The National tribune., 1898-09-08

with; Seems to me they're tryin' to move
Lake Superior down here, and dumping the
water by train-loads."
cold Rosey ought to set us to buildin'
arks." grumbled shorty. Wen need 'em
as bad as Noah did
There was an alienation to the weather
and mud in the good news that came from
all parts OF the long front of - miles on
which the 5000 men of the Army of the
cumberland were pressing forward against
their enemies, in spite of the apparent league
OF the same with the powers of the air
against them Away of ON the extreme
right Gen. MitcheFs cavalry had driven the
enemy from Triune Eaglcville, Rover, and
KNOXVILLE; Gorion Granger's and Crit
tenden's infantry were sweeping forward
through Salem, Christiana, and Bradyville;
grand old Pap Thomas. in his usual place in
the center. bal swept forward with his ac-
cus.omed exhibition of well-ordered, calmly
moving resistess power, and pushed the
enemy out of his frowning strOngholds at
Hoover's Gap; McCook, whose advance had
that splendid leader, John f. Miller, had
struck successfully at Liberty Gap, and far
to our left the dashing Wilder had led his
Lightning Brigade " against the enemy's
right and turned it. The higher officers
were highly elated at the success of Gen.
Rosecrans's brilliant strategy in forcing the
very formidable outer line of the enemy
without a repulse anywhere. Their keen
satisfaction was communicated to the rank
and file, and aroused an enthusiasm that
was superior to the frightful weather.
Everybody was eager to push forward and
bring Bragg to decisive battle, no matter
how strong his laboriously constructed works
were
sold Rosey may be a little slow to start, :"
Shorty held forth oracularly to the group
crOuching over the fire But when he does
start, great Scott, but he's goer. III put
every cent | may have for the next 10 years
on him, even though he's handicapped by a
Noahs Deluge for 40 days and 40 nights.
And when it comes to playin' big checkers,
with a whole State for a board, and brIgades
and divisions for men, he kin skunk old
Bragg every time without half tryin'. He's
busted his front row all to pieces, and is now
goin' for his king-row. Well have Bragg
before Grants gifts Pemberton, and then
switch around, take Lee in the rear, capture
Richmond, end the war, and march up
Pennsylvania Avenue before Old Abe, with
the scalps o the whole Southern Confederacy
hangin' at our belts"
''Wish to Heaven" sighed 81, sold
Rosey'd thought to bring along lot of Ohio
River coal scows and Wabash canal boats to
make our campaign in. What fun it'd be
Jest to float down to Shelbyville and fight
those feller5 with 100 rough-and-read gun
boats. Then, I'd like awfully to know once
more what it feels like to have dry feet.
Seems to me my feet are swelling out like
the bottom of a swamp-oak."
I" Hope not, ST." said Shorty. "If they
git any bigger there won't be room enough
for ANYBODY else on the same road, and
you'll have to march in the rear o. the regi-
ment. Tires me nearly to death now to
walk around 'em."
There goes the bugle. Fall in, Co O."
shouted the Orderly-Sergeant.
AS the 2JOth Ind. had the advance, and
conld leave the bothersome problems of
getting the wagons across the creeks to the
unucly regiment III the rear, the men
stepped off blithely through the swishng
showers, eager to find the enemy and emu
late the achievements on previous DAYS by
their comrades on other parts of the line
Being as wet as they could be, they did
not waste any time about crossing streams
The field officers spread out and rode suuarely
at the most promising crossings in sight.
Inc men watched their progress and took
the best they found If the water did not
get above the middle of the sides of the
ColOnel's medium sized horse they took off
I'll II hayersacks and unbuclled their cart
ridge-boXes, and plunged in after him, the
shorter men, pairing off with the taller men,
and chnglng to them.
SO eager was their advance that by the
time they halted at noon for a rest and Il
cup OF coffee, they were miles ahead of the
rest of the brigade. and beginning to look
forward to catching glimpses oil Shelbyville.
They had encountered no opposition ex-
cept long, low shots from rebel cavalry watch
ing them from the opposite sides of the
yellow floods, and who would scurry away
as soon as they b gan to cross
The young Aid again appeared upon the
scene.
Colonel" he said saluting the General
presents his compliments, and directs that
you advance TO that next creek, and halt
there for the night and observe it
hat did tuat young man Observer"
said Shorty III an unjertone; that we wuz
To advance To that crIck and observe it a.!
What i'll the thunder have we bin dom for