The National tribune., 1900-05-24

must have suffered 1Or SuppneS. liz
Twentieth Corps is camping near and vii
cross the river after we do. The right wing
of the army is crossing at Chcraw. 10 miles
below us on the river.
The rebels have been bothering us I
great deal during the past few days. and
captured some of our foragers. Our bri'
gade had about 80 captured, but about
half of them got away and have reJoined
us. Capt Carson is in command OF our
foragers; he WAS attacked at mill where
he was grinding corn, and three of his
men were taken. one from our company
who was with Wheeler three days; and last
night he made his escape, and had many
adventures on his trip.
Monday. March Eve lay in our tents
resting yesterday, feeling very much worn
out by our past weeks marching and
labors. To-day the sun shines warm and
all nature is as bright and beautiful as
MAY. Ii is reviving for us; what seemed
dark and gloomy now looks bright ana
hopeful. With good roads we can get
along faster, and in a few weeks get through
10 communications omewherc-Wilming-
ton or Ncwbern, n. C.-we suppose.
Some of the days last week tried our
souls thoroughly. Imagine what it would
he TO move a large army, with its heavily
laden trains, from st. Clairsville to Cadiz.
O.. and 60 miles beyond, with heavy rain
constantly falling and every stream 10 be
bridged. We had 10 do it; in a country, too.
with but few supplies. Some mornings
we would start out before daylight, march
mile, stack arms and go to corduroying
the roads. Thousands of men would scat
ter over the farms. and in a short time fences
would disappear. When "our contract"
was finished we would take arms and go on
ahead of the regiments at work and take
another contract"
Sometimes, when staggering, stumbling
and slipping along. the atmosphere would
darken and the misty rain increase, and q
rumor would go around that the rebels were
s. the river ahead of us; then our spirits
ycJ;i6 go down. Again, we would strike
candy ridge with pine forest and straight
e.ad, some foragers would bring in sup
Fy of cornmeal, some cavalry would come
D a crossroads and report no rebels in our
Font; then our spirits would go up, and if
BE sun would show himself hearty cheers
e9uld go along the line.
After our experience in the hilly country
ehd clay roads we learned the value OF
pine counuy-sand roads and an occa-
sional swamp. At the first indication of
pitch pine we would be encouraged, know
ing it was an indication of sand roads.
Marching through these level pine
forests is monotonouS. With eyes to the
ground, we plod steadily on at the rate of
three miles per hour, never speaking a
word TO each other. As the bugle sounds
the halt for 10 minutes rest We stack
nrms and drop to the ground, and fairly
ooze ont our fatigue. At the unmerciful
call of forward" again we take arms
some poor fellows say they would give
gold dollar minute for rest, SO tired are
they of carrying knapsack and gun.
To keep up, during such times, one must
summon all his courage and endurance;
he must let his mind dwell on pleasant
thoughts-of when his term OF service will
be over, and the like. ! think-only five
months more, and l will be slave no
longer; L can then do away with these dirty
blue clothes and dress clean and comfort
able: then home; how will it be as leone
walking up to our gate, the first time for
three years; whom shall | first see OF the
loved ones? then TO rest and talk. Such
thoughts as these will nerve one TO endure
anything. feel that if We're at home to-
day, could talk steadily for week of our
wonderful experiences on this march.
We don't know our destination, but may
be out for two or three weeks yet. Late
rebel papers give us account Of Grants
lighting around Petersburg; Of tie fall of
Charleston and Wilmington. Our army
Should have the credit Of this. Sherman's
words at Savannah. that he would take
charleston and not go within 40 miles of it
have proven true.
There is a beautiful view Of the country
rom our camp, which is on the river hills,
with sloping bottom mile wide to the
river. The bottom below is covered with
Wagon-trains and the camps of our corps,
and TO our left and rear are those Of the
Twentieth Corps. The river here is as
vide as The Ohio at Bridgeport, 300 yards.
KILPATRICK' CAVALRY.
kilpatrick's es valry are waiting, and viii
be the first 10 cross. Fitzpatrick is here
bimself-carelcss, gay, war worn, but
sashiiig: he is one OF the best cavalry
ttsibtio ts44tlE sDabi itio. MS men are stl
like him. He don't put on any style, but
eirculaJas around among them, leads them
IN charge, and talks with them about the
rampfirc5 at night. He has about 5000
men under him, and a gay, fearless, ad-
venturoUs band they are. They have now
Soldiered long enough to learn The business
thoroughly, and are = match for the most
valiant Of Wheeler's Southern chivalry
They sccur the country on our fianks,
and clean up the rebel bands ike fox
hounds. Many Of them have worn out
their blue clothes and dress like citizens.
l saw sad sight on Friday evening.
Fitzpatrick had sent Il band Of so men under
Lieut.. Griffin. his Chief Of Scouts, to Wades-
boro, a town 20 miles to cur left. They
arrived there without trouble, sent in spies.
and found the rebel force about $50. and
decided to charge the place. The Lieu
tenant led them, and while daShing through
the town was killed Poor fellow, we saw
the party returning while We were at work
along the road.
They brought his body back in n carriage;
O comr;lde was driving, while another sat
beside the body on the seat. holding it up.
with his head resting on his breast AS
though he were asleep; behind came the
cavaicade of brave boys, worn, tired and
muddy. They had captured ~ rebels.
and released 10 Of our men. all of whom
they were bringing back with them, and
had lost none but their gallant leader.
i,