The National tribune., 1900-03-29

Vet there was no State, or no part OF the
several States we campaigned in. in which
Ne did not find hundreds of pretty girls,
and the cavalrymen fell victims to Cupid'S
bow and arrow in many, very many, in
stances. The most striking instance, as
relates to our regiment, which may be
termed wholesale slaughter by Cupid
with his bow and arrow, was after our six
months hard service in-the East Tennessee
Winter campaign of 1863 and 1854. This
campaign had been exceedingly severe.
The troopers had been in the saddle for
almost six months, and nearly every day
in close contact with the enemy. Our
horses had neari..- all died of starvation,
and though the men had subsisteo upon
exceedingly light rations, composed mostly
of parched corn, they were in fine health
and splendid morale. Scarce man or
officer in the regiment possessed q pair of
trousers that were not in a fringe from his
knees down. and the rest OF our clothing
corresponded to our trousers.
When in this condition it was decided
that We had earned a rest, and orders were
issued sending lis to the Blue Grass Region
of Kentucky for a brief resting spell. and
for u remount OF fresh horses, new equip
meHts. new clothing, etc We were
ragged but rugged lot when we arrived
at Nicholasvile IN Jessamine Co, KY,
in the heart of the Blue Grass region, in the
Spring OF 1864
We had a fine camp in the Simpson
Woods" Just at the edge of town. on the
Harrodsburg Pike Here new clothing,
new horses, and an entire new outfit were
issued TO lis, and instead OF parched corn
we had roast beef and bakers bread. with
all the special articles the commissary
could provide for us, and We We're directed
by our commander TO take a good rest
preparatory to Joining Gen. Sherman'S
army on the Atlanta Campaign.
We were promised months rest, but
at The age of 21 a cayalryman does not
need more than week TO fully reclIperate
from the effects Of six months campaign.
AT the end OF a week S time there was
grand transformation scene in our camp.
The boys had awakened TO the fact that
they were in a land which was not only
flowing with milk and honey, but there
was the greatest abundance OF pretty girls
all about us for miles IN every direction
We were now TO meet the sisters of the
Kentucky Cavaliers" whom we had been
fighting in Dixie. We had not counted
on this, but We were equal TO the occasion.
II is fair 10 our friends the enemy" to say
tnat the pretty girls were also fully equal TO
the emergency. A stranger. riding along
the beautiful roads. spreading out like the
spolses OF wheel from NieholaSyille,
through one of the most beautiful regions
III America, might be surprised as ne passed
a plantation home, 10 see a dozen cavalry
horses gathered at the fence. The ex-
planation of this was that one or more
pretty girls lived at this house and the
cayairymen had found it out
This scene could be duplicated a dozen
times on every road. In another week IS
time the troopers had raided every locality
for miles about in search Of side-saddleS.
ltwas poor cavalryman who did not own
a side-Saddle in addition TO his own saddle
The pretty girls Of the Blue Grass region
were all superior horseWomen, and il was Il
frequent sight 10 meet the young officers
and soldiers and the pretty girls riding
out together
II Was here and under these circum-
stances that the writer of THE, "A Captain
in the 9TH Ohio Cav. became a prisoner,
and has been held willing captive for the
past 30 years, and hopes to remain in
captivity for life. On other occasions in
the field i had met the Kentucky boys
and particularly those of Gen. John Nor
gan's Cavalry Division, and at one time
went down before the fire Of their guns
and was held prisoner for as long time
as II hours. Twelve hours was long
enough, in my opinion, under the circum-
stances then existing, but, like a true cav
alryman, departed mounted on one of the
Kentucky boys horses, and l desire to
say here that il was good and satisfactory
horse. Therefore, in taking the affirmative
OF the resolution at the top of this article,
affirm that in the matter of capturing and
holding their prisoners, the Kentucky
boys are not in the same class with the
Kentucky girls.
Mrs. Pickett. widow of the commander
of Pickett's Division. whose charge at
Gettysburg reached the high-water mark
of the civil war, has written the story of
her husbands services in q volume en-
titled Pickett and His Men" Recently
Mrs. Pickett received letter from q South
ern literary woman. now living in the
North. asking for an autograph copy of
her book. In the letter the literary woman
said, Il am as good Southern woman as
ever, and in order 10 aVenge the wrongs Of
the Confederacy | have married a dear
old Yankee, who is compelled every day TO
acknowledge the superiority Of the sunny
South"
/ Mrs: Pickett sent the book as desired.
and with it letter saying: Il am delighted