Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-05
Oh cH1cKAnAUGA FIELD.
Dickinson County Boy Writes from
5Y r the Front.

TOR from In0maS u. DAVIS, formerly
Of Dillon, but for two years with the
First Cavalry band at Fort Riley,
will be read with interest. He il
with his regiment on the Chickmauga
battlefield and tells an interesting
story Of bis adventures:
CHICKAMAUGA, May I've board.
ed cars April 10 and reached Chatta-
nooga, IS miles from the Park, April
20. There were about so freight cars
and 20 tourist sleepers for our troops,
divided into four trains. We, the
band. did great deal Of playing on
the road, and at every station great
crowds Of people were assembled to
zee Uncle Sans soldiers. At every
stop we would play Dixie" and the
people would 60 wild. At Nashville
was an ocean Of people to greet US,
and as we struck up "Dixie" they be-
gan to cheer and kept it up until We
we're forced to quit.
Along the route the greatest en-
thusiasm was shown. A great many
Of these people are sincere, but there
are those who wish their neighbors to
do the fighting.
A few years ago the Chickamauga
battlefield was made national park.
1t comprises an area Of about 5000
acres, and over 100000 has been
spent on Improvements, monuments,
statues, etc. 1t lies IS miles south
east Of Chattanooga.
At present there are about 5000
troops encamped here, some having
been sent south yesterday, the SOth.
Our Colonel, A. X. Arnold, has been
put in command Of the 1st division
Of cavalry. A great many Fort Riley
visitors will remember the Colonel,
and will DO glad to hear Of bis promo.
ton. Our company, the LIST and End
cavalry, are on the old Dyer field, and
my tent is within 100 yards Of where
Gen. Hood was severely wounded
This spot, like hundreds Of others Of
note, is marked by an iron plate bear
ing description Of the occurrence.
Hundreds Of monuments and statues,
the finest skill can produce, mark the
places where the heaviest engage
mcnts took place, Sept. 10, 20, '6S.
The battlefield, itself is very large,
and it requires several days to see the
more interesting sights. The State
Of Illinois has more fine monuments
and statues to the memory Of her
brave troops than any other State.
Ohio is close second.
The colored troops are not very
well liked here, and for very good
reasons. However. they are the best
Of soldiers, and will be prominent
factor in this war, owing to their abil-
ity to stand the heat. All artillery,
and the oath infantry and 9th cavalry
(colored) left April 20 for Tampa.
Everyone seems eager to 60 to Cuba.
Camp life is quite a change from
garrison duty, and while there is more
to do it is preferable to most Of the
men.
We play a daily concert and have
rehearsels at 9 a. m. The lover Of
good music has good chance OF hear.
ing it here, as there are seven good
bands. All cavalry bands are mount.
ed, and except ours, have only their
mounted instruments.
1t rained the first three days we
were here. We have good tents, al.
though somewhat crowded are very
comfortable. The nights are very
chilly, and as we were not allowed to
bring only what could be packed on
saddles, we could use an extra blanket
very handy.
A little incident showing how much
the Southern people appreciate the
wearer Of the blue occurred last Sun.
day. We played an afternoon concert,
which included "Dixie" Of course. A
great many visitors from Chattanooga
were present, and on Monday lunches,
fruit, beer, and everything to make
the inner man happy, was sent to US.
Regarding the future movements
Of the army we know nothing, but we
expect to be moved south at any time,
and are under orders 10 be prepared
to move at once.
Most Of us have nothing to lose and
will do our best in this conflict to
prove that the U. S. soldier is what