The National tribune., 1901-08-29
4 81 Kleqq
kAdnd -
ID Shorty
On the March TO the Sea
Fort McAllister is Captured and the Mail
Line Opened Up.

there was a suggestion of further service.
Good as new. Colonel he answered
confidently. Got anything on handT
Sure of it, inquired the Colonel, du-
biously. That was an awful hard trip
you just came off Of
20, WELL there have been worse times.
'Twasn't near as bad as n day or two
in Andersonville, or even the Tullyhomy
campaign. Never felt better i'll my life.
And ST Strengthened up still sitter, and
inflated his chest.
And how are the rest of the boys?'
Right as trivet. Ready for any
thing. What have you got on hand,
COlOnclT'
I've been talking to Gems. Sherman
and Howard about your trip. They are
about to send out Il division-HaZen's-
to capture Fort McAllister, and open up
communication with our ships. They're
| both very anxious that the thing shall
come light off according to program, with
ont any balks, mistakes as to the road,
or delays of any kind. Therefore it Oc-
carried to Gen. Sherman that as you had
just been over the ground twice, and had
The lay of the fort fresh in your minds.
it would be Il good thing for you to go
along as guides
Wed all like it best of anything in
the world" answered 81, enthusiastically.
! Il sUIt o picked out just the way I'd go
into the fort, while | was looking Mt ii,
and I'd like to lead a force right that
way
No; don't want you to do any fight
| ing" said the Colonel. you Just go
along to show the way. Save your fight
ing strength for some job of the 20Oth
| Ind. This is HaZen's Divisions job, and
we need not mix in. After you've brought
them mp in sight of the fort your duty
will be done, and you can pull off under
shelter, and watch how the Army of the
| Tennessee fellows put in their licks. May
| be you will get some points for us. I'm
dcrstand, it's my orders not to go under
| fire, or expose yourself in any way"
Very good, Colonel" answered 81, sa-
luting. when do you want us to startI'
| 'Hazen's Division is now lying on the
other side of the Ogeechee, at a place
called Lloyd's Plantation. 1t is not more
than five or six miles from here. II will
not move till morning. You had better
get another good nights rest in camp, and
start early in the morning. You will find
| Gen. HaZen and report to him. I'll give
| sou letter from Gen. Howard 20 him,
and also one from me. You know Hazen
used to command a brigade in Critten-
denis Corps. He was the man that held
the center at Stone River, and command
ed that expedition in pOntOOn boats that
| opened up the cracker line at Chatta-
nGOga."
| Yes; I know all about Hazen. Good
soldier, but little too much style and
Regular Army about him."
We'll, he's had a lot of that knocked
out of him in the last year or two. Reg
nearly as badly as the Southern Confed-
eracy. Well, good luck to you. Mind
that you take care of yourself | know
that you will Of the boys"
Thank Won, Colonel. Well look out
for ourselves"
They were so eager to take part in the
/ capture of Fort McAllister that they all
set to work preparing for an early start
in the morning. Horses were rubbed
down and given extra rations Of rice straw
and whatever else could be found for
them. Arms were gone over and put in
good shape, and haversacks and canteens
filled. AS soon as darkness approached
81 made them all lie down, and they were
then at that stage when to lie down
meant to 20 sound to sleep at once.
ii arranged with the Sergeant of the
Guard to be awakened at the first streak
Of dawn. His first thought was of the
weather, and he cast his opening eyes at
the sky. There was every promise of n
bright, clear day, and his heart rejoiced.
They quickly boiled some coffee, saddled
their horses and dashed off through the
keen, crisp air for Lloyd's Plantation.
The bugles began sounding reveille as
they neared where they expected to find
the division, and instantly bright fires be-
gan to blaze out.
This must be the Second Division Of
the Fifteenth Corps" remarked 81, noting
the quick response of the fires to the
buglcs, land the boys are keen for their
days work. They ought to be-
IFS going to be the time of their lives"
answered Shorty. They ought to be red
hot about it."
Where's Gen. Hazen's headquarters"
81 inquired of an Orderly Sergeant, who
was turning out his company.
20, go right ahead, about a mile" he
answered You can't miss it. Big
plantation house, lots of trees around it,
and horses and pup-tents around Diyi-
sion flag flying in front Go right on.
Fall in lively, boys. Wake up, there
Slobbs. Turn out in a hurry, Wat. Get
out into your gunboats, there, Tubbs.
Wake up, everybody, and hear the little
birds singing praises to God Damn your
souls, look lively. We're going down to
take Fort McAllister today, and bring in
the boats that's got letters on from our
girls. Everybody that wants letter from
his sweetheart jump, now. Fellows that
are not in line wont get none"
Letters from sweethearts," gasped 81.
81 really wonder if they've had sense
enough to send our letters down here to
meet u.s."
Letters from our girls?' thought Shor-
ty. Great Jehosephat, If ] was sure
there was Il letter out there from Maria,
I'd swim out to the boat to get il, after
licking every man in the fort"
There's the headquarters, now" said
81, pointing out handsome mansion, sur
rounded by a spacious lawn and magpifi-
cent trees. Live-oaks, heavily festooned
with Spanish moss, superb magnoIias with
their glis,cning green foliage, orange and
| lemon trees diffusing a sweet fragrance
on the bright, sparkling air. helped make
q scene of fascinating loneliness.
All was activity about the house. The
headquarters guard were getting their
breakfasts and packing up. Officers were
coming and going at gallon, stablemep
were grooming and saddling horses. team
sters were hitching up to the usual nc
compartment OF their own profuse male
dictiOns of mules in general, and their
own in particular, and the loud protests
of the over-worked beasts Officers were
hurrying up their servants and orderIies
and from the nearby camps came the
sharp monotones OF Orderly Sergeants
glibly repeating the rosters, and the STAG
cato answers OF the men.
An officer, wearing q Brigadier- Gener-
! ais single star, strobe out on the broad
veranda, apparently having risen from
hasty breakfast, and gave curt orders
about packing up and getting ready. BE
was Immediately surrounded by a group
of Colonies and staff officers. coming for
final orders. He took them, one at q time.
and answered and dismissed them with
military curtness and readiness.
Hes evidently on to his Job" said 81.
much pleased. Hes got his work cut
I LII