The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-08-24

commissary under requlsltlon from regi-
mental commanders, as refreshment Tor
the men, In cases of extraordinary fatigue
and exhaustion" Ny own opinion of Its
value underwent much modification
through continued course OF observation,
where results could be as well as anywhere
tested. Conclusion plain: As sustain
ment, under steady and protracted taxa.
tIon of strength and endurance, II was
worse than useless. A partial and very
Temporary stimulation was, surely, soon
followed by corresponding depression,
rendering It's constant and often repeated
use necessary to continue the desired eff
fects; and the final results were protracted
lapguor, disincllnaton ana disability for
effort, nausea, loss of appetite, and still
other evils, too we'll known by these who
have tried II 20 need enumeration. In
battle, or on marches, a man shocked from
whatever cause or occurrence by neat or
fatigue, could be revived by a draught Of
whisky, and his life saved, which might
otherwise be lost. With that Its useful
ness not only ends but Its further continu-
ance could result but hurtfully.
This proved the most serious OF all the
53d's experience In marching. All previ-
GUS had been but as practice trials. The
heat was Intense; my recollection Is, sev>
eral degrees above 100 In abundsnces.
Humidity from rain Of previous night had
greatly Increased Its depressing effects,
The men were so rapidly overborne that
soon transportation for all was only impOs-
slble. Could only devote ambulances TO
emergency cases; requiring them all, when
sufficiently restored 10 walk, should give
II 60 a hall a I'M Ill n
Der could continue TO ride In such hooks In
the wagons as chance afforded, and one
with each driver. Some could make way
If relieved of their arms and accoutIe-
ments, and II WAS managed 30 TO relieve
some of these. Withal, many took their
own permission to avail themselves of such
rest and shade as the wayside afforded
them. Impossible TO carry but limited
number of those falling men, and the body
of the army was steadily moving. A large
army does not halt for fainting man or
two-nor for a hundred. When pressure
upon transportation had wholly exceeded
capacity, ii only remained to eDjoin upon
all failing 70 make the best provision for
themselves and overtake the regiment as
soon as sufficiently restored to permit It.
And 1t resulted that all were present at
roll call at night not accounted for by the
surgeon A judlcious halt of the divis
ion In the middle of the day, the march
was extended later at evening. The worst
had proved to be over, as the day declined,
and II became cooler, and we went COM
fortably into camp beyond Lafayette; still
near Wolf River; several of the little
tributaries of which we had crossed, and
which had afforded water to men and hors
es and mules during the day.
These details were only tedious, but
II is the purpose to show war experiences
in some Of the phases never before present
ed. Marching was large and very heavy
part of the service of our armies In the
War of the Rebellion,-some of which
marches were probably never exceedep In
extent and In important results In the his
tory of civilization, though Napoleon
went further and Jared worse!
Accounts of the completion of this
march and settling down In Memphis for
few weeks occupancy, will next be given.
VIM w. WEIGH.
Galesburg, III. Aug. Goth, 1889.