The National tribune., 1900-11-22

moved out of camp and marched off to-
ward Jackson, about 10 miles away. Inc
roar of heavy guns in our front fastened
our steps, and soon we reached our ad-
vance columns in line of battle two miles
from Jackson.
Early the following morning a heavy
detail was ordered from our brigade TO
construct calthworks. Just before going
on duty we received orders to march with
all speed back to Clinton, where our com
rades of the 18th Ohio We're having red
hot time with force of the enemys cav
airy. But the enemy, having become
alarmed because of the craftsmanship of
the 18th Ohio boys, left before we came
up. That same morning Jackson was
found to be evacuated by the enemy, so
our regiment remained in camp at Gin
ton until July p.
July II the Both ILL.,, of our brigade
was ordered out to guard a supply train
to Vicksburg. July 20 Gen. Grant issued
orders from his headquarters to furlough
) per cent. of his army to their homes.
RETURN TO vICKsBURG.
July u we received orders to march
back toward Vicksburg, having in our
charge 357 prisoners That evening we
went into camp near the little village of
Bolton.
The afternoon of the following day we
marched over the recent battlefield of
Champion Hills and went into camp at
Bakers Creek.
Our return march to Vicksburg was
slow and uHeventful. The Jackson cam
paign coming as it did close uron the
hard work of the siege of Vicksburg. and
being at time when the bliStering rays
of Il Midsummer's sun beat with relent-
less fury upon us, left us worn out and
we gladly welcomed a rest that we felt
sure was awaiting us.
The afternoon of July "a our regiment
marched into Nicksburg and turned the
prisoners over to the Provost Marshal. The
men utterly refused to accept parole,
and requested to be sent North, as they
were tired of the war.
The next day we went into camp half
mile from the city, where we remained
until Aug. %.
July - we received two months pay.
Many of our officers and men were now
given furlough for 80 days to visit with
loved ones in Ohio homes.
Our camp life at Nicksburg was quiet
and unevcntful. The time when off duty
was spent in reading such books and pa
pers as came our way, writing letters, or
Strolling along the silent earthworks of
the blue and the gray, while a few would
engage in friendly game of euchre or
seven-up to while away dull hours.
Aug. ] Il terrific thunder storm, accom-
panied by heavy wind, burst upon us,
ripping and tearing our tents, and then
such thorough soaking as we got put
all previous storms in the shade
Aug. Col. Scott, accompanied by a
number of officers and men, started for
their Northern homes, the men on fur
Tough and the officers on recruiting ser
vice.
The morning of Aug 10 it was report
ed in our camp that the Third Division
tLOgans) was to be ordered up the river
to Memphis. This camp rumor, however.
failed to materialiZe, and we remained in
camp. About this tin" several business
men, post suffers, etc, began to open up
their wares in the city. which gave us an
opportunity to provide ourselves with
something more palatable than army IA
tons.
Aug. 16, during heavy thunder storm.
an electric bolt struck wagon to which
five of our regiments mules were stand
ing, knocking all down and killing two
The following day a steamboat laden
with munitions of war was being unload
ed at the wharf, when, through careless
ness, a box of percussion shells dropped
into the hold, causing an explosion. blow
ing up the boat, and killing and injuring
a number of men. A detail from our reg
iment was on the way to the landing af-
ter supplies, but fortunately did not reach
there until after the explosion.
MONROE RAID.
Early Aug. 81 we received orders to be
ready to march at any moment, but it
was nearly night before we were in mo-
ton, when, going on board of a transport.
we were soon on our way up the river.
The next morning found us tied nm at
Goodrich Landing, 60 miles from Vicks-
burg, where we disembarked on the soil
of Louisiana. After landing we marched
about four miles up the levee, where we
remained through the day and succeeding
night.
BY the dawn of another day we formed
into line in answer to the bugle call, and
marched back down the levee to the land
ing, where we remained until night. Dur
ing the day force of the enemy came
out to the levee on the opposite shore and
hred across the river at us. A command
OF colored troops crossed the river and
routed the enemy. All honor to our col
ored comrades.
About the close of the day we formed
in line as rear guard of our division. and
marched at a rapid gait until daylight the
next morning, when halt was ordered
to make coffee
Sunrise found us again in motion. We
marched about 10 miles through n Louisi-
ana canebrake, our road being Il narrow
defile, on each side of which was a
dense growth of cane from 30 to 30 feet
in hight. Many of our comrades fell kv
the wayside, wholly overcome by the pois-
Onous vapors Of an alligator swamp, with
hot August sun pouring its blistering
rays upon us and not a breath of air NOV
ing 70 revive us from an almost sinking
condition: Late in the afternoon we
reached Bayou Macon, and went into
camp for the coming night on n wealthy
old planters domain. A beautiful conn
try, with all kinds of fruit in abundance
surrounded us.
(To be continued.)