The National tribune., 1888-05-10

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get away with was the mud. I often think |
when / hear the Southern ex-ConfedeTate /
orators preach 10 the New South the popular
feliacy that they were
@ovERPowERED BY MIN AND RESOURCES"
that ii was the Army of the Potomac that
was 0verpowered by mud under foot rain
and snow overhead, Lees army Of veterans
in the front against our army lmsde up
mostly of new enlistments and recruits
and on our flanlzs an army Of observation in
the Inhabitants, and an army Of hornets In
the rear IN the Copperheads.
But this comment is aside from the nara
tive. / only venture it because it seems to
ne that almost everybody nowadays Is too
ready to admit that the rebels were only
overp0wered. Why, even the War Depart
naent and the Generals IN our own Army Of
the Potomac were hostile to each other, while
the rebel army was a unit Of veterans, with
al the world seemingly IN sympathy with
them Yet the facts are that We whipped
them badly in a fair fight. and could do it
again. II they don't believe it, and are not
satisfied, let them FIRE on Fort Sumter.
II was arranged by myself, with the as
sistance Of Gen. BuTnside's staff officer, that
should be quietly furnished every facility
low town into the rebel lines.
/ had all these arrangements practically
In nv OWL hands. Everything that desired
was At once cheerfully afforded me. IF
had made a request FOR a pOntOon bridge and
detachment Of engineers to lay il down,
suppose TIRE order would have been stamped
approved 7" without question.
During two of the c0ldest, most disagree
able days and nights Of the memorable Win
tez I BiF0Uacked with our cavalry OutpOsts
On the river bank some miles below town.
was there for the purpose Of waiting and
watching for a favorable opportunity TO
desert" That I did not 90 over at once
was not because Of the lack Of any facilities.
was not in hurry. IN fact, was hoping
against hope that the whole army would
move before ] did. Very much against my
Own inclination ] came to the conclusion
that I'd have to 90 any how, but determined
that should avoid getting into the hands
Of any General rebel officers, who might be
too smart and hold onto me as hostage.
The weather was SO terribly cold and dis
agreeable down there in that bivouac, that
after day OF tWo's experience felt that it
would be a blessed relief to 20 any place for
change. I was afraid 10 90 back TO head
quarters and report that / didn't want to do
a. I had proposed.
One Circumstance that seemed 20 beckOn
me on a. a sOTt Of ignis-iatuus, was that the
reDels were allowed fires all along their
picket-iines. We were not even permitted
20 light q match.
TIE Rappshannock River at that point
was narrow and deep, the banks on either
shore being abrupt and covered in most
places by q tough underground Of willow
Esplings
Directly opposite us, and within speaking
distance, were the rebel pickets. Their
nearest outpost campfres were IN little
grove Of sapliDgs 50 close that from our side
Of The riyer we could hear almost every
word Of their ordinary conversation among
themselves.
At night, as they slept around their fires
We from oar cold, cherries Outp0sts could
cCunteyery man as he lay on the ground, and
almost hear their snores When the fire
burned low, one 0fthe number would quietly
crawl from under his blanket, stir around
the Ere put on more wood, and lie down
again to sound sleep in perfect security
There was 10 firing on the picket-lines al
that time, by agreement. Imagine, if YOU
can, picture OF this scene.
At night those rebel chaps with guns
stacked, ready 10 be used against US al :
moments uctice, lay down aud slept a.
peacefully and securely within range Of oul
guns as il they were a part Of our OWL
army.
There was Of course a general interchange
Of agreeable and sometimes sharp words be-
tween the sentries. On our side this chin
ming wss generally prohibited bat when oul
of1ceTs were not around 10 hear il ",
talked mere freely with the rebels opposit,
uE than we would have dared to DO 10 th,
man on the next best In our own line Ii
thls way, IL VIII he seen. there were unusua
facilities for communication. Il WIS Onl,
necessary 70 call Johnny" once 10 get
polite hello p; OF if Johnny called first, i
was Hello, YanEn
Very little if any reliable informatiol
passes over the lines ia this way. Thr
pickeiE Cd duty, a. q rule, know less abou
The general movements OF their own arm
tkan anyone else. or course, a stranger. O
even soldier, unknown TO the officer. O
who = not even on duty is not permitted
on the line. What I am telling you now /
the absolute fact about the situation ant
surroundings al the time. 7 was there. ant
acted Out precisely, and IN detail, the par
that ana trying TO describe.
Flcture 10 yourself a snowy night unde
soch circumstances as Just related. tn
men q The relief, 10 which I was tempo
rREiiy attached, who were 10 be called. csul
net 5e i1uud, because the snow had actElall
covered them all over. Men who sleep i
thc STOW cover their heads and faces win
tier blankets, which are rolled In tbei
Ponchos have never sleptso comfortably
Out Of doors Of c0urse-as when ghrouGe5 +
q BED Cf STOW.
1he night had selected as q suitable tin,
% get over the river was Of this kiaa. I
the early part ] had slept sweetly under thi
blanket Of SNOW, aud when "a led 10 TAX
ny place On picket felt perhaps very Iauc
a. criminal does who Is awakened leas
Alesp on The