The National tribune., 1900-03-08

defensive line. 1t was a cold, comfortless
encampment, and we were glad when morn
ing came. During the day there was
considerable skirmishing and feeling
for the enemy's lines, generally, and We
advanced two or three miles. By the
evening of April 7 our troops were mostly
in position. and the investment of York
town began.
DREARY WORK.
The rebel line of defenses extended
across the Peninsula from James River
to York River, conforming generally TO the
courses of Warwick River and Wormley's
Creek.
The amount of physical labor in front of
Yorktown was very great and severe. We
were almost constantly on duty. One day
we would be sharpshooting along the front
and the next building roads at the rear
and assisting to get up guns and supplies.
One night we would be employed in digging
bitches and building brcastworks at the
advanced positions. and the next guarding
other men while they worked
Who of the comrades does not recall
the mules of the Peninsuar campa ign?
How they used to struggle along those
miserable roads tugging their heavy
loads. suffering and dying for the country?
How they broke their legs between the
mlshaps, till the margins of those roads,
often covered with water, were outlined by
dead mules? The concerts" that the mules
used TO give US in the early morning about
feeding time when rations were scarce?
1t was a dreary. cheeTieSS, miserable
existence for men and mules in front of
Yorktown, and We felt that we knew how
to sympathiZe with our Revolutionary
ancestors and their French allies in their
investment S0-Odd years before. 1t was
encouraging and sustaining to us to feel.
during the dangers and discomforts of the
siege, that Washington and ether illus
triouS men had been there before us. The
severe labors. exposure. and unhealthy
surroundings had their effect on the troops,
but recently from Winter quarters, from the
beginning Of the campaign by n rapid
reduction OF the effective men and a depreSs-
ing influence generally.
WHILE AT CAMP MISERY"
Illustrative of life in front Of Yorktown.
may relate an incident of one of the boys
in blue OF my own company, who was
familiarly known as Dixie" The regi-
ment had spent the night on picket; it had
rained necessarily. and we were wet to the
skin and chilled TO the bone When
relieved, we returned to our comfortless
camp in the morning, presenting much
the appearance and were about as
animated as a lot of rained-on fowls. Like
all perpetually-hungry soldiers, we set
about preparing and devouring our rations.
Dixie" was observed sitting with his
back toward an old pine stump his elbows
on his knees. and his chin in his hands
He was gazing with a woe-begone eX-
preston at his haversack, which lay open
between his knees, disclosing its meager
contents, in anything but a deSrab bic condi-
ton. The hardtack was softened by the
moisture, the coffee, which had been in an
envelope. was loose and sticking to the
pork and wet crackers, while sugar and
salt had experienced dissolution and van
ished
Dixe's bonnie suit of blue was the worse
for wear, wet. and sadly soiled, while his
face bore evidence of fatigue and suffer-
ing.
What is the matter, Dixie" said a |
Sergeant.
Il wish was in fathers barn." said
Dixie with tears in his eyes and voice. |
Not knowing what else to say, the non
com said:
"I'd go to the house darned quick" re-
piled Dixie with "A quivering lip.
i relate this incident with no other |
emotions than those of deep respect for his |
genuine human feelings, so quantity ex-
pressed.
The writer was himself suffering too
keenly from homeSickneSs to do other
wise than sympathize in discouraged mood |
Many Il man who was as brave as a lion in |
battle, as he sat OF stood by a smoky fire
Of wet, green pine wood, that siZZed and |
sputtered in the falling rain wet, cold,
tired and hungry, as he spread his blanket
on the damp ground, longci for the ac-
commodations OF his fathers barn, whether
he expressed his feelings in words or not
Let no one think of Dixie" as a puerile
specimen of manhood. He was not. on
the contrary, he was n tall, handsome fel-
low, and usually in excellent spirits. Hell
proved his soldierly qualities on all the