles,
pushing cars occasionally day aud night.
At length, We reached Nashville, where
large force is concentrating, aud fortfy-
ing the city at all points. We have cap
tured many spies prowliDg in our midst.
Sometimes our commanders are vigilant;
again, they seem very careless.
Communication with other corps Of the
army, is entirely prohibited. Many things
look dark and mysterious, and every thing
is kept from the soldiers. But one thing
] wish to knor, viz, are our leaders all
turning traitors? Bad reports are current
here respecting Gen. Buell.. 1t is said
that be has been detected exchanging dis
patches With Rebel Generals Also, that
be sgreed to surrender Nashville and other
important points, together with large bod
les Of troops, to the Rebels. Circumstan.
tial evidence is very much agsins, him,
and past army movements, under our pres
ent light, assume Suspicious appearance.
Our brigade once marched 800 miles, 10 a
eireuitousr route, and although three months
have since elapsed, Yet no reason can be
discovered for that wearsome tramp.
Again, is it alleged be was subsistiug his
army on half-rations almost three mouths.
and that the other half was sold, and
riyen to Rebels on the Tennessee River,
under plea Of charity to the poor Union
men. Alas for such misgiveu charity,
for too much Of these provisions went sC
feed women whose husbands were con.
eealed along the highways to murder Us
as is proved in the case of those who mur
dered Gen. MCook. l have heard my
beloved instructor chide that native tender
ness intersbaused between youth o. an age
when it is detrimental to full preparation
for the duties Of life. But where, even il
his comprehensive vocabulary, can he GnC
language to deDunciatc that criminal pas
zion, which burns with lurid fires in tn,
breasts of some Of our Generals, for traitor
hearted Southern beauties? Like deyour
iug fame, it withers every other emotion
Ambition suffocates in it's presence. GolC
is turned to sordid dust before it. Th,
sword arm Of the nations power is para