The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-12
SOME "REMINISCENCES
 OF WHEELER'S CAMPAIGN
MT. Adam WhetStOne Writes Of Rough Times Endured by the Boys in Grey Along the : =. ',., =.
 Clinch River.

of night before our escort could tear themselves away from the festive scene and return to the less inviting duties of camp life, leaving our valiant general with his: charming bride to cheer her for a few days, ere marching to the field of battle. After the past nights reyel we felt i'll prepared TOT the days tramp in climbing the mountain, however began the ascent and having marched several hours made 1t conven- tent to halt "a while" at a. cider ois- tillery conveniently situated on the roadside. Here regaling ourselves with this delightful beverage and dinner of baked apples and roasting ears' we again took up the line of march, travelling until midnight. September 15th, having arrived at the base of the mountain on the opposite side, we en- camped for the night near Montgom- cry and Wattsburg on the Clinton roaa. Our march over the mountain nad been extremely arduous and many or the horses exhausted from fatigue were left on the road. Leaving Clinton to the right we marched day and night whenever our jaded steeds were able, for the desire grew daily more intense to reach Hoods army. Strange ana conflicting. rumors awaited us at every station and the whole country seemed conyulsed with the greatest excitement. Several bloody battles had been re- gently fought alike disastrous to our cause. having a greater tendency 10 darken the already gloomy aspect or affairs. Our poor distracted country, drenched with the blood of her best ana bravest men. still called the louder for fresh material to stay the tide of op- pression, hurling down upon her. Ev- cry officer felt 1t his duty to fly to Hoods assistance who was still falling back before Sherman's overwhelming numbers. With such thoughts In view General Williams, with his little band pressed on, seldom halting to obtain a nights rest. For four days we march ed in this hasty manner, passing through a section of country almost destitude of provisions, and save Iew roasting ears our fast was not. broken during the mean time. As might De presumed we were on the verge Of ex- haustion and General Williams per ceiying this granted an hours respite on reaeaJ2Hg Tag swell. The boys were too much wearied to eat the pittance of corn issued them, and throwing themselves down upon the damp ground were obvious of everything until aroused by the bugie's snrli notes an hour afterward. Scarcely sunfcient- lv awakened to mount our no less Jad- ed horses. we marched off at a snaifs pace to Regersville and at 10 o'clock that night struck camp en Clinch riv- ar several miles from Sneedsvtaae. This eeruentine stream, ceursing it's way with many a winding field" through those east mountain gorges, would re- mind you of the famous story or the Nile. for like the crow, we too hao crossed this stream it seemed dozen upon the same side. o .-.,
 As the prospect of eluding the enemy and making our escape into Virginia had become brighter. General Williams determined to give us the nenefit or nights rest, preparatory to crossing "the line'' on the morrow.
 Much refreshed, we rose with the morning sun, bidding a joyous long adieu (we thought to Clinch river ana its less inviting ravines. imagine our great surprise, however, in "striking mn with the "same old stream" that vary evening and aside rom dismsl swamps the worst route exnect Robinson's Pass, we nao ever travelled; forced to dismount we were obliged to drive and push along our noor stock up those rugged heights. Now and then one would lose ms root hold. turn a complete somerset ana go bounding down the rocks for several feet-to the great amusement or the crowd. Fortunately this dreadtul roaa was of short duration ana reachlhs ,arra ,,ana once more, the march was not imDeded until shades of night-fall ndmonished us to repose. Advancing v,ithin a few miles of Rogersviile we encamped for the night and next day tovSully passed over, into our lines again With a ringing shout Of exul- tation we greeted the boundary 1eeling that at last our weary fet had round tbo haven of blissful rest. After an absence of thirty nine days of incredi- ble hardships and sufferings we nad finally been permitted to return, thanks +o the mercies of a kind Providence and the wise generalship of our Vahant commander Williams. This superior officer and gentleman Is a native Ken tuckian. 5S years of age. and conse- nuently grown grey in the service or his coumtry-having won bright laurels of distinction in both the Mexican and Confederate wars. He is a man of in- donitable energy and capable of en- during most rigorous hardehips. Ills affection for his men seemed ratheS that of a father for his children and he never imposed a duty upon them that he was net willing to do himself. Consequently his influence was bound Iess over his aoldiers-oonsistine of as brave a band of stalwart Kentuckians as ever "bared arm' in feedom's holy cause.
 Having safely arrived within Confed- crate lines and beyond the pale of danger, each squad was now all anxiety to reach its respective com mand. September 20th was the day anpointed for departure. the severing of those ties of association. which from their peculiar trying nature had con nected our hearts in bonds of lasting affeetion The thought was sad indeed. and as we clasped the hand of General williams in fond farewell. the words died upon our lips, for we felt that many days would elapse ere we should look upon "his like" again. There was General Robinson also. that brave Texan pilot that had steered us with unerring skill through the mazy labyrinths and over the rugged heights of mountain Tennessee. He was the best disciplinarian of our division. and a mere glance at his keen dark eye would convince you of the fire of determination lurking within. Com ing up in line with his little band of brave Tennesseeans, we bade him a heartfelt adieu, with wishes of con- tinued success in his brilliant career. and praying that many long years of connubial bliss were yet in store for him and the precious prize he had won the night of September 1fth. near Spar ta, Tennessee.