The National tribune., 1894-03-01

facing at Petersburg To attack them meant
ter bic sacrifice of life. Gen. StNneman
had made raid in rear Of Atlanta for the
purpose of destroying the railroads, thus
shutting of the rebe s supply of rations.
In their effort Gen. Sloneman had been
captured, and for several days thereafter his
men came into our lines in squads and de-
tachments of one and two, hungry, ragged,
and destitute.
second effort was to be made. Gen. Kill
patrick was asked to make the attempt to
destroy their railroads. For a few days
harne-smakers were busy repairing saddles
ami brides; blacksmiths sboeing horses, and
gunsmths repairing guns. CarIrdg boxes
were filled; also, our stockings, WIN CHI were
carried in our saddle-bags, were full Of
Spencer-rf1e cartridges.
On the evening of Aug. Is, 1864, five days
raiipns were Issued, and orders TO take late
supper and be ready to march at 10 o'clock
p. M. We were all Buys then, tuil OF strength
and energy, and as we formed by re. iments
into line that starlight night we would not
have missed that raid f anything. NJ. Van
Buskirk was our gallant company COM
mander; Maj. Woodcock the regimen'al, and
Gen Fitzpatrick the division. In addition,
under KipatrIck's command were Minty's
and Longs Brigades, the 10Th Wis. battery
and the Chic lgo Board of Trade Battery-in
al, about 600 hors-men. The 92d Ill. MID
Inf, armed with Spencer repeating rifles.
were in the advance. As the advance-guard
were approaching the rebel pckei-posf,
Little KILL" as we spoke of him, (he only
weighed at that time 80 pounds,) came rid
ing up, and said:
Boys, is this the advance-guard ?"
yes, sir"
"All right, / am with yoB; we'll have
some fun to night. When the rebel picket
challenges you let me respond"
We rode some distance beyond, where we
expected to meet their vdet, and rs we rode
along disturbing the silence by he tramp
ing of 5000 horsemen and tie clanking of
sabers, 1t seemed as though we made a great
deal OF noise. Birds fitted from the bushes
as we Tassed, dogs barked as we passed a
plantation, then skunk away ab4shed. The
crickets and frogs kept up their Summer
night chorus.
As we approached the summit of a hill a
challenge rang out, Halt, lhere!" Kill
patrick responded with that sweet voice of
his:
" Friends without the coun ersign.n
Wekept on, rapidly approaching the videt,
who again halted us, and without firing
wheeled and retreated, followed by the 5000
hOrsemen. We left the breastworks little
20 OUr left, containing their reserve picket,
who, as we passed, were in dazed condition,
just awaklng out of sound sleep. For
ward we went on rapid tr0t, and soon were
in the rebel camp of Rosser's, Lewis's, and
Ferguson's Brigades of Cavalry. Forward"
said Gen. Fitzpatrick, Tor the railroad
The regiments in our rear will see after this
camp" II the object had been tie capture
of these camps, no doubt but we could have
accomplished it, for the tents were full of
sleeping men and long lines OF picketed
horses. Forward we rode for the Mont
gomery & West Point Railroad. As the r. gi-
ments following were passing through the
rebel camp, we could hear their cheers and
volleys, which was intended, l suppose, as a
serenade and salute to the sleeping camp.
At o'clock a. III. of the 18th we came to
the railroad. Men were quickly gathering
corn and feeding the horses, and then turned
their attention 10 the railroad track, which
was soon in much disturbed condition the
ties aud rails being piled unfortunately
one above the other, and the ties were
abaze. Some of the corn roasted here at
o'clock in the morning tasted better than
any have since eaten.
WINE peacefully engaged thus we were
saluted about sunrise by a shot from some
| artillery belonging 10 those parties we had
serenaded a few hours before. One regi-
ment left in the rear attended thoroughly
to their case during the day. We marched
| in the direction of JOnesboro' Ga.
Just before shutdown we found the enemy
disputing our crossing the Flint River.
/ The batteries here did some excellent work,
and RENDERED great assistance as the boys
| charged the ford and drove the enemy
rapidly before them through the town.
1t was now Friday evening. The railroad
was reached. Some of the buildings had
been fired by the enemy, and lighted up the
railroad track. We formed on one side, aud
all together rolled that track off from the
bed. The ties were then piled together, and
The iron rails were placed on, and a hun
dred blazing bonfires were soon lighting up
with wonderful brilliancy the strange town
that We were in, also heating the enter of the
rails TO a red heat, when we twisted them
into thousand shapes.
We were engaged at this until II o'clock
at night, when heavy charge from rebel
brigade from the south succeeded In driving
in the outposts.
The ED H. MID Inf. were ordered on,
! on foot. When we met the troops on out.
post duty they were making gallant fight