The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-24
WHEN At SPANISH FORT.
Amusing "reminiscences of the Time just
Before Evacuation.

Before Evacuation.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: As all vet
Grams we'll know, laughabe things happen
among the soldiers along with their many
hartlships, and think it is we'll that there
is something to change the monotony of this
life, as their mission is sad enough.
| recollect an incident happening while
we lay in front of Spanish Fort, Ala, in
the early part Of April, 1865. Ny company
(H) and Co. G. Joined our regiment (the 23th
ILL., cons0lidated) about April 7, 1865, near
Spanish Fort. They were recruits just from
Camp Butler, Ill, and upon our arrival the
regiment was Immediately placed in line-of-
battle behind the works recently occupied, l
think, by the 99th Ill.
At our post of duty we found dugoutS
already on the side hill, which kept all ex-
cept the guards from the straw shots from the
enemy upon .the opposite hill, IN their fort.
The hollow between us was very broad and
deep The trees had been felled in such
a shape as TO make it an utter impossiblity
for man or beast to cross ii. So all we could
do was to peck at them and they at US, and
keep our heads out of sight. Well, it was at
this particular place that of which | wish TO
speak happened.
On the afternoon Just before the rebels
evacuated Spanish Fort in order to cover any
susp cion OF retreat, they began an awful
heavy firing with large and small arms,
which gave it the appearance of sortie upon
us. OF course, amid all the noise they made
we were giving orders to our men to " Fail
in and load qnick-the enemy Is upon Us. J"
Most of our men having never been under
fire before were easily excited. When this
sudden fusilade began, some were taking an
.tp v.Iu rar rHg ~ IT.
ing their luncheon, or cleaning their guns
can see now as plain as on that occasion
how those poor fellows looked and acted.
Over went grub " and dishes, as if that was
the last meal they would ever eat; away went
the cards the players thinking, = shall never
play game again"
But an unfortunate who was striving to
make model soldier and fighter OF himself,
by keeping his arms and ammunition In good
order, ready for action ut all times, and was
caught ut this critical moment, when the
enemy was upon him, with his gun entirely
in pieces. but with plenty OF OIL on them,
shouId certainly be excused for any excitement
he might have shown upon this occasion.
He called upon someone for the loan of a
gun, but no one seemed to care to do that, as
it might be needed ere long Then he ap-
pealed Tor some kind-hearted man to come
and assist him in putting his rifle together;
but again he was disappointed, as none had
time to stop for time was precious and orders
must be obeyed. &.
Not wishing to be called coward, he
gathered up the pieces and ran out to the
line AMI took his place There he found
true hearted comrade, who helped him place
his gun in proper shape, when he remarked:
g If l get out of this battle alive l. will
never be caught in such a predicament again
He kept his word, for from that particular
time to his mu5ter-out he was always careful
to keep the outside well oiled and clean, and
let INSIDE take care ofitself Nevertheless,
he made an excellent soldier.
Also, on this occasion another unfortunate
became somewhat under the influence OF eX-