The National tribune., 1900-01-11

from Camp Mingo. o., in August, 1862, tc
March 10, 1865, when he fell at Bentonvllle
N. c., in the last battle in which Sherman
army was engaged. The letters are printed
by special arrangement
CAMP AT CooSA STATION, NEAR RING
GOLD, GA, May S, 1864.
1 take occasion to write you few lines
to let you know how "we'uns" are doing.
We are now encamped on the southern
, border of the United States, as it is as pres
ent, and in full view of the Confederacy. in
Guiding in the view its chivalrous defenders
in the shape of "Gray-back" cavalry. Pick
cts are in sight, and we have somewhat of
an interesting "posish." Before going into
particulars of the present, l will go back
and recall affairs since last Sunday.
Sunday, May 1, was spent in getting
ready to move, completing muster and
pay rolls, and closing up business gen
orally.
We moved off Monday morning for Ring
gold, leaving our old camp near Rossville,
In which we had spent four months of
peaceful soldering, with rather sad feelings.
When we first came to the spot, it was
dense wilderness, but we soon changed
1t into a little city of 5000 inhabitants,
and became attached to il as home. AL
though we sent back for storage all our
best camp eGuipage, there was an i'm
mense amount left when we marched out
Wagon-loads of axes, spades, camp-ket-
ties, mess-pans, etc, were left, as we could
not take them along. These will all be
taken by the inha bitants. who crowd around
such places when troops leave, and they
may get enough to repay what they have
lost. Our march to Ringgold was devoid
of interest, beyond what we could take in
observing the beauties of the woods and
fields, clothed as they were in their fresh
Spring verdure Flowers were abundant
all around. 1t rained some, however,
which dampened the ardor of the boys
somewhat. and when you remember they
have to carry their little alp there is not
rs much pleasure as seen at picnic eX-
cursions.
We travel now with only one wagon for
regiment, something never attempted be-
fore by any army. We have usually had
from five to ID wagons to regiment, and
have at times gone on short expeditions
with one wagon, but to depend on one
wagon for whole Summers campaign
Is rather a new style Of soldering. 1t is
one of Sherman's late orders. The "Old
Man" is up to business, and the way We
are fixed, we are at home wherever our feet
rest Both officers and soldiers carry their
shelter-sents, blanket, cooking utensils,
and rations. You may think for a soldier
10 carry his knapsack, gum and wool
blanket. shelter-tent, gun, cartridge-bcx,
and go rounds of ammunition is rather
making mule of him, but it is done with
out grumbling.
A STEADY ADVANCE.
Well, our division arrived at Ringgold
In the evening, and was distributed through
wooded piece of land, Gen. Davis making
his headquarters at the Mansion House
The next day (T'uesday) was spent in this
location, doing nothing in particular, and
on Wednesday we received orders to march
before breakfast: we were TO report to Gen.
Palmer for something. and appeared before
his quarters at 8 o'clock. We were sent up
on White Rock Ridge to patrol duty.
The mountain at Ringgold is divided
by Hooker's Gap, through which runs
Chickamauga Creek and the railroad.
We went up the mountain in single file, the
object being to patrol the ridge and be
of service to the cavalry posts. From
there we could enjoy the splendid scenery
all around. We could see Lookout Mount
ain % miles to the west, Buzzard's Roost,
and Tunnel Hill TO the east. with beautiful
and fertile valleys between.
At night we made shelter OF pine bcughs,
and spreading our blankets on these, we
went in'for rest. AS we lay there talking
over the events Of the day, and listening
to the drums and bugies down in camp
the thought would come up, "Who wouldn't
be a soldier" such times as these?
1t is useless for me TO attempt to tell you
Of the beautiful scenery from a mountain
ridge on a clear May morning. The val
leys are beautiful; wheat fields, orchards,
and farm-houses are plenty, and the works
Of war are few where we now are A
great body of smoke arises from the woods
below us, which indicates a large body
of troops, and we are told Hooker's Corps
moved in during the night. Away at
Tunnel Hill the smoke of rebel camp
fires is seen.
AT tdaylight we were relieved, and getting
down into town found our division moving
out to the front. With others, | went up to
the signal station TO see the advance Of
our division. Gen. Thomas went out anI
had things directed according 10 his orders
Our lines were advanced three miles, and
Mr.. Reb had 10 back out in true crawfish
style.
The rebs were very saucy at first, and
thought We were only trying their lines.
but soon found out we were too many for
them, and fell steadily back, firing at our
sklrmlsheTs. Soon our troops reached
little knoll, and the Signal Officer sent
back some message. The fellows at the
station where We were wagged their flags
and sent the news on tn the telegraph
Office, where it will be sent to Sherman, /
suppose.
After the new lines were established.
Gen. Thomas and staff came back, and
nffairs assumed a standstill. The ground
taken included three railroad bridges which
had been burned, and no sooner were our
troops in possession than a construction
train moved up, and several hundred bridge
builders unloaded their tools and com
menced work. The rebels will begin to
think we mean business, as we seem to be
building bridges as though we intended
to use them.
In the afternoon our regiment took a
position here with our brigade in a clover
field, and are already at home. The Fourth
Corps is on our left; half-dozen bands
are playing. and all goes merrily so far
Sherman and Joe Johnston are playing
big game now, and you can look for
something interesting before long.
TUNNEL HILL, GA, SUNDAY MORN
ING, MAY 8, 1864.
i am lying here on my gum blanket