The National tribune., 1901-09-12

10 men each on the outpoStS, Wltnn sup
porting distance of each other. The re
manning six companies were held in re
serve in rear of the center of the line.
We were instructed to be very watch
full. as the enemy was close at hand ant
likely Mt any moment to break upon u
TO Dreyent the building of roads ant
bridges in which work many men Wer'
engaged. We heard firing to our left
in the direction of Pope's army, wher'
"a reconnaissance was made, resulting II
q spirited skirmish at Purdy.
THE ENEMY ACTIVE.
Next day at 10 a. m. our regiment, re
Ieved from picket duty, returned to camp
but we had scarcely laid aside our arm:
when the rafting of musketry out Oh
the front, whence we came, called US lntS
line. where we stood awaiting orders un
til the firing ceased, when we again dis
banded.
ing marty of 200 men of the 18th Ind. anC
nth Pa, of our brigade, who were al
first thrown into confusion, but hnaily re
nulsed their aSSailants, losing one killed.
three wounded and one prisoner. 1hey
again resumed work, having lost but ut
tie time by the interruption, although nVe
men short in number.
immediate front there was commotlon
pretty much all along the line to our left
Nelson's Division, on our left, was moved
two miles to support Pope's army IN Its
reconnaissance, and Crittenden'S DIVISION
was moved from our rear to our left
Nelson returned at daylight this morning
and resumed his position near US, but be-
fore noon he was called back 10 support
Pope. who reported his advance driven
and the enemy
pressing fercely toward his camp;
One of his brigades on the south side
of Seven Mile Greek was compelled TO
recross the stream, after severe contest.
About the same time Nelson's plckets,
Joining ours, were attacked. All these
occurrences stirred our camps into lie ana
activity, but at nightfall all was quiet
again.
By special order our division has been
designated the Reserve of the Army be-
fore Corinth,'' and a position assigned us
Immediately in rear of the center OF
RueIrs army, which is likewise the cen
ter of Halleck's command, Thomas's army
being on the right and POpes army on
the left.
In order to reach our new position we
marched at l p. NJ, May 10, in south
easterly direction, but our progress was
so slow along q single narrow roadway
that it was IL p. N. when our regiment
halted, only four miles from our starting
point.
Next day we remained quiet, with no
duty to perform. Having no tents, we
spread our blankets under the trees and
sat like Turks, eating and sleeping, on the
ground. Fortunately, the weather has
been fair since we left our camp equlpage
behind four days since. We could hear
the usual firing in the direction of Pope,
who is not satisfied to let single day
pass without provoking some sort of
disturbance.
On May IA Gen McCook, with our bri-
gade in advance and ROusseau's in re-
serve, marched out on the Hamburg and
Corinth road to recOnnoiter, driving in the
enemy's pickets, but returned without
provoking the resistance that awaited his
farther advance. Our regiment remained
in camp.
We are now about seven miles due east
from Corinth, our main line being two
miles nearer. Our camp is pleasantly To-
Gated, but water is becoming very scarce
as the ground dries out, our dependence
being entirely on surface water.
We formed in line at s o'clock a. m,
May II, in full expectation of an adj
vance but were dismissed to our quar-
tiers, although we could hear considerable
firing in our front.
While our division was thus held in
gencies, the main line of Halleck's army
was moved up within two miles Of the
enemy's works, driving back his pickets,
with their supports, who offered strong
resistance, especially on the Purdy road,
in front of Sherman, on our extreme
right. The new line was not established
until some time after dark, and skirmish-
ing continued until that time.
Our troops were provided with tools
a IN
The enemy appeared to be satisfied with
his situation back OF Phillips Creek, well
screened with heavy timber on his side,
but cleared away on our side. while the
creek and its soft, treacherOus banks pro-
tccted his front from our attack, for
which he appeared TO be waiting. Such
was the character of the Instructions eX-
tending about one and three-quarters
miles along Buell's front, but not so
formidable elsewhere.
May 10 finds our division still under
orders TO be ready for action at a mo-
ment's notice. Our line is slowly but
surely enyeloping the Confederate army
in COrinth, leaving a smaller margin each
day for movements between the opposing
forces. We are cautioned that they may
at any time attempt to Ont through our
line. by an unexpected, vigorous attack
in heavy columns. Our division as the
reserve, will IN such an event be thrown
across their path to arrest their progress.
We are therefore kept in constant readi-
ness to speed to any part Of the main line
needing assistance, either for defense or
offense
HalIccll's army is compared to a huge
bird. with wings being gradually extend
ed TO the front. Thomas and Pope CON
stitute the wings. Buell. the head and
body. while our division answers for the
tail feathers. We do not expect the wings
70 flap back on us in any case, but we DO
expect at any time to leave our position
at the tail and fly TO either wing, or the
head. as may be required.
Heavy and continuous cannonading all
day May 20 kept us on the ''qui-vive"
constantly. as our orders require. Our
line IS being pressed toward the enemy's
Notifications at every available point. Po-
sitions are taken possession of Mt night
which the pick and spade soon convert into
menaCing rivals Of the Confederate works
in front Cannon are dragged into these
ImprOylSed fortreSScs, TO respond at day
light TO the challenge of hostile neighborS.
We want to be neighborly and draw closer
to them, but they resent our approaches.
Apparently they are waiting for us to
assail them in their formidable works, de-
pending on grape, canister and musket
balls to NOV us down while charging
through Swamps, fallen timber and che
vaux-de-fTise" to reach their works.
Heavy firing at irregular intervals. as
well as our orders, kept us in a state
of expectancy all day May 81, yet we
continued our daily routine of duties as
though we expected to remain all Sum
mer. Our company completed mud oven
and burned it out with great eclat in
the presence of a large and interested
assemblage of spectators. We expect
now to bake our own fresh bread
10 4