The National tribune., 1900-09-20

passed the evenings in song and dance.
We WEI there during October and most
of November. 1t was in cider-maklnG
time, and there were several barrels of
it in the front yard, and We were always
thirs.y after drilling.
The last of November we received an
order to report to general rendezvous at
Jefferson, where we We're quartered in
Camp Gi6dings, named in honor of j. Il.
Giddings, wei known for his noble stand
for the Union. The regiment was low
fully armed with the old Belgian musket,
a successful shoulder-hitter.
A. last we were given an order that
pleased our C. gerness. The sun sh1Ee
brightly on Christmas morning, the bugies
rang the call, companies We're falling into
line The regiment formed. The band,
one of the finest in the State, with Lewis
p Buckley at the head, began the beat
off We moved out of camp down to the
City Court House, where we stacked arms
and heard The farewell address. L cannot
describe the scenes Of Jarting here, but
we marched away.
4 Columbus next morning we again fell
in line, the band leading off to lively
tune. We put on our best appearance
and made 4 fine showing. The sidewalks
were filed with spectators, encouraging
us with mighty cheering. We went out
to old Camp Chase, where our time was
On Jan. % VIC look cars for the Sunny
South at Cumberland, Md, we were as
signed to Lander's Division, which vas
operating in that section. Cumberland
was base OF supplies. The last Of Feb
ruary we pulled out of our mud-camp for
a forced march into Virginia, 20 miles in
mud and through streams Whose waters
were icy-c0id. 1t was hard trip to Paw
paw Tunnel, and a good one for breaking
in the new soldiers. Two other marches
of the same kind we took from Pawpaw
Tunnel.
Upon the death of Gen. Lander we
were without a commander. 1t looked as
if we might now have a surcease Of tramp
ing around and accomplishing nothing.
But we soon moved by rail to Duck River,
whore we crossed on the pOntoon 10 Mar
tinsburg. Under Gen. Shields forward
movement was made TO Bunker Hi and
Winchester. The enemy had fallen back
NJ the Valley. We We're now encamped
In n beautiful country, in which good
things 10 eat abounded. Orders were
very strict during this time about forag-
Ing. So we had to protect rebel property
and fight rebels, too. We soon were al
lowed to take the top rails, however, and
they kept going until there was scarcely
q rail TO be found in that valley.
Banks'S forces were concentrating at
this point and Front Royal for forward
movement. The first battle of Winchester
was fought March %, just south Of the
place, in which my regiment was engaged.
jackson was defeated and fell back up
the Valley to beyond Cedar Creek. We
followed 10 near Harrisonburg. Then
there was retrograde movement.
A short tine after this Shields crossed
ever the Blue Ridge to Falmouth, where
we found Mcdowell. Here, being with
out the Sibleys with which we had first
been furnished, nc drew pup-tenfs. They
were handy little house, and every man
could carry his own hearthstone wherever
he went. Here we saw Lincoln, on his
visit to camp.
News reached us that Banks was on
the retreat out of the Valley and had not
stopped till be reached Maryland.
Mcdowell and Shields were sent by
way of White Plains to Front Royal.
Fremont and Milroy had reached the Val
ley and were fighting Jackson. Shields
was soon operating il the I.uray Valley,
moving up ard down to keep Jackson
from crossing. Jackson made running
fight TO Cross Keys. Shields moved to-
ward Port Republic, intending to destroy
the bridge Jackson crossed burned the
bridge and was safe from Fremont.
On the morning of June 9 my regiment
was called into action. Piling knapsacks
by companies we swung into lire by the
right flank and went over a rail-fence. We
could hear the bullets whizZing and zip
ping and spafting against the rails. The
7th Ind. was on our right and the 9th
Ohio on our left. We fought one of the
hardest battles for the number engaged
on Virginia soil. Using up al our aInmu,
milton we charged, driving the reDels from
their position. There being no reinforce
ments for us we were compelled to leave
the field so well won. My regiment GOV.
cred the retreat. Being hard-pushed We
broke for the mountain, became scattered
and lost heavily in prisoners, $50, and the
old Gag with them. We were nearly an.
Liaiiated
1t was my misfortune to be among the