Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-01-22
WAR "REMINISCENCES.

counter and Race.
Written for the NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
1t was in June '62, Sherman's division
sta toned along the Charleston and
Memphis railroad, with head quarters at
Lagrange. Our brigade 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
headquarters at Somerville, Both arm
les were comparatively quiet. We were
busy rebuilding bridges and trestle 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 would like a
ride in the country on foraging expe-
ditiOn. 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 60? Of course. 1 told him
l would be ready in four min
utss by my jacknifs. went to get ex-
cussd and was detailed for fatigue duty.
hired a Sub" gave him dollar to work
in my place till got back and hurried
to headquarters. The SERGEANT Major
had q 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 1t along
as 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
shootiRg 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 y
June morning as 1 ever saw. 1t had
rained good shower during the night
so 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 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 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 ia con
cludiRg not to 90 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. | 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 tSt
rear stop the train, have the guards, two
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 If necessary until we coal
get help from camp. Had they the John
les had cut picket force as they sheul'
have 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 q
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 trail
came onto the ridge nearly half mill
back which was not as high as the one
was on, and consequently the Johnnie
cobld not see them. A couple of bullet
came uncomfortably close and rsine
my horse into the woods as leisurely q
could to that kind Of music. glance
down the road and saw the wagon mas
ter waving his hand for the teams t
stop. think made as good time gel
ting around onto the road as the WACO
master had done. Where the teams halt
ed happened to be a 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 th
guards leave the wagons every tsamstt
was plying the whip and every mul
was on the dead run, and the wagon
well, If ever four wagons made such