The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-21
BrvouAo, NEAR BATTLE FIELD OF

STONE BRIDGE, July @4tui 1OOA.
DEAR MoTHER-The crowded transpira-
tons of a week, our hardships, privations,
starvation, forced marches, fight, VICTORY.
killed. wounded, missing, living-thanks TO
Almighty God for his watchful care and
proyidencs: His merciful preservation and
de!iyerance Of US all. All His wonders
come in overwhelming force; thick and fast
as falling autumn leaves, memories, feelings
and emotions come to me, and even If had
the poger to " rite vivid description Of it,
vet could you truly realize it All-could see
the field now, it would with you be like the
Queen Of Sheba and Solomons, you, too.
would exclaim "that the half had not been
told"
Last Thursday, after having for three days
been waiting, momcntarily looking Tor
fight with Patterson, having had nothing
scarcely to eat, and merely breakfast ON
that day, we started at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon without dinner, a report having
reached Gen. Johnston that fighting was
going or at Manassas Junction, and that
Patterson, for whom we had been waiting,
was Fastening 10 the assistance OF Mcdowell.
About 500 of as were put on the march
five brigades, l think, ours being the sec
ond in line.
The day was hot and sultry, and as we
turned there lay In the distance the Blue
Ridge, at whose base the beautiful Shenan-
doah winds its quiet way to the Potomac.
The field officers rode along the lines telling
the men that we we're going TO assist Beau
regard; that before US lay long, tedious
march, hardships and privations, and that
those who felt unequal to the task had best
fall out and remain with the forces at
Winchester, where he had left quite force,
and all of our sick and convalescent Inc
only reply which they got was cheer after
cheer. The quiet wood re-echoed the loud
huzza, and the merry voices OF Light hearts
pealed ont song and laugh along the whole
line. 1t needed no words or encouragement
to keep them up, for two months we had
been following up Patterson, but now there
appeared to be an absolute certainty that
we would have fight.
About Ii O'Clock at night our regiment
reached the river, we being the advance OF
our brigade. Gaining the brink, the order
was given to prepare for fording, in other
words shuck, take your clothes off and go
it uu naturel. "What a" picture Twas
there my countrymen," as company after
company struck the cold, icy cold water,
after long hot march, with clothing and
aocoutrements hung TO their guns. and that
high up over the shoulder. We struck in
water waist deep, and made for the other
shore. over the stoniest bottom ever heard
of. guided by light which had been built
for the purpose. Many we're the jokes and
laughs we had crossing that river. Some
tai! fellows. being waggishly inclined, and
seeing short ones behind, would walk IN a
STOPPING position, making the water appear
very deep, and then enjoy immensely the
disoonsolate looks Of the little fellows, who
we're manfully stemming the tide. What a
joyous picture that, what fun We had. The
sunbeam ere the battle cloud should shut
out the light of joy and gladness from
many bright heart that night In our far
away native land, our much loved land,
our land Of howers-Georgia.
. The fording was successfully and success
lively accomplished, clothing re-adjusted,
and we commenced the ascent OF the Blue
Ridge, crossing which we halted in the val
ley on the other side, at a little place called
farls, about a. m, having come twenty
one miles, where we laid down and slept.
Such sleep We never did as much sleeping
In the same time. In an hour and half
we were again on the march, and before .
O'CLOCK had accomplished seven mites-half
days march-arriving at Piedmont
station, where, stacking arms, we awaited
our turn on the trains which we're to convey
us to Manassas Junction. Here we me!
every kindness and attention, wagons OF
cooked provisions. barrels OF milk, water
etc. were there, and were served by fair
hands to brave hearts. Along this whole
line, at every village, the ladies were out
handing edibles aud water to the boys.
1t was p. m. before we started, our regi.
Alohb Oh ouS Train unQ as many on Top OF
the cars as inside. A rain had come up
and 1t was very dark, and fearful OF sur
prise the train had 60 proceed very slowly
1t was just before daylight on Saturday
morning when we reached tho junction
hastily leaving the oars, which had to re
turn for more troops, we met O Savannah
friend who brought MS letters and papers
and we we're again prepared to march
thus had two sleepless nights been passed
The clouds had now been cleared away, and
hot-hot-the sun poured down upon us o.
We toiled over the hill and vale, the hottest
oustiest, most fstiguing two miles that
ever walked, and hating near a littli
branch we awaited further orders. Befort
leaving the junction, the noble and lament
ed Barlow made us little speech, teilinG
US we we're TO be placed in the advance, ant
charging US TO remember the state from
Which we came. We went on under Lieut.
Vol. Gardner, Col. B. having to remain a
The junction awaiting the rest of the brigade
90 Saturday we rested us We could. Gu
tents and clothing were at Winchester
Our knapsacks with change of clothing
we're at Piedmont and blankets at the juac
ton.
sunday morning at sunrise we starte
horthward. When we had proceeded tw
miles we heard the distant boom OF cannon
and on rising hill. about four miles to on
right we could see the bursting shell: