The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-21

was organized OF the 9TH Ky. the writer mas
| no data upon which to make any statement
| regarding its previous record.
Dec. 81, 1861, bright and early, the brigade
moved out upon the pike with coiors flying,
every man LOADED to the guards" and to the
step OF the martial music dealt out by the ME
and-drum band of the regiment we marched
"off to the war" Many amusing incident
Of that first days march comes up from men,
ory's darkened chambers while recalling these
facts, which might look well IN THIS narrative
but rs I started out to relate only one incident,
will forego all others by simply saying that
we were from the date of starting to the Date
of the battle reaching the ground.
The 10Th day of January, 1852, came on sun
day. On the Friday before after the usual
number of hours struggle through mud ana
brush TO make few miles, we went into camp
about one hour by sun" as had been our Gus"
tom where we pected to remain in quiet re
pose until the dawn OF another day, when we
would be ready to continue our march. But
this was not to be. We had just finished our
frugal meal (supper), when attention was
sounded followed by fall in" and in few
minutes we were marched out of camp OIL on a
by-road poddng through mud and slnsh, on a
wild goose chase" of about ten miles. IL
turned out to be water haul" and we did
not return TO our camp until about p. m. the
next day Saturday The 18th Ohio was with
ne. The other two regiments (4th Ky. and
10th Ind.) of our brigade had resumed their
march on Saturday morning, and as result
one half of our brigade was at one point on Sat
urday night and the other half at another, with
ten miles between.
We of the 10th KY did not roll out very
early the next morning, it being Sunday, and
besides that our side trip had been made dur
ing heavy rain. However. the sun came out
on that Sunday morn and found us preparing
break fast, generally, with fires ali through the
camp upon which the coffee was boiling, and
around which stood the men drying their
clothing which had become thoroughly soaked
the day aud night before, chatting and chaf-
ing in the customary way, when there came to
our ears the boom of big gun. All was
hushed instantly, and only glances full OF in
curry were exchanged. Then came the second
boom, reverberating through the trees soon
followed by another, then another, until there
appeared scarcely seconds interim between
them.
During this time each man, as of ore accord,
secured the best cup of coffee he could, and
while rushing for his gun and accouterments
gulred down the boiling fluid, aud thus was
ready to fall in at the command. In an IN
ibly-short time the line was formed and
was out upon the country road, and we were
marching IN route step toward the cannonad-
ing that had been the disturbing element in
our camp.
a
way of annhilaIing space, especially upon an
empty stomach. Well, we made it, and upon
! nearing the battle ground we passed an impro-
vised hospital where Surgeons were busy dress
ing wounds Just received. The next object OF
Interest to us was the remains of the Confeder-
| ate Gen. Zollcotier. His head was near tree,
with his body and limbs extending from it.
His clothing had been nearly all clipped of by
memento lovers Our regiment passed the tree
in open order Of twos upon either side, that all
could see the features OF the dead chiettain.
None stopped, but al took passing glance as
we marched on our way to the front.
| After going over the field and taking short
| rest We continued our march toward the rebel
camp come 10 miles from there. About sum
| down we came to halt near their works.
where we slept on arms in line of battle until
just before day of Monday, Jan. 20, 1862, when
we began our move toward the rebel works.
| ] ast at peep OF day we sighted their embank-
mentg ard kept pushing on until we climbed
| over them into their works and then into
| their camp OF which we took possession with
out hndrance, as the Johnnies had gone We
| knew not this, however, until we were over
their works. Of course we felt great delicacy
| about making ourselves st home in another
| mans house during his absence; but, then, what
| could we do but 10 content ourselves as best
| we could under the circumstances. We had
| come long way To visit them. The weather
| was bad and the roads miser bic, aud VIC felt
| that we must have rest; so We entered. The
! 10th Ky. went over the works in line OF battle
while tie 18th Ohio went over by the right
| flank Both entered about the same instant at
different points.
When we got into their camp, az stated be-
| fore they were not there. Judging by appear
| ances, however, they must have been looking
for OF expecting US. They had left everything
| that they were possessed Of for our use and
| comfort. There were the quarters all up and
| furnished with beds and bedding, plenty t.
eat, aud fuel to cook it, Fine shotguns, swords,
| cannon. pluskets, ammunition, aud clothing OF
fine quality, fine boots. night-shirts, travelling
/ trunks, toilet articles, tabie-sets chnaware
| sewing machines, and horses, mules, and
| wagons without umber-yes, all of these
| things and more had they left to our use
| Only think what warm reception they had
| prepared for us, and then, after all, they were
not at hone to receive Us. We never received
any cards OF regret" explaining their forced
absence nor do we know to this day why they
were not there. We, however, made the best
OF the conditions as we found them, and took
our hats oil aud contented ourselves as best we
could.
There was one article they left us, which
looked very unkind on their part. That was
| an "animalcule" which developed into typhoid
| fever, and | actually believe that our loss from
that disease was greater than it would have
been had they remained and kept US out O
! their camp
That afternoon the writer visited regimenta
| headquarters, and there met Col. S. S. Fry O
the 4th Ky. Finding him alone, aud knowing
him well, / approached him upon the subject o
Zoilicofier's death. / saw at once that / had
touched upon a delicate subject. He was lotl
to talk about it at all, nor would he have re
lated the circumstances OF that casualty until
he became convinced more by my manner than
by any words Of mine, that it was not through
mere curiosity that / approached him upon The
subject. Ia rather a reluctant manner he re
lated what follows, and here l speak Or writ,
as coming from him:
| i" / heard constant and rapid firing on tbs
right OF my regiment, and j rode over there t.
learn the cause of it, i rode past the regi
pient by the rear and turned then to the front
coming out OF the thickeG into clear field
The first OBJECT my eyes took IL was man Oh
horseback. He wore a plug hat and his per
son was enyeoped in rubber coat of ligh
color. / saw no insignia OF rank about him, nj
side arms or pistols AS drew up to examine
the ground and take in the situation. this mar
approached me, and pointing towards ths
woods on the opposite side OF the clearing W.
were in, said: Colonel, we ought not to firt
upon our own men, a part Of whom are owe
there i looked al him, then in the direction
he had Indicated, and TO satisfy myself regard
| ing the matter, turned my horse and rode of
i'm that course / had ridden but short dis
lance when / heard the click of cooking
pistol. ] immediately turned my head TO lool
|. back, refining my horses head around at TIN
, | same time and as my vision took in the spot