The National tribune., 1900-10-18

We were on the road again soon next
day, burning all the cotton we could find
gathering in all the horses and cattle we
| came across, and everything else service,
able to the army. We had strict orders
II indeed they were necessary, against mo-
testing women or children. We campcd
i've miles from Stone Mountain on the
| branch again.
By daylight of the 24th we started off
| again, marching to Decatur. Within the
| last eight days the division had captured
| half enough horses and mules to re-
mount IT. Our regiment got 400 for its
share. When we got rest from our eight
days manuvering we found there had
, been fighting around Atlanta. All the fine
buildings and farms around the city had
suffered severely, because we wished to
deprive the enemy of as much supply ma
teriai as possible and benefit our own
army, and much of the ground was thrown
up with earthworks. Sherman's men were
crawling up rod by rod, Johnston contend
ing fiercely.
On the 2oth there was more heavy
fighting. About 3 o'clock p. M. we moved
to the extreme right to protect the wag-
on-bridge that crossed the Chattahoochie
close 10 McAfee, but we found nothing
to cause excitement, and in the evening
were ordered back. When Mcpherson got
killed, On July %, it seemed to put new
more Desperately than ever. We arrived
at the left of the army about o'clock
in the morning.
SHELLS IL CAMP.
We lay in camp all next day. About
@ o'clock in the morning, while the boys
were asleep, not more than 300 yards from
the men in the intrenchments, keeping up
musketry fire, few shells suddenly
dropped near us. Some of the boys began
to retreat with clothes under their arms,
others remained, apparently asleep, while
still others awoke, but would not move,
declaring they were there first and would
not get out till they saw fit. Such is the
difference between men. ! noticed one
man sitting eating. A shell fell within
five feet of him and lay Kissing. The bal
ance of MS around who were up fell fat
to the ground, but the comrade who was
eating looked at it, then put his hand
over his can of oysters and remarked that
! he would - -- if it should throw dirt
| in his food
Early on the 9th we returned to our
horses, Joined the brigade and marched
| southeast of Decatur and camped at Flat
| Shoals. We were aroused about 3 o'clock
in the morning by the pickets being fired
upon. We were quickly in line and waited
all around were lined with rebels. Soon
| the rebel commander in our front sent
I over flag of truce to Gen. Garrard, our
cavalry division commander, stating that
ne had us surrounded and that it was
useless for us TO try TO get away, and TO
avoid further effusion of blood we should
| surrender. The General called a council
of war and il was decided that the diyi-
| sion should endeayor 10 cut Its way out.
After an exciting period Col Jonathan
Biggs, of the 123d ILL.,, said to Gen. Gar
rard:
''Sir, give me orders TO take out my reg
| lment and I'll open gap in that rebel
ring that it will take them some time
| to fill.'
Colonel, take your regiment and open
gap where you think is the best place ~
Nos. held horses and the rest of us
| fell into line again. Our Colonel asked:
Boys, which is your choice-to cut the
way out or be capturedY'
CUTTING THEIR WAY OUT.