The National tribune., 1901-06-27

were in motion, our division still in the
rear. But after a march of 10 miles we
came up with the advance column, in
| camp on Lynch Greek.
Feb. 2S we left our camp early, our d.
vision leading; marched II miles, and
about o'clock in the afternoon went into
camp. Here we remained the two sue
ceeding days waiting for Sherman's left
to move forward.
UNION PRISONERS MURDERED.
About this time a number of men, who
had been captured by the enemy, were
found brutally murdered along our line
of march. This fact so enraged Sherman,
that he notified Hampton that his only
alternative was to retaliate man for man.
Hampton replied that he would put to
death two prisoners held in his hands for
every one Sherman should shoot in retalia-
ton. AS to the execution of Sherman's
order of retaliation, l am not prepared to
say. But Hampton relented, and no more
of Sherman's men were found murdered
by the roadside.
At one place four men were found hang
ing to the trees, and at another place
several cavalrymen-were found with
throats cut from ear to ear.
March 8 we marched Is miles to
Chesaw, on the Big Pedee River, where
we were engaged until evening of the next
day destroying all Confederate stores and
munitions of war found stored there.
On March 5, after a march Of four
miles, we were halted and were ordered
to construct line of works, as the enemy,
10000 strong, were reported on our front.
The following morning we turned to the
right, and marched 10 miles to Bennets-
ville,- where was found buried large
quantity Of cornmeal and bacon, which
we appropriated, as for days the question
of rations had been an important one.
March Z our division, still in the ad
vance with little opposition, marched 10
miles, and about four o'clock in the after
noon went into camp. The next day we
marched IA miles. and just at dark crossed
the Little Pedee River and camped on the
soil Of North Carolina.
The next morning we marched in the
direction of Fayetteville, on Cape Fear
River, reaching that place on the after
noon of March II.
Sunday we remained in camp, enjoying
a rest But about noon we were startled
by the shrill whistle of steamboat. In
a moment we were all attention, and were
prepared to skedaddle from rebel
monster coming up the river to annihilate
us. We watched the course of the river.
and at last a blue smoke began to curl
above the tops of the trees lining the
SHOTe, anu UlOneHl ldIeT IHe steamer
came into full view; but instead of rebel
gunboat. there foated at her mast our
grand old flag. The steam-tug Davidson
had come up from Wilmington, n. c., to
bring us news from the outside world.
1t was n great mystery to us how our
Government, isolated as we were, had
been informed of our whereabouts so as
to be able to communicate with us.
March 13 we marched down the river
,,.fIn hon halt Il q
the first dawn we crossed the river, and
after rapid march Of about five miles
went into camp.
March Is our brigade was assigned to
duty as train guard in the rear of the
entire corps. A heavy rain fell at inter
walls throughout the day; but being ac-
customed TO such conditions, we moved
galy on, covering IA miles that day.
Sherman knew that Johnston was rapid
ly concentrating his army, and that we
would probably meet him somewhere be-
fore we reached Goldsboro. Sherman
hoped to be able to reach Goldsboro and
unite his forces with those of Schofeld,
who had moved up from Wilmington, and
then turn and destroy Johnston with one
mighty blow. Johnston, however, did not
intend TO let Sherman unite with Scho-
field if in his power to prevent it. So on
the 10th he hurled Hardee's Corps upon
Sherman's left flank near Averysboro.
But in turn the brave Slocum turned one
of his divisions loose upon Hardee's flank,
catching it, in military parlance, ''in the
air." and sending Hardee reeling back
ward toward Smithfield.
During the day our division was en-
gagged in bridging a swamp, using for that
purpose rails and saplings, so as to enable
our teams to follow us. About dark, our
work having been completed, we again
moved forward, and after n march Of
seven miles halt was ordered till morn
ing.
March II we moved out OF camp Mt z
o'clock. The roads were found in much
better condition than on the previous day.
We marched II miles, and about mid
night came up in the rear Of the advance
columns. For some distance our line Of
march lay through a North Carolina tar
camp, the burning pine trees lighting up
the country for miles and making a scene
long to be remembered.
The following day our division took the
advance, some other command being train
guards. After a march of about ~ miles
a halt was ordered. The meantime heavy
cannonading took place on our left, which
Indicated some opposition in that direction,
but as night came on the firing ceased.
March 10 we met with little resistance.