The National tribune., 1901-08-08

who lounge together IN clusters, sltthg OF
stretched full length upon the ground
Both are intensely interested in one sub
ject, the prospect of war with England
The occasion is the capture of Mason and
Slidell, Confederate Ministers to France
and England, on the British Steamer
Trent, by the U. S. Man Of War San
Jaeiuto. The question is will England
demand their release; and if so, VIII oui
Government refuse, and what VIII be the
consequence of our refusal! If war with
England should result, we realize that
we will have a big contract on our hands,
and that many more volunteers VIII be
called for. We believe that IN such an
event no additional burden will be thrown
on this army, but that new armies will be
raised TO meet new difficulties. We trust
that Russia will take our part as her at
titude thus far has been decidedly friend
~
RECKONING WITH THE sUTLER.
Nov. %, 1S61.-One of the great events
of our military experience occurred TO-DAY
we received our first pay.
1t was a morning Of excitement when
we receiyelorders to march to the Fay
masters headquarters, in building not
far from our camp. There we waited
patiently for our turn, which came at last,
and we received pay for one month and
"a days at the rate of S13 per month.
A portion was paid in Treasury
notes, the first greenbacks we have seen,
and said to be as good as gold. We are
sure they are more convenient for carry
ing or sending by mail.
Oh. but this has been day of reckoning
for many of our boys, who have improvi-
IDENTIFY been converting their wages from
week to week into sutler checks, which
they have exchanged for sardines, brandy,
peaches and other unnecessarles. mex
orable as Fate sat Shylock, the sutler, at
IL. to hon,
each name was called, he handed those
fatal checks and received their value de-
Quoted from the soldiers pay. Thus 1t
happened that some received only few
cents, others nothing and one man saw
the sutler confscate all his pay, and was
informed that a balance remained to be
deducted next payday.
I'm to this time the sutler shop has been
considered a benevolent institution, and
the sutler a public benefactor, but now
he is a public enemy, whom some of the
boys weuld like to pelt with the bad eggs
he has been trading them for good sutler
checks. Many of our boys entertained the
idea that something was bound to happen
before these checks would appear in judg-
ment, a great battle for instance, that
would scare the sutler SO far to the rear
that he could not get back in time to inter
cept their pay, or that a shell from the
enemy might happily burst in the midst
of his tent and scatter the boarded III
box of checks to the four corners OF
camp. But it has been distTessingly safe
at the front, and our sutler has been able
to stick closer to us than a brother with
out risking life or limb.
Nov. 30, 1S61.-One of the immediate
results Of getting our pay is the opening
of a theater at Nolin by the soldiers oc-
cupying the town. 1t was my privilege,
with several comrades, to pay 20
cents each and encourage the enterprise
with our presence and applause. 1t was
a variety show and served one purpose,
at least, in addition to the principal OBJ
ject of profit and amusement, it displayed
the versatile capabilities of the Volunteer,
representing as he does every profession
and trade practiced in our land. In the
art of war only he is yet a novice, but it
is fair to presume that when the test is
applied intelligence and self reliance will
compensate for the years of military train
ing considered necessary in Europe to
make successful soldier.
Dec. /, 1S61.-We were surprised this
morning on peeping out of our tents to
see the ground covered with snow, and
naturally turned out with unusual re-
luctance, at daybreak, the usual hour. Our
quarters were so comfortable that it was
not pleasant to face the frosty air. Two
men usually join blankets and sleep to-
gether On cold nights. We are far from
being situated like Washington's army at
Valley Forge, although some of our boys
were at first disposed to class themselves
with our military fOrefathers and grum-
bled accordingly, but when their atten-
ton was called to the lack Of bloody foot
steps, so necessary to constitute parallel,
they had to confess that we had no hard
ship to complain of, and proceeded to join
their comrades in a general SNOWFALL
festival
Dec. 2, 1S61.-Several ladies, officers
trivcc who baua haan ar.ir he
talities Of camp for some time, started to-
day for their homes in Illinois. Their de-
parture was FASTENED by an order from
Gen. McCook that NO women will be
permitted to accompany this command
further than this point as no provision
will be made for the conveyance of extra
baggage"
This order, when translated into the
familiar language Of the ranks. is made to
read Cartridge boxes to the front. Dry
goods boxes to the rear"
Dec. 3, 1S6l.-By an order from Gen.
this camp under Gen. McCOok are styled
the Second Division" consisting of the
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Bn-
gades, commanded, respectively, by Gems.
Rousseau, Wood, Johnson, and Negley,
and also one regiment of cavalry and
three batteries of artillery.
We find our regiment is transferred
from JOhnsons to T. ]. Woods Fifth
Brigade, which now is composed of the
following regiments: 18th Ind, goth Ind,
Nth Pa. 34th Ill.
Dec. ), 1SG1.-One week ago the bridge
over Bacon Greek was completed, but now
IL is again in ruins, having been burned
second time by the Confederates. 1t
was bold venture on their part, as the
bridge was guarded by Rousseau's Bri-
gade.
A small party of cavalrymen, number
ing about $50, under cover of night, swan
their horses across the creek unobserved
by the guards saturated the timbers with
coal OIL fired it and escaped.
This disaster has n depressing effect on
our spirits, We fear it will delay our
advance.
Dec. Z, 1S61.-In consequence of bad
water and much sickness, our camp has
been moved mile and half to a new
location.
Cards have become the fayorite pastme
Of our boys when off duty, and the poor
lone mortal who does not play is con-
signed to oblivion, neither seen or heard
by his companions, while they are shut
fling the greasy pasteboards. few OF
us play chess, but he who plays neither is
stranger in a strange land.
MARCHING ORDERS.
Dec. ., 1S61.-Marching orders at last.
but unexpected, as our recent change of
camp indicated a longer stay.
JOhnson's Brigade started South today,
and ours is ordered to follow Wednes-
day morning. All is hustle and excite