The National tribune., 1892-02-25

rived at Lexington, Ky; distance marched %
miles. Then came railroad ride to Frankfort,
KY, and 20 Louisville. Arrived at Lebanon
Aug. Goth. Then camo long march 10 Roll
ing Fork River, Charlottesville, Russell Creek
and Columbia. Here our original mcssos broke
up.
| On the 25th wo crossed Cumberland River,
and that eTening half ratiOns were issued. On
tho 26th passed through Albany. This town
had been entirely destroyed BY a regiment Of
MOrgans men, who were in Winter quarters
there tho previous Winter. About IL O'clock a.
m. we crossed the State line between Kentucky
and Tennessee. Quarter ratiOns that evening.
On the 9th, about a. m, we commenced
climbing the Cumberland Mountains
sumo it is called Jacksons Gap-aud passed
through Jamestown. Here We came up with
our Brigade-First Brigade, Second Division,
Twenty-third Corps.
From here on We saw the live elephant. The
fences and buildings were destroyed and crops
all gone. Some fields had not been cultivated
for several years. DesOlation and devastation
over the country everywhere; rebel cavalry
and bushwhackers around US; more or less fir
ing every day.
The first notifications we saw in Tennessee
were few rails Laid together. Farther on q
few rails and some dirt still farther sOIns logs
squared, then logs and dirt. We We're on the
march for LOudOn, Tenn, where rebel General
Buckner was in command. We marched from
6iEiAb W 81 lulicS pSE utAy Ou tLidELbE anu uhtA
rations, and broke camp anywhere from a.
m. to daylight. Had the usual amount OK
picket duty. Blessed water in abundance in
this country.
On Sept. we found ourselves in good fight
ing trim, being very gaunt, and go rounds OK
ammunition was issued as, and the JOhnnies re-
ported within five miles in force Knapsaek8
were ordered left behind, and the Surgeons Gull
all out that are not trumps. We carried nothing
but blankets and what is said 70 be i've days
ratiOns. Now VIC waded through Emery River
about 10 p. M; DO the same at CEnch River, aud
found ourselves in front Of Kingston, Tenn.
Our ratiOns had dwinded to q little coffee and
bareback. Citizens along the route (the darky
not excepted) were cheering us; much U niOn
feeling manifested among the people. Sept
4 we were in possession of LOudOn. The railroad
bridge was on fire. 1t was built On 10 piers
was 1,70O feet long, with stockades at each end
and Qualifications on each bank.
From the time our ratiOns were cut down We
fOraged apples and green corn. This caused
diarrhea among the troops; fariaaceuOS dict was
not to be had; transportation was cut OF be-
hind Us, and the rebels had cleaned out the
country of eatabes before they left
Yes, there was wheat in the country, but it
was sick wheat. Reader, do you know what
that isl The 115th Ohio know and they don't
forget it, either. This sick wheat is q nice
plump grain, to all appearance as good as any
other wheat, except that on the germ end there
Is found o small req uOG. his wheat was
ground and the -four issued to the troops. This
we baked into slaPjaeks and ate them. Then
it made you sick. did you ssy2 Sea sick. Well,
that's no patching FOR sick wheat 10 stayed
with you from 10 to so minutes, then came back
the same way it went, it and all theTeunto be-
longing. Well, not quite al, the shoe soles
stayed in their proper places, because they were
sewed on. Can you imagine an army eating
green corn and sick wheat? Well, that's what
We were compelled to eat or nothing
My pen has rambled farther down the page
than intended it should. j shall leave it to
some other cOmrade TO tell how we had ear
corn and bran bread issued TO us that Winter,
and how we were on the lookout for any stray
grain of corn where the mules had been fed
their scanty ration. How We used to sit around
our camphres and talk of something good 70
eat, then lay down in our ragged clothes, wrap
up in our ragged blankets and dream OF some
thing to eat. And don't forget to tell about our
squabbles with che Johnnies. Drum-MsioE
JEFF Wise next.-R. FLAIz, Co. A, 11Sth Ohie.