The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-13
By THE LATE J. NJ. BRANUM.

headquarters for our regiment. The walls
are papered; fine desks, tables and chairs
furnish good accommodations, and we are
living in the best of Steamboat style
The men are lounging around, on the
tables and carpets; around me in the jury
room are the officers of the good old 9Sth
than whom better class of men for theiI
vocations could not be found. All are
endeared to each other from the past as
sociations, the pleasures and hardships OF
our campaigning.
March 5.-Col. Poorman arrived from
home today, and was welcomed by all.
He brought many messages and letters
for men and officers. While the officers
were at dinner today the long roll sound
ed and everyone had to drop things and
go. There has been heavy cannonadlnS
for two hours, and as | sit here can listen
to it, and not knowing its meaning one is
in suspense. 1t may be we will have to
get out of here. as we have been having
almost daily skirmisheS with the enemy.
The cannons still keep sounding, and l
must close to hear what is the result.
HEAVY LOSSES OF UNION FORCES.
March 6-The battle yesterday was
one of considerable extent. and our forces
were drawn back, after fighting all day
and losing about 1.200 men, the greater
/ quit writing last night. the excitement
was increasing. The streets were filled
with soldiers returning from the fight.
All were tired out, dusty, and many were
wounded. The force engaged was one of
five regiments. two of cavalry and a bat
terry of artillery that went through town
day or so ago. and who were en- route
to Spring Hill. - miles beyond. About
10 miles out they met n superior force,
under Gen. Van Dorm, which drove them
clear back to Franklin, and it was this
alarm that called our regiment out. The
9Sth was stationed on hill near bat
terry. but it was too late to be of any
avail, and they had nothing to do. The
force that had gone through here so gaily
a day or so ago to the music of 4 Splen-
did band and flags flying was very badly
used mp. Reinforcements are being sent
here today by ROsecrans from Murfrees-
borO, among them Sheridan'S Division,
one of the best in the army.
March 13.-Since the late engagement
our numbers have been largely increased
by troops from Rosecrans. A brigade
from Nashville has arrived in addition
Sheridan'S men came without wagons,
tents or baggage, and are the best soldiers
have yet seen. Monday morning at day
break they commenced their return to the
front.
First went out 10 regiments of cavalry
They made an imposing sight, passing
through the streets. After the cavalry
came the infantry, the 9Sth being among
the first. There We're 20 regiments, and
it was a fine sight to see them crossing
the river on the pontoOn bridge. The line
extended through town, and as one looked
back he could trace the dark lines of in
fantry, with their bright bayonets, to the
river, and on the hills to the opposite
side they could be seen coming along like
a huge serpent. / was left at headquar
tiers TO look after things, but would have
preferred going, as things looked prOmis-
ing for interesting work.
The force went to Spring Hill, but the
rebels had retreated to Columbia, and
across Duck River in great haste. Our
regiment lay all night in a field, during
which time it rained necessarily. Thurs
day the regiment returned to Franklin,
having, with the others, cleared the coun-
try Of rebels.
At noon today troops commenced NOV
ing through town TO the front. and from
that time until night there was nothing
but drums, bugle calls and a steady tramp
Of tired and fOOtsOre soldiers. The new
regiments could not stand it like the older
ones.
We interested ourselves guessing at the
State each regiment was from. One can
tell an Ohio regiment as soon as he sees
it, and there is a peculiar cut to regi-
ments from each State. 1t is easy to
pick out an Indiana or an Illinois regi-
ment.
/ can notice a difference in the COM
panies from an Ohio regiment. There is
a difference between Steubenville town
soldiers and the Harrison County boys,
and in the Carroll County fellows from
Western Reserve Yankees or the rough
Belmont boys. But to return. About )
O'Clock the colors of the 9Sth came along,
and the boys filed into the Court House
In very thankful style We will have TO
rive mn. Tbaca fa1,
TO go under canvas, and will again have
TO take the weather as it comes.
During the months of April and May
the 9Sth remained around Franklin, in
various duties, the longest period of APP
parent inaction they have experienced
during the war. Letters covering this
period are omitted.
on THE MARCH.
Triune, Tenn, June, 1SG3.-You will
see by this heading we are no more in
Franklin. Our long and pleasant So
journ there is ended, but our pleas
ant associations will long be remem-
bered. Since / last wrote we have come
On here-12 miles southeast, and that
much nearer TO Murfreesboro. We weres
ordered on Monday TO get ready, end
Tuesday morning we were all packed up
ready. ION the glorious march again"
Yes, once more in line and ready for
tramp. and we do not know where or how
far. With my canteen filed with water
gum blanket rolled up under my arm,
ready to sleep in, or to put on IL it rained,
] was ready for the command Forward"
Long trains Of army wagons were ready
waiting to follow the regiments with
camp equipage and rations. 1t was a
beautiful morning, and the grassy fields
and leafy woods gave forth their sweet
est perfumes. We marched rapidly, pass
Ing finer cultivated fields than are to be
seen in the North. Negroes were plow-
ing corn and would come TO the fence to
see US pass. Some, tired of carrying over
coat or blanket, would pitch it TO the
6arkies, who appropriated things of this
kind with great glee.
There seem to be large crops raised in
this section. even il all the able-bodied
white men are In the army. There is gen
orally the "old man" at home who bosses
the negroes, and that is all that is re-
CURED Fruit In abundance abounded.
and we would like TO come along when
Il is ripe. You read Of the Starving Con-
federacy." 1t will take a long time TO
starve them out, IL they have crops every
where as around here.
Coming in sight of Triune we found
on all the hills around strong fortifica-
tons and rife pits. Our force of 10 regi-
ments, two of cavalry and two batteries
went through the little town and turned
into beautiful woods for camp. We put
up tents, had supper and were ready for
orders. 1t Is thought we will go on soon
to Murfreesboro, TO take the place of
Rosecrans's army, that it now reported
moving south from there. Triune con-
sists OF hotel, grocery and blacksmith