The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-11-29

Early Aug. % we were again in mo-
tion and after a march of 10 miles through
a heavily-wooded country halt was or
dered for the day. A heavy picket guard
was put out in the best defensive posi-,
ton, and the greatest vigilance was OBJ
served, as the enemy We're said to be all
around us and threatening an attack. The
night, however, passed quietly.
We moved at an early hour on the fol,
lowing morning, and after a march of IL
miles reached little village called Oak
Hill, near which we forded a stream called
Bayou Boeuf, and went into camp for the
night. In the bed of the bayou was found
fresh water CLAIMS in abundance, some of
which the boys tried to prepare for their
supper. The clans, however, did not
prove to be a very appetizing bill of fare.
The next day we marched 10 miles In
the direction of Monroe, where it was
reported that a heavy force would dis
pute our advance. Just at the close
of day we crossed n low, Swampy
stream and went into camp eight miles
from Monroe. Early the morning of the
2Sth we started toward Monroe, but it
was thought we would have to fight be-
fore we got there The enemy showed a
bold front, but upon being pressed adopt
ed their old rule of skedaddling; so we
went into camp in the suburbs of the city
Monroe was situated on the Washita
River, about so miles by rail west from
Nicksburg, and why We were led out
there was a mystery to us.
About o'clock the morning of Aug.
% we left Monroe on our return march
te Vicksburg. We marched 81 miles that
day, reaching Oak Hill at 4 O'Clock and
going into camp.
At sunrise the following morning, Sun
day, we again moved forward. Early in
the afternoon we went into camp on Boeuf
River, 10 miles from Oak Hill. We re-
manned here until 2 o'clock on the fol-
lowing morning, when we moved out of
our camp, and at 3 o'clock in the after
noon, after march of IS miles, went
into camp on the banks of Bayou Ma
Con.
The next day we remained in camp, as
nearly one-third of our regiment were sick
and unable to march. C. belong, Co. A,
and S. Morris, Co. G, died, and were
buried there. Their remains were after
ward removed to the National Cemetery
at Nicksburg.
Leaving this camp about ] o'clock the
morning of Sept. 2 we again took up our
line of march, our sick comrades in the
wagons, and about 8 o'clock in the af-
ternOoLs stacked our arms on the banks of
the Mississippi. After enjoying a cup of
coffee, we went on board of a transport
in waiting, and were soon on our way
to Ficksburg, reaching there just at the
close of the day, when we disembarked
and proceeded to our camp.
Sept. s we moved our camp close to the
city, and were assigned to duty as provost
guard. Our camp was in a beautiful
grove overlooking the city, where we re-
m;r>Sed till Oct. H.
Sept. IA number of our comrades who
had been home on thirty days furlough
joined US, bringing with them many re-
cruits, who had in their care boxes and
packages of good things for us.
Could our dear friends at home have
seen us open our parcels they would have
been amply rewarded for sending them,
Long would we gaze upon the intricate
knots, tied by the hands of a dear mother,
sister. wife or sweetheart, until tears of
joy would roll down our weather-beaten
cheeks. But whatever the packages were
found to contain in the way of cakes, can
dies, etc, our mesSmates came in for
share.
Oct. there took place grand review
of the troops around Vicksburg, but on ac-
count of heavy wind the march through
the city was anything but pleasant.
Oct. 13 our State election was held, and
many of our comrades cast their first vote
for Governor of our own Buckeye State
] am here reminded of remarks made by
those who were not our friends that on
election day in the army the men were
marched up to the polls and compelled to
vote thus and so. In reply we fearlessly
declare that a more absurd falsehood new
er had its birth in the mind of man. The
facts are, the men We're at perfect liberty
TO vote for whom they wished, and no ont
questioned them.
AFTER THE FOE,
Late the afternoon of Oct. Il We re-
ceiyed orders to be ready TO march at &
mr. lpIt-f ha foil & fhn
pointed hour we were ready, with our war
harness all on. The bugles sounded the
advance, and away we went in company
with our companion regiments in the direc-
ton of jackson, Miss. The first day we
marched IS miles, when a halt was Or
dered for the night.
AT 6 O'Clock the morning of the 10Th we
were up and moving. We marched about
20 miles, and late in the day reached
little village called Brownsville, near
which our cavalry had met with spirited
opposition.
Early the next morning we moved for
ward in line of battle, but met with no
opposition until we had advanced about
four miles, when the enemy in some force
suddenly appeared in our front. Skirmish-
ing then began and continued all day, the
enemy stubbornly retiring as our boys
moved on them. Thus the day drew on till
near night, when we found the main body
high grounds on the east of Bayou Chitta
Creek. Our regiment being in the ad-
vance, moved quickly across bridge span
ming the creek, and under fire of a rebel
battery and deployed and advanced on the
foe. Meantime our companion regiments
were Fastening forward to our support.
Surg. VIM. Massie, of our regiment, and
his efficient assistants were on hand, and
were awaiting the bloody work which we
all felt was sure to take place. But night
dropping her mantle of darkness about us,
q halt was ordered and we lay on our guns
to wait the dawn of another day.
The early morning of Oct. II found us
where we had biyouacked under u low
growth Of trees, which protected us from
the cold damp of the night. Soon musket
shots, accompanied by the roar of artil-
lery, began to disturb the morning quiet,
as we moved up the incline toward the
enemy, who upon being closely pressed
fed from our immediate front. With a
Union cheer, Logan's men swept up the
slope and gained the summit of the hill in
time to give the enemy a parting salute as
they passed out of sight in the wood be-
yond. Soon after we were ordered in pur-
suit of the enemy, and about night, with
out further mishap, we went into camp
on Pearl River, some distance north of
Jackson.
The object of the march now being ac-
cOmplished, we, the following morning.
turned our faces toward camp at Vicks-
burg, and after a march of about % miles
late in the day went into camp near Gin
ton. A body of guerrilla cavalry followed
us the whole day, keeping up a lively