The National tribune., 1901-08-22

ent regiments came limping into camp, al
iured by the prospect of something to eat;
| their numbers far exceeded the few who
were able to keep up with their colors.
Our regiment was not much larger than
company, our brigade less than a regi-
ment, while three-fourths of the division
were scattered many miles back along the
road. All night long they hobbled in,
many barefooted, with shoes slung over
the shoulder. Their bent forms could
be seen shutting from one campfire to
another, searching for their own company
quarters, where alone they could draw ra-
tons.
This day was the climax of week of
hard marching, precarious living and half
starvation.
The baggage wagons reached US before
night, and we once more enjoyed the lux
ury of sleeping under the shelter Of our
own tents.
March 2-We arose this morning in a
cheerful state Of mind, owing to the prom
Use of breakfast, which was realized
At a. m. il had been disposed of, bag
gage packed and loaded on wagons, and
We stood in line, ready for the order to
march, which was promptly given, and
off we moved for Nashville, 10 miles dis
tant The march was exhilarating, over a
| splendid turnpike, through beautiful,
highly cultivated country adorned with
| fine residences. We halted one mile from
the city and encamped for the night, as
the bridges over the Cumberland had been
destroyed, making it necessary that we
should be transferred by steamer.
Here we saw, for the first time, sew
eral of the gunboats that had assembled
the river, inspiring terror on their route,
protecting transports with troops to pene-
trate the middle of the Confederacy,
thereby overthrowing all the well-laid
plans OF Albert Sidney Johnston, caus-
inn ha oh NJ ont af Zoo
tons and important cities.
The same plan will be applied to the
Tennessee River, and doubtless with the
same success.
OCCUPATION OF NASHVILLE.
March 3-We crossed to the city this
morning, climbed the steep incline lead
| ing to the summit of the white cliffs
where it is perched, and paraded through
the principal streets, with colors flying
and bands playing, but our spectators
were few, the inhabitants appearing de-
We could see, however, that curious eyes,
feminine, OF course, were darting spite
full glances from half-closed blinds.
| Passing through the business portion
Of the city, we marched out on the broad
| turnpike four miles into the suburbs, and
encamped on the slope of a smooth, green
| field, ornamented with weii-trimmed trees
and refreshed by running stream OF
water.
The people Of Nashville who remain
have taken the oath of allegiance, in pref
erence to being sent through our lines oil
imprisoned, but they are outspoken in
favor of Secession, and find great delight
in assuring US that the Confederate army
will soon drive us back in the direction
whence we came.
These beasts might have some effect
il we did not know Of the decentralization
that attended the withdrawal of theil
army.
The news of the surrender of Donelsor
came like thunderclap to the people Of
Nashville. They had lived in fancied Sc
curity until that event occurred, trusting
implicitly in the defenses Of Donelson ant
Bowling Green, and in the skill of Gen
Johnston; but when their retreating army
from one Of these strongholds, and strag
glers from the other, reached their city
Ipandemonium broke loose. The Kentuck
ians in the army were indignant at leav
ing their State and homes in possession
of the enemy; the Tennesseeans were en-
ragged that their Capital must be aban
doned, while women and children wer,
affrighted by tales of great black gun
boats belching clouds Of sulphurous smoke
and hurting huge shells, each one Of
which could convert an entire square O.
their fair city into shapeless ruin.
Soldiers and the lower classes thronget
the principal streets, day and night, firinl
guns and pistols, hooting, cursing anc
struggling to carry off clothing and pro
visions from army warehouses, which tn,
officials abandoned because of the lack Of
transportation. Wagons were impressed
to carry ordnance stores, but vehicles o.
every other description were loaded wi1
household goods, and terrified families
and driven frantically IN the direction o.
Murfreesboro, 30 miles south. AnIiouI
eyes were strained from elevated point!
away to the north and down the river
while imagination portrayed the CLEAN Of