The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-30

thought of the dead aud dying comrades
i'm the valley below; of the crushing de
feat we had suffered and of the train of
consequences that would inevitably fol
low | almost lost hope for the Confeder-
acy.
Thick clouds had oversprcad the sky and
the shades of night were falling around
me when | aroused from my reverie.
realized that ! was not yet safe from the
enemy but where should 60? Not know
ing which way 80 start. | struck a Decline
south. as near as | could guess at the Gi-
rectinn.
Rain soon began 10 fall, and cropping my
way through the brush and darkness L
ran upon companion IN misery, which
proved to be Lieut.. Brown, of our regiment.
We were both glad TO get together, and
continued our tramp, with not even star
or path TO guide, until about 20 O'Clock,
when came into the franklin Pike
near Thompson Station.
At the station 4 number of officers were
endeaVoring to collect the scattered com
mandS, but after a diiiCent search, during
which | got lost from Lieut.. Brown, ind
ing none of my regiment, concluded to so
on alone. At ? a. m, overcome by the
fatigues of the day and night. stopped in
a deserted house, and rolling up in nay wet
blanket soon forgot the stirring scenes of
the day in sound sleep.
Dee. III got a few hours sleep, not
saturated with water, and aw9ke some
what rested. Gathering up my gun and
Announcements. / Immediately started again
in cold rain which was still falling.
The mud had been worked up into a
siush by the passing troops and wagons so
deep that it ran over my shoe tops almost
every step; but ] wadcd through il and
reached Franklin al ia a. m, where /
found few of the boys drawing rati0nS.
/ hadn't thought much about grub" for
he farr- Igx- hut no If oil
bacon Sharpened my appetite. and I put
IN my reduisition. The cOmmiSS3ry had
an abundance of provisions, and having
no means OF carrying II of, was very gen
eraus. insisting Oh our taking more after
we had flied havcrsachs and pockets, but
advised us TO be economical and eat
sPaTingly, as we might never be able to
make another draw"
We rested while eating bountiful meal
OF raw bacon and hardtack, then moved
out in the direction of Spring Hill, arriving
there late in the evening, where we went
into biVouac.
Dec. 1S.-Nothing worthy nt note hap
peneG on the march TO-DAY. We arrived
at Columbia at p. m. The remnant Of
our corps formed line-ot-battle to hold the
enemy in check while the remainder OF the
army crossed Duck River. However, they
did not seem inclined 10 press US, and we
remained quietly in line till midnight,
when we moved down 10 the river and
found the pontoon broken.
While waiting for the bridge to be re-
paired VIC had to stand in the mud two
hours. The mud had been worked up ~
horses, wagons and men until it was
actually knee deep. In this we had to stand
while cur clothes, which had been wet for
90 hours, were freezing on us.
We gOt across between and 3 a. M,
and kept moving till daylight.
Dec. 19-iiaying rested three hours we
took the Pulaski road. marched three miles,
and went into carlp, still very Geld, sleepy
and freezing After dark Lieut.. Stovall
and slipped eff and found hayloft full
oi hay. We climbed in, dug ont a hole, and
pulling the loose hay over us for cover
were soon as snug and warm as if in a
feather bed. We were in good condition
TO enjoy it and slept soundly until day
light.
Dec. 2O.-Got hack to camp in time for
r0ll-call, fell in, and marched 10 miles.
The fanks are not pressing us as we ex-
prcted, after such a rout as we had, but
for this We indebted to good rear
guard, for when Gen. Onest is behind We
feel pretty sale.
Dec. ~ Arrived at Pulaski at , y. m.
All got together again, 0r at least all who
Were fortunate enough 10 make their eS-
cape. Many inquiries are being made about
friends and comrades; some were known
TO be killed, but 1t Is supposed that most
oi the missing were captured.
Our Old regiment, the 27tl, Ala seems to
be almost wiped out; only IL rank and
file, and bat three pf nv company To |
answer to roll call-two Lieutenants and
myself.
In December. 1861. we left home with as
men, and during The Winter received II
recruits making an aggregate of 10. Now
OF that number am the only private left
lam Coo commanded by Licus. Chand-
Ter and OrVe
Our loss since Nov. % has been very
heavy in killed, wounded and prisoners,
our army reduced to q merc handful. all
our artillery captured and Il mere forlnrn
detected SET 81 ragged, dirty soldiers was
perhaps never seen. What he future will
deyrioD cannot Ice known bIis the oistlonlk
- gloomy indeed
Ii being generally understood that the
army VIII rccroSS tho river at Ilornncc
which = near oar homes, Lie1:ts Chandler, /
olive and myself sent up an application /
Tor burroughs, intending If successful TO 90
on ahead Of the command and spend !
Christmas with home folks.
Pulaski, Tenn, Dec. 23.-FuFlough ap-
proved, accompanied bv orders 80 report at 1
expiration to 'hc ~army wherever IT may
he found" Lieut.. Chandler started AT once /
ior AtdH1~, Ala, 10 visit his father, and /
Lieut.. Oh and mrSen left at II a m.
"homewaod bound"
Night overlook rs IS miles from Pulaski. |
1hen we had tiresome walk in the |
ni7id and darkness, wading small streams
until 10 o'cIoclt when we erc,g,,lfered an, /
unforeseen cnliruity in the shape of "a |
large creek. which was roaring and splash 1
INK over The rocks and seemed TO be al |
least 81 fres wide
Knowing ihat heavy rains had fallen
recentiy, and that IL must lie much dee,,c-
than usual, We were afraid 10 attempt to
uade e., end felt VERY mucit diSconcerlei 1
for We were very anxious 10 make half the 1
distance home before We stopped for the 1
night.
va had just about derided TO wait TIL
morning and were preparing 10 spread our
biankets under tree. when heard some
one ,ide m on the opposite side
IN luck once mere, We would lust wait /
tIil That fellow came over and make him 1
Jerry us across on his horse
when he came out we halted him and /
he seemed considerably excitcd no doubt i
thinking he had run into a SQUAD of bush |
whackeTs or highNaymen, for it was lust /
such a place as they would have selected /
being dark, lonely bottom far from any
habitatien. -
We calned his fears and explained why
We were there and what We wanted Int
he met our polite request with a decided
Ielusai, saying the stream was deem and
large rocks IN the bottom rendered il very
dangerous 10 ford in the dark All our
pffsha SION proved unaVailing but We were
oettimln"d not go be bat5,ed, and rs a
hnal resort told him aa much as we re
yfeHed To do Il We would be compelled To
take his horse
Seeing that we had the ADVANTAGE. Two
10 one, he then proposed 90 let Is ride