St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-11-08
For the CALIFORNIAN
A BRIEF MILITARY RECORD.

1904 ana was aC once OTOoT0u 10 NaSn
vile, Tenn. We found indianapolis
full of soldiery, and the state house
used as a camp for convalescents. Ev-
licences of war were visible every
where especially after crossing the
Ohio river to Louisville, KY, where we
remained long enough to witness the
immense transportation over the
Louisville and Nashville r. R., which
was operated by the government, and
which seemed to carry only soldiers
and military supplies. Regiment after
regiment were hurrying to the front,
while trains laden with hard tack,
beef cattle, army mules and ammuni-
ton were constantly going forward.
Returning trains brought rebel pris-
Oners, and the poor, sick and manned
soldiers in ambulance cars going North
in the hope of regaining strength.
Nashville trains were often fired upon
by rebels in ambush, but our progress
there was uneventful except that at
for water, the pipe from the tank was
left open and IL full stream rushed
through every open window. the whole
length of a dozen cars. The train was
watered in regular order, first the en-
CINE and then the passengers.
But it was at Nashville that the
nd 1Sfa of oil
war" were fully realized. The streets
were alive with military men, few
women were seen, public buildings
were guarded, legion of teams were
hauling military stores, the city was
girdled with camps, and near on a
commanding eminence Fort Negley
had it's guns double shOtted for any
constant occurrence, and suspected
persons were closely watched.
We were CHARTERED in the "Blue
Warehouse" until our barracks were
completed, and during that time were
ing the freedom of the city. While
admiring the charming residence of
Gen. ZOllicoffer with it's beautiful
hedge of flowing ailanthus | was ap-
preached by soldier who would sell
me for a dollar a small square of fan
mel which he said he had cut from the
shirt of that general as he lay dead on
the battlefield. | said | was not car
ing for such relics, and would not pay
a dollar for the whole garment.
AS very little personal baggage was
allowed passengers by rail, was sur
prised one day when u German Jew
and his son arrived from the North
with at least dozen Saratoga trunks
which they were anxious to have go by
the next passenger train. The bag
gage men acting under orders refused
their request, referring them to the
master of transportation. That worthy
was soon found, and after brief pri-
vate interview the Jews and their Sa-
ratogas took the Chattanooga train
without further question or examina-
ton.
In few days our quarters were com
pleted some distance from the city.
was sorry for this as liked to observe
what happened in the city, and | did
not like military drill and discipline
nor being shut up in camp. Besides
was anxious to hear Andrew johnson
who was soon to speak in the state
house. Hear him | must. The even
ing of his appointment was dark and
rainy, and there was not a single light
between our camp and capital square
which | reached without much difficult
ty. Johnson spoke from the steps of
the state house in n darkness so in
tense that no stranger in the crowd
could recognize him by day light. The
speech was very bitter, often personal,
promising much to the blacks to whom
he said he would be IL Moses, and de-
manding if he had ever made prom
Use which he did not fulfill. He was
brave man to thus face in utter dark
ness a crowd largely composed of Sc
cessiOnists who doubtless thought his
"taking OFF, would be doing Gods ser
vice. The speech ended, and the
crowd stumbling through the darkness
reminded me that | was some distance
away and nothing to show who | was
or where | belonged. The darkness
favored me, and after much lodging,
twisting and turning, losing my way
once or twice, | got into camp without
a single challenge. Here | found that
my bunk had been seized by pugna-
ciOus Dutchman who reluctantly gave
it up when those who knew my right
threatened to bring him before the
commanding officer.
1t was now high time for me to learn
something of war lis a fine art. Fancy
a man past forty, to whom military life
had no attractions, who never owned a
pistol or fired gun dozen times in
his life, and when he did it made his
head ache, who opposed shooting birds
on principle, the sole exception being
an invitation for an interview once
sent to a crow through an old Spring
field musket, and who once drew the
charge from John Ii. Paddock's gun in
the vain attempt to save the life of a
kingfisher which lowered about Mouse
Meadow brook and You will be remind
ed of Falstaff's recruits. The short,
sharp commands of the drill sergeant
were so rapid that n second order
would he given before | had executed
the first one. Another thing against
me was that | did not study the man
ual when off duty. | had other uses
for my time. The commandment was
an intelligent man and kindly dispos-
ed, and he was not long in discovering
that as a soldier | should be a fiat fail
ure. Sending for me he, half angry and
half amused, inquired "What the deuce
ever brought you here 2" Fear of the
draft and the hope of being of some
service to my country, | replied. Said
he lyon give your fear as the first rea-
son, was it your strongest one2" Yes,
said L, for | had small hope of the sec
Ond one, but | did not like to appear
too cowardly to volunteer while Il
might be drafted at last. Finally he
said, "YOu can do better somewhere
else. Come to me tomorrow and l will