The National tribune., 1901-11-28

hills. counting the hours when they might
Sreak into the town and reYel in the lux
ury Of Yankee supplies.
We followed Candy Ridge In a north
essterly direction until within three miles
of Cleveland, and there encamped. Here.
too, were evidences Of the enemy's Sight
"a railroad bridge partially destroyed and
soma abandoned stores. The latter proved
very acceptable, as the two days rations
with which we started scarcely sufficed
for the first days march, as we were
hollow clear down to the coles of our
Government shoes" the result of more
than two months subsistence on less than
half rations.
Light as were our rations. our outfit Of
clothing was still lighter. The single
blanket and uniform with which we en-
tered the ChickGmauga campaign full
three months before were worn thread
bare and afforded slight protection against
the cold mountain winds which now
swept upon US.
Nov. 80 we marched TO Charleston. On
arrival we found that Howard had driven
out the enemy, who had partially ce-
stroyed the railroad bridge, thus prevent
ing our further progress for the day. We
encamped one and a half miles from the
town, and prepared to pass q miserable
night, which promised to be bitterly cold.
We found the enemy had left no rations,
so we had to lie down on the cold ground
without supper.
During the night HoTard's men Tere
hard at work repairing and planking the
bridge, so that it was ready for US TO
cross early the morning OF Dec. l. We
passed through Charleston before cross
ing, but had TO wait nearly three hours
OF the other side for the Fifteenth Corps
to pass, when we followed slowly, and
at sunset We were only seven miles dis
tant from the town.
Dec, we marched % miles in the d.
rection Of Loudon, hoping to reach there
in time to save the pontoon bridge.
Dec. 8 we started early, and soon
reached LoudoD, but not in time to save
the bridge. 30 we were subject 10 another
delay while waiting for It TO be repaired.
Before leaving the enemy ran three loco
motives and a large number Of cars into
the Tennessee River. Fortunately, they
left some provisions. which we deYoured,
and four cannon, which ne were hungry
enough TO eat, but didn't.
At sunrise, Dec. 4, we marched into
| Loudon, and while d portion Of our divi-
sion crossed the Holston River our brf-
gRde moved southeast to Morgantown, on
the north bank Of the Little Tennessee,
and there waited until evening for
/ bridge 10 be repaired, when a portion
crossed. The houses Of Morgantown fur
/ nished the material for repairing the
| bridge. At the same time Howards Corps
/ crossed seven miles below US on 4 bridge
made Of some wagons abandoned BY the
enemy. Surely, Yankee ingenuity is hard
to cireumyent.
Dec. we were notified that Longstreet
/ had raised the siege of Knoxville and re-
treated. The good news was received
with enthusiasm, and for awhile we for
got hunger, cold and the fatigues OF our
march.
REGIMENT OF AnLLERs.
/ Our regiment was ordered to take pos
! session of Johnson's and Robinson's Mills,
to grind corn and wheat for the use of
our division. Our Colonel being q prae-
teal miller, was well fitted to direct us.
We started the mills at nightfaH and kept
them going all night
We were so busily engaged as millers
that we almost forgot we were soldiers,
but were rudely awakened to our real oe-
cupation by a sudden order to drop our
bags Of grain and seize our muskets To
repel an expected attack. We were
4 rushed toward the river, but before reach
ing the bridge were ordered to return and
resume our peaceful duties as milIers.
Once more we became absorbed iE the
soothing 1Whirr" of wheels and rattle OF
grain, while, more than all, we were fas-
cinated by the steady stream Of -four and
meal, which suggested pancakes and hoe
SuOuSn ~ MI Il lDflB-IGlL Want.
just as the sun was disappearing the
evening Of Dec. Z we were ordered 10
join our brigade. We hurried away with
out ceremony, and although a space of IL
miles Fad to. be traFeised. we accom-
T plished it in time 10 retire for the night
at the reasonable hour Of 10 D. m. We
found the brigade located four miles
southwest from Madisonyille.
4 We had very little time to observe our
new surroundings, for at the break OF
day, Dec. s, our brigade was hurried of
to Columbus, % miles distant, arriving
about sunset, drenched with rain and
thoroughly exhausted with spIashing
through the mud.
Exposure and fatigue proved trying
enough, but they were of secondary .m-
portance 20 the demands of hunger. Far
ther we could not 20 without a substitute
for rations, and the only substitute in
sight was the uDgathered corn in the
fields, SO onr regiment was sent with