The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-11-04

Sunday. Nav o2-I had about concluhed
that Henry had deci.;ed TO stay with the
other darkies or possibly had been captured
by the Yankees, but was agreeabiy surprised
this morning 10 see him coming IN with two
or three bed Quits and a bundle of clothes
as lilo rs himSelr. Iookn,, Ike lie had started
ont for Winter campaign. He put on
broad grin when lie SAW me, and | believe
was the prcudes, little negro ever saw.
Hello. Henry I" | said; thought You
had gone back on me. Wh,re lave you
been all thi. time?"
a been huntin' yon ever since you LETT
Gainesville. ] never had SIGH d time IN all
ma Ii e. ] believe all The men III &c world
is right here IN Georgy. i go TO one amy
and dev send me 10 another, and when L
Git dar dev send me somewhat else, an
Jest been goin' night an day, an Amt bad
no rest nor sleep, but, thank God, found
you at last"
The poor fellow was almost exhausted
with fatigue and loss of sleep, so told him
70 rest awhile. but he did net tarry long, as
the pickets were fighting just in front OF us,
and verv often stray bullet would come
singing over orr heads or tearing up Tue
dirt NJ ar bv and he concluded that he could
rest more comfortably III the rear, so sent
him 10 the Comnissa with instructions to
stsy with the wa2cu-irain ami attend to the
cooking for my mess whenever there was
anything in sight.
Sirce this campaign opened all the cook
irg has been done in the rear ny men de-
tailed for that purpose. We nave had no
time for cooking hsring been in llne-oi-
battle or on the retreat since the 18th CT
Nav. The usual pickle Gchting and sharp
shooting has been going on all day. but
notl,in~ az innor;ance occurred. Two hun
dred Yankees crossed the river on recon-
noitering expedition, but were captured
without fight.
"Way down in Georgia" May 23.-Had a
fair nights sleep. and got up wondering
what would be the program for the day.
AT 10 q. IN. we commenced advancing
backward again and moved in the diiec-
ton of Marietta; had q hot dusty aud dis
agreeable march all day, stacked arms and
camped in lne-of- battle.
Rations are getting very scarce. We are
getting about enough coinbresd and bacon
for one meal This constitutes days ra-
tons Lieut. Chand lei slipped out on forag-
inr expedition duIing the march, and came
in at night with an arnful OF coTnbreai
which we euioved very much IN the absence
of ANYTHING better Jim says there IL noih-
ing to eat in the country, and he Is the best
forager in the regiment When he fails 10
one else need Try.
May 24.-Ron, ed before daylight and con-
tinued cur retreat Marched till p. M,
formed in line and ordered to g rest on arms.
Skirmishing and cannonadng have been
quite heavy all day. Nanks lined up III
our front and opened Oh us with artillery,
then the pickets joined in; but we are get
ting used TO such kets. and did not lose
much sleep on account of 1t.
Wednesday. May. %, 1S6i>-We manu-
yered so much all the morning going back
ward. then forward, by the right flank and by
the left flank, forming line-of-battle here, then
moving to another position, that 1T was hard
to tell whether we we're TO attack the enemy
or expecting 10 be attacked. In the mean
time, while this was going on, we could hear
heavy firing on the extreme left, which
gradually approached nearer and nearer I'M
til ii reached Hoods Corps, when we were
Immediately ordered TO the scene of action
on doubie-qUick.
The roar OF nluskeiry and boom OF artil-
lery mingled together told plainly that
blood was beng spilled freely, and with Z
veil we pressed Oh to let Hoods boys know
that help was near, aud encourage them Il
stand to their posts. Before we reached the
battle-ground stray bullets BEGAN To strike
IN onr ranks, and several were killed anC
wounded.
Just IN rear Of Hoods line We were halted
and found that both sides were merely hold
ing Their own. We rested few minutes
and on ewhat recovered Our breath, whel
We were ordered forward. Then came tie
tug Of war; The Yanks contested th'
ground stubbOrnly, and the Carnage wa.
fearful, bat slowly they yielded Till nigh
set In and put an end 70 the struggle, leayins
Us IL possession OF the battlefield. amid thu
groans Of the wounded aud dying, which
wasrore distressing han the ordeal through
which we had just passed.
We gave such assistance to our fallen com
rades and foes a. We could till IL O'Clock
when We were ordered 10 iali III" an
marched and couuteTmaTcned ihroug
thici,ets and sWamps, the rain pouring dow
on US in torrents tie remainder 0fthe night
Al daylight ne lared. and lying down i
our wet clothes. welcome sleep soon biOue
out the remembrance OF the DAY and nigh
Near New Hope Church, May 26.-Lient
Olive came in this morning with squad {
our boys who were lett in the enemy's line !
Alabama. They brought Us letters, whic
is the first news We have had from hom
sinee We Left there.
spirit OF lIbeTaIty seems 10 have struc
cur Commissary. He sent us two day
rations equal TO any four that We have u
ceiyCd since the campaign opened. Our 7:
tions have been very snort for two week
and consisted only OF hard corn dodgers an
bacon; but do not complain. because "
know It is the hest hey can 90 Tor as
long as the onesiy holds 50 mgcn of o.
TERRITORY.
Ia tie afternoon the Yankees moved .
and diminishing hegaB in cur front u
formed general battle AID went
work. We are .eitpg 10 be expert VA
pick and spade, AMI I does not take long
dr. ditch two OF nee feet deep. throyiI
tie dit IN font, which protects US from Il
bullets and ;ragm hts Of shells which a
continually flying around and about as.
May 27.-Skirn,ishing and cannonaGii
continued all night, and became general .
around tie line thi morning 1t begins
look like we are 90 make stand at Ia
We have been tetieatiug for three weei
vet We are cheerful and in high spiri
Usually an army ecomes demoralized wi
il has to fall back continually. but we ha
eBauzh confidence M our commander 10
u. We shat when he opportunity comes
WIZ strike the enemy blow which "