The National tribune., 1899-07-13
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades Along the Whole
Line.
BUSINESS AND PLEASURE.

Joseph c. Atwood, Co. d, Both ILL.,, re-
siding at Austin, ILL.,, writes as follows i'll
reference to good time he had while in
camp near Berkley Springs, Va. The
rebel lines were about two miles from their
exterior guard, and explicit instructions had
| been issued that no one should pass the
Union lines. "On the day before New
Years, about 8 a. m.," writes Atwood, II
was sentinel for post No. 5, the post nearest
the rebel lines. | was on the alert every
minute of the time, always hoping for some
| thing to turn up that would create a little
excitement.
81 had not been on duty many minutes
before | saw three young ladies approach
ing my post. Of course, halted them and
asked them what their purpose was. They
explained that they had come to trade butter
and eggs for hardtack and other army
rations. | called the officer of the guard
who passed them through the lines to the
Colonel's tent. While there they told the
Colonel that there was rebel Lieutenant
visiting his home, a few miles out.
"The Colonel secured all the information
| from the girls he could, and told them he
would send a squad to their house the next
day, and that they could direct the men to
| the proper place. / was one of the II
selected, and the next day We started for
the girls house. We were just in time for
a nice, hot supper that had been prepared
for us. After eating this we were given
the desired information regarding the
rebel officer, and started in quest.
I'VE arrived at the house and, after sur
rounding it, Sergt Knapp, the officer in
charge, ordering me to follow him, raped
at the door 1t was opened by an elderly
lady, who told us that there was no such
man as we described in her house. Not
being satisfied with this information. we
searched the house, but only to find that
the lady had spoken the truth, and that
our supposed captured officer had just left
that morning for his regiment.
I'VE were, of course, greatly disappointed,
and returned to the house of the young
ladies who had told us of his presence.
There we found they had cooked a large
turkey, and had one Of the finest suppers
that we had during the entire war. After
supper we danced until very nearly morn
ing with the girls and some of their friends
who had been invited from around the
neighborhood to help entertain us. That
morning we were given another big meal,
and started back for camp with grateful
feeling in our hearts for the girls who had
entertained us so royalty"
SHERIDAN'S MEN THERE.
W. S. Anderson, Sergeant. Co. B, 18th
Ind, South Bend, Ind, claims that Hazen's
Brigade did not charge directly in front of
Bragg's Headquarters at the battle of Mis-
Sionary Ridge, as stated by Capt. John
Barnes, Co. G, Odd Ky. Comrade Ander-
son says: "Sheridan'S Division went up
directly in front of Bragg's Headquarters.
and, as his line extended for a distance of
from 100 to 200 yards, how could Hazen's
Brigade, which was on the left of Sheri-
dams be in front of Bragg's Headquarters?
lie IS wrong again." continues Comrade
Anderson, when he says that Sheridan'S
Division is not entitled to any credit, as it
halted and took shelter when Woods
Division advanced. What shelter was
there 10 take? No, Capt. Barnes, Sheridan
was not of that make. He was right with
the front lire, the second line following at
he proper distance, but the two lines became
one in going up the hill. The record of our
loss in that battle, 1877 killed and wounded,
shows that there was no shelter for us to
take. Woods Division was worthy of
great praise, there was none better. but the
Fourth Corps and the grand old Army of
the Cumberland was equally worthy OF
appreciation"
JUMPED HIS BOARD-BILL. -
Truman French. Co. +, 9th Pa, Elva,
Mich, says: Il had been in Andersonville
Prison nine months when the Johnnies
started to move some prisoners. | con-
cluded to move too, as | had boarded there
long enough, and, as did not have money
enough to pay for my board, l jumped my
bill. One evening l joined a squad that
was beng sent away; We arrived at Viii,
heard heavy firing down the river and l
knew there was trouble there That even
ing | made an effort to escape, and sue
ceeded in evading the guard-lines. did
not know where to go, but thought any
old place was better than the one had Just
left. | made my way to a house, where a
woman gave me my breakfast Of mush
and milk. From my hiding place that
night l saw everything burned that the
rebels saw fit to destroy. The next morn
ing the 22d) the city was taken by the
Union soldiers"