The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-03-16
War Memories.
DARKNESS AND LIGHT.

War Memories.
DARKNESS AND LIGHT.
II will be remembered by those who
NAV have kept along with these recitals,
that the last left my train, with Its mixed
company, side-tracked at Grand Junction.
Tenn, near shutdown on the day of leaving
Corinth. The situation was still altogether
anomolous,-no signs of military occu'
pancy nor operations, except the forces"
had conducted hither. For the time, and
% far as appeared to the contrary, an inde'
pepdent expedition In all respects; as my
movements were unauthorized by any
warrant appearing on paper or otherwise
only permitted. II seemed for the time
almost deserted. Sparcely built round
about, yet the habitation' and accessories
indicated condition" A few solitary per,
sons made their appearance; came around
me and were assumingly inquisitive. But
their manner and movements, and the 30
her aspect Of all things, suggested that the
inhabitants had mostly "gone OIL to the
funeral"
Selecting the most reliable man 10 direct
the camp put in order, provide for Its
guarding, pitch my office tent and adjust
its furniture while supper was preparing,
IL strolled forth ON the village green to
view the siuation." A little way of was a
collection Of small buildings having the
appearance Of use for business, " In the
old happy times" as some of the inhabi'
tants who had been content with the Union
we're wont sighingly to express 1t. Ap-
preaching, noticed one OF the little stores,
which seemed dsgo shop" stood open
| went In. Several men we're there, and
dressed better than those ordinari-
ly met, in native butternut, and appear
ing as II leading characters" were talk
ing In q manner as II what they said
was conclusive about the con1itiOn OF
vicksburg. and matters thereunto apper
tanning. As the talk took a form obvious
ly for my edifcation, could do 80 less
than pause few moments for instruction.
Said the speaker, to silently conceding
listeners:
at Is absolutely impregnable. The
Gibraltsr Of Americai No power on earth,
nor all combined powers can reduce 1t.
Having so commanding position above
the U from Young's Point, with guns ca
pable Of throwing such tremendous weight
of metal, they can sink anything that
floats, however heavily iron clad, that
should have the hardihood 70 undertake TO
pass the narrow stream II Ii, for such q
long distance. 1t is also to be remembered
that before the passage would be com
pleted, each boat would have to present
both broadsides, one and then the other,
for the two or three miles of the course"
II posi- BILE for the Yanks' 10 maintain
the seige 30 long, (Which they could not,)
We have supplies of food and forage and
everything else needed to last for ten years
OF more To comet How vain all this
idle boast, seeing that scarcely a year
passed when the rebs. surrendered starved
out; and with their paroles uncanceled
Immediately went forth ION "awnah"O &c
fight other battles. The paroles found OF
the persons of the dead after the battles
With such like talk for my ediGcation
they continued till the discourse was In
terrupted by queries commencing among
themselves concerning the new arrival
None could explain the mysterious advent
and was cOntemptuously ignored. Guess
cd 1t was a squad with supplies for som.
Of Hurlbut's gang camped round here
good bit % flour there for some of our fel
lers to ago for" tonight, Scarce o. flou
in the diggins n orter have II. That. littl,
squad wouldn't give a corporal's guard NJ
trouble"
All lingo; but quite agreed, In mind
With the speaker, that few enterprisin,
fellows could have perfected plan quiet
ly TO capture the whole expedition durin,
the night, II they had known all and uset
proper management In effectlng that pur
pose.
After supper, retired to my tent, anxious
and respondent. No apparent immediat.
danger. From what vague information
could get, the Fourth Division, was occupy
ing the region was In; though faith wa
the only ground of belief. But appear
ances did not inspire confidence. No per
sonal hardship in all this peculiar expe
Renee. The stress was the remarkabl
situation. A limited but considerable trus
and responsibility forced upon my &C
count, with reference to nobody. Will
surgeons Of cavalry not seldom became II
olated with their sick from their com
mands, communication with headqual