The National tribune., 1899-03-16

suDSued.
Thirty miles from Canton we were
ordered to load and be ready for an
attack but il was a false alarm; and We
reached Canton at a. m. without
molestation.
Oct. lS.-At daylight we marched
out to meet the enemy, who were ad-
vancing from Clinton and had gone
but 4 few miles when our cavalry
which preceded rs, struck the advancing
column, and a brisk little fight followed.
When tie big guns began to boom Ii
looked like we might be in for lively
scrimmage," but about the time we
were near enough to take hand the
Yankees wheeled and made, tracks tor
Big 3 ack, followed by, eur cavalry.
The affair resulted in very little blood
shed, and rs we could be of no service
in a ace after mounted men, We wele
allowed to 90 into bivouae, where. we
remained during the day. ~ f
AGAIN ~ CAMP AT CANToSi
Oct. 19.-Moved back to our old
camps, three miles from Canton, and
found all our grass houses had been torn
down and hauled off for hay during
our absence. | neglected to mention
that we had pulled grass and constructed
houses which were very comfortable,
but now have lost the fruits of our
labor
Oct 90 to 24.-Four days of clean
ing up camps and regular duties. Cold
rains have set in, which rendered it very
disagreeable in our exposed condition,
without shelter of any kind, and many
without shoes and blankets. 1t is re-
ported that Capt. Kellar is at Brandon
with clothing and shoes for the brigade,
and | hope it is true, for the sake OF
those who are destitute.
Near Canton, Miss, Oct. 25.-Still
cold and cloudy weather; the keen blasts
of north wind pierce our thin clothing.
and we shiver around the campfires
from morning till night; but bad as ii
is, we were in worse plight II months
ago to-day-barefooted, broken down
from a long march, and in the cold
climate Of East Tennessee, with four
inches of snow on the ground.
T. W. Dalrymple has returned, after
an absence Of five months. He was
lett at private house on Big Black !;
had a long spell Of sickness, and is still
quite feeble He reports everything in
a deplorable condition there-negroes
free and committing many depredations,
and whites reduced to poverty, their
only subsistence being the rations
Issued to them by the Yankees.
Oct. 26, q and 2S-Ihese DAYS have
been spent chiefly in getting up wood
for fires, cooking and eating. Our
rations are plentiful, though lacking in
the variety which We would like, con-
sisting entirely Of beef and cornbread !;
however, the beef is very good, and the
citizens bring in large quantities Of
sweet potatoes, which we buy at reason
able prices, compared with cost of other
articles, and upon the whole we are
faring much better than usual. One of
my bed-fellows (Shelt Waits left to-day
on a four days leave to visit his sisters
at Grenada.
Oct. 29.-CaDt. Kellar has arrived
with the much-needed clothing and
shoes, though not more than half suffi-
cient to supply the regiment, but enough
clothing for the most destitute and shoes
for those who are entirely bare!Ooted.
Now, if we lad tents we would be COM
fortably established for the cold weather,
but there Is 10 hope Of getting them,
and our only reliance for shelter is TO
build houses, which we contemplate
doing in few days, if we can have any
assurance Of being allowed to remain
here long enough to warrant the ex-
peEditure of 50 much labor.
Oct. 30.-A certain mess has been
Teasing on buttermilk for some days,
thenght nobody knew where they
got If, but last night I accidentally
overheard something which let me into
the secret, aud this morning, while the
chickens were growing for day, | silently
stole out Of camps with camp-kettIe in
hand, and struck a beeline for the
farmers house, got my vessel filled for
the small sum Of S3, and on nay return
tlip met Dick , Of the aforesaid
mes, on the same errand for his morning
supply.
Hello, Dick" | said, you're too
late; just as well 20 back to camp"
Now, you think YOU re mighty smart,
don't you? I'm going to have butter
milk If it takes all day to get it." So
saying he proceeded on his way, and |
returned 10 camp IN time to have butter
milk for breakfast.
RAID OK THE sUTLER.
The morning was rainy, but it cleared
Hp about noon, and the officers of the
9th and 35th concluded TO try the
speed Of their horses. A nice, level
track Of 500 yards lies alongside our
camps, and although the ground is
rather wet for good running, a purse
of sl6O was quickly made up for the
fastest horse, and about dozen entered.
Both regiments turned out to witness
the races, and We had all exciting and
interesting time for the next hour or