The National tribune., 1901-12-12

we were nOtl1ed by Uncle Siul luIouSh
his proper officers that the remaining por-
tion of our contract with him must be
performed, to wit:
To obey all orders handed thrown or
poked at us;
To do all manner Of acts possible, prac-
ticable or ineXplicable;
To travel all kinds of roads, horizontal,
perpendicular, obstructed or obliterated;
To carry all kinds of loads, ornamental
or monumental, whether cooking utensils
or implements of war;
To stay out in the weather until called
in, whether in sunshine, rain or snow;
To eat such food as we may find, pala-
table or deSpicable;
To seek localities where bullets are
most prevalent, and there remain until
shot or otherwise disposed of; and
To perform all other manner of acts
pertaining to the suppression of the re-
bellion during a period of three years or
during the war, unless sooner dispatched
RETURNING TO DUTY.
Accordingly, on Feb %. we assembled
at Dixon. marched to the depot, boarded
a train and departed for Chicago, leay-
ing a sorrowful group OF relatives, friends
and sweethcartS gazing after us with
fearful eyes. They knew too well the
perils of our future service and realized
with sinking hearts that many would re-
turn manned and crippled and many re-
turn rot at all
We reached Chicago shortly before sun
set, and marched through the city to the
depot. where cars were IN readiness, ana
shortly after dark our train moved out
for Louisville via Indianapolis.
We awoke next morning to find our
train, special" switched at Valparaiso,
Ind, after having Travelled during the
night the wonderful distance of a miles.
Remained until late in the morning, then
o,NA ahaH nd n
oils about dark, where we stopped an
hour, which time was spent in getting
something TO eat.
We proved troublesome passengers TO
the conductor of our train during the day,
owing to our practice of hopping off at
every stop, however brief, and tardy
movements in getting aboard. He be-
came SO exasperated that when we
stopped at a small town and a number
of our men failed TO get aboard when
the whistle sounded he directed the en-
gineer to go ahead and leave the strag-
glerS. The train was fairly under way
when we who were aboard realized that
our comrades were being left behind. We
rallied to their rescue, manned the brakes
and brought the train TO a standstlll, in
spite of the engineers efforts to go ahead.
Nothing then remained for the conductor
but to back the train mile and pick up
the strag !lers.
we TtdCutu dl d. LII,
March 3 and found the ground covered
with snow, which had fallen the previous
Sunday, while the northern country from
which we had come was bare. Leaving
the cars, we marched to the ferry and
boarded it-all but the last man, who
came as the boat was leaving shore and
managed to reach the deck by a long-dis
tance jump: but his gun fell short and
disappeared in the icy waters. He watched
the ripples n moment to see if the pesky
thing would float, then turned sadly to
his comrades for sympathy, which he re
ceiyed in the way of assurances that he
would find his gun next payday, on the
roll, duly charged.
LAST DAY OF FREEDOM.
Quarters were assigned to the regi-
ment, on reaching Louisville, at the bar
racks; but few of US availed ourselves
of Uncle Sans hospitality. We preferred
to spend the remnant of our bounty money
In cheap hotels, where for the time we
might put on the airs of gentlemen, well
knowing that in a few days the scene
would change, the hotel will become
"pup-tent," and we gentlemen" who
now walk in with lofty airs to we'll
spread table and walk out with polished
shoes. cigars and toothpicks will then be
seen crawling in and out with rusty shoes,
unshaven faces, no cigars, no toothpicks.
The hotel table will sink to the level Of
the ground, beefsteaks will turn to salt
pork, and pie TO hardtack.
Shortly after noon, March 8, the regi-
ment was collected and marched to the
Nashville Depot. Two regiments ahead
Of US had filed all the cars, SO we had
to wait until another train could be made
up, during which time we stacked arms
on the roadside, and having nothing else
20 do we found great sport in snowballing
every passerby. whether soldier or civil
for A taI nyy-
cept one officer in a wagon with com
psnion, and he fourished pistol for
moment, but quickly replaced il when a
number of our boys seized their guns.
Our sport was ended by the arrival OF
the Major to order US aboard the cars,
and at 4 p. N. we departed for Nash
vile.
Early the morning of March we
reached Nashville, disembarked, and
marched TO Zollicoffer Barracks, where
we broke ranks and dispersed about the
city. There was nothing new TO attract
Us in the busy streets, so a party of US
visited the City of the Dead. There the
evidence of war was apparent by the
large number of soldiers graves, repre-
senting both armies. Each grave is
marked by headboard bearing name and
regiment Of the deceased. In many places
friend and foe lie side by side-here
soldier from Maine; there his enemy In
lllt; IIDll 1tAdS. AldS We uOlt ludl We
who remain the weareTs of the blue and
the gray, will some day bury our differ
ences in the grave Of fOrgetfulness and
stand peacefully side by side in loyal sup
port of reunited country. But ere this
day comes we must meet in deadly strife
they for their States, we for our Ma
ton; not with hate in our hearts, but as
the champions Of opposing principles that
we in our day and generation are called
upon 10 settle for the benefit Of those who
come after us; and so when we meet at
the points Of our bayonets we are ready
for a friendly salute, How are you,
Yank" How are you, Johnny Reb.' ere
we proceed with the mutual slaughter.
An incident occurring March is worth
recording. A soldier tightly buttoned up
In q plain blue overcoat is standing idly
IN front OF a military Office. A Lieuten-
ant rides 10 the curbstone, dismounts, and
asks the soldier IN tone of authority TO
hold his horse. The soldier replies, Ger
teinly," grasps the bride and stands obe-
diently at his post while the Lieutenant
snters and remains some time. Mean
while the soldier unbuttons his oyercoat
disclosing the shoulder-straps of a Ma
5or, and when the Lieutenant returns he
Ends himself in the presence of a su-
psrior officer and proceeds 10 offer pro-
fuse apologies, which the Major accepts
IN perfect good humor. 1t was our Maj.
Miller, and is characteristic of his readi-
ness TO do kindly act, without regard
to rank or position.
By evening of March our train was
ready, and we proceeded to stow our bod
les In limited number Of box-cars, which