The National tribune., 1897-10-14

SATURDAY., March 12. 1S64.-A courier
came in this morning bringing the welcome
intelligence that the enemy had gone hack to
Decatur This was cheering news and revived
our hope of getting TO see home and friends
again in the near future We remained in
camp all day awaiting further developments,
and spent the day very pleasantly, indeed,
visiting some young ladies' who are camped
near us. They are with party of refugees
from Huntsville, who have been expelled
from their homes by the Federals.
Sunday, March 13-Everything being
quiet in front we resumed the march over
the most desolate looking country ever saw.
i don't wonder at the people here being
/. Tories as the most dense ignorance pre-
walls, and where such is the case Union senu-
ments predominant. The very poor people of
the South (the "po' white trash, as the
negroes call them, have such a hatred to-
ward the rich or slaye-owners that they array
themselves in opposition to them, regardless
OF any principles which may be involved,
and the idea that the war is wagcd on the
one side to free the negr,e s and On the other
10 hold them in slavery is about as far as
they can see into the question at issue, and
they are willing to have the slaves freed Tor
the satisfaction of humiliating the owners.
But while this is the case with the ignor-
ant, the intelligent portion of the poor people
are with us TO the bitter end, and have re-
sponded nObiy TO the call TO arms and have
done valiant service for the cause The boys
brought in two recruits last night, and three
more to-day, but Judging from their appear
ance / think they will serve Us like Cotton
did a few days ago. Men who have to be
conscmpted, or who have not sufficient patri-
otism 10 volunteer when their country has
been laid waste and war has been raging for
three long years are Tot apt TO make good
soldiers when pressed into service against
their will. After a 22mile tramp we went
into camp late in the evening at Daviss Old
Stand
Monday. 14th.-Reported this morning
that the Yanls are in Florence, which is dis
couraging to those OF us who live on the
north side of the river: but we continued the
march, and at 2 p. M reached point where
we could overlook the beautiful Valley of the
Tennessee, which made US feel like we were
most home. After descending the mountain
three miles brought us to Mount Hope, where
we went into camp.
Tuesday, 15th-Remained in camp to-day.
All sorts of rumors have been coming in, the
latest and most reliable being that the fanks
are moving this way in force. We have re-
ceived orders 10 cook two days rations. and
be ready to leave on short notice.
"Wednesday. 16th.-At ii o'clock last
night, while We were enjoying good sleep.
the old drum reused US, and we had to fall
in and move out down the valley towards
Russellville. After disagreeable march of
seven miles through the dark and over rough
roads we went into bivouac till daylight
when we started again. and arrived at Rus
sellville at 10 a. M, rested two hours, then
on till near night, and camped.
The enemy are moving down the valley by
way of Leighton, and not having a sufficient
force to meet them we will probably be COM
PEELED to fall back across the mountains TO
obtain supplies. Thus, our anticipatons of
apleasant visit home are again almost blasted
though there is yet hope that the pestiier-
GUS Yankees will leave the valley, and, if so,
we can return.
light Of our company swore they were
going home 1ank or no Yank. and accord
ingly slipped out Of ranks, and were absent
at evening roll-call. They said they did not
intend to desert, but would come back after
q short visit. Ii does seem hard to turn
back when within 20 miles of home, after an
absence Of more than two years; but / have
long since learned that a soldier has to endure
many things that are repugnant to his feel
ings and desires.
Thursday. 17th.-Iieut Chandler with four
men were detailed to go after the fngitives
who let yesterday. | wish ] could have
bee;l on that detail, although all of them are
liable TO lie captured hut would have b. en-
willing 10 take the risk. Learned to day
that the enemy had gone back to Deca ur.
where ] hope they will stay till we all get to
so home and return at least. Wonder if
they would entertain proposition for an
aTInistice for about two weeks?
Friday ISsh All l.n 1.-Two ~, he ..,41,
side Of the iiver are getting firrloughs to-day
They comprise about two-thirds of the two
regiments, leaving l25 Of US unioTiunates TO
hold the valley. We rejoice with them but
at the same time feel sad because we can't go.
too.
Saturday, 19ih-We are now having
good time: so few of us, we get plenty 10 eat :
ia fact, the citizens everywhere we 60 vie
with each other in giving US nice things to
eat and entertain Us TO the best of their
ability.
Sunday. 20th.-Report reached us this
morning That a company Of Federal cavalry
about 70 strong had come out from Decatur,
and were operating in the vicinity of Moul-
ton, driving of cattle, etc. We have been
running from reports, some of which were no
doubt exaggerated, ever since we arrived in
north Alabama but the Colonel saws he il
t-pAh'S ~ 'o'N9e4t5NVS tils tiiue, ana II the
force is not too large we viii Just give them
a good thrashing and send them back to
Decatur.
Monday, 21st.-According to orders issued
last night we packed up and took an carly
start in the direction of Moulton. Nothing
OF interest occurred till about 10 O'Clock,
when OF a sudden we were greeted by a vol
ley. and. quickly wheeling into line. returned
the compliment. Il VAS right lively for a
few minutes. and sunnising that this was the
squad Of cavalry which we had started out
TO hunt the Colonel decided at once To give
them charge; 50 with rebel yell . we
went for them al a double-ouick Cavalry
can Z stand a charge of web-feet. and they re-
tired in haste
OF course they could outrun us. but we
followed on, and had similar skirmishes he
tween this and Moulton. Near Moulton we
were Joined by squad Of Confederate cav
airy, eight or ten in number, who were scout-
ing in the neighborhood and attracted hv the
firing. We put these in front and found
them very useful in locating the Yanks when
they would make a stand. skirmishinp with
them till we came up.
Two miles beyond Moalton they made a
stubborn stand, where they had the advan-
tsge of hill with an open space in their
mont, and prcfeuing TO dislodge them with
out charge If We could, we opened on them
with our Enfield rifles; and while the fight
was gong on bold Confederate took posi-