The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-02-26
A Pleasant rorxsinv rxuedit,ou.

To THE EDITOR: After 90 years my memory
goes back to the stirring times of 1864. De-
cember of that year, our division-Third
Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac
was ordered to pack up and get ready to move.
Six days rations and an extra supply OF am
munition were drawn. All sick and afflicted
were ordered to the rear, as il was intimated we
were TO have some quick marching: no supply
or even ambulance trains being allowed to go.
The Fifth Corps accompanied us. all being un-
der the immediate command of Maj. Gen. e..
*. Warren. A Drawer or more gallant officer
never led troops in this or any other country.
We left the front lines at Petersburg and pro-
ceeded south by way of the old Jerusalem plank
road. Before evening We reached the NOtaway
River and crossed on pontoon bridges, and went
into camp Oh the south side Of the river. The
next morning we resumed our march, passing
Sussex Courthouse and struck the Weldon
Railroad at place called Jarrats Station, and
commenced the destruction of the road. That
night VIC camped near the railroad, tired, smoke
begrimed, and hungry. Our ratons running
low, myself and chum of mine asked
permission to forage little, which was given
us. 1t was a beautiful moonlight night, and
we shaped our course due west through growth
of dark pines After picking our way through
the woods we came out on a fine plantation. AS
we drew near we stopped to reconnoiter little,
and We could plainly hear what was music to a
ing of pigs. We started to have a look at them,
and guess we would have tried to carry one
off if we hadn't suddenly come in sight of some
sheep and concluded that mutton was better
than pork After some hard running we at
length succeeded in capturing fine fat fellow.
My comrade producing an old jack-knife, l
made the wool fly for few minutes. We then
strapped his legs with our belts, slung him
ON fencerail and started for camp. After
going for some distance my chum suggested that
we go back to the house and get some potatoes
to 60 with our mutton, which was agreed to by
me. So we hid our sheep and went back. We
moved cautiously, for We didn't know what
kind of a reception we would get. As we neared
the house we saw lady standing i'll the door
way looking at the burning railroad and forest,
which also had taken fire, and made grand
sight, but which must have struck terror to her
very soul, it being her first experience in the
cruel ravages of war. We approached her and
babe her good evening, aud quickly made known
our errand. We told her we were short of
rations and would like some potatoes and bacon.
/ shall never forget her noble answer. She said
although we were enemies i cannot refuse you
something to eat" We assured her she would be
protected, and she invited US in the house, and
we went in very nice sitting room. We could
see by the dull fire in the fireplace there were
several persons present and To enable US to get a
better look, my chum pulled piece of candle
out of his pocket and lighted it from the fire. We
then took survey of the inmates. The family 8
name was Bailey-so she told us-and in the
room sat an old lady, apparently SO years of
age, and Mrs. Bailey Whom we metat the door,
and a young lady (who said her name was Sue
Smith, governess), and fine little boy of
about five years (who had on a little gray uni
form and two little girls. We had been in the
room about 20 minutes, talking very socially,
when some fellows from q New York regiment
came laundering at the door, which frightened
the ladies very much. We told them to be
quiet and we would try and send them away.
We went to the door and told the boys that we
were put there as guards, and ordered them
away. l guess they went for we did not hear
from them any more. Mrs. Bailey was very
thankful to us, and showed her gratitude by
sending cOlored man with us to the smoke
house, and we cut down all the bacon we wanted,
filled our haversacks with sweet potatoes and
one canteen full of strip. Mrs Bailey begged
us to stay all the rest of the night for protec-
ton, but, as we were obliged to get into camp
to give the boys some supper, we very reluct-
antly declined. SO we babe them all good
night and started. We found our sheep all
right, and brought very fair load into camp.
Before starting out we told our company cock
to have Il good fire made. And seeing our regi-
mental colors and good fire. we also saw some
men sitting around it, and supposed, of course.
IL was our boys MY cnum hau hold OF the
front end of the rail- ard '.e halloed out, Here
is some mutton for you, boys When they
looked around, it proved to be the old Colonel
himself We stopped, as the Johnnies used to
say, right quick" y; but he called out, bring
it along, boys-I don't care if we do have
some" And we didn't forget him when we
dressed our sheep.
After burning and destroying the railroad,
until warned by Lees cannon that we could go
no further, we retraced our steps to our own
lines, having in six days marched over 125
miles, torn mp about 90 or 25 miles of railroad,
burnt several bridges, with but the loss of a few
men, who were mostly stragglers. On our way
back we found the bodies of IL of our men who
had been killed by the farmers or bushwhack-
ers. They were cut and slashed in the most
inhuman manner. To retaiate, we were or
dered to burn every house on the march, which
was done. If ever any of Mrs Bailey's family
or herself happen to see and read these lines
they will think of the friendly visit of the two
Union soldiers on that December night.
Whether she missed her sheep or not, i cannot
say; but if / knew where she any of her
family is now, l would gladly pay for it, as
she was as true-hcarted d lady as | ever met in
Dixie.-CHARLEs EMERSON, Serg't, Co. Ii, 9TH
Me. II. A., Indian River, Me.