The National tribune., 1900-02-08

moving 10 the left. The way was as usual
in this wooded country-new, muddy
roads, camps of regiments, batteries
wagon-trains. ambulances here and there
and everywhere; crossroads running
through the woods, and pieces OF cracker
boxes nailed up on trees, with directions &c
different corps and divisions. After three
miles of travel. we brought up on this
wooded hill, and are at present lying
around loose on brush-piles.
On the skirmish line in front some heavy
fighting is going on. We are here as
reserve brigade for the first time since we
came to these parts. We may at any time
be called on to go to the relief of brigade in
front, but hope it won't be tonight
Sunday June 5.-The weather is still
warm, and everything is drying off. We
moved from our positions of last night, and
are again strongly fixed up in the woods a
mile from where we were. We are on the
front line again, and have large level held
in front and the prettiest place TO flSht III
we have had yet. 1t is reported that the
rebs are leaving, and as we haven't heard
any shots this afternoon, are disposed TO
believe it, 1t is glorious news, if true, and
we may have little relaxation from the
incessant tolls of the past 10 days.
We have now been out fighting and
marching for So days, a time long enough
TO try every one, and to show what he Is
made of. We have been without wagons
all the time, except for two days at Rome;
have had nothing but coffee, crackers and
meat TO eat, except while at Rome, and
have had but one change of clothing. The
general health and spirits, however, are
good, but the constant hardships are leav-
ing their marks on all TO some extent The
months work has demonstrated also what
officers are fit to command; some who have
been rated high begin to fail when so much
is required of them, and others who have
been regarded as Of little account are show
ing fitness not thought of before. Wethlnk
daylight is coming, and we shall see better
times.
eli is interesting TO read some Of the letters
the boys get at houses that have been
pillaged One fellow will come along with
a batch of letters and announce 'the mail,
and a crowd gets around TO read them.
They are mostly from fathers, sons or
brothers of the women in these parts, and
details of their doings in Dalton, Charleston
or Richmond. Many pray for the war TO
close that they can return. One fellow tells
how he stands picket on the Rapidan and
talks to the Yankees. One writes from
Resaca and tells how Sherman defeats
them by his tianking movements. Sher-
man is still at the thanking movement.
We have big army here now, and moth
ing about us but what pertains to war, and
We almost imagine the same state of affairs
exists all over the country.
RETREAT OF THE REBS.
Some place" in Georgia, Sunday. June
., 1854 date my letter curiously, for
lust where we are I'll never tell you; there is
no name to these parts-it's all woods. In
''official circles" they call it j" the field, but
we can't see any field. 1t is evening now,
and all is quiet, not a shot to be heard in
any direction. and blessing of peace, in
contrast with the past 10 days. The rebs
have moved from our front, it seems, and
Ben (our colored cook says, 'Da done
clared out agin-Yankees too much for
them" Bands are playing cheering music
for us, and We are ali in excellent spirits
We may have to follow the rebs tomorrow
Monday, june 6.-Moved this morning
in the direction of Lost Mountain, which is
southeast from our stopping place of last
night. We crossed over into the rebel
works that have been in front of us, and
found them to be very strong. 1t would
have cost many lives to have taken them by
:. assault.
-. The lines of defenses the rebels build are
topped off by heavy log with loop-hoies
under it; they do not build as heavy earth
!; works as We do, and their prisoners say it is
because they lack spades and tools to work
+; with. We are now stationed about two
miles from the railroad and about seven
y from. Marietta. We camped this morn
ing on a large plantation, and the boys
: are making it lively. Corn-cribs, out
= buildings and fences are torn down for
. quarters, and gardens dug up for some
: thing 10 eat. The coolest thing going
on was TO see some of the battery boys
cutting open bales of cotton, worth j
don't know how many dollars, and
taking it for soft beds TO sleep on. 1t must
. be exasperating TO the owner as he sits there
7 on his porch with one Of our officers witness
ing the destruction of his property. Every
body lively, rebs ahead of us, and troops
S.are sncamped in every direction.
FOLLOWING THE REBEL ARMY.
81 Near Acworth, Ga, June This is a
beautiful morning. Ii lis understood we are
10 stay here to-day, and every one wishes for
mail Capt. Norris was with us last
night, talking over news, which consist OF
grapevine" rlImors. j like to hear the
2 Captain talk; he uses the best and most
forcible language, and if one were 10 take
his words down, they would be found TO read
off as smoothly and correctly as the best
a prepared literary composition. To collect
news one must scout around for awhile.
When on the march We inquire of people
along the road. and generally want 10
know when the rebs were here last?"
How far it is TO such and such place." or
= 10 water, or "Nhere this road leads to-" etc
Near Big Sllanty, Ga, June S.-About
o'clock We received word 10 fail-in, and
without knapSacks or haversacks we
. moved to the front in ine-Of-battle, it being
understood that Shernan's object was TO
establish the lines nearer 10 the enemy
Our regiment was advanced as skirmishers
and covered the front of the brigade. The
woods in front Of US were briskly shelled for
while, and then We went in. We pressed
steadily forward through the thickeSt
woods and underbrush ever saw; il was so
dense that at no time could we see % feet
ahead. We soon came 10 where the rebel
pickets had been, and where they had been
cooking their dinners. OF necessity we
had 10 go slowly, being required to keep
9ur line straight and connected. About
o'clock we came TO an open field about a
mile from where We started Here We
halted, as the rebS were in liue-of-battle
across this field; our men took position and
began sharpshooting, the rebs the same
and SO continued until dark Meantime
the rest of the brigade moved I'm Con