The National tribune., 1897-10-07

/ tulouSu tnel Calup anu gave tucn
three cheers, while the band played Home
Sweet Home; then on to Gen. Buford's
Headquarters, gave him three more, and
were off,
We have march of 200 miles before us,
/ set homewsrd. Nothing unusual occurred
on the days march. Were delayed three
! honrs at Tombigee River. Marched II
miles, and went into camp at Burton's Hill
/ Church and, being cloudy and threatening
rain, we were allowed TO sleep in the church,
and had com Portable quarters.
Saturday, March 5.-We got an carly start
and made good days march OF 20 miles,
passing through some very fine, level country
and pretty towns At Eutaw We rested an
hour, where the ladies turned out en- rlasse
and entertained us charmingly. Refresh
menis were served the whole command, and
we had more good things to eat than we
had seen in long time. Eutaw is beautI-
full little town: the yards are all flower gar
dens. the streets in good condition, and the
houses looked as if freshly painted, some
thing very unusual with Southern towns.
1t is evident that they have not felt the
effects OF the war much in this section.
Sunday, March 6.-Nothing of interest
occurred to-day. On account of delay in
crossing the Black Warrior, We made only
i mile march.
Monday. March Arrived at Tuscaloosa
al 10 a. NJ, crossed the river and went into
camp at Northport, from which place num-
Der OF Us went back TO take IN the town."
Found what We don't often see nowadays,
that Is goods in the stores Being abont
baieEeaded it occurred to he thar 1t would
be good idea to invest some of my Confed-
crate IN hat, especially as / expected TO go
home soon. Hats were scarce, but after Wis
ting several stores, found a few, mostly
boys hats and very common, but not caring
much for style, finally made a selection OF
a little yellow wool concern worth 60 cents
before the war and asked the priests.
Whew, 1t liked to have took my breath.
You certainly don't mean SIS for that
little wool hat?" q most certainly do.
Hats are scarce. These are all the hats in
Alabama, so far as / know, and when they
are gone / can't get any more"
saw here was no use in parleyipg longer,
and counting out tie money. | made men
tai ca caation of what that S15 had cost me.
Ii took Just seven mon hs OF fighting, march
ing, running from Yankees, exposed 10 rain
and cold, sleepless nights on guard, blistered
feet, etc. Nevertheless, l was bound 10
have it; couldn't 60 to see the girl l left
behind me" without new hat.
This trade being consummated, / bought a
few smaller articles at corresponding prices,
and was then ready for fun or anything that
might come up, but some of the other boys
got the fun. They found some Confederate
whisky, filled their canteens and were soon
full themselves, but all were able to get back
to camp FOX roil-call.
March and 9-Yesterday We msrched
IS miles. This morning we took an early
start, expecting to make big days march,
but at IL a. N. the rain began 10 pour down,
the roads got slippery, and after trudgiug
along through mud and rain until o'clock
went into bivouac wet, tired, and hungry,
cooked days rations, and went to bed, but
rs the rain continued all night we got very
little sleep.
We are now in Tory land" that is, in
the mountains, where nearly all the citizens
sympathize with The enemy, and where the
bushwhackers are ever on the alert and
ready to pounce down upon lone rebel who
may chance to be caught away from his COM
rades.
March 10.-Ben Crony was out last night
accommodating on his own hook and about
two hours before day came hurredly into
camp. out of breath, and reported he had
found six Tories about two miles in the
mountains. A squad OF 20, with Lieut.-Col
Nc in command, was soon mustered, and
with Ben as guide set out to take them in"
After rough time climbing hills and wad-
ing the little mountain streams, which were
much swollen by recent rains, they finally
captured their game without the firing of a
gun.
They reached camp with the prisoners
oh irr hey
proved to be not Tories, but members of Col.
Josiah Patterson's regiment of cavalry. The
boys were somewhat crestfallen and we guyed
them a good deal On their brilliant exploit
We then took up the line of march, and dur
ing the day captured our first recruit He
was 2 typical mountain boy, just the right
age to conscript. He seemed to be badly
frightened, ami said he belonged 10 the army
a week, but WAS discharged. However, fail
ing TO show his discharge, be was placed in
line with gun and carlridge-box, with the
assurance that he would soon become used
to The " harness" bnt my private opinion is
that ] Ohm Cotton This name) will 8 kick out
OF the traces " the very first opportunity.
We had another delay of three hours
crossing large creek which was full from
the heavy rains, there being nothing to cross
on except a small log, and quite number
OF the boys who had been imbibing too freely
OF mountain dew got cold bath in the
creek, where it was eight TO ten feet deep.
There are numerous small distilleres in the
mountains, and some fellows can scent them
afar, and many canteen was filed with
something stronger than water. This be-
ing the nearest point, Cos. + and g were fur
loughed and left for their homes.
March 1l.-Roll call developed the fact
that we were short one soldier this morning.
John Cotton, our recruit, failed TO answer 10
his name, and no doubt is secure in his
mountain home ard wishing all sorts of bad
luck TO the rebels.
We moved out early this morning feeling
in extra good spirits, as q few more days
will bring us TO the Tennessee River. and
then it is only short walk home But.
alas, for all human calculations especially in
war times. We had marched but a few
miles when we began TO meet citizens and
struggling soldiers, all hurrying south as
fast as horses, mules, buggies, carriages, and
wagons could take them. They were
badly demoralized, and reported the valley
just full of Yankees.
We continued through, hoping that it was
only Small force, and that we would be
able TO drive them back, but about the mid
die of the day we met courier from Col.
Moreland containing the information that
! all our cavalry were retreating TO Columbus,
and that II 600 Yankees were, sure enough,
/ in the valley.