The National tribune., 1901-03-21
A CORN CAMPAIGN.
Recollections of What A. J. Smiths Command
Experienced in the Winter of 1S64-'65.


how his command lived on corn and built
Winter quarters at EastpOrt, Miss, in
January, 1860, | want TO say to my good
comrade that Gen. \. J. Smiths com
mand was not all that participated in that
memorable corn siege up the Tennessee
River in consequence of the Ohio River
being blocked with ice from the mouth of
the Columbia TO the mouth of the Tennes-
see. Late in the afternoon of Dec. ~,
1864, Gen. Ed. Hatch's Division of Viii
sons Cavalry arrived at a point south of
Shoal Greek, north of Muscle Shoals, on
the Tennessee River some six or eight
miles. where we learned that Hood had
succeeded in crossing the river with what
he had left: SO we went into bivouac in Il
bushy woods near Rogersvillc, Ala. l will
say here that in my opinion if Gen. Hatch
instead of Wilson had commanded Thorn
ass cavalry Hood would never have got
Il gun or wagon south of the Tennessee
River. 1t is true that Forrest was Gov
crlng Hoods retreat, but what was For
rest TO the amount of cavalry that Wilson
commanded? He should have swooped
down the old Military road from Colum-
bia via Lawrenceville and beat Hood to
his crossing.
Early ON the morning of Jan. ], 1860,
our command broke camp near Rogers
vile and moved out on the Florence and
Athens road.
We swan Elk River in binding snow
storm and moved on within 4 few miles of
Athens, where we bivouacked for two
nights and day. Did we have anything
to eat: No; not much; only what we for
aged off the people that had given to both
armies, for both had been there, and l am
sure we got very little.
On the morning of the Sd we moved
out past Athens, went east on the Hunt
vile road, camped on Limestone Creek,
and next morning passed on the north side
of Rainbow Mountain in sight of and
about three miles of Huntsville, filed into
an old field, built fires, parched corn,
drank good water, and then took the back
track to Athens, where we remained four
days.
We got more corn, and my cook said
he persuaded good cOlored woman to let
him have two shucks of sausage on the
promise that he would bring her some cof-
fee tomorrow" So | had sausage and
parched corn for supper and breakfast.
The black rascal didn't have any coffee
so he never paid that debt. He said
"'Twasn't " due, no how; COS tomorrow
hadn't come. 'Twar alwus yistiddy or ter
day, and tomorrow never did git heah."
On the 9th we marched to Elk River;
on the 10th TO Florence, and camped in
the city. 1t was a very stormy night, cold
and showing. Most men found something
to eat, but horses had nothing. Next day
we found corn, fed our horses and got
supply for ourselves. We went into camp
at Gravelly Springs. Next day, the 18th,
we moved down the river to a point OPP
posite Eastport, Miss, where we lay till
the 10Th, when we went back to Gravelly
Springs. We sent ont foraging parties,
but they got nothing. This was the fourth
time our division had been in this coun-
try that Fall and Winter; besides, Hoods
army had spread all over it during his
three weeks stay at Florence on his way
up to Nashville. As he returned he was
in Il great hurry, and didn't tarry so long.
We received orders to build Winter
quarters. Foraging parties found a little
corn, as the country for 10 or ID miles
around was secured not only for some
thing to eat, but tools to work with were
in great demand. The men ate parched
corn and drank good water. The horses
We're turned loose and browsed the tops
Of the trees we cut for wood and timber.
Men worked with q WILL and We're cheer
full. On the morning of the 10th our boats
came up the river around from Nashville,
brought up our camp and garrison and
those who had stayed behind at Nash
ville and, what was better, plenty of ra-
tions and corn and hay for our animals.
Five days ratiOns were issued to the men;
to destitute citizens. 1t was expected that
other boats would follow, but they were
hemmed in in the Cumberland and could
not get into the Tennessee. 1t was terribly
cold in Alabama, but was much colder
on the Ohio 1t was said that Uncle Sam
sawed, rammed, jammed and rounded to
get his steamers through those u miles
Of arctic region all to no purpose; for 2l
DAYS zero held it sealed. Our five days ra-
al y tod hnfnrn W.
the condition of things. If our ratiOns
had not been issued TO citizens perhaps
there would have been enough for us; but
they We're gone, and / never heard muir
mur because destitute citizens got them
No; they said they had to divide with us
50 long as they had anything, and we will
ingly divided with them.
At Reunion Of the Blue and the Gray
at Evansville | had tea one evening with
Dr. J. L. Cannon, author of Inside Of
Rebeldom." He was then, in 1865, at his
brothers, 10 or u miles out from our
camp. Hatcf's headquarters We're at his
fathers house. i asked the Doctor il the
Government continued to issue rations to
these destitute people, and he told me that
be could not say, further than his own
family. Nothing perhaps could have been
more humiliating to this prOud-spirited peO-
pie than to be under the necessity Of such
n thing, and | am quite sure no one did it
until forced by sheer necessity. Though
we had no rations we had plenty of corn,
and when the Quartermaster issued corn
for the horses the Commissary Sergeant
went for his share. We parclIed it, boiled
it; some made a sort Of hominy, and some
pounded it i'll wooden mortars, then boiled
it into mush. All were cheerful and jolly,
and never saw men improve more in any
three weeks in physical condition. When
L Smiths command left E1Gtuort ouI.
division took their old camp and remained
till the following July.-S. II. MAXEY,
Captain, 9Th III. Cav, Mt. Vernon, Ill.
Words that Terrify.-The physi-
clan of the humdrum school, when called
on for medical advice, after having looked
| at Yonr tongue and felt your pulse. will