The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-16

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home alone. / fourd all well and expect
ing me. as Henry had preceded me anc
told them | would come as soon as coulC
getoG.
The Yankees having left this mart of The
country | have had a much more pleasant
time than on the occasion of my last visit
In fact, / enjoyed ii SO much that | hav,
kept putting of my return TO camp from
day 10 day.
But as the army is still at 1uScumbia
and no enemy nei.r, | am not needed, and
every day | stay away | save the Govern
ment that much rations, which are quite
an item in the present depleted condition
OF our C.'mmissary department.
Grave'ly Springs, Ala, Nov. When
awoke this morning was agreeably sur
priSed 10 find on chair, instead of my
old. tattered clothes, a new uniform OF nice
gray cloth with brass buttons, black cuffs
and collar, black stripe on the pant legs,
made-uI, in military style.
These my good mother had iEet com
pietcd. and was as proud of them as a
hO. with his first red top boots; and indeed
they were something 10 be proud Of. for
good clothes are rarely seen these days
on soldiers or citizens either. Having sur
Veyea myself in the mirror, ! could come
TO 10 other conclusion than that ! would
be the finest dressed boy in Hoods army
when got back, for few of them have been
SO Fortunate as to get home FOR a long while,
and our Government Il not able TO furnish
us even necessary clothing OF the cheap
est quality.
Having now extended my furloueh as
long as dared, after breakfast | filled NY
haverSaclk as full as it would hold and
started out alone, intending to 20 by way
of Florence. Had gone about eight miles
when | thought of some pretty girls who
lived two miles off the road, and | could
not resist the temptation 10 ge by and see
them.
So | turned my steps in that direction
and reached the place Just in time for din
ner- They seemed real glad to sec mo and
] was having a delightful time when III
Stalked two more rebels, WHO proved to
be Jim c. and Guilt w, of my company.
We had such a nice time that il re
quired little persuasion from the family TO
induce us to stay all night
Nov. S.-Again we started 10 camp,
Ealked seven miles To Florence ard found
the bridge broken, rain pouring down, and
were right glad that could not get across
the river so we spent the remainder of The
day and night very pleasantly with friends
in town.
Nov. 9.--The bridge being repaired. we
had no excuse for further delay, and made
another start, feeling sure we would GET to
camp this morning; bet heavy rain over
took US and we stopped in vacant negro
cabin, built up rOusing fire and remained
ALI day and night farpg sumptuously on
the rations we brought from home.
ANoy. 10.-Arrived al camp at Q q. m,
having been out nine days on Is hour
furlough, and found the boys complain
ing good deal OF the cold rain and mud.
Being without tents. most of them had
stretched blankets, which partially pro-
tected them from the rain, but the mud
was shoe mouth deep all around the camp,
and wood being very scarce, all combined
Made il very disagreeable.
i expected to have to go before the Col
onel and explain my absence. but rot a
void was said about it, ard ] was very
willing Ia LET the matter drop. il seems TO
me I'VE are losing valuable time If our oh
lectTs to go into Tennessee, but from what
! can learn we are short of ratiens and
other supplies and are waiting to equip our-
selEes for the march Trains are running
only 10 Cherokee, is miles distant, and
everything has 10 be hauled in wagons
l5fT1eh Is very slow. the roads being almost
imtassable from the recent rains.
Iuscumbla, Nov. II and f2.-Still in
camp, but expecting all the time TO get
orders to cross the river.
Aoy- ft.-Aoved TO South Florence and
began certifying the hills overlooking the
pontoon bridge.
and disagreeable weather. We keep soak
ing wet all the time. OH why don't We go
forward or into Winter quarters ANY
thing would be preferable IT, this wallow-
ing around in mud and rain.
Nov. lo.-Orders to he ready 10 cross the
river early tomorrow morning received
with cheers. Cen Buford visited US to
day. Said ne coilld not pass without see
ing his old brigade. After a general hand
shaking he made little speech Would
Ike % have us again il we were mounted,
hut infantry are needed more than cav
airy, and we must be patient and con
tented; that II IS not bv the dash of the
cavalry, hat b. the heavy blows of the
infantry that we may expect To achieve
our independence.
< pe md II Il, L.
night.
Nov. 20.-Wc did net move yesterday as
expected, Tut this m0rning al 10 O'Clock
struck camps and took up The line Of
march, as we suppose, for old Tennessee.
Crossed the river on a. ponfoon marched
out six miles the Nashville road and
went into camp al "Wilson's Old Stand"
Gulf and ! had the cheek 10 ask for an
other pass. and 10 our surprise We got IL;
so VIC hurried OF TO make another short
visit home, but, getting a late start, made
about half the distance and stopped with
the same young ladies where we had such
pleasant time last week.
Nov. H.-This morning borrowed a horse
and arrived at home.
Nov 22.-Feeling tina: this would be the
last time ] would see home for quite a
whlie, and possibly forever, ! fingered till
40 O'Clock, when / mounted my borrowed
morse and after a two hours ride reached
Mrs 4 - where ] found Gulf and Lieut.
We took dinner, and with many REGRETS
a. having 10 leave the young ladies'. started
for camp, bat soon learned that oar corns
moved out yesterday morning, being now
July 30 hours ahead Of Us.
We followed on and night overlook ms
at Tom Clark's, where we went into camO
Tom was not at home, and we were willing
To excuse his absence, as he might have
given US 4 warmer reception than We
would have enjoyed. He has gained con
siderable notOrie'y in these parts by hav.
ing murdered dozen or more citizens
besides number of soldiers since the war
began
Having a squad Of IS or % men. he is
terror to the whole country, killing and
piundering his neighhors using the cash
rope ana even burning his victims with
fire when the rope fails 10 extort money
from them. They wear the blue and pre-
tend 10 belong 10 the army but take care
never TO 20 TO the front where there is any
lighting 10 do. However, | must give him
the credit OF behaving very nicely when he
goes 10 my fathers. He always puts ont
a guard and viii not allow ANYTHING To he
taken or destroyed. He makes inquiry
about me and leaves word FOR me 80 come
home when ] please and I shall not lie
moiested by his men
This Is the good result Of having n friend
IN the person of his brother Dennis Clark.
When we first went i'm the army Dennis
was n member Of my comranr and as he
conld neither read nor write I wrote his
love letters and read the answers for him.
DtSlficS showing him numerous other