The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-11-06
FUN IN CAMP.
Life at Chattanooga During the Siege


To TIE EDITOR: In the Fall of 1864, not
long after the battle of Chickamauga, our
regiment (the I'd MIMI was camped on a
small rise of ground near the four large
hospitals that were built by the Confed-
eracy and afterward occupied by our army.
The rebels had piece of artillery planted on
Lookout Mountain, which they had named the
Lady Davis, and they made it lively for us
with her good many times. If there were q
group of men collected, the Lady Davis would
be pretty sure to pay her compliments to them
by way of 4 solid shot or she'll. AS a number
of the comrades of my company were playing
marblcs,-as means Of amusement were meager
at that time, quite number of the boys gath
cred around and became interested in the game,
when a souvenir in the shape of solid shot
came from the mountain without any warming
1t passed just above our heads and made a fly
ing visit 10 small campfire just back of us,
where German of our company was making q
cup of coffee of two days rations, which con-
sisted Of about two tablespoonful, and all he
would get until the next issue. The ball struck
in the fire under the coffee-kettle. That coffee
kettle shot up in the air like sky-rocket,
and the little campfire was no more But there
stood the German covered with dirt and ashes,
and so mad that he did not know what his
name was He soon recovered and swCre in
three different languages at the same time
He was angry enough to go upon old Lookout
Mountain and throw that gun into the Ten
nessee River. But, as time is a great soothcr,
he got over his passion and laughed with the
rest of us, and was thankful that no greater
damage was done. The kettle came down with
yet the smell of coffee lingering about its
precious sides.
AS our communications between Nashville
and Chattanooga at that time were often inter-
rupted, our ratioEs were very small and soap
was a luxury almost unknown, when gen.
eral inspection was ordered, how to present
clean faces and hands without soap was prob
lem that was hard to solve At 10 o'clock on
one morning of inspection the boys fell into
line with guns and equipments in splendid con-
dition, but cannot say rs much of our clothes
and faces. Comrade Claude Pritchard must
have lovingly caressed the canp-kettle before
falling in; for one side of his face was as black
as possible, while the other side was compare
lively clean. AS the order was given Right
drcss!" Scrg't Bending said "What niger is
that in our company" And as he presented
the black side of his face to the front the Cap
tain said: Pritchard, 60 and wash your face"
Pritchard disappears with alacrity into his
tent. In very short space of time his head
reappears from his tent with his face as black
as ever, and very distinctly says: Captain,
have you got any soap?" The Inspecting
Officer took one look and laughed aloud. The
laugh was contagious, and we were soon all in
roar. The Captain said: "Serg't Bending,
take that man to the guard-h0use!" and this
ended the fun for that day. Pritchard was a
faithful soldier, and I hope he fares now better
than he did theD.-B. S. BACHELOR Co. /, I'd
Mimi, Winona, MINI.