The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-05-02
THE 7s1H IND.
1t Does the Last Fighting in Which Infantry is
Engaged in Sharman'a ARMY.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: When sher
man army left Goldsboro, n c., to tackle the
rebel army unde7 Johnston, the Fourteenth
Corps took the road to Smitnn6ia; with the Sec
ond Brigade Third Division, in advance. The
lead was given to the 18th Ind, and within
three miles of Goldsboro the rebel pckets were
encountered Cos. a and f were sent ahead as
skirmishers, and, after driving the enemy from
every stand they made, after a seven or eight
mile running fight, pushed them into Smith
field, where they made the last stand. Here
the 18th was formed into line and with the
two companies still in advance they made a
gallant charge, driving the enemy out of then
works and through the town.
Our advance was here checked by the rebels
firing the large covered bridge across the river
north of the town, and the regiment went into
camp on the outskirts Of the place. The boys
were highly complimented by Gen. Baird our
division commander and also by Gen. Davis.
Tom Cartwright, of our company, struck a
bonanza in the shape OF three barrels of apple
jack, which he found hidden under pile OF
rubbish. Calling help he rolled the barrels
down where the company had gone into camp.
Knocking the head of one of the barrels in he
stood by it with a tin cup and treated the
whole regiment, and in an hour or 50 every
man IN the company, including officers, were
feeling GLORIOUS" | believe one man in the
Quartermaster's, half O mile away. After the
first drink Tom filed the eanteens of all who
wanted it, aud for the rest of the day the 10th
Ind. had a circus all to itself.
Now, right here happened something very
funny. In large three story building near
where my regiment lay, the Odd Fellows had q
lodge-room, and another organization, the Sons
OF Malta occupied the upper story. Handsome
regalias masks, robes and dresses were stored
nd a 10 tod
by the boys, who were full of fun and apple
jack. Downing these suits they were soon pa
radIng through camp and raising "Old Nick. "
Gen. Baird called to the boys, and in most
kindly voice told them to have all the fun they
wanted, but not destroy any property. He
told them that they had done well that day,
and that they might consider themselves privi-
legged characters. After number of the boys
had got pretty tired they lay down in the
shade of the large building (Odd FellOws) and
had a jolly time singing songs, telling stories
and sampling the appiejaCk in their canteens
very often. Three or four of the boys, incud-
ing myself, were up in the top story, and one
of them, uncoverimg long box, kicked the lid
off, but started back with yell. There lay a
grinning skeleton, strung together with wire
and as frightful looking an object as one could
come upon unexpectedly. Quickly recovering
himself, he yelled to the rest of us:
Here, boys, is rebel hiding from us.
Let's send him down among the boys" aud
seizing the skeleton he rushed to the window,
and with all his strength hurled it through,
taking glass, sash and all.
The tipsy boys down below hearing the crash
looked up, and, Great Scott there came q
CHASTITY skeleton down toward them, with
arms and legs outstretehed just as if flying.
On many battlefelds those boys had seen their
comrades fall dead and dying by scores, and
never so much as turned an eye to the rear
but when that skeleton dropped down among
them they slid out and left that spot in a
hurry. What happened after this some of the
other boys will have to tell, for it was my first
tussle with appleiack, and he got the heels of
me. | was one of the kids of the late unpeas-
antness, and at that time had seen nearly three
years service, and was only some months past
my 18th birthday.
Next morning we were drawn up in a solid
square, and Gen. Baird read to us the glorious
news of Lees surrender. How the boys
cheered. | tried to- but couldn't. Hats went
up into the air; mine would not stay on any
how. In fact, it was several sizes too small for
me. l saw others of the 10Th stretching their
hats over stumps. Manyof them could not get
their hats on even with the aid of shoe-spoon.
Seventy fifth Ind, glorious old regiment, yours
is record second to.none.--LEW GINGER, Co.
T, 10Th Ind, Rawlins, Kan.