The National tribune., 1901-09-12

On May % our fair weather ended in
rain, which continued all day and evil
IDENTIFY drove the belligerents in front to
shelter, and it was unusually quiet, too
much so, in fact, to suit the great ma
| iority of our soldiers who are anxious to
start the battle without delay, in the full
! belief that our overwhelming numbers
will insure a victory so decided that no
other army can be gathered outside of
Virginia to face US. e..
| We cannot expect ever to meet the en-
envy under greater advantage to US, and
realize that if he escapes our clutches,
for his means of doing so are yet at his
disposal, the war may be continued many
months or years longer. This view is
strengthened by the deplorable fact that
sickness is making terrible inroads in our
numbers, and is more to be feared than
| bullets.
The little sluggish stream that supplies
our camp is reduced to noxious pools of
| bad-smelling water, so nauseating that we
shut our eyes and hold our noses when
we gulp it down. 1t is SO warm that it
exhales a sickening vapor, and altogether
so poisonous that our hospitals are filled
with feyer-stricken victims, while hun
dreds may be seen tottering about in our
quarters, mere skeletons, deeply-dyed in
the yellOw-andgreen of jaundice and ma
laria, myself among the number.
Many Of these are being sent home on
/ LuIlOuSl, pul u SIGdltI tlLlS WIN
desperation to the hope of taking part in
the great battle, seemingly so near, and
| sharing the great victory, so well assured,
after which they may return with honor
to their homes.
Our greatest foe is not the one with
arms in the intrenchments before us, but
an enemy more subtitle, lurking in the
swamps, defying both armies, scOrning
bayonets, laughing at countersgns, cap
turing the picket at his post, and Crap
ping the bravest soldier in his own tent,
to paralyze his strength, or send the fever
cOursing through his veins.
Learning there was cool spring Of
water only three miles from our quar-
tiers, two comrades, with myself, deter
mined to make the pilgrimage TO this Nee
ca of our dreams. Only three miles, yet
how far TO drag our emaciated bodies, but
what 4 reward for the effort was pure,
cool water; 50, with its ripping music in
our imagination, we walked, or rather
staggered, toward it, to revel at last in
the luxury OF drinking our fill and feasting
our eyes in its limpid beauty.
ADVANCE ON coRINTH.
May q the command was ordered to
move forward. 1t was my fate in spite
Of efforts TO the contrary, to sit in the
AdJutant's Office, an invalid, unable to
march, with orders to remain in charge
while the regiment was preparing to leave
camp, but 1t was also my privilege later
IN the day, when one of our wagons was
sent out with ammunition TO secure
seat with the driver, and join my com
rades at the front. 1t was necessary for
me to turn over my charge of the hooks
and papers of the Adjutants Office to the
/ Orderly left 10 assist me, a disobedience
of orders, which the Adjutant kindly over
looked.
When preparations were completed the
regiment marched out of camp to certain
battle, as we all supposed, with drums
| beating and colOrS flying, cartridge boxes
well hlled with extra ammunition, haver-
sacks rounded out with three days cooked
rations, and a single blanket, twisted into
a roll and hung on one shoulder across
the breast. Knapsacks, with their con-
tents, were left in the tents, still stand
| ing.
\ tortuous course of more than two
miles over the toughest Of corduroy roads
led the regiment TO our outer works,
where the whole division was deployed in
front Of Woods and Sherman's, and i'm
mediately engaged the attention of the en-
emys skirmishers on the bank of Bridge
| Creek.
Gen. McCook ordered his division TO
advance, Rousseau's Brigade being on the
right, Johnson's on the left, and ours in
reserve. The enemy's skirmshers were
driven across the creek, but occupied Ser
rats Hill, and offered such determined
resistance that our brigade was sent for
ward 90 reinforce the center, which served
TO dislodse and force them steadily back
until at 4 o'clock the skirlnishers of our
brigade came in sight OF the Confederate
main works, about 200 yards distant,
when Gen. McCook ordered the line to
halt and hold its position until it could
| be fortified.
| Our regiment followed the skirmish line
within supporting distance during the day,
but in the evening five companies were
sent out on the skirmish line to relieve
the LIST Ohio, which was exhausted with
! the days skirmishing. Our companies at