The National tribune., 1901-06-06


rietta, % miles from our camp of the
morning
The morning of Oct. ) we marched
through Marietta. and about noon came
TO a halt near Kenesaw. North of us
could be seen the smoke of the enemy S
campfres. The battle of AllatoOna was
being fought. We could hear the below
ing of distant guns. and saw the Signal
Corps on the top of Kenesaw flashing the
message of our great chieftain: Hold
the fort; am coming"
''Oh. for a voice to reach them" said
the noble Sherman, as again and again the
signal was flashed across the intervening
space. At last there came a lull in the
fight; the smoke lifted, and the brave gar
rison caught sight of the signal flag on
the top of lofty kenesaw. Hold the fort;
relief is coming" it said: and hold the
fort those brave men did.
The early morning of Sunday, Oct. 8,
found US sweeping on through the narrow
defile between keneSaw and Brush Noun
tainS. We moved on over the ground We
fought over the previous June. and in due
time went into camp near Big Shanty,
where detail of 200 men was engaged
in repairing the railroad, which the en-
emy had wrecked.
We remained near Big Shanty until the
night of Oct 10. when we marched in the
direction of Kingston. Heavy firing was
heard in front, and we hurried forward,
to be on hand if needed. At daylight next
morning We were at AllatOOna, where
cheer upon cheer rent the air in honor
of Gen. Corse and his noble LOO men,
who for 10 long hours had withstood the
fierce onset of 1000 of the enemy.
From AllatoOna we moved north along
the railroad until about noon. when a halt
was ordered, to hold our State election.
Late in the day we moved on, and about
midnight crossed the Etowah, and went
into camp near Gainesville.
PsRsUIT OF HOOD.
Oct. 12 we passed through Kingston, 62
miles from Atlanta, and at dark camped
four miles from Rome, after march of
90 miles.
Late the following day we started in
the direction of Resaca, % miles distant
We marched all night, and just at day
light stopped long enough to make coffee,
after which we moved on, and at night
went into camp near ReSaca-
This constant marching, early and late
began to tell on us. We would march
through the day, and then continue on
through the night, stopping now and then
to let the line close up, and then on again
over hills and mountains, through fields
and SwampS.
Oct. 10 we crossed the Oostanaula
River and approached Snake Creek Gap.
Here we found trees felled into the road
to check our progress, but we mounted the
high ground, and at night went into biv-
ouac on the north side.
Sunday, Oct. 16, our line of march lay
along the foot of mountain 20 Gordon
Springs. where we remained until Mon
day evening. when we turned to the left,
ascended the mountain, and after march
of six miles halted for the night.
Oct. IS we moved down the mountain
side to the valley below. About 10 o'clock
we marched through Lafayette, going in
a westerly course, the enemy in full re-
treat, and we after them in hot haste.
The following day We reached Summer
vile, and on the evening of Oct 20 went
into camp near Galesville, Ala.
Since leaving Atlanta the enemy had
led us wild chase of 10 miles, much of
the way over mountain roads, which made
the march very tiresome.
Gen. Sherman now became satisfied
that Hood could not be made to fight.
Therefore he ordered the pursuit. of
Hoods army to be discontinued, as he had
no desire to wear out his army following
q cowardly foe. He felt sure that Gen
Thomas could attend to Hood, so he be-
gan to perfect his plans for putting his
cherished plan into effect.
PREPARING FOR THE MARCH TO THE SEA.
Oct. % our non-veterans, whose term of
service had expired, were ordered to get
ready for march to Chattanooga, about
40 miles away, preparatory to being mus
tered out.
During the time our comrades were
making preparations for their march
n0rthward the regiment was preparing for
a march southwark, and all were seem
ingly too busy to even heave sigh of
regret that a cOmradeship extending over
O period of three years was being sun
dered. However, our orders to march
were countermanded, but our comrades
moved on. and soon passed over the hills
out of sight
Oct % our supply train reached us
from Rome, Ga. laden with rations, and
we were once more relieved of the neces-
sity of fOraging.
Early the 18th a shout went ringing
through the camp: "One hour for writing
letters. 1t may be the last chance for
some weeks 10 come" This extended to
the army in camp around Galcsville, and
l doubt another more quiet hour in the
army was ever witnessed, except when in
siumber, as one and all were engaged in
writing letters to some dear relative or
friend.
These letters conveyed the news that
a great move would soon be made, and
that some weeks might pass before they
heard from us again.
The morning of Oct. % we formed in
line, and started in the direction of At
lanta, 100 miles southeast: keeping step
TO the merry music by our band
"Oh, amt i glad TO get out of the will
derness, down in Alabam."
We crossed the COOSa River on pom
tOons that afternoon and went into biv-
ouac for the night. The evening Of the
next day we camped at Cave Springs.
Here we remained one day.
on THE NICKAJAcK.
Nov. l we resumed our march by way
OF Cedar Town. Dallas and Lost Noun
tain, and Nov. went into camp on Nick
aJack Creek, SIX miles south Of Marietta,
where we remained till Nov. 13.
Our regiment was now supplied with
new clothing and everything thoroughly
oYerhauled.
The wild echoes of the struggle around
Atlanta had died away. The banks of
the Nickajack or ChattahoOchee no longer
resOunded with the crack Of rifles along
the picket line, and the Yanks and John
MES no longer sassed each other from the
shadows on either side.
One evening the boys felIed a large
chestnut tree, when there came upon us
new enemy-an army of enraged bees
which put to fight the fellows who were
after chestnuts. My comrades fell back
in good order, and for time were busiIy
engaged in picking out this new enemy S
bullets.
After the enemy had quieted down and
ceased to trouble we sought the sweetness
IN that tree, and ate heartily of the honey.
Nov. we drew our pay, also held Pres
identIal election, our regiment casting 3Sl