The National tribune., 1901-08-01
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY AUGUST l. 1901

~ ~ ~ ~ W. Ae AWE
ment, satisfied also that he is acting in
good faith, | reply that we will take
the rations as suggested and, preceded
by our friend of the morning. 'the Ma
jor," still on horseback, marched to the
Commissary Department, where the most
of us managed to stow somewhere about
our person three full days of our Uncle
Samuel's rations.
The Major then piloted us over the
bridge into Loudoun County, where, ami
cable relations having been established;
we saluted and separated with mutual
satisfaction. 1t is now about p. IN.
Still entertaining the hope that the Cap
tain would rejOin us, we proceed but a
short distance, and finding n suitable
place go into bivouac upon loudoun
Hights. There were in our detachment n
Sergeant and 10 privates belonging to
SykeSs Regulars. AS we go into bivouac
this Sergeant asks that he and the other
Regulars be allowed to continue on the
march alone, as they are i'll hurry 10
rejoin their regiments. Without thought
as to consequences. his request is granted,
and the Regulars continue the march four
OF five miles farther before halting for
the night Coming to n pretentious plan
tation in the barnyard of which a stack
of straw offered unusual facilities for
passing the night in comfort, making
sumptuOus bed of clean straw, they COM
pose themselves for the night and are
soon in the land of dreams. About mid
night they experience "a rude awaken
ing" AS their eyes become accustomed
to the darkness they make the unwelcome
discovery that they are prisoners in the
hands of Mosby's Guerrillas, who I'M
tremendously assisted them to an early
toilet and marched them to Richmond as
prisoners Of war. (Of course, l did not
know of this at the time, but learned it
laterD
MARCHING THROUGH OLD VIRGINIA.
On the morning of the 2Sth we arise
from our sIumbers. much refreshed by
the nights rest, and increase our strength
by slmpling of our sutler supplies,
washed down by cup of hot coffee. AT AT
about o'clock. having abandoned all
hope of being joined by the Captain, |
call the men together and issue orders
No. l "The efficient Sergeant of Dur
yeas Xouaves is appointed second IN com
mand. Fortunately there is q drummer
boy with u.s. The drummer boy and |
are designated as headquarters. when
on the march headquarters are to keep
upOn or close to the highway leading to
Smokers Gap; the others of the COM
mand will scatter as much as they please,
being careful to always keep in support
ing distance and never to lose sight or
or to become isolated from each other.
Immediately upon the first sign of dam
ger notice thereof to be given to head
quarters, when the drummer will beat the
long roll At the sound every member
will rally around the drum and make the
best defense possible. Foraging will be
encouraged to a limited extent. lnas-
much as most of the men are but just
recovering from wounds (sOme not yet
healed, the march will proceed by easy
stages. At the eud of the days march
the drum will sound taps. This is to be
the signal of the time and place of going
into bivouac for the night, which, if pos
sble, will always be in woods, as being
the easiest place to obtain fuel, the least
liable to surprise, and the better adapted
for defense in case we are attacked.
Each morning at the sound of the drum
the march will be resumed" 1t will thus
be seen that orders No / were very un-
military, but simple, easily understood;
allowed everyone to follow his own sweet
will, consequently easily obeyed.
Poorly armed, scantiiy prOyisiOned,
short of ammunition, in an enemy's coun-
try, we proceed ON our "outing," jolly,
eXuberant, careless, rollicking, easy-going,
rag-time lot. For the number 'in it, it is
safe to say the swathe they cut was as
wide and clean as any the Old Dominion
SuN lilt wal lHV SNNOAu 10Y NNs
(Oct. 30J our fOragers capture hog and
we are regaled with fresh pork. On Nov.
l we reach Smokers Gap. This place
consisted of few houses and hole
through the mountains. The Army of
the Potomac is not there or anywhere in
sight. There is abundant evidence of its
having been there, but it is gone. Look
ing for spoil among the debris OF the de-
serted camp are some negroes and poor
whites. These are the first human be
ings save ourselves that we have seen
since moving out of bivOuac upon Lou
doun Hights The whites scamper off at
our approach, but the blacks remain. L
ask an old negro how long it is since
the army left. He replies: "They's done
gone right smart Of time, dun reck n.
Where have they gomez Fore de
Lawd, Massa, | dun no; reck'n dey's dun
gone to Warintun." How far is it to
Warrenton?" "Oh. laws, Massa; Use
dunno. 'Cl'ar to Gawd, Use nebber dar
in all my BON days" The trail is now
an easy one, and we follow in the wake of
the army In day or two We meet a
supply train going to the rear. The driv-
ers begin chatting us for lot of galoots
that they have drafted into the army"
Without a word two of those muleteers
are dragged from their saddles and pun
neled until they cry for quarter. In the
afternoon of the same day a wagon load
ed with Sutler supplies while passing
along the road is boarded by two of the
men, who begin throwing off boxes. The
driver quickly urges his horses into
run, but when the men jump from the
wagon his load is several boxes the
lighter. Their contents were a grateful
acquisition to our menu, as our haver-
sacks had become very attenuated, some,
being entirely empty. The coun-
try is bare; there is really nothing to
forage. Late in the afternoon of the next
day (NOv. 81 the army supply train that
we met the preceding day, passed us on
their return. They were loaded with ra-
tions. The sight of all those supplies
passing us made us feel terrible hungry.
We reason one with another after this
wise: We have raided sutler shanties,
foraged everything in sight from the in
habitants of the country through which
we have passed; have looted sutlcr wag-
ons. Why not rob the supply train? The
very thing-Uncle Sam was to furnish
us rations, anyway. Selecting u secluded
spot where the road makes an ascending
curve as it enters a piece of woods, they
await the arrival of the last wagon of the
train. The plan is that number of the
men shall march along each side of the
wagon, the purpose being to obstruct the