The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-01-03

two mules at that distance. One old fell
low seems to do the whole work. He Sc
cretes himself in the bushes and rocks
and fires sure shot every time. Yes
terday he killed two men, wounded four
of the Pioneer Corps who were working
| there. A wagon train coming along had
to wait until after dark to pass. We have
sent out 800 men to try and make new
road over the mountain, as the rebs have
a train stopped and it cannot pass. We
will have TO have reinfOrcements to clear
out the way from Bridgeport here on the
other side of the river, to open up the
railroad before bad weather sets in. Many
] changes have been made in recognizing
the army, and we now belong to the Sec
ond Brigade, Second Division of the Four
teenth Corps Gen. Thomasl.
DREARY SUNDAY.
Oct. lit is Sunday, and a wet,
dreary day it is, and everything looks
gloomy under the dark, cloudy sky, and
/ am forced to stay in the cold, cherries
shelter of leaky tent, without fire or
furniture, with muddy ground for floor,
which serves poorly for my uncomforta-
bic feet. Under such circumstances l sit
down in the corner to write. The clerk
of the regiment is at my side making out
the morning report the Orderly is cool
| ing a skillet of parched corn; George Jep-
son is looking over one of my old song
books, and thus our little party is en-
ployed, each contented and unmindful of
| his singular surroundings.
| 1t is just four weeks since the bloody
battle Of Chickamauga, and our brave
army is still in possession of the prize
aimed for-Chattanooga. The Confed-
crate army is lowering around us on the
surrounding hills, viewing with coyetous
eyes their little pet city; yet, with their
numerous forces, the little intricate lines
of defenses held by the "bluecoats" render
them powerless in their designs of taking
u.s. and they know too well the conse-
quences of attacking. The rebs are try
| ing to damage our rear lines, but the SOL
diers here will suffer any hardships and
privations before they will give up this
place. -..
The past four days have given us some
idea of what we may expect this Win
ter. We cannot lie out on the ground
without cover, as we did during the pleas
ant weather. Very short ratioDs are now
issued, and we only get few crackers
and small piece of meat at time. With
| all these difficulties we are happy and
contented.
The boys over the river are busy build
ing Notifications and bomb-proofs to pro-
tect themselves from the iron hail which
may come at any time from the rebel bat
teries; then they have to do sharp picket
anu sldHu III mail Will
water. This will give you an idea OF what
soldiers do; yet, amid all this, there is no
grumbling, and few would leave their
places in times like these to go home, if
they could get leave to do so. After
awhile we will get plenty to eat, and have
reinforcements TO help us out; clothing
and supplies will come up and we will
have comfortable quarters. Then we can
spend the long Winter evenings by our
campfres, reading and thinking of loved
ones at home. In good weather nothing
gives me more pleasure than using field.
glass, and j spend hours in viewing the
rebs. From our camp we look down on
the river, the town Of Chattanooga, the
whole of Rosecrans's army, and beyond
those the lines of the enemy One can
see with a glass the rebel camps, their
tents, wagons, cannon, flags and oil. We
, , are on a ridge, which is on a point OF
) land around which the river bends, SO that
!; with the town and river in our front VIC
: can turn our backs and still see the river
On the other side of the river-west-tho
rebs are within cannon shot of us, and
are plainly visible. At night their camp
fires twinkle among the trees, in a thou
sand places, and in the day time the
, smoke curls up above the tree tops of the
. mcartain side az from hunters cabins.
o LIFE AT THE FRONT.
j Oct. 25.-I have spent the past weel
S in about as easy and contented a manner
as ever l did the same amount OF time
!, Affairs in {. military way have not beer
any more favorable than before, but will
n myself my health is better, and this help.
q me to view things in a favorable light
Il There is nothing like getting used to
S thing. All are becoming accustomed t,
e the &c life We are leading and many
y prefer it to going home.
= In good weather, confess, like CAM
n life. / like the nice white tents, the pleas
1 ant campfres, the wide seats and othe
aecommodaaonsS; ;s. trees open ar, an
e the soldiers fare Of crackers and meat
e / used to detest the stale, tasteless, har,
Q crackers, the greasy salt meat, the strong
d bitter coffee, but within the last mont