The National tribune., 1900-04-26


division WAS transferred to the Cavalry
Corps Of the Military Division of the Mis-
SIs5lppi, under command OF Gen. j. II
Wilson, of Grants staff.
On our march 10 Iruue We missed the
loyal sentiment among the people soon
after leaving Eddyyilie. Down in Ten
ncSSee one day our march WIS along a fine
pike, through well kept plantations, sp2ci-
ouS and elegant grounds and residences.
There was an exceptionally large and cic-
gant mansion somewhat back from the
pike to our left. A graveIIy drive led
through park Of stately trees. terminating
IN heavy iron gates between massive
dreSsed-stonc pillars.
Perched upon one of the pillars was
beautiful little fairy about six years old,
waving an elegant little Union flag. Now
it had been some time since we had seen
old Glory" and that vision of lovaIiness
pcrched on that gatepo5t and saluting us
with the most beautiful flag on carsh nearly
set the boys wild, and cheer after cheer
went up from their lusty throats as we
passed. The Colonel directed me 10 ride
out near the gate and see that there was 10
breaking ranks or rudeness offered the
little girl. Why. bless you not :. man i'm
the regiment would have harmed hair OF
That mead, and their hearts We're too full for
rudencsS.
One cannot expect otherwise than that
among 1,2OO men, many of whom had
served over year, some rough ones might
be found. Away from home and friends.
and deprived of the restraints of Doit..
society, many were found who could not
express their feelings bat through the
medium OF oaths, 10 which some soldiers
take as readily as n duck does To water.
Soon a big, :strapping fellow, whose emo
ton had evidently got the best OF him.
wheeled his horse from the line and faced
the little girl. OFF came his hat and tears
were streaming dcwn his travel-grimcd
face as he exclaimed: Bully for YOU, little
girl. - yc." This set the boys cheering
again, and with Il Shamed face he rode
away To his place in the ranks His cx-
clamaton evidently came from the bottom
Of ms heart and partooil Of the nature of a
blessing, though clothed III langlIape
which would gratc harshly on the sensitive
ear, and brcathed as deep homage as was
even given Queen or Princess. Long
association with army life had led him to
nse "ctss" words when he wanted people to
know he was i'll earnest.
Picket duty kept us busy till June II.
when the cavalry advanced, Skirmishesl at
Mlddlctown, afterwards capturing Shelby
vile, and taking many prisoners. One
day Col. La Grange and a party of picked
men went up into the mountains a few
miles from where the cavalry was in camp
to see what he could find. | was still his
Orderly and one OF the party.
Up the mountain we went part of the
time pretty straight up, and after an hours
work were little more than halfway 10 the
summit We We're too far away to dis
tinguish with any sort of distnctncss
things about camp, but suddenly the roar
of heavy guns foatcd up 10 us from the
direction in which we knew the camp was
located. The Colonel thought an attack
was being made on it, and 50 did all of us.
We tried to take the back track, but il came
nearer taking rs us We tried TO descend.
sometimes sliding and sometimes rolling,
men and horses in grand miX-up at the
foot of the very steep places.
We finally reached the valley without a
loss Of horse or man, struck sharp gallon
for camp, only to find when reaching il
that the artillery was celebrating the cap
ture of Vicksburg. 1t would be difficult to
express the feelings OF our party, sore
Skinned and bruised from our quick trip
down the mountain, but no doubt there
were thoughts, ard different thoughts.
when we fully realized the situation
ac.rs tTa.