Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-04-18

c1nnatl, he succeeded in concentrating
ms fcrces at Altamont, Tenn. Much
praise has been accorded General
buell. Tor this mastery stroke. Gen
eral Thomas was at McMinnyille with
two divisions. Woods and Ammen's.
Schoepfs. McCook's and Crittenden's,
divisions We're stretched along the Nash
vile and Stevenson Railroad. Bragg's
strategy made Buell. alert and eau
tlous. How he gathered up his forces
within easy call of each other, lest
Bragg might wedge his army between
n Federal forces and defeat them in
detail, is matter of history. How the
Federal armies and C~onfederates made
their way back to Kentucky on that
famous neck-and-neck race on almost
parallel lines: how Bragg got the best
OF the Union forces at P~erryville, and
retired in good order, to the chaerin of
Buell., is also we'll known.
1t was q lively campaign while it
lasted. The incidents crowded into a
few weeks comprised almost all the
phases of a soldiers life.
The Federals We're pretty well sup
piled with provisions. The C~opfeder-
ates in many instances We're reduced
to parched corn. Unquestionably the
stomachs OF the Unionists were in bet
ter condition for a fight than the V
age Confederate stomach. Both ar
mics, as a matter OF course, subsisted
largely on the country operated in; but
there were sections harassed by both
where little was left, and it was there
that the Federal commissarv counted.
Spite OF all the safeguards that were
issued by Union commanders, Union
and Confederate sympathizers along
the routes suffered.
When the Federal forces kicked up
the lime-0ust on the Murfreesboro pike
a second time numbers of men slaught-
cred everything on four legs and all
the fowls within their reach. The in
habitants' protests We're often futile,
usually too late to prevent loss. There
was one case where a citizen Of Ten
nessee, however, maintained his rights
in a manner that excited the adnlira-
Mon Of the Federal officers.
AS brigade after brigade swept past
this mans house, which stood near the
road a few miles from Murfreesboro,
and prepared to bivouac for the night,
the owner of the house stood in his
doorway regarding them c~uriously.
One or two officers walked up to the
house and inquired ii they could be
served with supper. offering to pay
whatever was asked. The owner Of
the house was willing to serve as many
as he could; they might pay what they
thought fit. He was mot in the habit
Of charging people for meals" but he
would not refuse an enemy a supper as
long as they behaved like gentlemen.
He was not afraid 10 say he was
against rs tooth and toa-nail-secesh
to the backbone
Several officers availed themselves
OF the chance to get "a meal at table
once raore. The host ordered his ser
wants there We're several about the
house, to wait upon the officers.
A little distance from the house, on
the opposite side Of the road, groups
Of soldiers were preparing their coffee.
Here ard there a chance squad was
reveling in fresh mutton or pork picked
mp on the road.
Suddenly the officers seated at the
table OF the man who announced him
self sd native OF Tennessee. and secesh
clean through" We're startled by his
entrance. He was red with anger.
Look here! Some OF you gentlemen
step out here. Do you allow your folks
to rob people? Your soldiers are steal
ing my best hams. I've shouted to
them not to go into my smoke-house,
but they'vegone right in, some OF them,
and run of with my hams"
While making this announcement he
was striding to the rear Of his dining
room, and possessing himself Of a gun
that was hanging in a rack. One Of
the officers present, q cool-headed man,
rose. saying:
THAT is all wrong. We are not rob
bers. When we are in need Of food, of
we must have it, but u sys-
ten is not robbery; We pay for all we