The National tribune., 1901-08-22

found it a tedious and difficult operation,
as the Confederates had completely
blocked both ends by heavy explosions,
and the mass of mud and rocks mad to be
moved on push-caTts. There was so little
room for working, and so many of us TO
work that we were in each others way.
We were pretty well disguised with this
sort of work, but our spirits revived al
nishtfall, when we returned TO camp ana
found orders awaiting US to march On the
morrow.
PLANTATION NEGROES.
Feb. %, 1862 (Sundayl--We We're called
I'D at an early hour to prepare for the
march. and at q. N. we turned our
hacks upon the most uncomfortable camp
we had ever occupied. With our faces
toward Bowling Green, we stepped cheer
fully off through the mud, encouraged by
the prospect OF pleasant weather and new
scenery. The sun came out clear and
bright, displaying TO our eyes beautiful
level, well cultivated and fertile country.
extending, as for as the eye could reach,
on both sides of the broad. we'll paved
turnpike over which we marched. The
farm houses, half hid in productive or
chards and thanked by neat rows OF white
washed cabins for the slaves, gave IN
air of comfort to their surroundings 1he
appearance of the negroes themselves was
in keening with this idea. as they lowered
near the roadside in Sunday attire, gazing
upon the Yankees with open-cyed wonder
Their costume was radiant with the bright
hues of African taste; the women general
" wearing iight-blue dresses, with led
bapdanna 'kerchiefs wound about their
heads, forming a neat but fantastic tur-
ban.
An ingenious plan to mystify these
simple-minded creatures was originated
by some of our boys. They would gather
information from the group at one planta
- Of opH other details H.
ing those of adjoining places, and when
the other groups would be reached, Uncle
Jake or Aunt Sally would be astounded
TO hear familiar saiutations and inquiries
about the black colt or the blue hen,
which would simply paralyze the whole
party.
north bank of Barren River, opposite
Bowling Green, which We found had been
evacuated by the enemy and occupied by
our advance column q few days previous
to our arrival.
Feb. p. 1S62-From our position on
the north bank of the river we have a
picture of construction and destruction,
portrayed by the elaborate Notifications
built up and the ruins of the railroad and
turnpike bridges burned or torn down.
The piers only of the railroad bridge re-
main in position, the iron truSses being
submerged on the bottom of the river,
communication with the other side. Our
regiment is encamped within one of the
deserted forts built, with many others, to
prevent our approach. Thirteen of these
forts may be seen from our position, the
result of six months unremitting labor,
all abandoned without the firing of a gun.
Gen. MitchePs Division crossed Satur-
day on a hastily-constructed pontoon
bridge which was soon after washed away
by the rapidly-Yising food.
Provisions being scarce, we received
only enough for one meal today.
Feb. -, 1S62-EortunateIy for US Bar
rem River is navigable to this point, es-
pecially in its present swollen condition.
Two steamboats, arrived yesterday, and
are today busily employed in transferring
troops and supplies across the river to
follow Mitchels Division on the road to
Nashville, 20 miles distant. Johnston's
army is reported 80 miles south of Nash
vile, having evacuated that city because
of the approach of our gunboats by the
Cumberland River. We are now farther
away from the Confederate army than
we were at Louisville, which leads us all
TO believe that the COnfederacy will col
lapse without serious fighting, and that
we viii all be sent home within three
months. But our Colonel assures US that
we will continue marching south until we
reach the Confederate army or the Gulf
Of Mexico.
CROSSING BARREN RIVER.
Feb. 26, 1S62-It came our turn today
to cross the river, so we were carried over
by steamboat, in the afternoon, to Bowl
ing Green, where We prepared to en-
camp, and had Just gotten our tents in
order to shelter US for the night when, at
dusk, the order came, Strike tents, back
knapsacks and prepare to march in one
hour"
We at once pulled down our tents,
- packed our traps and sat down on our
knapsacks TO await the order to fall in
line; but no order came, and we proceed
ed to get our supper, which consisted Of
salt beef and coffee without sugar. As
the night wore on we unrcied our blan-
kets and lay down with all our equip
ments, as we knew not what moment the
order 10 march might come. Finally
neither hunger, suspense nor orders pre-
vented US from falling asleep, regardless
Of the fact that cartridge boxes, hayer-
sacks and canteens fastened to our sides,
Kept poking our ribs in a most uncomfort-
able way.
Feb. %, 1SG2-The night passed with
out further orders, but at sunrise we
were ordered to march, and we started
for Nashville, without breakfast and moth
ing but salt beef in our haversacks, as we
had not seen hard crackers for three
days. We were comforted by the prom
Use Of abundant rations at the end OF the
days march, at Franklin, - miles dis
tant.
Ali our baggage including knapsacks.
was loaded on the wagons and the cooks
were sent ahead TO prepare supper. The
march was very fatiguing, we were weak
from hunger, but our spirits were kept
up by the prospect Of a good supper.
Shortly before sunset we completed our
march and halted for the night at Frank
lin; but supper and cooks were invisible.
Two hours later the cooks arrived and
made coffee. Nothing more could be had,
so we made preparations to sleep, With
out fear of nightmare being brought on
by indigestion.
Feb. IS, lS62-We escaped the night
mare of indigestion. but the gaunt specter
of starvation haunted our dreams last
night, and we were glad to get up early
in spite of fatigue to hunt for something
eatable. There was nothing in our haver-
sacks or in camp, so j joined two COM
rades for trip into the adjacent coun-
try, and fortunately we procured break
fast at farm house and relished it as
only one can who has been reduced to
two light meals in three days. We re-
turned 10 camp Ill time to resume the
march at a. m, stopping at noon for
dinner, which consisted of pint of -four
10 each man, and which we mixed in cold
water and baked on heated stones. A
few raw turnips and 4 small piece OF pork
made up for other deficiencies and sus.
tanned us during the march of % miles
when, at dark, we halted for the night
and went to sleep supperlcss.
HARD MARCH