The Ottawa free trader., 1889-06-22

believing "the powers that be are ordained
of God" and nothing must be gainsaid OF
them. -,
We were at length on the march, with
colors flying and the marshal band In full
performance The day could not have
been more lovely. II was the experience
of refreshing and inspirating change,
The first real march of the regiment since
that from near Corinth 10 Grand Junction.
and from that | was absent in the wilder
ness. Very soon il was found we were en-
terlng amid some new and Interesting
scenery. 1t was but Il little distance be-
fore arriving at the southern edge OF the
town, upon the brink of high blu1l, which
must have been In the far antecedent ages
the bank of mighty river. Far below, az
lis base. passed the dwindled remnant OF
il, In winding, clear, and rather rapidly
flowing, sandy.bottom stream, called Wolf
river Like many southern streams II
takes devious and remarkable courses
arising in Atawamba county, many miles
southerly, 1t follows northerly and west
erly course, past LaGrange ana MOSCOW
finally reaching the Mississippi at Men,
phIs The View from that BLUM was re-.
markable. There appeared wide reach OF
the original "bottom" many miles IN ex'
tent and overrun with tall forest trees, the
tops Of which presenting uniform level,
like green carpet, far below the observer
The 9th of that valley could be inferred
The road we were 70 take wound along the
face of the bluff long distance; then In
an easterly direction, finally bearing south
erlv and southwesterly. Near as II had
been to oar camp, this was my first view
of II. Those woods suggested possibly
ambushed rebels; but we passed all and
reached the open country without attack
or whatever opposition. The country bore
no indications of having been disturbed or
damaged by armies,-the impression
peaceful. Soon we assembled a long ridge,
over which the highway passed, on the
side beyond which was a broad valley un-
der cultivation. For the first time In the
experience of most of us, we had view OF
large plantation and gangs OF negroes OF
both sexes, at work under owners ana
hoeing cotton. II was an interesting pic.
ture, from Its novelty; a reproduction
however, of the actual fact In real life,
of the pictures everybody has seen. But
while we became familiar with fields OF
growing and matured cotton, and later the
fields neglected, where II had been raised,
this was the first and only time remem-
Der TO have seen the taJieau rtuant. We
noticed that while the regiment was some
minutes passing along the ridge In full
view of them, no demonstration appeared
that we were noticed by them. The stout
overseer was there with his hands upon bis
hips, In one of which was enclosed his
folded blacksnake whip; which was doubt.
less a significant admOnitlon to attend
strictly to the business before them, In
business hours. do not expect ever to see
the like again!
While we passed plantations and saw
growing corn and cotton, we noticed, as we
did all through the war, that the able. bod
led men were all away from home. There
we're more small farms interspersed than
expected, and some appeared thrlftily con.
Quoted by women and boys. As rule the
negroes seemed TO be kept out OF sight,
except the women and pickaninies. AT
places there were thrifty collections OF
cherry trees, we'll laden with fruit, and
tempting early apples But they were all
very sour,-entirely out OF the reach OF the
boys-under general and special orders.
The fingers of some itched 80 TO
get at EN-" though, that In few Instances
they broke guard and started for them.
Shortly discovered, however, they were ig.
ANONYMOUSLY ordered back; evidently to
their deep disgust, If wry faces and snap
ping fingers, and manner of dissatisfaction
meant anything. 1t was enough to vex
saint. The boys, confined 30 long to dry,
unvarying, army rations, unpracticed In
marching, toiling along In sight OF abund-
ance of these fruits so blushing with beau
ty and tempting to taste, and tantalizlngly
denied them, was last trial to human
self denial. Later on, as the phrase went,
they ;" skinned OUT everything thus left
within reach, regardless. 1t was at length
found an unwarranted concession to guard
whatever property Of the rebels, and the
rebels and the boys were literally turned
loose' on whatever fresh rations' were
available, as we'll as whatever was actually
c1ntlaband of war or could give aid and
comfort to the enemy, Independent OF
considerations as to where the civil title
rested. | remember, well along In the
"march to the sea- the camp of our divis.
lon one night was near the largest field of
turnips ever saw--all the way from five
to ten acres-I think nearer the latter
figures. They were mostly very large and
plenty; Of excellent flavor. No guard was
placed over them no permission given to
appropriate them. There were none left
In the morning when we marched away
save perhaps here and there one; all which
the struggling cleaners gathered. Excel
lent turnip soup was plentifully used that
night over a very large and populous
neighborhood. shall never forget for the
rest of life, enjoying liberal amount of 1t
that night and next morning,-for we
took along some of that fruit.
An important consideration on a march
is the water supply. This fact was practi'
cally emphasized on this our first march.
Among the final preparations for march
Is filling the canteens of every man-of>
ficers In command to see that 1t Is done.
Themselves, presumably, attend to their
own Individual needs. During the march,
too, If IL be not forced one, commanding
officers will see TO II that all opportunity
possible be afforded the men for replen-
ishing their supply. On this our first In.
dependent march, the day being rather
warm, good deal was required; and Col.
Cushman was watchful, and called needs
ed halts for rest, in the viclnity of houses
where possible, that the wells might be
thus availed of where the supply had fall
len short. A halt was called about noon,
near neat, well'kept premises. A log
l,ta adj