The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-01


little more than n weeks time. Gen.
McCook was appointed to this command
only five DAYS since, when there was no
organization, except that of regiments,
SO he at once proceeded to make the
proper assignments, and now announces
his command as the Second Division, COM
posed of three hrigadCs, under Gems
j.. fl. Rousseau. 7. J. Wood and X. w.
Johnson, consisting of II regiments OF
infantry. one regiment of cavalry, and
two batteries of artillery
Gen. Thomas. with Il smaller force, is
stationed Il hundred miles or more TO the
east of us.
Oct. ~. lS61.-At o'clock last night
while the roll was being called, be-
fore retiring for the night, an officer APP
pcared with an order, which he read, in
structing our regiment to pack knapsacks
ready 10 march at Il moments notice. The
order did not state our destination, but
we all supposed it was to meet the enemy.
We were further instructed to form ranks
at ) o'clock this morning at the beat
of the drum, strike tents at 4, break
fast at >, and reform ranks at q,
TO await further orders This program
we strictly followed and at 6 this morn
ing we had everything packed and stood
ready for the word of command, but hour
after hour passed and no order came to
change our position. Dinner time arrived,
but our provisions being all packed away,
We had to be content with dry crackers.
The afternoon wore away, and SO did our
patience. as we waited and watched in
vain. At length, just before sunset the
drum gave the signal we hastily formed
ranks and marched away, not to meet the
enemy but only to another portion of the
ground, two miles distant, where Il field
of stubborn stUmps and Snarling under
brush disputed our possession and dehed
us to remove them, except by force, when
we pitched our camp in their midst.
Oct. %, 1S61.-We find that the pur-
pose of our preparations was not uncalled |
for, as we were held in readiness to march
TO the relief of Gen. Thomas, who was
threatened by the advance Of IOllicoffer,
. on the morning of the list, resulting IN
a severe skirmish, and the loss of five
killed and IS wounded before the enemy
was repulSed.
Early this morning, our regiment was
ordered ont to surround and capture a
large number of natives, discovered in
field near our camp. We quickly obeyed
the call, advanced rapidly toward the
scene of action, and soon caught sight of
them. standing in line behind Il rail fence.
exceeding us in numbers; but we were I'M
dsmayed and charged with cold steel, not
firing a shot, as they were unarmed, while
they were green enough TO stand rooted
to the ground. Scaling the fence, my
comrade seized one by the ear, while an
other was cut down by me. There was a
husky sound, as We leaped over them and |
stalked like grim death through their help
less ranks, without a grain Of mercy. All
my comrades were equally active and, by
noon, the work of mutilation was com
plete. great piles of ears had been removed,
and the remains cremated, so that where
u acres of corn stood in ranks in the
morning, nothing but roots remained at
noon.
ARMY BAREBACK.
Oct ~, 1SG1.-Since leaving Elizabeth |
town we have seen no light bread, but \
exercise our teeth on bareback. The first /
specimens We received we attempted to |
classify according to our limited knowl- /
edge of geology, but having no text books |
had to resort TO guesSwOrk. One SAID the |
hardness indicated hintrock; another |
claimed it was bread, but that it belonged |
to the same period as Noahs Ark, proba- |
bly, some of his provisions left over. Una |
BILE to agree as to its origin, we next dis /
cussed its practical use. Some suggested |
Notifications, others paved roads for Dag |
gage wagons or ammunition for siege /
guns, while only one, the Dutchman of our |
company, who recently came over from
the old country, as he says ION two ships" |
suggested that we eat them. and he pro- |
ceeded to show how it was done on ship |
board, by soaking in hot water or coffee.
Oct %, 1S6l.-For want of an enemy |
to shoot, we shoot ourselves, occasionally. |
We use pistol and musket balls or iron |
ran,rods. which whistle recklessIy through |
camp, fortunately without injury, until |
today, when the fusillade was equal to a
slight skirmish, resulting in two casual |
ties. The firing was begun by Lieuten- |
ant, perforating his hand while cleaning |
his revolver. a few hours after, while (
the regiment was on dress parade, a ball |
passed through our ranks dangerously |
close. Shortly after, another discharge |
was followed by the cry of Man shot"
and near my tent, lying or the ground, |
was 4 member of Co. ID with blood flow
ing from wound in his side, staining his |
gray jacket with crimson. How sad to
see brave boy shot down by careless |
cOInrade, before an opportunity Is given /
him to face the dangers of battle.
Oct. 20, 1SG1.-Money is getting scarce. |
Many are bankrupt in cash, but we all |
have credit with the sutler, whose tent is |
filed with canned goods and other lux !
uries which he is more than willing to ex- |
change for orders Oh our pay. Among the |
luxuries may be named fresh eggs, not |
guaranteed, which some times diffuse a
Home, Sweet Home" aroma from the |
frying pan, and sometimes Il political |
OdOr that reminds one Of an Objectionable |
speaker. Eggs are too expensive. and the |
purchasers too hungry TO be faStidious;
so, when two comrades are seen disput- |
ing about doubtful egg, held suspended |
over the frying pan, il is safe TO predict |
that economy will triumph, and that the 1
eggs bad qualities will soon be smothered |
in hot grease.
Oct %, 1S61.-Daily we have been less !
disposed TO work. II has been the custom |
in this camp TO send the companies in ro- |
tatiOn, TO the woods, with axes and teams, |
to cut and haul wood for the cooks Of the I!
regiment. Each company has been Striv- |
ing TO do the least work in the greatest
length Of time. Our turn came today and
we succeeded in SURPRISING previous
records. When we reached the woods one
man yelled out Soldier, will you work.
The answer came IN sell my shirt first"
This proved TO be the watch word of the
day, and we returned TO camp in the even
ing with about two sticks of wood TO each
three men.
BREAKING MULES.
Oct. %, 1S61.-We have a cOmical time
breaking green Kentucky mules into serv-
ice for the baggage wagons. 4 lot of %
were brought into camp this morning for
this purpose, and as many soldiers vol
unteered TO ride them. They were led out
10 the parade ground and we had the fun
Of p circuses combined in one. For half
an hour there WIS a medley of fantastic
performances and grotesque positions,
changing so rapidly rs to bewilder the eye. |
constantly shifting panorama of colors,
black and brown mules and blue and gray
coated soldiers. bobbng up and down in
dlstracung confusion. At one glance could