The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-15

bandaces, plasters and pins; another,
with books and flowers; and the third,
with beef tea currant wine, and general
consolation.
/ used to watch with much interest the
countenances of those men as they lay
fast asleep, and l often thought that
could read their characters better when
asleep than when awake. Some faces
would grow stern and grim-they were
evidently dreaming of war, and nVinS
over again those terrible battles in which
they had so recently participated; some
groaned over their wounds, and cursed
the rebels vigorously; others grew SAD,
and would talk in the most pathetic
tones as If the pain borne so silently
through the day revenged itself now by
betraying what the mans pride concealed
so well while awake.
often the toughest grew young and
pleasant when sleep smoothed away the
hard lines from the brow letting the reai
nature assert Itself. Many times 4 would
be quite disappointed, for the faces when
looked merry and pleasing when awake
would sudden grow dark and hideouS,
as # communing with some dark spirits OF
another world.
| received a letter from the Captain to
whom had given my horse for the use OF
himself and three companions on the re-
treat from before Richmond. He wrote
that he had given my horse in charge OF
ore Of the QuartermaSters Of Gen. c.
brigade. But upon finding the Quarter
master I was politely informed that ne
had bought and paid for the horse, and oil
course could not have it. said nothing,
hut went to Gen. Ms Headquarters
| and procured an order which brought the
| horse in double-quick time, and no
thanks to the Quartermaster.
CALCULATING THE LANDING.
| month passed away, and everything
L NM n III,
vicinity. The troops. having rested be-
| gan to grow tired of the routine Of camp
| fife. and were anxious for another brush
| With the enemy. The vigilant eye OF Nc
| Clellan noted the impatience of the men,
| and he daily kept urging the necessity OF
reinforcements, and protested against
| leaving the Peninsula, as retreat, in his
| oDinion would prove disastrous both to
| the army and the cause. Our com
mander's patience was well nigh OK
| hausted as the following brief dispatch of
| July 80 indicates:
| Il hope that it may soon be decided
| what is to be done by this army, and that
the decision may be to reinforce it at
once. We are losing much valuable time
| and that at moment when energy and
| decision are sadly needed"
| About this time an order came from
| Washington for all the sick to be sent
away, without giving any definite informa-
Stion with regard to the intended move
| ments Of the army.
| Aug. IA orders came for the army to
eyacuate Harrison's Landing. None knew
| whittier we were going, but notwith
| standing every pains was taken To con
| ceal the destination from the troops, il
| was evident that we were retreating: for
the ominous fact that we turned our
| backs toward Richmond was very sug-
| gestive of a retreat. This had democrat
| ling effect upon the troops, for they had
confidently expected to advance upon
4 h, "a St,f pFt 81,
fallen comrades, whose graves dotted so
| many hillsideS on the Peninsula. and
| whose remains would now be desecrated
by rebel hands. The men were deeply
moved; some wept like children, others
! swore like demons, and all partooIs in the
| general dissatisfaction of the movement
| On the morning Of the 18th the whole
army was en- route Tor parts unknown
Our destination proved TO be Newport
News-a march OF nearly 20 miles. 1t was
well for us we did not know it then, or
| probably there would have been more
| swearing and less weeping among the
| soldiers.
IN SUSPICIOUS QUARTERS
| So far as / was personally concerned, |
had a very pleasant time during that
| march Mr.. and Mrs. B, Dr. E
| Nellie and myself made up a small party,
independent of military discipline, and
| rode fast or slow, Just as it suited our
| fancy, CdileU ut the farm houses and
| bought refreshments when we were
hungry, and had good time generally.
| We stopped at a farmhouse one even
ing during our march, and engaged
lodgings for the night. The house was
very large, and afforded ample accom-
modations. 1t was the first one on the
Peninsula at which / had seen strong.
healthy-looking man attending to his farm,
as if there was no such thing as war in
the land. The lady Of the house was an
! active, business-iiltc sort of woman.
and went to work to make us comfortable.
| But there was evidently something in or
about that house which was not lust
| right, and we had not been there long
when l detected suspicious movements,
and drew the attention of DR.. E to the
fact. The man seemed very uneasy and
| restless, going from one room TO another,
shutting the doors very carefully behind
him, carrying parcels upstairs in half
frightened way which increased our sus-
| picion.
| proposed 10 our little party that they
should remain while | rode back to the
army for detachment OF the provost
guard. My proposal was agreed to. and