The National tribune., 1900-09-06

Provisional Governor or the city. Inc
regiments of the Second Division did pa
troll duty through the town. Our brigade
(the Second occupied a field adjoining the
City Park. The same ground had been
used as a place of confinement for our
prisoners, and was surrounded by high
board fence.
The nights were bitter cold, and our
supply of wood being very scant we SUI
fered greatly. The negro poPUlatlon was
very glad we had taken the city, and
showed us every attention. We gave them
our washing to do-that is, our shirts
etc.-and we were soon wearing billed ana
ironed piccadillies." Sometimes new
coon" would come into camp A blanket
would be procured, and the darkey would
be tossed high up in the air for several
minutes, then made TO take the oath of
allegiance TO Uncle Sam" by swearing on
pack of playing cards.
1t was said at the time we arrived to
besege Savannah that there were with
us from 10000 to 10000 negroes that had
followed our army through Georgia. /
know there were several thousand of them
encamped along our line. Comrades and
would visit them. hear their quaint
hymns and songs and see them dance then
buck and wing dances and listen to the
banjo playing which We thought was ex-
cellent for people who had never had the
opportunity to study the notes of music.
One day just before we entered Savan-
nah several negroes We're engaged IN play
ing marbles in a road in the rear of my
company, and as the game progressed 1t
gathered quite group of onlookers which
attracted the watchful eye OF the enemy,
and they sent a shell right into the midst
of those playing and took leg off of
negro who was leader in the game. He
did some funny antics, trying to stand
upon his wounded leg and follow the rest
who had RIM AWAY in all directions.
The New Year, 80, opened clear and
cold, and our army was in fine condition.
Plenty of provisions and clothing We're ar
irving and the boys were all in fine fettle.
They had had several mails from home.
and the news up to date was in favor of
our arms. They had learned that Grant
was holding onto Lee tighter than ever,
and was looking forward to final settle
ment of the war.
So, on Jan. .. the Fourteenth Corps be-
gan moving toward the Carollnas, and as
soon as the other troops could be furnished
with rations, etc, they followed. The
First and Third Divisions We're sent to
Fort McAllister, leaving the White Star
boys to continue guarding the city.
We began to think we were permanent
ly located. Rumors of all kinds went
through the camp, but the wise ones took
them all with "a grain of SALT
On Jan. 3 blockade runner came sail
ing gaily up to the city, and the Captain
was greatly surprised to know the "blarst-
ed Yankees" were in charge. So his ves-
sci became an easy prey. Her cargo con-
sisted of sugar, coffee and salt, and came
il very useful at that time, for our army
was little short of those articles.
AN OFFICERS FOLLY.
On the 9TH an incident occurred which
will be well remembered by many. As
have said before. our regiment was short
of commissioned officers, and those pres
ent had charge of two or more companies,
so it fell to the lot of a certain Captain to
have charge of two companies beside his
own. He was fearless man, one of the
best officers we had in the regiment, yet
like several others was very fond of whis-
ky, and it at last got him into serious trou-
BILE. This day he had been drinking heav-
lily, and ordered out his companies in light
marched us to the Jail, where he drew us
up in line and ordered us TO load our mus
kets. A non-commissiOned officer and a
guard stood at the front door of the prison
looking at us in wOnderment. The Cap
tain led two files of his men up the steps
and proceeded to effect an entrance, but
was resisted by the guard until he was
forced aside.
Serg't Elliott, of our regiment told a
Corporal to run and inform the Provost
Marshal or some one at headquarters,
which was done. In the meantime those
of US that had entered the Jail with the
Captain went into a large room on the
right OF the corridor, where we soon found
ourselves prisoners, the prison guard re-
serves coming to the assistance of their
brother guards on duty. The Captain had
just picked out several men TO go with
him upstairs to the cells, when he was
stopped by an officer from Brigade Head
quarters, who demanded of the Captain
the meaning Of his actions. For an an
swer the Captain raised his sword and at
tempted to cut the officer down, but was
quickly disarmed and placed in cell.
The Provost-Marshal arrived shortly
afterward, and Serg't Elliott explained the
entire affair to him, which proved salts.
factory, so we returned to camp, thankful
mat there was not any blood she'd Col
Mlhdeil' 53d n. j., commanded the bri-
gade at the time. Learning Of the affair
he released the Captain and sent him TO
ms quarters, there to consider himself un-
der arrest.
Who took the jail?" was by-word for
many day after and created much fun,
once before the Captain had been under
arrest Tor drunkenness, but would not leave
US, and went into battle at Pine Knob
armed only with borrowed pistol. For
TINS act, Gen. Geary, learning of If. com.
piimented him for his bravery and released
MN from arrest and handed him back his
SWORD. put for his Savannah eScapade he
was Tried by court-martial, sent TO Fort
delaware for two years, and to forfeit oIl
pay ana allowances; but he only stayed in
the Tort two weeks, was released and re.
stored TO his former rank. After his dis.
cnhrse from the army he was connected
with the Philadelphia Police Deparfment
ana made an excellent record He has
crossed the river several years ago and
nope is resting under the shade of the
tree OF life everlasting"
THROUGH sALKAHATCHIE SWAMP.
Our division had been provided with
everything necessary for forward move.
ment. 80 on Jan. % we marched ont of
the city, keeping close to the Savannah
river on our way toward Augusta, Ga.
AT midnight Of the same day the arsenal
at Savannah was fired and totally de-
stroyed by persons in sympathy with the
Confederacy and the city itself was in
danger of destruction. Several parties i'm
plicated in setting fire 10 houses in differ.
ent parts of the town that night were ar
rested and sent to Fort Lafayette. After
the above catastrophe no person was al
lowed on the street after o'clock D. IN.
On Feb. our regiment crossed the Sa.
vannah River, at Sisters Ferry, and built
corduroy roads through the Sakahatchie
Swamp. We worked in water sometimes
waist deep, and to say the water was cold
and that we slept lily at night in our
clothes, soaking wet, would be putting il
very mildly. / heard more swearing those
tWn I