The National tribune., 1901-02-07

MEAN lsDFS'o iLLE, Ntfs
the cold soldier" and many weeks of sol
diering are requisite to bring them up to
the standard.
Tyner's Station, Feb 1S-Our present
situation is as pleasant as is possible TO
be expected for soldering. Good health
prevails; fine weather, and with nothing
particular to do, and with bountifui sup
ply for our table from the things sent
from various homes, we are faring stump
! tuouSiy.
Tyner's Station is a small place.. ! l
| miles from Chattanooga, on the knoxville
Railroad. Our brigade is here to protect
The railroad. We like the place, as the
country is more open than the dismal
woods where our camp is, near Rossville.
The railroad has been repaired and IS now
IN good order, and many trains are pass
ing to Knoxville.
We read of Sherman's dojngs over in
Alabama, and we suppose the rebels will
| think he is never going to rest. We be
came quite familiar with the sight OF
Sherman and his staff while on the Knox
vile trip last December.
Ringgold, Ga, Feb. -, 1SGl.-We are
in the field" again, and on the march.
So, with my writing materials, l am pre-
pared for Notes by the way" Last Sun
day completed two weeks we had spent
at Tyner's Station, and from inactivity
and laZiness consequent from our light
duties we were becoming restless and de-
moralized. 1t was with inspired feelings,
then, when we received orders on Monday
to BE- ready to move with three days ra-
lions and 20 rounds of ammunition. All
preparations were made and we were III
gay spirits, ready for anything needed.
Tuesday came, but no orders to go; the
| morning wore away, and we calculated
| that our trip was ''fzzle." The day
was hot, and we felt rather satisfied we
| were not on a dusty tramp. Five o'clock,
however, brought orders to start. / rolled
| up blanket and overcoat, with n few other
necessities, filed my haversack with crack
ers, ready for whatever was to come. 1t
was sunset when we got into line, and
| convalescents were left to take our equip
age to our old camp in the Chickamauga
section.
The brigade moved off with bands play
ing and colors flying. We knew not where
we were to go-and cared less; a soldier 5
business is to follow his commanders. We
soon found we were on the Ringgold road.
Our route led through pine woods, de
serted farms, along lonely lanes, until it
became too dark to see where we were GO
ing. In the course of time the moon rose
and We trudged along, with loaded mus
kets, prepared for any emergency. AT
times all would be quiet from one end
Of the line to the other, and then would
Irise an overwhelming noise of shouts, a
medley of voices singing or whistlirg, and
we kept steadily on until - o'clock, and
came into the little town of RipggOid. We
| looked in vain for a light from the win
dows of little cottages, with white paling
fences around; all seemed desolate; the
people fled before the hand of war. This
peaceful, quiet town contained 1900 in
labitants before the war, but now only a
| few remained.
The most of the buildings were burned
| or torn down by Ho0ker's men last Fall
Our regiment drew off into an open field,
stacked arms and lay down for rest and
sleep.
AT o'clock reveille sounded and we
we're up getting coffee and crackers ready
| for further march, but the morning wore
| away until 10 o'clock before we moved.
In the meanwhile other brigades marched
out through the Gap, and we then moved
out TO where | am now writing, took a
| position securing the Gap, which leads
back to town, mile distant. The ad-
vance is now having a small engagement
down near Tunnel Hill.
| Thursday, Feb. 25.~--We are still at our
old place. Ambulances are coming in with
| wounded. We moved forward about
o'clock last night TO guard wagon train
that was parked for the night.
I FRIDAY, FEB. give awoke to hnd
most of the troops returning from the
| front, with the object of the late move
ment accomplished, we suppose, and we
were ordered back through the Gap and
into field for further orders.
Saturday, Feb. 27.-Troops continue to
move back, but we are still near the Gap.
Sunday, Feb. 2S.-This morning we
moved in the direction of our old camp
near Rossville, camping on Peavine Greek,
the place that the rebs shelled US out of
last Fall at II o'clock at night, Just pre-
vious to the battle of Chickamauga. We
will fix up as comfortably as possible.
Note.-During the month of March,
| 1864, the 9Sth was encamped near Ross
vile, receiving recruits, and otherwise pre-
| pairing for the campaign under Sherman
] into Georgia.-ED.