The National tribune., 1894-03-01
UNDER A DOG-TENT.
a Bit of Experience illustrating that Onl
Ul-Wind Blows Nobody Good.

Bit of Experience Illustrating that Only
an Ill-Wind Blows Nobody Good.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / enlisted
in Capt. c. c. Hareis company, which was
of cavalry, although the regiment to which
it was attached was infantry Oath KY. But
In 1863 the company was ordered to Nash
vile, Tenn, and called Co. L, 5th KY. Cav,
Col. o. II. Baldwin. We were then bril-
gaded with the Cd KY. Cav. and 4th KY.
Cav and ordered to report to Gen. Kilpat-
rick at Ringgold, Ga. After a tedious march
from Nashville we got there in good shape,
and all able to do duty.
Our first night in camp was near Ringgold.
The clouds looked threatening, so my mess
mate, Bill Bryant, and myself concluded to
put up our dog-tent Oder sold,e than we
made fun of the dog-tent and called us
fea her-bed men. But Bill and worked on
and finished it, made fire 10 front, and soon
after dark found US snugly slowed away for
good nights rest Bill would often say to
me:
John, amt this dog-tent just the fit for
two good soldier boys like you and me; and,
John, amt she handy? We can sleep under
tent at night and ride on it in day time."
But, like all earthly joys, it was doomed
to disappont as, for within two or three
call out here in Texas regular "root-
soaker and gully-washer came down. The
poor little dog-teut that had a few hours
previous been our joy and pride now SEEM
ed to catch as much of that Georgia root
soaker as possible, and proceeded to pour it in
on poor Bill and John, until we discovered
that the bed was not high enough from the
ground.
So we held hasty consultation, and con-
cluded to go TO higher ground. 1t was
lightning furiously; we could see some of
the evacuated houses which Mr.. Johnny
had left and so we made break for them.
l got there first, as | was the best runner,
pushed the door open, and in walked.
To my great surprise, who should rise up
on his elbow and say "Please have mercy
on me" but poor rebel l acted the Chris
tian, and said: Certainly, I will" He
said he was sick, and not able to get up;
that when his command moved they left
him behind.
/ promised him that I would report his
case to Col. Baldwin the next morning, which
/ did. The next day came and Bill and L
went down to view the rain-soaked dog-tent,
and ratiOns likewise.
Says to poor Bill;
Now, what do you think of life at the
fT0nt!"
Says he:
4" make move to discard the doggoned
dog-tent, and rough it like man,
We saddled up that morn and marched to-
ward Resaca, leaving the tent far behind.
However, IT'S poor wind that blows no one
any good, for if the dog tent had been loyal
to its duty l would not have made my first
capture.
In few hours we were near the JOhnnies
and Co. L first heard the music of war,
and showed to the world afterward that we
allowed no regiment to say that they could
do more than the 5th KY. Cav. Co. L also
showed to the world one of the best Captains
in the service (Capt. c. G.. Hare), and it also
showed to the army our first Lieutenant,
Amos M. Griffin, who was Chief of Kill
patricks scouts. Brave and generous, with
out fault he fell in South Carolina, shoot
ing Ikea man. I cannot say too much for
such men as Amos Griffin. Bill Bryant and
l went clean through, and came home Aug.
Is, 1865.-JOHN W. RATCLIFF, Corporal,
Go. L, 9th KY. Cav, Garvin, Tex.