The National tribune., 1901-01-31
By THE LATE ]. Nj. BRANUM.

The route was much the same as yester-
day. The country looked well, the roads
were good, and the people seemed to be
but little disturbed by the war, so far as
we could see.
To save distance, at times we would
cut across the country, passing through
fields, woods, swamps and thickets, often
wading creeks and streams. We noticed
many fine houses, most of them belonging
to rebels. Negro-Quarters were plenty;
and we continued TO pick up many good
fellows party of three who We're
see us pass. We could see one of them
was debating in his mind whether TO go
along or not. When one of the boys
pulled him off the fence he maderno re-
sistance, and the other darkies seemed
pleased to see him go. We told him 1.-The
Yanks had him now," and he said he al
lus wanted to go wild yo'uns."
As we passed his masters house lot
of women were out and when they
saw him they caught him. by the arm
and said: "Why, Sandy, you isn't
goin' wild dem is you? What will massa
say?" After going on haif-mlie an IN
diyidual dressed in butternut was seen
riding along, and he went for Sandy"
He coa1ed and pleaded with him for half
an hour to return, but he had to give him
up, amidst the shouts of the boys. Scenes
similar to these were quite common.
i saw q SAD SlSnJ IIlS dlleIIOuu
was the body of fine-looking soldier, who
had accidentally shot himself. He was
shot through the head, and as he lay at
the root of a tree his companion was WHIP
ing the blood from his face. l thought
of the feelings of his friends at home
when they would hear Of his untimely
death.
During the day we came to cross
roads, where Gen. Changers Fourth
Corps was passing. They had come up on
the other side of the Tennessee River,
which they crossed, and were now pass
ing to our right to march on another road:
We Travelled in northeasterly. diTectien,.
and could see the Smoky Mountains away
off TO our right; they are the boundary
between North Carolina and Tennessee.
We camped three miles from London af-
ter marching hard all day, stopping in
thick pine woods, and as arms were
stacked the usual rush for rails took
place, and fences were swept clean; forag-
ers brought in supplies, and after supper
before blazing fires we lay down for rest
and sleep.
Friday, Dec Ave were. off at day
light this morning. The air is frosty. Ice
froze two inches thick last night. We
soon came in view of London, and il had
rather a woebegone appearance, having
been partly destroyed and badly used up
by troops. 1t is on the Tennessee River,
and the railroad crosses On a fine bridge
or did before the bridge was partly de-
stroyed by the rebels, and the remains of
about 200 cars and some locomotives We're
wrecked and thrown into the river. We
passed through town and out the Nor
gantown road. We had been with
out rations for a day and a half,
as our foIagers did not have the
luck to get much, and the march went
hard with us. We arrived at the little
Tennessee River at Morgantown at 3
o'clock. We stopped to rest while Sher
mans troops crossed. We were almost
worn out, and something to eat was very
much NEEDED.
Saturday, Dec. 5.-Half ratiOns were is
sued, and we lay in camp awaiting orders
10 move. We are very much rested and
feel all right again. What we would most
like now is news from the outside world
and to know what the people Of the North
think of our recent victory Ut Chatta-
nooga.
The results now aston.sh not only the
rebels, but ourselves as well. 1t was n
mastery stroke of Gen. Grant that freed
US from our confinement Mt Chattanooga.
II will be long time b=torc the people
can realize the difficulties cgat had to be
overcome; the bold movements. the sharp
strategy, and the heavy lighting
We still remain in our present place,
while the other troops are passing. hit gre
ready TO 90 at O moments rOti2e. We sat
late around our BLAZING fires talking Of
recent events and gazing INTO the-rad roais
picturing IN them scenes II home.
NEWS FROM KNOXVILLE.
Sunday, Dec 6.--I lay in my bed of
leaves this morning until daylight: then
got mp and borrowed skillet and 70
ceeded to bake my last cUrncakc for break
fast. That done, / was ready for any
thing that might turn M. Al 10 O'Clock
orders came to move. Tho regiment was
soon in line, with everything on Their
backs, and we marched down 10 the river,
crossing on the bridge the Pioneers had
built. Ii was constructed OF timber and
string-picces taken from the woods, and
foOred over with boards taken from the
houses n6ar, that hal been Torn DOWN for
the purpose.
The river here was about four and
half feet deep and about half as wide as
the Ohio at Bridgeport. The water was
clear as it comes from the mountains
nearby.
We passed through Mo"santowu and
out the Knoxville road. MorgantOwn IS
in Blount Co, and 80 miles from knox
willie. When we had gone short distance
and were plOdding along at rapid rate,
expecting TO make - miles !,y night. or
ceTs came TO abOut-face and return To-
camp. We then learned that Iongstrec:,
hearing of the approach of our forces to
the assistance of Ru aside had assaulted
our lines at Knoxville had been rcpulsnd
and had abandoned the siege Of Knoxville,
and We were not needed there for the pres
ent. Ii was glorious news for US tired
mortals. We returned 10 our camp, re-
findled orr fires, aud had things comfort
able Cor the rest Of the day.
This afternoon we received cornmcal
and fresh pork, which our foragers sue
cecded IN getting somewhere. SO we got
up n big dinner. We expect to 20 back
TO Chattanooga and get new outfits, which
arc badly needed by everyone.
Monday. Dec. 7.-Ordcrs to march were
received this morning and we started at
10 O'Clock on road that leads to Madi-
sonYjlle, Monroe Co. 1t is in the direc-
ton Of Chattanooga. and that is all the
information we had rs To our destination.
The morning frost hung white on the pine
trees: the air was keen enough TO inspire
vigor in our limbs; the road was level and
straight, and fast marching was the Or
der.
For the first five miles the pine woods
were continuous. and not house was TO
be seen. Occasionally we would see by
paths with fingcrboards, which indicated
go many miles TO a mill or a ford on the
river. At one point five wagons Joined
us loaded with cornmeal. They had come
from mill where Il force of our men had
been engaged SpvproI uoyS in rnlInrf-