The National tribune., 1900-10-04

L KNOW tnat curing InaC periOu we uSeu
up a pine forest trying to keep warm.
GETTING A LITTLE REST.
On Jan. -, 1864, we got orders to
move. We passed through Huntsville on
the 18th, and next day stopped near
MoOresville, east of Decatur, to build
shanties and gather forage for our boys
in Chattanooga. Morgan and his men
kept annoying us. He more than once
sent squad across the river to capture
what he could, but more than once they
failed to return. Our work of fOraging
was no joke to the elderly men and wom-
en- of the neighbOrhood who were forced
to watch us take the animals, corn, pO-
tatoes and oats and fodder they had so
carefully raised for the use of their rebel
relatives and friends.
On the morning of the Goth news was
brought that large force had crossed
the river at Harrison's Landing. A de-
tachment started at 3 o'clock Il. M, and
when within three miles of the Landing
we ran across the rebel advance. There
was n brisk exchange, but they got back
on the other side of the river. All did
not have time to get across and we took
in 200 horses and 30 men and went into
camp on the spot.
troll duty, of which the writer was one.
We went as far as Decatur, captured
some rebels on the north side, including
Captain, who had come across the river
to witness the marriage of his daughter.
Some of the boys concluded that they
would steal march on the gallant Cap
tain, and while he was under guard i'll
our party we slipped out of ranks and
went back to the Captains residence to
see what might be seen.
wHoOPING UP A WEDDING.
The house and yard were full of peo-
pie, but mostly women and children. They
were assured that they would not be mo-
Tested, but were urged to hurry up the
marriage ceremony and the dinner that
was to follow.
Pretty soon two deacons came along
in a carry-all, drawn by a mulatto. and
were inclined to be very much alarmed at
the presence of our boys; but they, too,
were assured of their safety. 1t was not
long before the bride and groom stood up
and the knot was tied. Then we boys all
fell into line, and Lieut.. Rhodes. Co. ID,
stepped forward and set forth that the
bride and groom should sit at the head OF
the table and the officiating divine SHOULD
stand behind them and offer thanks. The
table was large enough to seat about 30
people. After we got the newly married
couple and the reverend placed properly
thanks were offered, and we all took seats
and the Lieutenant commanded the wait
ers to bring on the banquet.
AT this some others of the party be
came SO interested that they suggested
that we wait until our turn came for par
taking of the wedding dinner. But the
Lieutenant waved aside the objections,
and the good things being put before us
we fell to with a relish. AS for the bride
and groom, they were over their scare and
too happy in their new relation to object
TO military flavor to the banquet. The
boys were not content with filling them
selves, but when through filed their hav-
ersackS. i fear when we got through
there was little left for the invited guests.
Then Lieut.. Rhodes stepped up to the
groom, the best man, the two deacons and
two other men, whom we suspected all
had connection with the rebel army, and
invited them to mount and away with u.s.
l do not know what eventually became of
them, but we turned them over to Capt.
Wood, of the 9Sth ILL.,, and next day as
we passed the scene of the wedding we
allowed the bride to bid farewell to her
husband.
When we had gathered from the vicinity
of Mooresville al, the food supplies and
animals we could we were ordered to
move, on April 3. Gen. Garrard then
commanded our force.
GARRARD's LESSON
On April we marched 30 miles. On
camping we were given orders to take
our horses to Elk River and clean them
but not to move out of n walk Garrard
placed himself, unknown to those who fol
lowed him to the stream, where he could
watch the. men. Pretty soon. amid those
who walked their horses came one who
scorned to 20 so slowly. 1t was Com
rade ID. ID. Walker, Of Co. Il of our regi-
ment, and he rode at gallop. Dan
heard the Generals Halt" however, and
pulled up.
"Dismount," ordered the General "Do
you see that tree? Well, double-quick to
it and back. Start, and be lively about
it."
Dan started for the tree, 400 yards
away, the boys all yelling ''Double-quick,
Dan; double-quick, and be lively about il"
When Dan got back to his starting
point he was perspiring and painting. Gar
rard asked him if there was much fun
in that treatment Dan said he guessed
he had had enough of it, and was al
lowed to mount and go on, at a walk
this time.
In a moment more came Tom Holsen-
bee, Dams own ''bunky." The General
made him dismount, too, and put him
through the pace. Tom took it as an
army joke at first, but when the General
on Tom started, being given gratuitous
hurrying advice by all the boys in hear
ing. Tom was very sturdy, and when
the General inquired if he thought top
speed work didn't tire his horse, Tom
said he didn't know-it didn't tire him
''Try it again." suggested the General.
Tom scratched his head, but knew he had
to obey orders and off he went He made
the trip somewhat quicker; he was suf-
ficiently tired to satisfy the General.
PURSUIT OF JOHNSTON.
On April 8 we reached, near Columbia,
the farm of Gen. Pillow. We campcd at
Columbia several days, there being a few
details sent out for various purposes, the
horses generally, however, getting good
grazing and rest, and the boys spending
their time as men will in camp.
We started again on April 3. We
marched "a miles and camped close to the
| little town of Pennington. where we
waited for the wagon-train. We pursued
! our march on May =. and after several
days, not devoid of interest, reached La
| fayette, Ala, May .. The rebels had
| evacuated the town, and Sherman's men
were after them. We turned over to
| Sherman 40 prisoners we had gathered
| in during the past few days.
While we lay there the Fourteenth
| Corps passed, and we could clearly hear
enemy was retiring. On the 11th we
moved several miles and went into line
as reserve. Next day Johnston had