The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-09-05

April 1G. moved camp about two miles
to n pleasant grove, whose shade proved
a grateful shelter from the sun, which
has suddenly begun to shine uncomforta
bly, hot.
At o'clock the morning of the 10th
we were quietly aroused from our Stun
bers and ordered to fall in line at once 10
Iepel an expected attack. We remained
in line two hours. until the drums beat
the 'Revciiie," when we were dismissed
to quarters.
On April Is heavy cannOEading at n
distance gave rise to rumors Of great bat
ties at one point or another of our line,
with charges and countercharges, ambus-
cades, captured cannon, prisoners, defeat
! or victory, as the grapevine unfOlds the
great events. Notwithstanding sensation
nj reports, we We're not ordered to do any
thing exciting, as we lounged about, ate
our rations and discussed probabilities and
possibilities as calmly as our patriots at
home gathered at the crossroads.
After week of pleasant weather, rain
set in Friday night, April IS, and soon
converted our beautiful camp into a bog,
as the ground was too level for drainage.
At noon, Sunday, April 20, the regi-
nent was drawn up in line and the Ad-
Jutant read an address from Secretary
Stanton, congratulating our army on the
victory of Shiloh, which address was or
dered to be read this day to each regi-
ment in the service.
Our enthusiasm over this ceremony
would have been greater if the rain and
mud had been less.
AT 8 O'Clock, Monday, April q, the
regiment was ordered out two and a half
miles to the front and posted in reserve.
to support the pickets in case of attack,
as the enemy keeps heavy cavalry force
constantly pressing our advanced lines in
order to prevent our sending out recon
nolterng parties to discover his position
or movements. For this reason we are
obliged TO be constantly on the alert
Heavy showers were frequent during the
day, to our great discomfort, but we kent
our powder dry.
We were relieved from this duty about
IL O'Clock Tuesday morning, and returned
TO our quarters, nothing having occurred
To require our services: in fact, the rain
has made the roads 50 completely impas-
sable that an advance by either army is
impracticable.
The weather cleared and the sun sbone
brightly IN the afternoon, his beams being
made TO do duty i'll camp by drying ont
our blankets and clothing
On April % another division arrived
to reinforce our army for the contemplated
movement to COrinth as soon as the con-
dition of the roads will permit and our
numbers justify. Gen. Halleck arrived
u days ago and assumed command, with
Grant as second. We are divided into
Right Wing, Center and Left Wing. under
Thomas, Baell and Pope respectively. our
regiment belongs to the Center, composed
or four divisions, under McCook, Nelson.
Crttenden and Wood. Excepting the
transfer of one of our divisions to the
Right Wing, we find no change in RueITs
army, save that our strength is increased
. TsFV1tF -.
on our left. If the Confederates have
grown IN numbers as we have since the
hattie, our next encounter will be a great
or conflict than the battle of Shiloh.
ADVANCE ON CoRINTH.
Two days of fair weather stimulated
zen. I1alleck to make an effort TO pene-
trdte Beauregards outer line, to discover
If there is any mischief being Matched
there. For this purpose our division was
ordered out the morning of April "a, I'M
der direction of Gen. Smith, of Halleck' 8
stan, TO reconnoiter the enemy's position.
we DID not advance far beyond our nick
cts until we encountered those of the en-
envy, who fell back, siirmishing with our
advance, and exchanging shots at every
place, where they could do so, from the
cover of fences, brush or timber We
pushed them back four miles. passing
through the smoking ruins of the camp
OF three regiments supporting their pick
cts. NO doubt there was a hurried as
sembly of the Confederate forces, when
the news of our advancing was carried
back, magnIfed perhaps into a general
advance OF our great army, and certainly
we would soon have encountered Substan-
tial evidence of their preparation if we
had proceeded much farther 1t was not
Gen. Smiths intention or instructions TO
precipitate battle, SO we were ordered
to retrace our steps.
During our advance prisoner was
brought back through our ranks, his
Weather-beaten yisage and butter-nut suit
bearing the marks of exposure and hard
snip. One of our boys called out, well.
Johnny, how do you like it nowp' ooh"
he replied, I'm glad Pm TAKEN" very