The National tribune., 1900-06-28

ONE OF THE THREE CONFEDERATE
md his army got safely across. Why al
least q reconnaissance in force was not
made at this time has puzzled many old
veterans who understood the situation
then and much better since. No advance
was made by our army until July IA, but
Lee had got his bridges, made from old
canal boats and lumber taken from wood
en- houses, and escaped.
The 109th Pa. returned to Littlestown
and then by rapid marches arrived at
Harper's Ferry. Crossing the Ferry on
the Goth, they proceeded to Smokers Gap
md went into camp, staying four days
then marched to the Rappahannock Riv-
.r, crossing at Kemper's Ford, driving
AWAY some Confederate pickets that dis
puted our passage.
By the 29th we arrived at Catlett's Sta,
zion, Va, having marched since July j
POI miles.
We remained here until Aug 3, when
we marched to the Rapidan and did pick
ct duty along its banks until Sept. 16
The Confederates along the opposite side
Of the river agreed with our sentries not
TO fire on each other, and every day ouI
boys exchanged coffee for tobacco, papers
etc. Thomas Why, of our regiment, fire.
puently swan the river and returned with
4 canteen full of milk.
Leaving the Rapidan, we marched to
:
Ford, and two days later went into camp
near Brandy Station. There we were
drawn up in line to witness the shooting
Of two more men for desertion. On the
e3d we were reviewed by Slocum prior to
his leaving us, TO be superseded by Gen.
Hooker, or Fighting joe" as the boys
called him.
The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps wert
about TO be sent West to relieve the army
At Chattanooga.
At daylight on the morning of Sent %
1863, we broke camp and boarded cars
for the West. This was rare treat to
march by railroad, and was much better
than wading in mud and through Virginia
swamps, but no Pullman cars were in our
train, for cattle cars answered the pur-
pose, and we made our own ventilation
by the vigorous use of the butts of our
guns. Many of the boys preferred to ride
on top of the cars, to see the country as
they said.
BEAUTY AND THE BRAVE.
Leaving "Old Yirginny" we were soon
absorbed in the scenery and inhabitants
along the route. Through Indiana at al
most every station the people were out in
force with baskets of eatables, which were
freely distributed among the soldiers.
Young ladies gave handsome bouquets
of flowers, pinned to which were their
names and addresses, and from these
sprang many an interesting correspond
ence. At Richmond, Ind, we stopped
several hours. The inhabitants could not
do enough for US. Here Serg't Elliott
was invited by q young lady TO take
breakfast with five or six others The host
Mr. Baier, was willing TO divide his last
crust with us, and made the BOYS feel Ms
II they were home. He said he had a son
IN the army, and am sure even at this
late day we hope he returned safely to
his patriotic father.
We left this town with much repret
Arriving at Jacksonville, we marched Ia
Louisville, Ky, crossing the Ohio River
There we took train for Nashville, Tenn.
and from there proceeded to Murfrees.
boro. Moving out about ten miles from
town along the railroad, we were set to
work building forts, earthworks, etc. This
was dreary, desolate place, and we were
not at all displeased when the order came
Oct. ID, BE ready tomorrow to move y
Up bright and early on the morning of tho
Zoth, we were soon on the march to Fos
tervIile. There we took train for Chat
tanooga. When we arrived near Cowan's
Slation we struck a grade so steep that
with only four cars our engine was un,
able to pull us over. We remained three
DAYS before we got another engine.
Whlle we were detained there Oct. q
Gen. Grant passed us on his way to the
front- Inc Potomac veterans chcered
him, and he responded by saying:
How are you, boys? I'm glad to sec
on the 18th we arrived at Stevenson,
Ala, ana next day marched to Bridgeport
crossing the Tennessee River, thence To
Jasper Station, where some of our men
and officers explored the famous Nick O.
Jack Cave
On the 2Sth, in the afternoon. we ar
nved at Wauhatchie. at the foot of Look
sSut mountain, and within plain sight of the
FConfederates, who were signaling our an
proach. "p