The National tribune., 1900-05-10
BETWEEN THE LINES.
HOW Two Hospital Convalescents Found Their
Regiment After Interesting Experiences.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In the
Spring of 1862, just before the battle of
Fort Donelson, McCook's Division, then
canped about Mumfordsville, KY, got
orders to march back TO the Ohio, where it
was to embark on transports to go down
the river to reinforce Grant was at that
time in hospital, having had measles, but
was, as thought, able to 90 along with the
boys. So left the hospital at once to Join
my company, reporting for duty the even
ing before we were to march. But when
the bugre sounded the reyeilIe | was
too sick 10 march, and was ordered
back by the Surgeon, and went into con-
valescent camp nearby, to stay until
was able TO follow. There met with one
Of my company, and we stayed together.
Our division marched out that morning
and made 20 miles that day; but during the
night the orders were colnternanded,
and we got word that the boys would be
back the next day and would march right
on to Nashville.
All next day we waited patiently for
their return to the old camp, but at dark
no sign Of them was visible. The morn
ing after, troops were seen moving toward
the river Green River; so my comrade and
!, thinking this our division, determined to
pack our belongings and follow, and in a
short time we were crossing the Green
River bridge going south. Thinking our
division ahead, we thought it best to keep
the railroad, as the wagonroad was muddy;
we kept right on until toward evening,
when we caught up with squad of CON
valescents who belonged to Mitchel's
| Division, who were in our front. With
| this squad was a Captain who the bows
told us was Capt. Mcllroy, 18th Ohio
We all marched together the rest of the
day. and stopped at thes same house at night,
where we had room to ourselves with a
! big fireplace in it, and we enjoyed it, too
! Next morning we got up and got our break
fast, and feeling pretty good, determined
| TO try the railroad again, and pulled out, in
order to keep as near 10 our troops as posi-
| bic. We all thought lots of our CAPTAIN.
as he seemed to be one of the boys.
Along in the afternoon we came TO a
stnl-house owned by man named Morey
| or Maurey. We thought we would step
in and get little old Kentucky corn-iIice
to brace us up for the coming night, pro-
vided we would have 10 camp out Under
the leadership of our Captain, we were soon
! looking for a drop of the "blissed stuff, q
but "divil the drap" could we find in the
house. We thought we would make q
search OF the outside buildings. Some
!, went to the dwelling house, while others
searched the other buildings about the
| premises; but all reported the same result
nothing. We were about to march on,
when our Captain walked over to an old
dilapidated hen-house out in the orchard
where he found a keg, which he soon had
rolled out, and on examination found ii tf
contain a few gallons of Kentucky's
; best.
Among our squad was bugler, so tn,
, Captain called to him and said:
"Bugler, blow we the trumpet, blow
The gladly-solemn sound,
Let all the soldiers know
The keg Of whisky's found"
OF course we cheered the Captain, ant
after tapping the keg, drank to his health
= wishing that he and the keg could alway.
!, be with us; but, alas, it was not to be so
, for we soon parted with the keg, and tina
) evening my comrade and parted with tn
, Captain and the rest of the boys.
After passing Mitchel's Division, tina