Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-06-21
CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES
OF THE
18th TENNESSEE REGIMENT.
BY T. A. HEAD.

lSSpOllSlDlC uuly VI blluSAlS up luS
rear. On the evening of the 18th the
Brigade arrived at Big Spring. On
the 18th -four and bacon were issued
to the men, and they enjoyed the
luxury of cooking and eating in a
more civilized manner. The Bri-
gade remained at Big Spring during
the 10Th and Goth of September, and
the men, resting from their severe
campaign, enjoyed themselves as best
they could. Some of the boys of the
10th went out foraging, and returned
with chickens, vegetables, and other
luxuries, purchased from the natives
after much persuading, and paying
fabulous prices in Confederate money.
One peculiar luxury at this point and
date was the blackberry. 1t was now
the Goth day of September, and these
berries were just beginning to ripen
in the old fields and fence corners
about Big Spring, on this portion of
the mountains Of Northwestern Vir-
ginia. The briers were thick and
prolific, and the boys interviewed
them literally with their camp ket-
ties, bringing in large quantities of
fresh berries, which we're made into
dumplings and COOLERS. Though des-
titute of much of the high favoring
and fancy qualities of more expert
enced cookery, they were highly
agreeable to the palate, and were en-
joyed by the men who had before
this learned by repeated experience
that a good appetite is not a severe
critic on cookery.
On the odd of September the 18th
regiment, together with its brigade,
left Big Spring and marched to Elk
Mountain, seventeen miles distant.
The weather was very cold, and
many of the men had worn out their
shoes and were barefoot. The regi-
ment encamped at the foot of Elk
Mountain, and on the morning Of the
23d shoes were given to the most DIES
titute and the column moved to
Greenbrier Bridge. The morning
was cold, and a large frost was on the
ground. Remaining all day and all
night at Greenbrier Bridge, the
march was resumed on the evening
of the 25th. The command had re-
ceived orders to proceed to SeWel
Mountain to the relief of Gems. Wise
and Floyd, who were being pressed
by Rosecrans, and were forced to fall
back on Meadow Bluff. The regi.
ment marched thirteen miles, and or
the morning of the Goth resumed its
march through a thrifty and prosper
Gus country, and made seventeen
miles, arriving in the evening in 6
woods pasture where they campec
for the night. A cold rain set il
about night, and continued the great
er part Of the night. The regimen
was without tents or shelter of any
kind, and many of the men gropet
their way in darkness to the barns
and outhouses of the neighborhOod
and sheltered till morning. In thu
morning it was very cold and still
raining. Spirits were issued to thu
companies, and the march was re
sumed about seven O'Clock. Th'
rain continued all day, and afte
passing through Frankfort and Lew
isburg, the regiment arrived at it
camping place late in the evening o
the 9th. Col. Savage marched hi
regiment into a lot where there was
large barn with long sheds on it
SlueS dIlu GIlu' IllS OMIlCI VI Ill
premises told Col. Savage to put hi
men under the shelters and to use hi
rails to make fires by which to DIR.
themselves. The men were marched
under the sheds, where, drenched
cold, and weary, they deposited thei
luggage and built fires along in front
Here they dried themselves ant
cooked their suppers. After suppe
they laid down and enjoyed the com
forts of good shelter by good fires
On the morning Of September 2Stl
they drew and cooked days ration
and marched to Meadow Bluff in tn
evening. On the evening of the 29tl
the regiment arrived at Sewell Noun
tain, within plain sight and hearing
Of the enemy.
Gen. Lee drew up his forces OF
Little Sewell, while Rosecrans wit
his army, and the army of Gen. Cox
were encamped on Big Sewell, wit
Just a valley between them. TIL
Charleston road ran through the en-
campment of each army, and the tw
OnDOSinp commanders, with their re