The National tribune., 1895-01-24
SAD HOLIDAYS.
Stone River and Christmas Week of 1S


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: do not
think have failed to note the anniversary OF
any of the battles in which had the honor
to take part. Somehow each of these mo-
mentous occasions so impressed nae and so
buried itself in my memory, that | can no
more pass that time of the month without
giving it thought than l can ignore the
Fourth Of July when it comes round
But the anniversary OfStone River Fought
during the holidays) stands out more prom
inent than some others by reason of it's oc-
curing on another important anniversary. 1t
has been 80 years since that great battle,
but when the holiday season was with US,
reverted as usual to the scenes of that far
away time. / found they were as fresh in
my mind, as real, as terrible as they were
when beheld them with the natural eye. I
can see our camps in front of Nashville, and
wildly recall the damp, chilly, muddy
weather of that Christmas Day in 1862, and
of our brave attempt to have something bet
ter than common, and fix up a little in
memory of the day. Many Of us received
some tokens from home but recall with
sadness box of good things from Gods
country" intended TO cheer our hearts on
that occasion. but by vicssitudes OF war
and q rush OF business on our cracker line !"
failed to reach us on time, and when 1t did
arrive two weeks later much fit was spoiled,
and many ter whom these dainties were in
tended had fallen in battle; but one thing we
got that Christmas Day | am not likely to
forget, and that was orders " 10 be ready to
move on the enemy the next morning"
There was no postp0nement on account OF
the weather, which was any thing but fair.
| remember how we marched from our
camps in a rain Storm and how we had all
kinds of weather peculiar to that latitude
for the next week, except good weather
This was before the day of the shelter Tor
dog tent, and we left our Sibleys behind
with other camp equipage too bulky to
carry. So for week or 10 days our sleep
ing accommodations were most primitive.
One night / made my bed on a fat stone
the size of a barn door, having previously
built fire on it to cook my supper, then
raked off the fire and threw water ON to
cool it down. 1t proved warm enough and
hard enough.
We met such stubborn resistance that it
took four days to get within two miles of
MurfreesbOr0, and three more to get into it,
and the whole distance was but 80 miles.
Passing over many scenes of thrilling in
terest, l come to the morning of Dec. 81.
After an uncomfortable night we were early
in line-of-battle and listening to "Rosy's"
address to the army. Even while it was be-
ing read the conflict began away on the
right; we were on the left wing. The at
tack was so sudden and vigorous that the
right soon gave way. It was apparent to
Us by the sound of battle rolling rearward.
and soon our division (Palmer's) was moved
to the right and rear to support the broken
right wing.
All, that heroic struggle in the cedars
Who can ever describe it? Scenes of valor
and daring witnessed there, who can forget?
What q day of battle that was! And what
q sight after the disaster of the day.
Then, do you remember the New Years
morning and the grand cannonade we were
treated TO? / was ON guard when daylight
came that morning, and from my post
counted 40 dead horses and many dead SOL
dlers were lying in rows, where they had
been placed during the night.
The field of Stone River was a sight to
look upon that morning, but it was an I'M
decided contest, andIt the sun went down on
that 1st of January q S63, with little to cheer
us. Early on the ID our brigade (Grose's)
was moved across Stone River with some
other troops, where, about o'clock that
afternoon, we received that magnificent
charge of Breckinridge's Division and re-
PEELED it. And the battle of Stone River
was ended. / was prond was there, and
am proud &c it to-day.-A. w. SAINT, Co.
d, Both Int, sew Castle Ind.