The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-12-22
FRIDAY. DECEMBER %. 1865 "a D l...aaan qa.5

IN immediate charge of US as guards. We
knew not what course they intended to pur-
sue In regard to our disposition. The conn.
try was mot held particularly by either side
at that time, and we expected to start on the
march to Richmond every moment, and were
surprised at the delay. ts' Hr .
It. was about ten o'clock that we heard in
cessant firing to the North of the place of our
imprisonment. The guards became restless,
and finally went 70 one side and consulted
Some ofour boys seemed 20 apprehend mis-
chief--fearing they would be- slaughtered to
prevcn. being rc-captured but told them
they ded rot fear any such resultant we
would soon be relieved by our friends, and
for them tQmaintain their fortitude and cour-
4 xdssAefs) )khcurs longer, and time would
unfold A new STATE, Of sHaifs '''--- -
4 It was not more than an hour after,the In
cident occurred above related when the guards
took up their arms and left US to nur fate ! g
Weimmedl stely consulted among ourselves
to learn what would be the best course to pur-
sue, and all resolved to strike out, in all pos
sible haste, for the nearest Federalc amp Be-
ing entirely unarmed, we were compelled to
take the forest paths as our safest route, and
thus avoid being re-captured by the prowl-
ing bands of rebels, who were ever on the
alert. Our wonderful deliverancc from long
and tiresome march to the Confederate Capt.
tol, and terrible prospect oflong imprison-
meut, produced the most happy effect upon us
all-re-invigorating and terminating each
to such degree that not a word of complaint
escaped the lips of n single member of our
little band, and we made excellent headway
in our march.
Fortunately, nothing serious befel us on our
route, and we succeeded In reaching our COM
mand In four days from the time of our rebel
lease and felt extremely grateful to our r"b.
guards for the part they had taken in our de-
liverance.
When we reached camp, We found the East
Tennessee boys in great distress. They were
setting about in little squads, looking very
gloomy indeed. We, of course, felt a great
desire to know the cause of this state Of al
fairs, when we were informed that the East
Tennesseeans were not TO be recognized or
countenanced Old men, Ms we'll as young,
were seen with tears streaming down their
care-worn faces, and the sad, sad eYclama-
ton could be heard from their quivering lips
my .famiiyin East Tennessee ia 'tarring' and
we are here treated as enemies, while we
have sacrificed every thing Tor our country's
oaase.~.t .s -ss-ss--i.4 -=
On the following evening tho East Tenhes-
see soldiers ssembedtcgether and stacking
their arms on tho banks of the Ohio river,
passed rsolutions to the effect that they would
fight no more, unless they were regarded by
those in authority with more respect and at.
tention. Our uniforms were In tatteri, and
we undoubtedly presented most hum.la-
ting aspect
The next day superabundance Of quar-
master stores were furnished US, and in the
evening orders were received to prepare ra-
tions for five DAYS march. On the follow
lowing morning we were ordered aboard
steamer, and proceeded to Cincinnati where
our sick were disposed Of, after which we
proceeded down the river to Nashville, Ten
nessee,
When we landed on Tennessee soil, our
East Tennessee boys were scarcely able to
contain themselves--they were Informed that
they would soon have IN opportunity to en-
ter the contest which was to determine wheth-
er the Union or the Rebel forces were to hold
and occupy the land of their nativity. All
seemed eager for the fray.
Our stay in Nashville was prolonged only
forty-eight hours, when We were ordered to
the front, at Stone River, TO take part in the
great impending battle, .hen about to take
place. Our march from Nashville was attend
ed with much suffering, especially among tue
infantry--thc weather being intensely cold
and severe. But every soldier seemed to be
clated 5y the hope Of success-Nnd nm early
prospect Of reunion with their families and
friends from whom they had been separated
so long--oud although faint md exhausted,
they would rally their courage with renewed
efforts,
After reaching the main body OF our forces
stretching across the Murfrecsboro pike, we
were ordered TO prepare for meeting the eu.
emy. A general engagement was hourly eS-
pected, and all the paraphernolia necessary to
such m event--such as erecting hospital tents,
and In front Of which were to be seen long
lines OF ambulances, and wagons filed with
hospital stores &c, we're being pushed for
ward with the greatest alacrity. The enemy
were then strongly entrenched In the town Of
Mnffesboro', extending their lines az far as
Stone River. ..
On the 3lst OF December, 1862, The great
battle Of Stone River took place IN which the
Regiment TO which belonged took a promi.
nent part, Wo were thrown upon the ex-
treme right wing Of the army, and appeared
to be where the hardest OF the fighting took
place. Upon that day our regiment made
eleven charges, and carried our points seven
times. Al The close Of the hrst day's battle,