The National tribune., 1897-10-28

be overrun by the enemy, and having heard
of the depredations they had committed ID
Tennessee, decided that he would carry some
negroes and such things as were not needed
| at home to some place for safe keeping. Ac-
cordingly he gathered up all the surplus
beds, bedding, clothing, tableware-in fact,
| everything that was not actually needed for
the family-and with the negroes boarded a
tain bound east. Just why he came to
Cartersyille Ga, / do not know. Perhaps
he thought it was SO far in the interior that
the enemy would never reach them.
Be that as it may, he came to Gainesville,
placed the negroes Oh q farm near by, and
gave them charge of the trunks and boxes,
with instructions 10 remain till he sent for
them; but our calculations are often err0ne-
Gus, and so it seems TO have been in this case,
for the enemy have penetrated fine interior,
and here We are, in line-of-battle, and the
Yankees only three miles from the place
where he thought everything would be safe.
j got a pass and went down 10 see the
negroes. They were very greatly surprised,
and / could not have had much more
affectiOnate reception if had just arrived
| at home. They were indeed glad to see me,
having heard nothing from home in many
months, and kept me busy answering ques-
tiOns about everything and everybody. |
found them doing well, with plenty to eat
and very comfortably fixed in every way.
While some talked others cooked me a
splendid dinner, which was in good trim
TO enjoy, and then filled my haversack with
grub enough TO last me several days, which
was very acceptable, as ra,ions are quite
short with Us now. | then exchanged my
dirty clothes for clean snit GALL my clothes
had hnny hvnn M u
felt like another fellow.
remained about an hour When got
ready 10 leave told the darkies we would
probably fall back at night, and if so the
Yankees would get them tomorrow. They
were very much excited, and asked me what
to do, but could give no advice more than
tell them to take care Of themselves the best
they could.
Henry Ia boy somewhat older than my
self seemed more alarmed than any of
them, and said he would not stay; 30 told
him to remain until it was decided whether
| battle would De fought, and if he found
that we had TO retreat, which / thought
very probable, he could follow our army
Giving him slip Of paper with the number
Of my regiment, brigade, etc, told him to
show it 10 the soldiers, and they would di-
rect him how to find me. / then told them
AL good-by and went back to the line, ar
irving about 3 p M, where found the boys
! had not been idle, but had pretty good
breastworks. as if they meant to make .
| stand
Gen. Johnston sent around circulars COM
plimenting the troops upon their steadiness
and laithfulness on the battlefield and on
retreat. He says we have repuIsed every
| assault, that we are weakening the enemy
and Strengthening ourselves every time we
fall back, and the time will shortly come
when we will make stand, and he expects
every man TO be at his post and dc his whole
duty.
May 20.-Wc had to skedaddle again last
| night, passing through Gainesville and
across the Eiowah River; marched all night
and till IL o'clock to-day, when we stopped
and formed in line-of- battle. The Yankee
followed closely, and almost by the time we
/ got ready they were in iine, confronting rs,
and the pickets commenced their same old
passtme.
May 81. Everything has been compare
/ lively quiet to-day. We remained in line,
but 10 iightin. except the pickets and an
occasional artillery duel.
! To be continued