The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1882-05-25

company H was little fellow, slim and pale,
not over sixteen years Old who was known as
''Sis.' On this occasion he was in the midst of
the crowd endeavoring to make his way to the
syrup. The stronger men crowdng against him
soon raised him from his feet, and in the scram-
bic he found himself upon their shoulders The
next moment he was thrown iIGadOng into the
half filled cask of syrup. He was quickly tished
out, and concluded that he needed no more
syrup on that day. Thus the whole route from
Five Forks to AppomattoX was filled with in
cidents never to be forgotten. On the Sth of
April we had a tedious march of thirty-five
miles. The sun sank from view but there We're
no indications of halting Our regiment chane-
ed that day to be marching in the rear of our
whole division, position which all soldiers will
remember is the hardest in the whole line.
Just at dark we entered a forest through which
Was single road, narrow and crooked. This
road was filled with artillery, cavalry, infantry.
baggage wagons-all pushing for the front. The
night was dark, and in this blockade our regi
ment became separated from the division and
was left far in the rear. At ten o'clock the
situation had become much worse. 1t was
every one for himself. The artillery each gun
and caisson being drawn by six horses, crashed
and thundered along the narrow road and by
the right of superior strength claimed the fright
of way" We marched on us best we could,
tired. hungry and mad. If the artillery horses
came too near, we would hammer them over
enrage their riders, and in the midst of all the
.
oaths and threats. We We're descending hill
when a gun came crashing down upon us Ii
was almost case of life or death. one of our
boys brought The heavy stock of his rifle down
upon the head Of one Of the leading horses and
the animal staggered and fell. The Sergeant
who had command of the run rode up to Lieut.
Bickford commanding our company, and order
ed the mans arrest. BicLford chanccd to have
rifle in his hands that he was carrying for one
of his men, and with half muttcrcd ,.Nclalna-
tion he dealt the Srrgem4t's horse such a blow
that horse aud rider Went down together
and we rushed on our way. That was q
memorable night. Attwo o'clock in ihr morn
ing We overlook the division They had been
resting for two hour, and Were Just falling
twenty minutes and then pushed on Many fell
out, and at daylight there could not have been
over seventy-liyr men in our regiment just
a. the sun rising sheridan sent back word
that if we would rush on, Lee would be cap
tured ON thai day. We forrot the long nights
march, and pressed ON with great rapidjty. No
tirr was also given hat at nine o'clock we would
draw rationS. 1t i needless for me to say that
after that notice was given | had NO thought of
falling out. 1t was beautiful spring morning
The air wa, soft and haImy. The sun shour
from cloudIes> sky and rs he climbed in the
eastern horizon lie saw the two great armies in
close proximity to each other. Lee standing at
bay with the broken fragments of gallant
army Grant throwing the blue lines like cords
Of death around him. Nine o'clock came. but
the rations we drew were not rations of food.
AN OLD PRIN ATE.