The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-06

the grim dream became more vivid 1 could
hear my own name called, and in q husky
voice answered Here"
As my voice broke the silence nv dav
dream vanished, and / reioiced that could
answer g Here" and have the blessed hope
of soon meeting dear friends and basking for
few DAYS In the tender glow of my mothers
eyes. Those fearful eyes. How often had
they smiled on me when the march was bard
and long, and soothed me when IN troubled
sleep tossed on my soldiers bed of leaves
Thank God that 10 her voice could once
more answer Here"
My arrival home in the afternoon termi-
mated my musings and being the first to
bring tidings of the Tennessee campaign,
was besieged by the friends of the company
for information concerning those / had lei;
behind Very sad the most of it was.
could give them little cheer knowing tina
some were killed, others wounded, and The
remainder pr oners Except the two LieuteD
ants and myself.
considered myself very fortunate indee,
70 be spared to eat Christmas dinner witt
homefolks pleasure / had not enjoyed fol
three years. and anticipated happy time foI
the few days of my furlongh.
Two or three days after my arrival, Lieut
that Gen. Hood had crossed the river at Balm
bridge, and column Of the enemy were
moving down the river in the direction o.
Grayelly Springs my bome
This news upset our plans completely, and
hasty consultation followed. Lieut. Chan
der decided to cross the river and rejoin the
command, but advised me to hide out - till
the Yankees passed by, then come home and
stay till my Through expired, presumins
that when Hood was safely on the south side
of the river he would 20 into Winter quarters
and that il would be an easy matter for nae
TO cross over at any time.
All our field officers had been killed and
captured at Franklin and Nashville. so Lieut.
Chandler being the highest officer of the re q
ment. i was CAD he sanctioned what very
much desired TO do.
That night we talked over the matter and
my parents suggested that ! should 90 ont
7" in the hills" away from the main roads
and remain till it was safe for me to return
home; and my opinion conceded with theirs
as / considered II my duty TO myself as well
as 10 my country TO take care of the remnant
of Confederate yalor that had survived the
wreck and ruin Of the past few months, and
it was quite certain that Co. & could moi
afford the loss OF another soldier, being tb,
cD's pihdtc ttS amer Tue ulodoIOu5 leDD6S
see campaign.
The onls place of retreat we could thini
Of, where ] could reasonably hope to be SAT,
and have some show Of subsistence durin.
my enforced absence from BONE was at
brothers place. He had moved about 10 O
" miles to a secluded neighborbood. wher
he wOuls hs sxt ri tho line of march Of botl
armies = Ses Don settled that there
should 90.
Accordingly, the next morning / started
ont on oOt, and none too soon, for ha,
hardly passed Out Of sight when the hel,
of the column made lis appearance. and in
stead Of passing by BEGAN 10 pitch tents an,
prepare FOR Winter quarters, though OF thi
i did nct know for some DAYS afterwards
Ny home IS 3Tayeliy Springs Ala. was l.
miles west o. PioIeEce and three miles nortl
of the Tennessee River. Many of yeu
readers viii remember this little VILLAGE
where Gen. Wilson'S command spent TIN
last Winter o. the war. and some. no doubt
will also renlSssber the white frame house e
TIE bank Of q clear stream, called Blai
Creek. This was nay fathers house. and il
it Gen. Hatch had his Headquarters durin
the month OF January, 1865.
] made the trip 10 nay brothers withou
misaap and waited eagerly for news of tn
Yankees. When in q few days learned the
had actually gone into Winter quarters / W.
sadly distressed; for besides having Fed
eroi army between me and any CONFIDENT
force, there was the Tennessee River. half
nile wide, in the way, and knowing ti.at n