The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1898-08-06
OLD SOLDIERS DIARY.
Mr.. Geo. w. Jones' "Reminiscences
Make Interesting Reading for
Everybody.
SHORT RATlONs-EMPTY sTOMACHS.

Thursday, Oct. 8, lS62-Wel1, the
battle of Perryville has been fought
and won by us-can we follow up the
victory? am afraid not; the Yankees
have the world 20 draw recruits from:
we have none.
After fighting all day yesterday we
were ready to drop our weary bodies
down just any place to rest and sleep.
I selected soft side of rock. 1t is
now 4 d. m. We may have to renew
the fight today. Not wishing to 60 in
with an empty stomach, am therefore
making way with all my rations, two
biscuits, hard as flint, and one corn
dodger, mildewed. One thing I am
thankful for is plenty Of water to wash
it down.
5a. m.-Have just heard that the
Yankees did not stop this side Of Louis
vile, where they are receiving heavy
reinforcements. Lef. the battle field
at I a. III. and returned 70 Harrodsburg,
arriving at Up. m. At 8 o'clock we
drew rations. On the road agair at
4:30, marching eastward
Nriday, Oct. 10-At ! O'Clock this
morning we laid down to rest on the
banks of Dixie creek. Up at 4. The
roads were blockaded with wagons, so
we remained on road until 10 a. m. We
then took up our line of march over a
very rough road to Camp Dick Robin
son, now called Camp John Morgan. 1t
is Il delightful camping ground. We
are now two miles from Bryantsville.
We captured 1000 barrels of mess pork
at this place.
Saturday, Oct. 1.-THE bugle sounded
the reveille last night at II. We were
up in line in few minutes. at 4 the
order was coustermanded and we laid
down again and slept until sunrise. 1t
rained all night and there is much suf-
fering from cold But for the noble
cause for which we are fighting many
of US would 60 under.
Sunday, Oct. 12-We are cooking
four days rations. Cloudy and cold.
Monday, Oct. l3-On the road at s a.
m. 1t is amusing to see the infantry
passing by with about 10 pounds of
mess pork stuck on the end Of each
bayonet.
9oclock p. m.-We are now biv-
ouaced Is miles from Bryantsville; we
passed through Lancaster today and
are now about 80 miles from Perryville.
Tuesday, Oct. 14-Marched today is
miles over a rough, rocky and hilly
road and camped at Mount Vernon, KY.
Wednesday, Oct. l5-Up at this
morning and marched l2 miles to Rock
Castle river. The road is the toughest
we have travelled since leaving home.
The wafer since leaving Perryville is
very bad, bad enough to make dog
sick; most Of the water we get is from
hog ponds. We are now a mile and a
half from Wild Cat tine proper name
for it,.
Thursday, Oct. 16-On the road at 3
a. m. and marched ) miles to Little
Rock Castle Creek. On, how tiresome
the march. so slow, halting every few
minutes. We are bringing up the rear
OF the army; the Yankees are about 2
miles in our rear; let them come, we
will be ready for them, won't we,
"Mitcl," y? ian uncle Of Will Mitchell.) J
Friday, Oct. 1.-THE 'toots' was
sounded at a. m.; marched 16 miles
and bivouaced on Big Laurel creek.
Saturday, Oct. 1s--Marched IS miles
today, arriving at Barbourville at p.
m. 1t is now raining very hard. This
is rough and mountainous country.
Sunday, Oct. 19-Up at sunrise and
marched IS miles; our march today has
been along the banks Of Cumberland
river; at 3 p. m. we crossed at a ford.
Drew short rations tonight, two bis
cults to one man for "a hours.
Monday, Oct. 2O-We marched IA
miles and bivouaced at the foot of the
Cumberland Mountains. The country
here is we'll watered with many
springs. Cooked ratious again this
evening, three biscuits to one man for
"a hours. Our company drew young
yearling today, the first beef we have
had for many weeks. We ate it raw.
without salt or bread.
In crossing the Gap today l planted
my right foot In Kentucky and my left
in Tennessee and touched Virginia
with my hand all at the same time. If
a stray bullet from Yandee sharp
shooter had hit me while performing
this feat, which State would have
claimed my bonesP Ely says Kentucky,
my right foot being the biggest part
about me. Ely 10 correct; my stomach
used to be, but 1t is now the smallest,
having lived on such short rations SO
long, It is now as fiat as Sciplo's frying
Ipan. GEO. w. JONES.