The National tribune., 1900-02-22


seemed to enjoy such meetings.
UTpon one occasion a Lieutenant from
Alabama took quite an interest in the
conversation, and said the South had no
idea Of dividing the Union; that If the rebel
army could see that that was the question
they would stack their arms forthwith and
go home His idea was that we were de-
stroying their property and their homes,
and they were simply defending them,
and that if we would return that would
settle the whole matter. This seemed
to be the general idea prevailing among
the Confederate common soldiers, and
MANY of them declared that they would
die in the last ditch rather than yield 10 the
Yankees. When parting time came we
bade each other goodnight gCod-humor-
edly, and retired to our posts. At daylight
the same parties would open up hoSiiliues,
regardless of the friendly meetings Of the
night.
When change Of men would occur the
new ones would be less careful, and the
exposures would be more frequent. After
such changes We would he busy at our
loopholeS until they We're taught the fact
that we meant business, and they learned
that discretion was the better part Of valor.
A CHAPLAIN's DEATH.
On May % a sad incident occurred
a little TO our right. A Chaplain Of one OF
the Indiana regiments thought he would
like TO see the engagements at the front.
Accordingly, he made his way out through
the bitches to the boys, and after he had
inspected the rifie-pitS and had Jolly time
with the soldiers. he expressed a desire
TO take peep at the rebel works. Know
ing that it would be hazardous 10 look over
the rific-pits. one of the boys called 10 him.
and removed hlS gun from hole and told
him 10 view them from that place. He did
so, and expressed himself as being pleased
at the Kindness of the soldier and the good
xriattv ln had of ta works Ifa b.,H alH-
spoken those words when u ball from a
rebel gun entered the port-hOle and struck
the Chaplain just above the eyes, killing
him Instantly. This made the BOYS feel
very sad as they carried the remains Of
their friend back 10 the rear.
THE GUNBoATS' PART.
Our gunboats in the river shelled the
city every night with their mortars. The
shells were projected upward 10 a con
siderable hight, and then dropped into the
city, making quite crash, and doing great
damage when they exploded.
Matters moved along monotonously
enough. One day III June one of the
company and i were detailed to watch
matters at certain point, and report
except two mules inside the enemy's
works, quite a distance from us. As
our orders were TO shoot any living
thing that came in sight, we decided TO kill
those mules II posi- bic. We raised our
gun-sights TO 800 yards and fired. We saw
by the dust where our bullets struck that
they fell short. We continued 10 raise
our guns, however, and finally killed them
both, which fact was duly reported when
We returned.
Deserters continued TO come to us from
the ranks of the rebels, and they told The
same old story, that they We're short in
rationS.
During a period while on sicil-list Wis
ited the goth Ohio, which lay on our right.
about two miles away. found several
Fayette County boys there. |. en- oyed
the visits very much just i'll front Of the
point where the 20th regiment was stationed
two large cannon played on Fort Hill
They were about 500 yards from tn. fort
and a ball was fired every 10 minutes from
each gun alternately. We could see tn,
ball from the time il left the cannon until j;
struck the fort. 1t was a grand sight to
look at, but not so pleasant for the enemy
While viewing the sights at the 10Th Ohio
position on June %, | made a careful ex.
animation of the Zig-Za2 ditch which In,
Pioneer Corps WAS digging towards For
Hill. The intention was to undermine il
and blow it up. The Pioneer Corps wax
then in close proximity 10 the fort, anC
would soon have the work completed ready
TO spring the mine under it,
JUMPING JOHNNY.
In Fort Hill certain rebel was dali,
performing some spring board feats, anC
he would exercise himself by leaping Sew
eral feet above the walls of the fort, which
were about II feet high. He did this fre
quently, as if taunting our soldiers witt
saying; Shoot me If you can" The