The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-06-29

terles, under Major G. G. Campbell, @
Ottawa. A formidable little army Of OF
servation. II looked as II something q
last was about to be undertaken.
Camps were put In order and guard
established; sick disposed OF In genera
hospital; convalescents and all unable
march we're left In charge Of the officer o
camp guard. This In all seperate com
mands.
The Jingle Of orderlies spurs rather IRE
quently heard In the camps. Quartermas
ters, cOmmi ssaries, ordinance and medica
officers each required special instructions
With visions of terrible battles, duly pre-
pared my field hospital, disposed my tor
ces and gave them their general and spe
cial charges was fully prepared 10
whatever could eventuate. IL was usefu
practice: preparation for real service >,
and by.
We we're at length In order and actually
/" In motion" We pursued devious course
through fairly we'll improved country
saw cotton and corn fields In cultivation
but no laborers, white or colored. We re
cognized some roads and localities ovel
which the SD had passed so recently. A
better showing of cherries and some othei
fruits than we had seen on that "reconnois
ance." A single day there, In the fruit
season, makes marked Increase. The same
tantalizations were experienced by all, as
by the sd shortly before. The others,
no, 30 well restrained, more incontinently
broke over orders. Col. Cushman, a Sc
we're disciplinarian, kept the boys " better
In hand" Those of other regiments, some.
what better foragers, more adept In choos-
ing favorable chances, continued TO appro'
pirate aggregate goodly quantities of temp
ting fruits, amid eofilading Shouts OF the
captain of the hosts and their subordi.
mates instantly to vacate these orchards
and berry patches and resume their places
In the line They obeyed, but took their
leisure, and managed to increase their
store, quite deity, while coming along out;
taking care not 20 60 out In direction too
diagonally-if the orchard extend
ed well along the road. And the fruits
lrresistingly tempting; and they needed
them. The demands of appetite for spe'
cial foods Indicate necessities 20 the blood,
and carry special promptings and injunc,
lions wholly above questions of morals and
law. "A hungry stomach knows no law
and has no conscience, whether 1t hungers
for bread meat or fruits"
II was a pleasant march; more like
fourth Of July holiday, military pleasure
excursion; all but Its quietude; no sound
nor smell of exploding powder, except oc-
family heard from afar; rs was
common during that period Warlike dem
but no actual war. There was
no haste. Weather was becoming warm
and halts were frequent enough for rest
and refreshment. The halts were made,
when practicable, near running streams,
hat canteens might be filled and stock"
watered. All wells deep In that region,
and the process of drawing water necessa-
lily slow In later marches-they were
ong and taxing-when the war became
Dusiness-it was more take II as you can
latch IT," However, we were then more
nured TO that mode Of life and educated
o Its requirements.
We went into camp In good season,
where there was plenty of room, near the
Gold Water, and enjoyed the rare expert
,nces of real military picnic; all but the
hamper, packed with the delica-
lies provided for such occasions by the Ia
lies-rdther rare attendants In any society
n the field. II was at first phenomenal
experience, 10 pass long periods entirely
separate from women. Wondered what
men did on long voyages, and travels IN
he wilderness, extended Into years. We
,ould not fail to see them there, all over
Dixie; for mostly, all women we're at
home. But women, said to be OF coy
ol m
md shrinking, wss furt!ve and shy; was
areful, usually, to conceal herself from
he open glare of conspicuous observation:
,eering out from behind corners and cur
aims, cracks and chinks of doors and win
lows, and other like coignes of vantage.
Moreover, when by chance brought into
lew, they were mostly OF evil and I'M
wholesome countenance, with hostile eX'
,ressiOn. We sometimes wondered If,
eally, they were of identity with our moth
rs and sisters, wives and daughters at
lome. Some rare exceptions, l must In
lonor admit, met with some In natural
incidence, manifesting grace and delicacy
# person, refinement of manner, education
nd good sense, who could talk calmly and
easonably about the war, and not forget
heir ladyhood. Heard them quietly ex.
,ress their wish that they could enjoy ma
~ of the conveniences, privileges and ex-
.mptions afforded at the North, of which
hey we're deprived. Only the barrier
which they could not overpass-the terrible
lorthern winters Whatever betided, they
must remain In that more genial climate.
We got accustomed and reconciled TO
he unnatural situation; for the mind at
ength adjusts itself to whatever condi-
ions even If, exceptionally, insanity be
,aused by unnatural changes
Another days easy and uneventful
brought us to beautiful camp
ng place In clean grove adjacent to Hol-
y Springs, An altogether agreeable sltua-
ion. No sickness nor Injury had marked
he day, though some slight ailments re-
Iuired attention. If reports were brief,
he forms must be Observed-and they
we're The respite from unnecessary du-
les lead me- to fear might become "rus'
y" in the profession for want of practice!
1t was observed all through the war what
lad been noted In the meagre references
# medical officers in preceding wars, that
oldiers were ever freer from disease, and
whatever ailments, on long marches, even
t severe, than when remaining compare
lively idle In camp. 1t Is to be regretted
hat no more has been recorded on this