The National tribune., 1900-01-25
BY THE LATE j. M. BRANUM.

Bridgeport, O., narrate his almost daily eX
perience with the 9Sth, from its departure
from Camp Mingo, O., in August, 1862; +
March 10, 1865, when he fell at Bentonville
N. c., in the last battle in which Sherman:
army was engaged. The letters are printed
by special arrangement.
SNAKE CREEK GAP, GA, May '13, 1864
While we lie here waiting for orders,
take out my pencil to record for you note:
of our doings. Yesterday morning at day
break the Fourteenth and Twenty-Five
Corps took up their line-of-march to th'
assistance of Gen. McPherson's command
Fifteenth and Sixteenth Corps), Hooker:
Corps having gone the day before.
Mcpherson S command forms the eXtrem,
right of the army, and in the late grand ad
vance had passed on through a gap in the
mountain range, Is miles distant from oul
center and proceeded to threaten ReSaca, {
place on the railroad in the rear of Dalton
The rest of our army proceeded to do up
BuZzard'S Roost, and with the numbers VIC
had thought we could do it, but after few
days trial it became evident that the place
was impregnable. 1t is by nature the
strongest position the army ever ran w
against and 5000 of the enemy in such g
place can battle 10 times their number; the
main difficulty that prevents are the two
GibraltarS OF rocks that lay on east side oi
the gap.
The lodges of rock run clear around, eX
eept from the side the rebels We're on, ant
there was no such thing as f1anking, and
swarming as they were with SharpShooters,
nothing could be done; with their batteries
they fired into us below and seemed to enjoy
the business as great sport.
Our troops formed lines leading clear to
the ledge of rocks, and using the rocks and
trees for cover would sharpshoot with the
rebs. The rebs and our men were con-
tinually talking with each other, and each
exchanging back-handed compliments.
The rebs said "if we did whip Lee on the
Rapidan, we couldn't do it here"
We left the gap in the morning, reluc-
Of the opinion that the "Roost' needed
cleaning out badly. Sherman thinks if
he can't get through one door, he will try
Another; so off we started
1twas long and wearisome march to the
place in the mountains where Mcpherson
went through; our way led over stony
roads, up hill and down, through SwampS,
thickets and thick woods. On the way we
passed some fine houses and farms, and
thought for a while we were coming into
civilization again; fields with new crops in,
orchards and gardens, made lis think of
other places dear, but far away. Some
churches and schoolhouseS We're about, and
no doubt the beautiful valley was once an
interesting neghborhood to live in.
NO WELCOME THERE.
AS we passed along, seemingly an in
terminable line of bluecoats to the lockers
on, it would seem that many would be out to
see us; but mary one" We could see them
sitting back in their houses, doubtless
by the terrible "Yanks." No men. negroes,
horses or cattle were to be seen-"all done
took south" The little half-clothed chill
dren were the only ones to view us, and with
whom the men conyerSed. Poor little in
nocents, they seemed afraid of us, from the
stories told them.
We reached the mountain at 3 o'clock in
the afternoon and proceeded up small
creek, and had gone five miles along it
when the road had about played out; it was
but path through the mountain wilder
ness. We stopped to eat supper here. and
prepared for nights march. The sight of
our campfires was grand one, and there
seemed to be thousands of them. Soon the
bugles sounded the call to fall in," and
amidst the cheers from gay and careless
beings we moved on, the moonlight stream
ing down through the trees, and brass
bands playing their inspiring strains.
Ones thoughts, as we were surrounded by
such scenes, wandered to our curious stu
ations. We were soldiers of as grand an
army as ever set foot on this continent,
fighting in just cause, and as we We're
marching on, we hoped each step we took
added that much more soil for freedom.
We continued our way I'D dark and dis
NAL ravlneS, between high mountains,
wading and crossing streams 20 times to a
mile. many times having to cross streams,
single file, on foot log. 1t was difficult,
weary and tedious march. We accom-
pliShed about eight miles in this manner by
10o'ciock, at which time the men were about
used up; many struggled off into the bushes
and lay down, unable to go father.
You can guess little how Ifelt. On Tues
day night sat up all night on log in the
rain, Wednesday night it was so cold, and
the hill we were on so steep, that no sleeping
could be done, and on Thursday TO march
ell day, and until 10 o'clock at night, was
putting it on rather thick"
OUT OF THE GAP
We lay down TO sleep wherever we could
and at sun-up were aroused and moved
forward again, and at last emerged from
the wild and indescribable Snake Creek
Gap. 1t is mountain trace eight miles
long, winding through ridges and peaks
with a reasonably easy grade; there is not a
habitatlon the whole way through, and it is
more calculated for scouts or hunters to
travel, and not for an army with all its
trains and artillery.
We soon came to the front Immense
wagon-trains were all about, loaded with
ammunition and forage. Coming to an
open space-a large field-a grand sight
was in view There lay the Fifteenth Six
teenth and Twentieth Corps and part of the
Twenty-third in long lines of battle in front
and IN solid columns in the rear. Our di-
vision went into a solid square, and made
but small show among so many. We
have been IN this positionfor "A half day, and
seem TO be waiting to go into battle We
have drawn go rounds of ammunition and
piled up knapsacks TO leave behind; most of
the troops have now moved out and we are
going to try for ReSaca, six miles ahead.
Many Generals have been present. Kill
patrick has been broughtin, wounded. from
cavalry charge in front. His misfortune
Will be bad one, as he is one of our best
cavalry officers.
have stopped herefor the night, al point a
mile from the railroad, 13 miles from Dalton
and four miles from Resaca
Sunday morning, May, 5, ! 864; O'Clock
The regiment is lying here behind breast
works, and waiting for orders to advance
and while ! can will give you details OF
yesterdays Saturday work. We are taking
our share In the great battles around Resaca
now, and yesterdays hard fighting will be
remembered by the 9Sth. We were in The he
raging storm of shells and bullets most of
the day, but by the hands of Providence
have lost but one killed and two wCyInded
At early dawn we were aroused from
our beds Of leaves and brush, and mad,
coffee. At sun-up we were formed in line
OF battle, and moved forward, the skir
nishing being very heavy in front. Om
we were the front at Tunnel Hill The
troops in front advanced steadily for about
q mule, when they came to the enemy
strongly intrenched.
The lighting now became severe. and il
was most painful to us, as we lay back tt