The National tribune., 1897-12-02
Bv DR. J P. CANNON, Co. c, 9th Ala.


Aug 4-Last night we had a most agree
able surprise; some time after dark we
were informed that some ladies wished to
see Bill SummerhilI, Shelf Waits, Jim
Chandler and myself at certain house in
the city Our informant Ga citizen) did
not know. and we could not imagine who
the ladies were, but having got permission
il did not take us long to find the place.
To our delight we found Mrs. Summerhill
and Miss Matt Waits Just from home.
My sister had come with them, but being
quite sick they had to leave her at La
Grange, so or 20 miles west of Atlanta. We
had heard nothing from home since we left
there last April, and were glad indeed TO
see Them hut wondered why they had UNI
dertallen such a long and tedious trip.
They told us that soon after the battle of
Resaca, they had seen some northern
papers which stated that the 9th Ala.
was "cut to pieces" almost annihilated
and of course they felt very much dis
tressed, and having waited for months for
tidings from us. and hearing nothing, they
finally decided to come and see for them
selves; but how to get here was the dIffl-
Guilty.
The nearest railroad operated by Con-
from their homes, and almost in the OPP
positc direction. All the good stock in the
country had been taken by the Yankees
and guerrillaS. bat, nothing daunted, they
procured two old hTollen-down horses that
the Yankees wouldn't have, rugged up an
old buggy and harness by tying with string
and ropes ferried the buggy across the
Tennessee River on a skih, swan the
horses over. and commenced the Journey,
two in the buggy and one on the extra
hirse.
They nassed through Sand Mountain,
and reached Columbus on the fourth day
without any serious mishap. There they
took the train Tor Meridian, thence TO Mont
gomery, and on TO Atlanta.
We were very much interested in their
account of the trip, and enjoyed long
talk about home and friends, often inter
rupted by shells and solid shot which
came hustling by every lew moments,
sometimes crashing through residences or
bursting over our heads.
Poor Mrs. SummeThiil (She is quite an
old iady) would grOan every time a shell
came near her and say, Martha, we never
will see home again, but Miss Wait was
a. cool as any of us and assisted very
much in quieting the old lady'S Tears; in
fact if she felt any fear at all she did not
show il. We staid with them till O'Clock,
and after partalling of "a good supper, bade
them good night and came back to our
places in line.
] ms morning jim ana ! started an dp-
plication for a IS hours leave TO visit my
sister at LaGrange, and while il was taxi
ing the rounds we all made another visit
to see Mrs. Summerhill and Miss Matt.
When we returned our pass had returned
too. but disapproved by every officer up
to the Major General, who would not allow
ii to 60 any farther.
We were very much disappointed and
would have given il up, but Jim does not
allow ANYTHING to check him when lie
h. 10 anly th,r and nv
some means got to Gen Hoods head
quarters and laying it before him said:
General, there Is pass, as you will
see. diSappTOVed by every officer from Major
General down. ] know such things should
come through the regular channel. but II
has failed, and have taken the liberty OF
bringing it directly to you. Cannon has
been in the service since 1861, has made a
good soldier and always did his duty.
His sister has Travelled 500 miles under
great difficulties to see him. Is now sick at
La Grange, and | have come 10 make
direct appeal and ask you 10 let him go,
and want 10 go with him."
After asking few questions the Gen
eral said. that although every man was
needed in line, under the circumstances
he thought il right 10 let us 90, and Endorsed
his approval. We were very much elatcd
over bIs success, and Il required but "A few
minutes 20 get ready Nc walked down
TO Last Point and were lust IN time for the
train which We bearded and expected IN
three hours To be in LaGrange. but the
Yankee, didn't intend for Us 10 have such
al easy trip.
Sherman'S cavalry made a raid on The
railroad below Newman tore up the track,
and when we got there the cars had 10
stop, but we didn't nliad little walk Of 30
miles The train went hack 10 Atlanta
and We took il on foot till midnight. when
We lay down by the Rad side and slept till
day.
Aug 5.At daylight we resumed our
journey and reached LaGrange 1T o a. m.
found my sister much better and able 10
sat up, 80 we put zap at her boarding house
and enjoyed being in Il qtiiet old town.
where we fcl1 free 10 do a. we pleased
and where We could not hear guns and
cannon and serecching shells.
Aug. 6--Ihc railroad has been repaired
and trains running through 10 Atlanta.
At - O'Clock sc boarded a freight 10 60
back, bat after We had started / regretted
that / did not stay another day, and the
more ! thought about 1t. the worse | felt
but luckily the train stopped at a tank
three miles from town, and | decided 10 eX-
tend my furlOugiI another dav. / Jumped
Of and told Jim lac might look for ne the
next day When got back nay sister was
very much surprised and glad. too for she
was very lonely and ] Il little honesck
Aug: After another pleasant day and
night bade nay sister an aTectonate fare
well and left again for he front arriving
in the afternoon al Atlanta where found
the boys m the same old bitches and the
same old nIonotgnOus banging of the
pIckets and sharpshooterS going on.
Atlanta, Aug. 5 10 l2.-During the past
four days no engagement worthy of being
called battle has been fought but ibc
usual sl<irnishing and cannonading has
been going on. sometimes enIivened by a
change Of the piciIets from one side or the
other. We have moved position several
times, bat the night Of the 11ih finds Us
occupying our Old bitches i'm the western
suburbs OF the city and the enemy fortified
about three hundred yards in our front.
Aug. l2.-The enemy is moving large
forces To Our left, no doubt endeav0ring To
swing around our rear and cat the rail
roads on which We depend for supplies
Our brigade was 20 day detached and sent
10 East Point six miles southwest OF the
city, and attached TO Cleburne's Division
making Us the extreme left OF the army
As soon as we got our line established
picks and spades were brought out and all
went Ia work as usual.
Aug. 13.-The NankS are still moving H.
our left, but have not closed in on us vet :.
consequently We are having very quiet
time but we can hear the diminishing on
different parts Of the line, and the Smelling
OF the city has been continuous and heavy
all night and day.
Aug. live were ordered back and
took position west Of the city near the
place we left q few davs ago Had "A heavy