The National tribune., 1889-07-11
TRAVELLING HAvERsACK.
A Comrade who Would Not Give Up Ills RatIOns

A
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE-In the Eight
ing Them Over" column | see many incidents
which call n score of similar ones 10 my mind.
i was high private in the rear rank of Co. ii,
9TH Ind. Cav Fourth Brigade, Sixth Division,
Sixteenth Corps. 1t was on the memorable
expedition under Gen. Grierson, which left
Memphis. Tenn, about the 1st of Dec, 1864,
and marched eastward, striking the Mobile ~
Ohio Railroad at Verona. Miss, on Christmas
eve, that / want TO speak about. Hood had
gone North, and found it hotter around Nash
Vile than it was further South, SO he was
wearily vending his way toward the land OF
flowers. Pap" Gricrson dropped into his
front and burnt his little towns and destroyed
his stores and thus made his retreat from
Nashville very unpalatable. From Verona we
followed along the above named railroad until
we reached 0kolona, leaving neither town nor
vestige of Gen. Hoods supplies undestroyed
At Egypt Station, only three or four miles
south from Okolona, the Johnnes had mustered
TO show us fight. The 18th Ind. Cav. was thrown
into line near bridge about 1000 yards east
of the railroad. Two pieces of artillery mounted
on fiat car, which had pulled off to our left
oblique, were playing smash with our line.
We were standing idle, waiting for orders to
move. Finally our lines could be held quiet
no longer, and volunteer charge was made.
The line of rebs seemed so small that some of
the boys said we could eat them at ono meal,
if they were cooked. On went tho charge !;
stolid stood the little line of rebs. until we had
gone over half the space between them aud us.
All at once they disappeared. Where had they
gomez was asked by all. moment later |
thought saw 100000 muskets. like winding
blades, turning over and resting on the ground
from cut in the railroad track. There were
730 by actual count, which is n slight Difference
in numbers.
We had only 100 men in the charging col
umn, and the miracle was that we were not all
killed, for the whole $50 rebs fired volley
into our faces when we were within 20 steps of
their line. Seventeen men were killed aud %
were wounded; IS of our horses were killed or
wounded. aud among the horses killed was "Old
Cot" belonging 20 Samuel =. Sans, of Co. III.
Sans always had rations TO sell when on % raid,
as he carried two or three haversacks on his
back and four or five strapped 70 his saddle.
| When "Old Cot" fell Sans began untying
| haversaeks from the dead horse, having previ-
ously thrown aside his carbipe. revolver, and
| saber, but before he could unite more than one
we had retreatcd, and the Johnnies were after
us, which made Sans skedaddle for his life.
/ He had on his oyercoat and three haversacks
/ when he started TO retreat from the field OF
i glory. He soon got too warm and threw away
his overcoat, but kept OF running; next of
! went his boots. then his hat then his coat, aud
| rs the Tebs were pressing pretty hard. George
! Allen was prevailed on To go out aud bring
! him in on his horse. After considerable effort
lac got up behind George, and they came gallop-
| ing Off the field. Sams's hair was flying to the
! breeze. His only wearing apparel WAS shirt,
| pants and socks; but he had death gripon two
| well filled hayersacks. Some enc said: We'll,
I If IL amt Sans; why, thought you were shot.
Sans replied: = golly, not bit of it; Old
| Cot WAS shot. and IL you fellows had held the
/ rebs back just five minutes longer ] would have
saved all the haversacks." The boys NIL laughed
outright, but Sans could not see the joke while
| he had lost six haversacks He ever after that
went by the name of the travelling commits
sary." I'll bet that IL he is living to-day Inc
| has plenty to eat whether he has clothing OF
not. HIS home was in Lagrange County. Ind.
and would like 10 hear from any member oi
Co. ii. 7th Ind. Cav.-H. s., box 255, Lock
| Haven, Pa.