The National tribune., 1898-01-20

eternal drizzle. IF ever get home they'll
have TO run me- through brick-kiln to dry
me out.n
In spite Of the down-pour the army was
forming up rapidly to resume the advance
upon Murtreesboro', and over the ground on
the left that had proved so disastrous to the
rebels the day before.
While the Booth Ind. was getting ready to
fall in, the sick-call sounded, and the Or
derly-Sergeant remarked to 81:
. Fall into this squad, Corporal Klegg."
What for?" asked ST, looking askance
at the squad
St TO 90 to the Surgeons tent" answered
the Orderly-Sergeant This is the sick
squad''
That's what I thought" answered ST,
IAN that's the reason l amt goin' to join it. F"
But your heads bigger'n a bushei, 81, "
demonstrated the Sergeant. Better let the
doctor see it."
Il don't want none of his bluemass or
quinine," persisted ST. That's all he ever
gives for anything. The swellin' III come cut
o. my head in time, same as it does out o
other peoples"
Corporal, I'll excuse you from duty to-
day" said the Captain kindly. really
think you ought to 90 to the Surgeon.
IF you don't mind Captain. said 81, sa-
luting I'll stay with the boys. | want to
see this thing to the end. My head won't
hurt me half so bad as if | was back gruntin'
round in the hospital"
Probably You are right, said the Captain.
Come along, then"
Willing and brave as the men were, all the
movements were tiresomely slow and laggard.
The week of marching and lying unsheltered
in the ram. of terrific fighting, and of awful
anxiety had brought about mental and physical
exhaustion. The men were utterly worn out
in body and mind. This is usually the case
in every great battle. Both sides struggle
with all their mental and physical powers,
until both are worn out. The one that can
make Just a little more effort than the other
wins the victory. This was emphaticalIv so
III the battle of Stone River The rebels had
exhausted themselves, even more in their
assaults than the Union men had i'll repelling
them.
When, therefore, the long line of blue
labored slowly through the mud and the
dTenching rain up the gentle slopes On the
farther side of Stone River, the rebels sulenIy
gave ground before them. At last point was
reached which commanded view of Muir
freesboro and the rebel position. The rebels
were seen to be in retreat, and the exhausted
Army of the Cumberland was mighty glad to
have them 90
As soon as it was certain that the enemy
was really abandoning the bitterly contested
field, an inexpreSsible WEAKNESS overwhelmed
everybody. The 200th Ind. could scarcely
drag one foot after another, as it moved back
to find suitable camping ground
81 and Shorty crawled into cedar thicket,
broke down some brush for bed. laid pole
IN two crotches, leaned some brush against it
to make partial shelter, built fire. and sat
down.
Il declare, | never knew what being tuck
cred out was before said ST. ''And it's
come on me all of sudden. This morning
felt as If l could do great things, but the
minute | found that them rebels was really
going, my legs begun to sink under me-
Same way with me-" accorded Shorty.
Don't believe I've got strength enough left
to pull settin' hen often her nest But we
can't be drowned out this way. We must fix
up some better shelter.''
The Colonel says there's wagon-load o.
rations on the way here, +" said 81, sinking
YEARLY down on the ground by the fire, and
putting out his hands over the feeble blaze
I" Let's wait till we git something to eat
Mebbe We'll feel more like work after we've
eaten something"
81 Klegg," said Shorty sternly, but set
Ting down himself on the other side of the
fire, Il never knOwed you to flop down
before. You've always bin, if anything,
forwarder than me- l was in hopes now
that you'd take me by the back O. the neck
and try to shake some o. this laziness out O.
me-"
Wait till the rations Gomez repeated ST. |
lief acclx- Mahha we'll f.a tIo,1
The shelter we've fixed up'll keep out the |
coarsest o the rain, anyway. Most o. the
boys amt got none"
When the rations arrived, ST and Shorty |
had energy enough to draw, cook and devour |
IN immense supper. Then they felt more !
tired than ever. Shorty had managed to tear |
off a big piece of the wagon cover. while he |
was showing much zeal in getting the ratons |
distributed quickly. He got the company's |
share in this, and helped carry it to the COM