The National tribune., 1901-02-07

our boarding out of East Tennessee. All
the time we are here we are not consum-
ing rations in Chattanooga, and by this
means the Government may be able to
get stuff ahead there for supplies for the
future.
We are getting along nicely and are
having good times. The division forage
train went out yesterday and got lot of
nice -four at a mill, and they came in with
hams, chickens and a barrel of moiasses
In addition, and we were n gay set IN the
afternoon, baking and cooking, making as
much fuss as home folks do for Christ
mas dinner.
This morning had ham and eggs, hot
corn cakes and molasses. Did you ever
hear of such living for soldiers! We are
going to have chicken for dinner, and If
we only had sugar and coffee we would
be fixed completely.
Monday, Dec. 12.-Yesterday was Sun
day at home,'I suppose, but with US there
was nothing to distinguish it from any
other day OF the week. We had nothing
to do but lie in camp ready to move. The
past few days, while staying here, we have
lived better than during any time of our
army life, and will always remember the
place. We want to get back to camp,
however. We have now been out u
days, all the time without n change of
clothing OF NEWS 1itli the WIN
We think a great deal of home, and how
you folks will wonder what has become
Of us. We call this camp "Conesauga,
after the name of a creek and mountain
nearby.
Monday Evening.-Word was received
this afternoon to move at daylight. The
news was received with cheers by the
men, and we hope to go straight through
to Chattanooga. l am writing before
huge fire. Two large back logs" fore
log" with plenty of wood and pine knots
to make a blaze.
MARCHING THROUGH A ROUGH COUNTRY.
Friday, Dec. 1S.-We left camp Tues
day morning and travelled to Charleston,
arriving at noon. The town is on the Hi
awassee River. After an hours rest we re-
sumed our tramp until an hour after dark,
and camped six miles from Cleveland.
At Charleston we met the Fifteenth
Corps, which was permitted to travel the
main road, while we were showed OF on
the by-rOads-a series of mud-holes,
swamps, and hard to march on. Some
times we would let down fences and make
a road to suit ourselves, across the coun-
try. At times the whole division would
have to cross single-file on a foot-log over
stream, and, of course, were much de-
layed.
Wednesday.-We moved in the same
old way, and would ask persons along the
way the distance ahead, and had the same
old unsatisfactory answers. During the
day we passed Gen. Sherman and staff,
and Gen. Davis tried to get him to let us
take better roads, but for some reason 1t
could not be done.
We pushed on as rapidly as the muddy
roads permitted, in hopes of making Nc
Donald's Gap, 10 miles from Chattanooga,
by night, and could have done so, but from
the artillery sticking in the mud we could
only make a mile an hour. 1t now threat
ened rain, it grew dark, yet We trudged on,
sometimes taking to the fields and woods.
We passed houses. but the inmates, with
their flags, got no cheers-ye only asking
'How far to the Gap? Long after dark
the rain began, with no signs Of stopping
for us. l began preparing myself for the
stop, and saw q soldier drop coal of fire
he had gotten AZ a house. l picked it up
and put it in my skillet with a single
over it to keep out the rain.
In the course of time we did stop; rails
were brought, and with a few splinters
torn off had a fire, although it was rain
ing hard, and the rest of the division came
to me to light theirs, and we soon got a
chance to bake a cake.
There was no sleep for US that night.
We were content to sit around and keep
up fires. By daylight the rain ceased, and
thus was spent hard night for us.
At daylight we set out to make Chat
tanooga, and it was relief to be on the
move after enduring the pouring rain all
night. We now had to pass through the
Gap, which we had hoped to make the
night before. 1t was a narrow hollow
where a creek ran through the mountains;
the roads were nearly impossible. 1t was
bad enough in good weather, but now the
creek was booming high and horses had
to swim. and water came up to the wagon
beds. Gen. Davis was thrown from his
horse into the water. The infantry had
TO go single-fle in path along the noun
tain side.
By 10 o'clock we were through, and
stopped in field to reorganize and wait
for the trains. 1t was 1 o'clock before we
started on; the rain was pouring and the
whole country was overlooked. We passed
the trains of the Eleventh Corps, stuck
fast in the mud. They would hitch extra
mules to the wagons, pry them out, and
go ahead. By 3 o'clock the rain ceased.
We struck a sandy ridge, and got along
better. we then came tc the railroad
which runs from Cleveland to Chatta-
nooga, and took the track for marching.
We made good time for six miles, our three
brigades showing up well, as they extend
ed along the railroad. We stopped at sun
down at the stone bridge near Chicka-
manga Station, seven miles from Chatta
nOoga.
During the afternoon we came in sight
Of "old Lookout" which brought cheers
from the men at time when nothing else
would have done so. The evening was
cold, and we worked hard to keep fires
large enough for comfort.
MISSIONARY RIDGE.
Friday, Dec. 1S.-We were up at day
light. 1t was here we received orders to
70 to some place near Ringgoid, and not
TO Chattanooga. 1t was an awful disap-
pointment for us, and cast a deep gloom
over the spirits of all. We had been away
% days on hard service, were almost used
up and badly in need of shoes and cloth
ing. Gen. Davis went on to Chattanooga
TO see about it, and finally got orders for
Us to go on TO our old camp at Chatta
nooga. The regiment marched on the rail
road track, while the horses went over
Missionary Ridge. / rode the Majors
horse, and saw all over the late battle
ground.
AS we gained the top OF Missionary Ridge
from the rear most splendid view burst
out before US. The Ridge was covered
with cabins, huts and rife-pits, formerly
used by the rebels. Below spread out
panoramic view of Chattanooga and an
its surroundings, as it was viewed from
the rebel lines before the battle. We could
see our old camp, away off on the hills
four miles away.
The distance from the top of the Ridge
to Chattanooga surprised us, and we Won