The National tribune., 1901-10-31

Ofo.
shore. where the rebel pickets remained
quietly watching the movement until the
beats reached midstream, when their Gu
| riosity, apparently being satisfied. they re-
tired in haste into the arms of the Ken
tucky cavalry, who had already forded the
river, in two detachments, above and be-
low the crossing. Thus was accomplished
the passing of one of the great barriers
to the Gateway without firing shot.
Sept. l we spent preparing for a long
and difficult march across the mountains
Our tents and extra baggage were packed
! on wagons and sent TO Stevenson for stor-
| age, only one tent being allowed to the
regiment. So anxious are we to tighten
our loads that very few have retained
any clothing but that which they are wear
ing and one blanket-preferring a scanty
wardrobe to carrying a heavy pack over
| the mountains and at the same time filling
the position of assistant mule" by help
ing to drag baggage wagons and artil-
| lery over steep and rocky mountain roads
Our pontoOn bridge was thrOnged with
the passage of our division until even
ing, when Negley's Division began cross
ing.
Sept. 2 our brigade marched away on
the Trenton road, leaving us behind Our
regiment had been detailed for the respon-
sible duty of defending this crossing from
possible attacks from the enemy, who
may seek to destroy our communications
a policy more feared by Rosecrans than
direct attack upon his marching col
umns. We were set at work Immediately
to strengthen our position by building in
trenchments. The I'd Tenn. Cav. was sta
toned short distance in our front. Dur
ing the day McCOok's cavalry crossed to
lead the advance toward Trenton.
REBEL DEsERrER.
A deserter from the LIST Ky. (rebeD Cav
came into our camp Sept. 2 and remained
one night, when he was sent under guard
| to Stevenson. He says that the Confed-
eracy is dead dog"-that Bragg's army
is demoralized and will not risk a battle
at Chattanooga, and that the Tennessee
soldiers say that they will desert in
body If their State is abandoned
This Is the usual picture drawn by de-
serters, but scarcely justified by circum-
stances, which appear favorable to Bragg,
IL reports are true that reinfOrcements
are joining him from Mississippi and Vir-
ginia. We hear of no reinfOrcements for
| us and none promised.
1t is said that Rosecrans begged Hal
leck at Washington for additional troops
to protect our TANKS, but the answer re-
turned was an imperative order to move at
once upon Chattanooga.
Sept. we learned that our army has
succeeded in crossing the Tennessee River
at four points without oppostion-Caper-
toms Ferry, Bridgeport, Shell Mound and
| Battle Greek. AS the river was consid-
cred one of the great barriers of our ap-
proach to Chattanooga, we are surprised
| that it has been yielded without resistance
at any point. Evidently Bragg has been
deceived by the demonstration of Critten-
| dens Corps north Of Chattanooga but if
he Is not already he soon will be aware
| that the two corps Of Thomas and Nc
| Cook are marching toward his railroad
communications. We must pass another
| barrier--the m0untains-and there he
| must meet us or retreat.
Our crossing at Caperton's Ferry is the
| most distant from Chattanooga, being 40
miles. Roads, such as they are, diyerge
from here, crossing Sand Mountain to sew
eral gaps in the Lookout Mountain Range
Our corps marched toward Trenton, 20
miles distant, very important gap in
| the range.
Men, women and children from the sur
rounding country and deserters from the
| rebel army are continually coming to our
regimental headquarters for passes to
cross the river. Thirty-two recruits came
in one squad on their way to Stevenson
to join an Alabama Union regiment be-
ing organized there, numbering already
| 800 members.
On Sept. we learned that our diyi-
sion has crossed Sand Mountain with
great difticulty-building roads and drag
ging artillery and wagons by the aid Of
double teams and ropes. 1t occupied
| Winston's Gap with Dayis's Division on
the western side of Lookout Mountain.
| Sheridan's Division, Of our corps, crossed
at bridgeport and came within 12 miles
Of Winston's Gap.
RAID ON THE sUTLER.
So long time has elapsed since pay
A0 and S.,Nl 4. l.
| much for his goods that most of our boys
have already consumed their allowance
and can get no further credits, so it was
the expected that happened Immediately