The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-09-26

threatening aspect OF, the weather, We did
not relish the location of our regiment,
biyouacked in an open field. without any
shelter whatever; so, when a cold rain
presently began to fall, we took to the
woods, without waiting for orders, and
sought such shelter as the trees afforded.
Snow began to fall in the afternoon and
continued all night, adding much to our
discomfort. g.,m.
Oct. 10 we found the ground covered
with snow. Our temper was sadly out Of
gear, but in the midst of our mutterings
joyful vision changed our growls of dis
satisfaction into shouts of rejoicing-the
sight of our baggage wagons driving into
camp loaded with our tents and KNAPP
sacks, the wagons We all supposed had
been captured, for nothing had we heard
of them since that day-Aug. 2O-when
we were hustled away so unceremoniously
from Battle Creek to intercept Bragg.
who had gotten one days start of the
600-mie foot race TO Louisville.
The work of setting up our Sibley tents
was never entered into with more en-
thusiasm, and when each mess had gath
cred around the blazing fire in its own
wigwam we forgot all about hardShips so
recently endured in the enjoyment of pres
ent comfort.
At sunrise Oct 81 we turned out in
the crisp air to pull down our comforta-
brought us to Green River. which we
crossed 20 miles above Mumfordsville and
encamped.
Oct. % we had no orders to march,
and report said we would remain n day
or two. Several of US, more fastidious,
perhaps, than our comrades, solved to
take advantage of the river, so close at
hand, to wash our clothing. In the midst
of our meritorious labor to attain that
condition said to be next to "GodlineSs
the bugles sounded the march and our
regiment started off, leading the brigade,
with more than its usual prOmptneSS. If
Il moment before we had almost reached
Goodness we Immediately fell to the
other extreme. "cusSedneSs." Ny cOmpan-
ions in misery remembered those fitting
expressions used by our teamSters in add
dressing their mules when the roads are
bad. and they now applied them to all
military officials, from the Fifth Corporal
OF Co. X to the Commander-inC Chief At
the same time we did some desperate
wringing. which was more to the purpose,
and with over-weighted knapsacks we
plodded after the regiment. Overtaking it
lust in time to continue the march after
all had eaten dinner but our unfortunate
squad.
Marched altogether - miles crossing
the Little Barren River, and encamping
near a fine spring.
vile and Nashville Turnpike. which we
followed TO Bells Tavern, on the Louis
vile & Nashville Railroad, where we ell
camped: distance II miles. Our surround
ings were familiar, for we tramped over
the same turnpike and camped at the
same town on our way to Shiloh. We
were delighted to see the railroad again,
and in running order, for rations had di-
minished daily until scarcely visible when
compared with the size of our appetite5
under the stimulus Of daily marches.
The morning of Oct. 80 was devoted
to drawing rations and preparing boun-
tiful breakfast, the first full meal i'll many
days. We broke camp at 10 a. M, but
marched only seven miles to the town OF
Dripping Spring. $40;
We marched at sunrise Oct 81 and
crossed the Big Barren River TO Bowling
Green on a pOrftooil bridge. encamping
three miles beyond, at, Lost River which
we no sooner found than we lost it, for
you get but glimpse. Of its clear, cold,
sparkling water 10 il issues from one side
of deep depression and flows rapidly
100 feet to the 6hernend and disappears
with an unearthfy girgle into unknown
cayerns. We gratefully enjoyed the lux
ury of bountiful supply of pure water.
Men and mules throneed its banks and it
is said that one of the animals losing his
footing was carried in moment into the
aNlHI vortex 10 uiSdlipedF Suuutni! anu
forever
Nov. we Were ordered to prepare for
inspection Rusty guns had TO be pol
ishcd and oiled. leather belts rubbed and
brass plates and buckles frightened; but
all our efforts could not restore our panta-
looms. which were out Mt the knees; or
our shoes. out AT the toes. AZ we stood
in line with little ragged streamers flap
ping Mt our back. our ankles draped with
fringe. and our toes looking us in the
face, our nearest relatives could scarcely
have recognized us. The best pantaIoonS
in the regiment bore the mud-stains of 40
counties.
We received word Nov. 8 that Gen. w.
s. Rosecrans assumed command of our
army three days ago relieving Gen. Buell.
The cause is said to be the failure Of
Buell. to continue the pursuit of Bragg
into East Tennessee. The Washington
authorities desired him to do so. but he
declared the movement too hazardous, as
he would be compelled TO abandon his line
of supply, the Louisville 4 Nashville
Railroad. President Lincoln inquired, IF
the enemy can march rapidly and gather
his supplies from the country, why can
not you do the sameT' Not receiving a
satisfactory reply. he issued the order re-
lieving Buell.. Our new commander, it
appears. has had but little time to form
his plans, for we are surprised by the
sudden appearance of Brags's army at
Murfreesboro, only 80 miles south of
Nashville, while our main army is 10
miles north of this important city, which
we hold with Il small garrison Accord
iuGiy our corps (McCook'sD and Critten-
den's are ordered to march at daylight 10
the relief of Nashville.
TO be continued)