Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-01-22
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A Foraging Expedition-An Exciting En-
counter and Race.

Written for the NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
It was in June '62, Sherman's division
TIA toned along the Charleston and
Memphis railroad, with head quarters at
Our brigads-Gsn. Buck
lands, was at Moscow. Confederate
forces were on both sides of US, Forest
on the south with headquarters at Holly
Springs, and Chalmers north, with his
headq larters at Somerville, Both arm
les were comparatively quiet. We were
busy rebuilding bridges and tTsstle work
destroyed by the "Confeds" on their evac-
uation of Corinth. Miss, in May. One
morning the wagon master came to my
quarter and asked me if I would like a
ride in the country on foraging expe-
dition. l had been with him before on
several such expeditions, and we gsner-
ally not only found something good to
eat, but sometimes had stirring times,
Would l GO? of course. 1 told him
I would be ready in four min
utss by my jacknifs. went to get ex-
cussd and was detailed for fatigue duty.
1 hired a sub" gave him dollar to work
in my place till got back and hurried
to headquarters. The SERGEANT Major
had splendid horse which he was al
ways ready to loan me. While was
strapping ON the saddle he remarked
that his "Old Navis" lay on the ground
In the tent and had better take it along
rs we were going north Of the river
the north fork Of Wolf river, and Chal-
nsrs claimed the forage in that neigh
borhood. hesitated about taking the
shooting iron, but buckled it on, mounted
and soon overlook the train which prov
Cd to be only four wagons from the reg
mental train, going out for fodder. 1t
was not yet o'clock when we passed
the picket lines and it was as lovely a
June morning as l ever saw. 1t had
rained good shower during the night
80 there was no dust. The air was cool
and refreshing, vegetation was fresh and
green, in fact just the morning for a
ride. We struck into a smart gallOp and
soon left the train half mile behind US.
The country was rolling or rather in
waves or gentle undalati6ns 80 peculiar
to southwestern Tennessee and covered
with fair growth of timber, principally
oak. About two and half miles from
our picket line there was a sharp bead
in the road, at which there was cotton
ginn and some sheds, when we came up
on one of the ridges mentioned, about
four,hundred yards from these buildings,
we refined up and was not long in con
cluding not to 60 any farther that way,
as we could see from eighty to one hun
dred of Chalmers men dismOuntea and
apparently feeding their horses. 1t did
not take half minute to decide wha
was to be done. l was to remain in the
road unless driven off by their fire, Will
the wagon master was to ride forward
into the woods and then hasten to tn
rear stop the train, have the guards, tw'
men to each wagon, take position in tn
woods by the road and hold the Johnnie
back while the train got back to on
lines, anc il necessary until we eOal
get help from camp. Had they the john
les had out picket force as they shoul
haye had, they could have moved int
the woods on eur approach and ambush
ed us, or bagged us without firing sho
but they were on the watch and saw =
as soon as we did them, so there was n
chance for lodging on our part.
Not more than half a minute elapse
before saw the wagon master come o
TO the road just as the head of the trai
came onto the ridge nearly a half mil
back which was not as high as the one
was on, and consequently the Johnnie
cobld not sec them. A couple of bullet
came uncomfortably close and refine
my horse into the woods as leisurely q
could to that kind Of music. glance
down the road and saw the wagon ma,
tor waving his hand for the teams
stop. think I made as good time gel
ting around onto the road as the WACO
master had done. Where the teams halt
ed happened to be q good place to tur
and they improved 1t, for by the time
reached the road and before the WACO
master got near enough to have II
guards leave the wagons every tsamst'
was plying the whip and every mu
was on the dead run, and the wagon
we'll, IL ever four wagons made such
racket az they did, II there was any dea
anywhere near they must have locke
mp to see what was the matter, of courl
fha Iah n ioo III rd a. Tn feat thin