The National tribune., 1897-12-02

miles through thiCkets and fields, and on
emerging from a large Cornfield we ran
right into a column Of Yankees before We
knew il.
1t looked like Sherman's whole army
must be marching down that read. They
seemed somewhat surprised, and not know
ing our strength, acted very cautiously, and
deploying skirmishers parallel with their
line, opened fire on US, which we returned,
and it was only few minutes before we
were in Il mighty hot place.
We were holding Our own pretty well,
under the circumstances. when looking to
the right we saw asgreat cloud OF dust rlS-
ing, and there being nothing TO obstruct the
view soon diScerned that ii was body OF
the enemy apparently about a brIgade)
going in a double quick TO our rear. They
were a full half mile from US and we should
have about the same distance TO run 10 pass
the point they were making for, so the
Colonel. thinking discretion the better part
Of Valor, !" ordered retreat.
The Yanits behind US gave yell and a
parting shot which spuTred US on, and we
went through that field ike ii hurricane.
IL was nip and tuck, ." and only a question
OF speed and endurance, which should get
there first but we sustained our Tcputa-
ton as cavalry remarkably well and coy
cred that half mile in about AS short space
OF time as Nheelcr'S best mounted Tegi-
ment could have done it. Ii was an ex
citing race. and with the advantage we had
Of empty hayersackS and no incumhTance
OF baggage we just did win by close
7 shave.
Having successfully run the cantlet and
reached a place Of safety, we rested a
short time and then proceeded 10 hunt up
the brigade, which we found lust ready TO
start on d scout about six miles down the
railroad, where il was reported the enemy
were tearing up the track. Although very
TIED from oar tramp Of eight or 10 miles, we
B fell in .tgad =
20 the place, where we found about one nun
dred yards % the track torn up, but the
/ NankS were gone.
We rctraced our steps through the mud
and the rain that had been falling for the
! past two hours, reaching our position at
( dusk, when we expected 10 get . ltt!c rest;
I but in this we were disappointed for our
! regiment WAS Immediately ordered out on
( picket and we were about as mad q set as
{ was ever seen.
/ We had been on the march and on the
/ run eli day with empty haversacks and
stomachs, and then TO have to 90 on
picket all night, the rain still pouring
down, we thought WIS doubling rather too
/ much. Nevertheless, grumbling didn't do
any good, for We had to go.
/ Aug. 2l.Had a long, dreary, rainy
/ night stood on picket all night without q
/ wink Of sleep, and we are feeling consider
/ ably used up from our hard service yester-
/ day and want Of sleep last night. In the
I afternoon We came BACK 10 our OIt place on
the extreme left Of The line.
! Aug. Our cavalry pressed Iilpat-
rick 80 closely that he had 10 retire TO the
! rear OF the Federal army dong but little
damage. on his raid. Our cava!ry has re
( turned and relieved uS. for which We are
/ truly thankful, az acting cavalry 'on
! foot is u new branch 81 The service and one
which We do not relish. If they would
furnish US with good horses, we would not
/ object 10 the change.
/ We moved one mile 10 the right and had
! To 20 on picket again and all the troops in
/ our rear have moved, we know not where
/ leaving only cur thin skrmSh line with
no support 10 fall back on ii the enemy
/ should advance.
! Aug. %. 49, Situation unchanged No
Yankees near enough to bother us but We
are in bad shape TO resist them if they only
knew it. CannOnading and diminishing
! heavy on the right
Aug. 2f.-We are still on the picket line
with no support behind us, and oar regi-
ment moved to the front and dcployed by
] twos 20 PAGES apart. We are now near
1 the enemy and the sharpshooters are an
! moving Us. We are furnished with tools.
and each couple is hard III work digging a
1 rifle-pit 10 protect Us from them and tie
stray bullets Of the pickets.
/ On the LETT near East Point, Ga, Aug.
/ 25.-Nbats the matter on the other side to
/ day The GankS are making such Ter
! rlble racket II seems as ii all the bands
and drums in Shcrman's army are concen-
trated III our front and all playing AT the
same time. Evidently they are up TO some
! trick, bat noise don't scare half as bad as
/ bullets.
( ii they only knew that we have moth
! ing hut 4 thin pici<otIine in front OF them
they could have an easy thing, but ! hope
( they won't find il out till we get some sup
/ port 10 fall back on.
I Aug. 26.-The enemy either got Disguised
with their noise or concluded they had ac-
- - is On every wrapper
u crnDra