The National tribune., 1900-05-24

was, engine and train plunged into the deep
water, so feet below, seeming to split it to the
bottom. Other trains were soon coming
in close succession, the improyised rail
readers having got room enough to back
up and give them good send-off through
the yards, and dare say no other railroad
was ever so rapidly shorn Of its rolling
stock as this one. The river was nearly
damned by the engines and cars, and We
heartily SO by the railroad officials. The
value Of our capture here runs into the
millions.
has captured Columbus with over 1000
prisoners, large amount of railroad rolling
stock and all the Government works.
ONWARD AGAIN.
The toll bridge is now burning and soon
there will be no means left OF crossing the
river in these parts. Started for Macon
today at noon. Passed through the
pretty little town Of Lagrange and went
into camp about three miles beyond. Made
1S miles.
April 19-Marched at yesterday morn
ing, passed through Moundsville and
Greepville and camped about 10 miles from
the latter place, making % miles. Marched
at 4:3o this morning and crossed the Flint
River at Flat Shoals. Are now at Zebulon,
haEing TO close up. Crossed Elkins Creek
and camped near GAINESVILLE, on the Macon
& Atlanta r. R., having marched 20 miles.
April 20.-Broke camp at and after a
forced march of 40 miles camped near
/ Macon on the Forsyth road. First heard
Of the assassination of President Lincoln
to-day and it cast a shadow OF gloom upon
| us.
April 21.-Marched at 4:3O this morning.
The men are ordered to ohave40rounds ready
| for instant use. We are getting close to
Macon and expect hard fight. After
awhile we came to a straight piece of road
and there, on the top of a long hill, we saw
| the outer defenses of that city bristling with
guns and men. We march leisurely along
in column Of twos and wonder why they
are not firing those cannon at US. What
can it mean? Our advance-guard is
almost at the huge gates across the road.
| Col. Harnden directed me to ride ahead
| and find out the meaning of such a recep-
ton. galloped forward and soon reached
the gates, where found an officer in charge
| and asked why they were not shooting al
us. He smiled and said:
Have you not heard there is an armis-
tice of 60 days declared by Johnston and
| Sherman?"
] replied in the negative and he told me
it was fact, and that he was glad of it, for
he believed the war was over. / lost nc
| time in getting back TO the regiment and
reported to Col. Harnden what had learned
| He told me to ride down the line and give
the boys the welcome news, which | did
and a constant cheer ran along that long
line, for our regiment covered mile when
in marching order. Here we had beer
nerving ourselves for the hard fight we ex.
| pected before Macon, and now the neal
| prospect of peace, home and friends again
left us limp in the reaction.
We moved inside the works and halted
until Gen. McCook and Col. LaGrangt
went down town TO find Gen. Wilson, anC
learn what was expected of us. We had &
great time with the Johnnies, and they
said they had heard of us at West Point
and what We had done there and at othe
places along our line of march. They saiC
the war was over and they wanted to ge
away and go home, and that many of thei
men had already gone. The news ha.
nearly unneryed me, and my hand trembles
so i can hardly write. Gen. McCook tolC
Capt. Martin that the 1st Wis. did the big
gest thing that was done since we lef
Chickasaw in storming the fort at Wes
Point.
i QUEER SITUATION.
Macon is ours and surrendered last night
But it is not yet decided who are the prison
ers, the rebs or us. A queer complication
has arisen that will have to be settled by
joint commission appointed by Sherman
and Johnston. 1t seems that Gen. Wilson
] had stormed the city last night on tn
Columbus side before he knew anythin,
, of the armiSdce, and thus claimed its cap
ture. The rebs disputed his claim, and
there the whole matter rests. / went dow
J town while the parley was going on am
there found the queerest state of things
had ever met in military experience.
The Johnnies and our men were al
mixed up together and both sides bearin,
} arms, with two Provost-M MarShals and tw
2 sets of guards patroling the streets of tn
, city. There was no clash OF authority no