Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-02-20
For the Public Ledger.l
g A p IT u TX H
THE UNDERWATER
By GEORGE W. GIFT.

The wreck of the Underwater was in
sight, the boiler and wheels appearing
above water. A hundred yards from the
wreck lay vessel nearly exactly like
our prize had been before we molested
her. / examined her carefully and at
various times during the day TO see if
there were many men on board, but saw
only now and then one. This was sus-
picious. Care was being taken to con-
ceal the crew A trap was set for us, but
we did not go into it.
Colonel Bearings brigade consisted of
one thousand men-six hdndred vete-
rams of the Army of Northern Virginia
and four hundred semi-conscripts of a
local regiment doing duty in that part Of
North Carolina. The latter were strung
out around the fort nearest the enemy,
and as it was the first time they had been
called to occupy a position SO perilous,
m sy very naturally got nervous, and du-
rims the day their Colonel sent many
messap, ,,s and pressing reports to the brig
ade comma ,pder. Dearing had heard it
thunder in earnest too many timesto get
excited about affairs as insignificant as
was that in our neigEborhood. Finally,
however, late in the afternoon. o report
came that the enemy was sallylng out OF
his stronghold in force, evidently bent on
mischief, and dropping shot here and
there seemed to confirm the report.
We were lying under pine.tree spin.
ming yarns when the courier delivered
himself. Dearing turned over, got his
glass and took look in the direction oil
the fort, and his eye caught sight of the
blue column pouring out. Here was
reality, a veritable chance for
business; no mere conscript rumors.
The very horses seemed to prick up
their ears and feel that something was
about to be done. Commander and
staff were mounted in jiffy, for the
horses were standing ready saddled and
bridled and an officer rode to an old
open field near by to bring the troops.
| had passed by and through the place
where the regiments lay several times
during the day, and being curious to see
them get ready to go in" | trotted on
afoot, and was there at the drum beat
The boys" had stacked their arms in
line, and were lying in all sorts of posi-
tions, playing, romping and amusing
themselves; but none seemed to be very
far from their guns. The officers were
reclining in groups also. AT the first
sound Of the drum, Linden saw an
other sight The field was all anima-
ton; the men threw on their cartridge
boxes, seized their arms, and before you
could count ten were forming. Break
ing into column of fours they were
marching 10 meet the foe in less time
than have been writing about it.
Ny war business had not been Of that
nature. and therefore the thing was
wholly and entirely new, and followed
along after the fine fellows exactly as
YOU see the boys keep up with process
sions and holiday sojers on muster
days. Some of these troops had jackets
and some had none, some had caps and
some had hats, all had shoes. Blan-
kets-not more than one to the man
they left where they had started from
last. q
AS a show, taking the pictures of
troops in great battles as standard,
these chaps were anything but a success;
but if you observe the quick elasticity
with which they moved, how willingly
and orderly they went, and that every
man seemed to understand thoroughly
the thing he was engaged in and was
not at all backward or afraid, then you
began to see something to admire other
than clothes and feathers.
| was alongside as fine q lot of sun
burned, halfclad veterans as ever the
sun shone on. With OF without clothes or
or rations they could give and take as
much punishment as any other crew
alive, which is the true standard Of the
soldier
In that kind of thing was not vet
eran, as 1 said before, and being green,
observed closely everything that was
done.
The little army and its solitary and
follower moved rapidly to get
to a certain piece Of woods from which
the enemy could be fought with better
than elsewhere. To gain this position
we had to move slightly past the enemy,
so that to observe him it became neces-
sary for the men 10 throw their eyes
slightly to the right. halted on that
side and saw what DR.. Russell described
in bis Crimean letters as the light Of
battle in the mems eyes as they passed
by. Seeing themselves about to be re-
the "tar-heels gave a yell
and made a push, and the enemy
hunted bis burrow and / did not see
fight. The column was put about and
marched back 10 the old held, and in