The National tribune., 1900-11-01

Some comrades would have six inches
or more of shoddy rolled up about their
ankles, while another would have six
inches or more of arms and legs exposed
to the weather. By canvassing the diff
ferent companies each comrade was rea-
sonably well fitted by making a trade.
The morning of Jan. 26 was warm and
pleasant. The sun. which we had not
seen for 10 days, came out. The follow
ing day the regiment held dress parade,
the first time since reaching Memphis.
Jan. % the troops across the river op-
pOsite the city were warmly engaged with
a body of the enemy. The heavy guns
sponded, and fired several heavy shells
into the enemy's ranks, after which the
enemy retired, and all became quiet.
NEW TENTS.
Feb. 3 was one of our busy days. We
were ordered to turn over our shelter
tents. and in lieu of them drew new wall
tents large enough to comfortably accom-
modate FIVE men each. We moved our
camp about 30 rods, and were soon busily
engaged in putting up our new tents and
otherwise preparing for ourselves the COM
forts of camp. Once more we could
retire for the night and not be aroused
out of our best sleep to change front by
reason of an approaching storm of wind
and rain.
Sunday, Feb. 8, heavy detail was Or
dered to report at the landing to assist
in loading the boats with commissary
stores. During the day orders were re-
ceived for the regiment to hold itself in
readiness to march at any moment, but
the order was revoked by reason of lack
of transports. The few days following we
remained quietly in camp.
Feb. 10 speech by Gen. Logan was
read TO us on dress parade and brought
forth loud and prolonged cheers in honor
of our noble commander, a man whom
we afterward learned to love.
Mai.-Gen. John A. Logan assumed
command of the Third Division, Seven
teenth Corps, Army Of the Tennessee, un-
der order of Dec. IS, 1862, and led us in
Nov. 13, 1863, at which time he gave a
farewell address, after which he took
command of the Fifteenth Corps, Army
of the Tennessee. Later he became a
commander of the Army of the Tennessee.
Among the heroes of 1S61f65 stands
Logan, surrounded by a halo of glory-a
man who early in 1861 left the hall of
Congress, shouldered his mnsket and
fought in the ranks on the bloody field
of Bull Run. A few days after the bat
tie Logan returned to his Illinois home,
and in two weeks had organized the 31st
Ill. He was made its Colonel. AT Fort
Donelson Logan was twice wounded, bu:
he still continued to animate his men by
his presence STAND firm, menu shouted
Logan, when his own blood trickled down
his side.
But to return to the thread of my mar.
rative. The morning of Friday, Feb. 20
we moved out of our camp and took vi
our line of march through the city OF
Memphis to the river, and went on board
the steamer Louisiana. A heavy rain con
tinued to fall all the following day, dur
Ing which time we remained on the boat
at Memphis, and drew two months pay.
ON THE BIG MUDDY.
The early morning Of Feb. % found our
boat steaming down the muddy waters OF
the Mississippi. All the available space
In the boats cabin and berths was occu
pied, as a cold wind and rain ragged witt
incessant fury without.
During our trip the rank and file Of OH
regiment cOngregated in the steamer
cabin, and engaged in a contest of sons
and story. Our boys were good story
tellers, as well as good soldiers. In fact
it semed more like q grand excursion par
ty off on tour of pleasure and recreation
than body of armed men travelling to
ward the jaws of death.
LAKE PROVIDENCE.
The early morning of Feb % found u
ttill sweeping down the raging waters 0
the Mississippi. About 10 o'clock our boa
er town by the name Of Providence. Her
we landed and went into camp about hal
mile from the river and near n lake bear
Ing the name of the village. Why the nam
the Mississippi. Kept moving forward
About 10 o'clock our boat touched tn
Louisiana shore, at a little river town b.
the name of Providence. Here we lande
and went into camp about half a mil
from the river, and near a lake bearin
the name of the village. Why the nam
we could not understand, as we did no
believe that Providence ever had anythin
20 do with the place-at least, not unit
after our arrival.
Immediately upon reaching Providenc
q detail of about so men was made an
continued from day to day engaged in tn
work of clearing a channel from Prov
dence Lake through Bayou Macon TO tn
Nachata River; the object of which wa
to transport the army below Vicksburt
via the Wachata and Red Rivers. How
ever, this route to get below Vicksbur
was abandoned by reason of the unfayol
able report of Gen. Mcpherson.
While engaged in this work we foun
time to give the feathered tribes of Lot
isiana some little attention. Upon one OF
casion, while returning to camp, we passe
Gen. Leggett's headquarters, veritabl