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

are after ust' they shouted. Somewhat
excited, we began TO inquire whats the
natter" and when they had recovered
breath sufficiently they informed rs that d
squad OF buShwhackerSs had fired into
some stragslers. killing some and STAN
peding The remainder bat they did not
wait. ~ see how many were killed nor the
strength Of the enemy.
We bad weak force (onlv three gunS9 10
meet an enemy OF unknown numbers con
his own soil" but time was precious we
must do something quickly or they might
be on to us unprepared. s. We held a hasty
council of war and unanimously decided to
try game OF bluff We first sought
cover oil a tificket nearby where We could
have the advantage of seeing the approach
OF ar enemy without being easily discoy-
cred-then formed line OF battle-.Joe right
wing, Gulf left and myself center, com
manded by Mai.-Gen. Chandler and Brig
Gen. Oliver. Having disposed cur forces
TO the best advantage, in order to carry out
the bluff, Gen. Chandler (who has Il
good pair of lUngs began commanding in
a loud voice as though he was drilling a
regiment He didn exactly follow EaTdee'S
tactics, but the main POINT was 10 make
them believe the woods were full OF Us.
As his command reverbefated over The
hills and hol!ows, no doubt the hush
wharkers were panic stricken and thought
a whole brigade Of rebels were preparing 20
they made no demonstration toward US,
and night coming on soon after, we con
cluded oiir present position would he about
rs safe place as we could find 10 'rooSt.
Thinking il not prudent TO make another
fire we finished our supper on cold biscuits
and raw bacon, and being fatigUed from
our days walk soon forgot about hush
whaclicrs in refreshing sleep.
Nov. a. We slept all night undisturbed
and were up by dayhreall this morning,
and while discussing the probability Of an
encounter with bushWhackerS, were agree
ably surprised to see the head Of a column
Of Johnny rcbs approaching. j. proved to
he French : Division, which had been
left behind unknown To us. We thought
we were the extreme rear OF the army, and
were glad 90 get reiniorcements. for we
rather dreaded our trip through this rough
country alone.
We fell in and marched on with Irench's
men, and soon learned that several StraG
glerS were killed, sure enough so the
action oi the two LieutenantS in beating "A
hasty retreat proved to he a wise thing for
them. After d march ol 20 miles through
as rough and poor a country as | ever saw
we went into bivouac about night, where
we found our division and were rot long III
hunting up the boys.
Nov. 25.-The country through which we
passed to-day is some improvement over
yesterday, but still poor and billy. When
" NhuttA me titltDiI tIO tplEHltnd PIKE
We had a very fair road, but for some
cause or other made only 10 miles going
INTO camp before night
NOV. 26.-Iiad an unpleasant march on
account al rain, which fell on us a good
part oi the day passed through Ait. Pleas
am, where nearly all the people are rebs
ana glad 10 see us. We gave long and
loud cheers for the ladies OF Old Tennessee
Nov. 2I-This j. a fine country. rich
farms and nice, well built houses and
barns, IN striking contrast 10 the moor hills
and log cabins Of Lawrence County
through which we have lust PASSED. The
irea"fnt stops OF the column, the daehin o.
about OF staff officers and couriers midi
Gated early in the day that there was some
obstruction ahead, and We surmiseG cor
rectly that the Nanlls were not far off.
When within four miles Of Columbia our
corps filed 10 the right and after winding
about through fields and woods and over
small country roads we struck the Pulaski
pike. Here Cur regiment was deployed as
skirmishcfs and advanced in line ill il
encountered the encmys pickctS when il
was hated and ordered Ia rest on arms y
Nov. 2S-Ne rested very well, some
sleeping while others watched, ill ? a m
when We were reused and ordered forward
feeling our way through the darkness. ex-
pecung every moment 90 Ice fred into but
it wasn't long before the luminous fires
and vivid flashes of burning ammunition
indicated that The enemy bad evacuated.
stlll we advanced slowly and cautiously
entering the town jus3 at daylreak
We were met by citizens OF both sexes
who fTasped orr hands and with Tears Of
10Y bid us welcome, so glad TO see the
rebels once more | thought never saw
SO many pretty girls at zone sight" before: