The National tribune., 1901-06-20

Oyster out of his house and home and
take him prisoner, but after Il little prac-
ticc we did very well in our new vocation
of capturing natives of South Carolina.
Jan. S We left our camp i'll the suburbs
of Beaufort and marched four miles out
into the country, where we remained until
Friday, Jan. 13
Jan 13 we marched in the direction OF
PocOtaligo, 24 miles from Beaufort After
a march Of six miles we reached the
channel dividing Beaufort Island from the
mainland, where halt was ordered to
wait for our pOntOons.
Soon after dark the pOntOonS came up
and engaged in bridging the channel.
Meanwhile our regiment and the 18th
Ohio were taken across the channel III
skiffS. After crossing We marched two
miles into the country and went into
bivouac.
Early the following morning we moved
cautiously forward, and about noon found
the enemy intrenched behind 4 heavy line
of earthworks, but after two hours
manuyering the enemy left en- the double
quick. with our boys in hot pursuit Just
as the shades of night began to deepen we
again came up with them. mtrenched be-
hind another line of works.
4 halt was now ordered for the dawn
of another day Meanwhile our boys were
engaged in constructing Il heavy line OF
earthwOrks confronting the enemy, but
when Sunday, the 10th, dawned upon us,
We found the enemy gone. We We're i'm
mediately ordered forward, and about
noon reached PoCoraligO. a little village
on the railroad running from Savannah
TO Charleston, where we remained, with
the exception of an occasional scout, I'M
Ill Monday, Jan. 80.
Near our camp was an old saw mill,
and some of the boys who claimed to
know all about an engine built a IRE in
Tl, +f,., h1Tr
hotter; the steam .moaned and sputtered,
but the wheels refused, to move.
AT last one of the boys gave the hy-
wheel a lift and the fun began. The en-
Eine threatened TO run itself to Kingdom
come, and there was no one there that
knew how to stop ii. We began TO think
that it was getting ready to run out of
the building and chase us OFT Of South
Carolina. But just before 1t started, one
of the boys ventured near enough to touch
q lever, after which all was still. The
bows now gathered around the engine and
discussed its running qualities, but no one
said ''go"' to the old thing again.
REcoNNoITERING PARTY.
Jan. II our brigade was ordered out for
the purpose of accommodating the ad-
jacent country, to learn of the movements
of any armed bodies of the enemy operat-
ing around u.s. After march of five
miles we encountered force Of the enemy
near the Salkahatchie Swamp, where we
remained over night.
The enemy opened fire upon US, and
continued to throw shells at intervals
throughout the night, but doing our regi-
ment no injury.
The next morning we returned to our
camp near Poc0taligO, where we turned
our attention to constructing line or
earfhworks.
H. On We 1,-ara cont -nu+ nD auothar
reconnaissance to feel for the enemy. 1t
was said that the rebels were approaching
from Charleston 10000 strong, to whip
Sherman's army in detail. But the whip
ping failed to come off; SO we returned to
our camp, where we remained for some
days in idleneSs.
The days were cold and stormy, with
not one single ray of sunshine to gladden.
cur hearts, which made us almost feel
that the Supreme Ruler had forbade the
sun to shine upon South Carolina because
Of its treason.
Jan. % we were ordered TO turn over
Dur tents and surplus baggage, the same
to be sent TO Beaufort, and again join US
at some place further north.
The next day our brigade was ordered
ont with the pOntOOn train to bridge a
stream in our front. The bottoms being
Dverfowed for a mile on each side, we re-
turned, reaching our camp about IL
o'clock at night. a cold north wind ac-
ccmpanied by heavy rain beat upon us
the whole night, and having no tents we
suffered with cold, there being no fuel to
build fire, ard mercury below freezing.
Monday, Jan. 20 we marched FIVE miles |
in the direction Of Rivers Bridge, on the |
Salkahatchie.
MARCHING THROUGH THE CAROLISAs.
Feb. 1 the great march through the |
Carolinas began, which ended with the |
surrender TO JOhnstOn's army. We moved |
put of camp in cold rain and marched
IL miles, going into camp about 10 o'clock
at night. |
The country was one vast sheet Of |
water. But in spite of wind and water |
We were feeling gay and happy, as we |
started out on seven weeks tramp |
through the swamps, cities, and tar
camps Of the Carolina States.
When this march began our enemies
were in the utmost confusion. They had
been defeated eyerywhere-on the At
ianta campaign and on the march to the
sea.
Wade Hampton was now dispatched
from the Army of Virginia with a great |
flourish Of trumpets, TO raise men and /
horses with which to stay the progress OF |
tn. invaders
Early Feb. our brigade took the ad- |
vance. and marched miles through a |
bcdullluI NOuulIg- just DtlDfe uiRnI we
encountered force of the enemy posted
behind a swamp. a heavy skirmish line
was ordered forward and with the as
BiStance Of battery We soon cleared our
front, after which we went into biyouac
The next day we marched five miles,
being in the rear of the entire column.
About 3 O'Clock in the afternoon we came
up with our advance, whose skirmishers
we're having a warm engagement with the
Enemy, and went into camp under orders
10 be prepared 10 move at any moment.
We. however, remained quiet until after
aaTk, ate our supper and were preparing
ourselves for a nights rest, when Col
Welles shouted, Fall in, meni fall in"
The mutterings told how little we enjoyed
It; but once in line, an advance was order
ed, and, wrapped in darkness, we moved
rapidly on toward the front We marched
fronting Rivers Bridge, on the Salka-
hatchie, where we lay on our guns until
morning.
DIsPUTING THE CROSSING.
This move was a mystery to us. But
as the morning dawned upon us, all was
made plain, as over on the north side of
the river was the enemy intrenched behind
line of works, ready to dispute the cross
ing.
A lively exchange of compliments be-
tween the artillery Of the blue and the
gray now took place.
Meanwhile one division of our corps
moved down the river, and under cover
Oh timber crossed on poDtoons, then turned