The National tribune., 1898-11-03
F0RHGING FOR SHERMAN'S ARMY.
Often Dangerous and Exciting Work Done
by Fearless Men.

EDIToR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Any oil
soldier who served three or four years will
call to mind that he felt more secure from
danger when with the main body of the army
! than when on any detached service. WheI
on picket-guard mile or more from camp
or on the skirmish-line in advance of thu
| line-of-battle, or with detail of forager:
when on the march, he felt that his life was
| in greater peril than when in the ranks with
! his company and regiment The love of ad
venture however, made it desirable for the
more reckless
The day after Sherman's army left Atlanta
on the march to the sea, the Colonel's Orderly
came to my quarters in the early morning
and informed ME that had been detailed to
take command of a brigade ioraging party
Of so men, and that | should turn over the
command of my company to my First Lieu
tenant
felt that it would be a position attended
with great risk Of being captured by the
enemy, and a chance between Andersonville
Prison and death, as there was an intense
hatred of foragers; but did not hesitate to
accept it, as any officer should who cared for
his reputation and "sand."
The men of my command were selected
with o view to their daring and fearlessness,
and every one of them was the true blue.
Of the four corps marching in parallel col
umns about 10 to Is miles apart, the Fif-
teenth. to which belonged, was on the right
flank, and therefore more exposed to the rebel
cavalry that raided on cur tanks.
In order to procure the needed supplies for
our brigade such as cattle, hogs, sheep,
mules and horses, and also bacon, sweet pota-
toes, chickens, turkeys, geese, ETC., the for
ayers had to strike off on by roads leading to
plantations aud sometimes found themselves
five or six miles from the marching column.
Small squads would frequently be sent to
houses away from the road across the fields
so that in the course OF the day the foraging
party would be reduced to half the number
it started out with in the morning.
Before many days all the detail was
mounted on mules and horses, with scant
supply of saddles and bridles and when they
joined the column at night, loaded with
what they had foraged during the day, and
driving horses and cattle and Sheep and
sometimes with carriage or two well
loaded, it Was an amusing sight. But they
were always welcomed by the Quartermas-
ter, and when dealt out to the boys, the
sweet potatoes, fowls, and hams were highly
appreciated, the officers also coming in for a
share of the spoils.
Sometimes we would reach plantation Just
at night, and so far away that we could not
reach the column, and would have to bivouac
and place men on guard to avoid surprise and
possible capture. 1t was risky, but fortunately
the enemy never found out our exposed situa-
tion at night. When near Macon, Ga. they
came very near surprising US when taking din
ner at a plantation only about quarter of q
mile from where our wagOn-train was pass
ing, but the woman who was cooking the din
ner, and who professed to be a good friend to
the Union cause, made an unguaTded remark
that led US to suspect that the rebel cavalry
were not far away. So we made short work
of our dinner, and fastened to the other side
Of the moving wagon-train.
They came pell-mell, making dash at
the train, discharging their carbines; but
with the help of the train-guard and the
teamsters, and sheltered by the wagons, we
soon drove them away, suffering little harm;
but they took one of our men, who tarried
too long at his dinner. We never heard from
him atterward, and very likely he was
killed Another man who was with him
made his escape and joined us. When Gen.
sherman learned that the rebels killed all
the foragers whom they captured, he in
tUc TcDct bilaU lie WOulu
have as many rebel prisoners in our hands
shot as they killed foragers, and that had the
desired effect.
When toraging in the Carolinas near the
Revolutionary battlefield of Camden, we had
the curiosity to see the old battlefield and
took road that we learned led to it. We
had not followed it over mile when we
met negro who recognized us rs Union
soldiers. Approaching me he excitedly ex
claimed:
Marse Cap'n, yo'uns 90 two miles
furder on dis road an you go right inter de
rebel camp"
1t is needless to say that we took another
road, as our negro friend directed, and kept
a sharp lookout behind us until We joined
the column
When near Cheraw, s. c., we discovered
standing on the track, loaded with
that the rebels had run out of
Cheraw to prevent it falling into our hands
We blew up the car. causing terrible ex-
plosion, that soon made our scattered foragers
rally on the main body. We expected to
reach Cheraw that night, but came to creek
where the bridge had been destroyed, so
were compelled TO bivouc on a peninsula
formed by bend of the creek. Placing a.
guard at the neck of it, we slept soundly,
feeling pretty secure and the next morning
column in camp at Cheraw about noon, and
reported the explosion to Gen. Logan.
When near BentOnville | was directed by