The National tribune., 1901-12-05


vent TO hearty cheers when the order tG
break ranks was given. We scampered
into our tents liE. pral,ie-dogs alarmed
by the approach of a stranger. ana 1ell
to eating all the rations we could get ouI
hands on, while we toasted our ffoSie9
shins before the cheerful fires with Whlch
our huts were provided. Neither dld we
forget to sleep in the midst of our luxu-
rious surroundings.
RE-ENLIsTING.
If the subject of re-enlistments had
been broached while we stood s9iVerlhg
ON the river bank. hungry and half
. clothed, it would have been treated WITH
indignant scorn; but now, with full ra-
tions and bodies clothed, past hardshlps
are forgotten, and we talk brightly OF
'bounty money and a furlough to all
who will join the Veteran Corps for an
= other three years service or during the
war.
Our sincerity about re-enlisting was
brought to the test Dec. %, when blanks
were presented for signatures. One hun
dred names We're secured. Others are
hating between two opiniOns-whether to
serve the remaining nine months of Their
original enlistment. without bounty and
furlough-perhaps to be killed before the
expiration of their time, or TO re-enlist
now and secure. above all, the furlough,
which is Just now the most desirable
privilege we can conceive.
Dec. 25 found us still in camp. This
is our third Christmas in the service, and
the war not ended-in fact, We are
about to bind ourselves TO spend three
more in the army. How. different from
our first expectations. 1t is not day. OF
joyousness, but serious reflection. TIE
requisites of festiyity are absent, except
sreenbacks, which the Paymaster gave us
the other day, and they will buy nothing,
since there are NO Suffers, and ratlons are
reduced to a mere sufficiency TO sustain
life. Fortunate is he who can furnish
his table with q few hardtacks. for the
one days ration issued three days ago is
already consumed.
The night of Dec. 25 an order from
Gen. Beatty directed our regiment to
march with the brigade to Rossvllle,
. starting at o'clock in the morning. Rain
began falling in the night, and when rev
eille'' disturbed our slumbers we could
hear the pattering on our canvas roofs,
which evoked many a growl of dissatls-
faction, but our good temper was some
what restored later when the order was
suspended, and finally we were delighted
when Gen. Davis, cur division command
er, decreed that our regiment should re-
main in present quarters until after our
anticipated muster into the Veteran
Corps So the brigade marched without
US.
To be or not to be Veteran is the all
absorbing question. A walk through our
camp discloses groups of soldiers talking
very earnestly, and the words Bounty"
"Furlough," so frequently mentioned, in
dicate the subject of discussion. AL
ready the required three-fourths of our
number have signed for re-enlistment,
which entities the regiment to be fur
Ioughed in body.
Until noon all seemed lovely; then a dis
cordant note sounded and veteran stock"
dropped to zero. 1t was an order from
Gen. Thomas that we should at once pro-
ceed to escort a section of artillery to
Calhoun, 50 miles distant, and then re-
soin the brigade at Rossvi!le. This ap-
peared TO dissipate all hore of a fur
lough, SO our Colonel at once mounted his
horse and rode direct TO Gen. Thomas,
who relieved US from the unwelcome task,
which announcement by the Colonel on
his return was received with noisy dem
onstrations Of joy, and many new names
were added to the veteran roll.
THE END OF THE YEAR.
The close of the year finds US not look
Ing backward with vain regrets, but for
ward to renewed efforts for the suppress
sion of the rebellion and the restoration
Of peace. The promised furlough is the
bright spot in our anticipations. We do
not talk about what will be after the fur
Tough. We try not to think Of the period
beyond it. But we know there will be
q return to duty-arduous marches, ex-
posure and battles. We are under no de-
lusion as TO the temper Of our adversa-
.ries IS We were when We first enlisted
The nen in gray who met US at Shiloh
Stone River and Chickamauga will meet
~ again on the hills of Georgia. We do
not expect them to yield without strug-
gle, In which many Of us will go down,
and when we have worn them out, If
there are any of US left, we may rejoice
In our victory and return home to enjoy
the blessings Of peace.
EARLY DAYS OF 1864.
Events of the earlier days of 1864 may
be summarized by items from my diary:
"Jan. 1.-The New Year finds us bus
ily engaged in the work of preparation
for muster in to the veteran service and
Tor the journey home. The weather liz
extremely cold. but we do not heed it:
Jan. 2-The mastering Officer arrived
70 camp, and proceeded at once to pre-
pare the necessary papers.
Jan. 3.-An the papers being ready,
%e were called into line, one company at
O time, and Gssented 10 the oath which
binds US for another three years or dur
Ing the war. AS each company was dis
more, perhaps, for the assured furlough
than for the service to follow. Our term
OF service dates from Dec %, 1868.
Jan. 4.-EYery man skillful in hand
ling pen is now taxed to his utmost in
preparing the numerous rolls, etc. neces-
sary to meet the demand of red tape
as prescribed in Regulations, General and
Special Orders, Circulars, and numerous
other authorities.
Jan. 5.-Now comes the Paymaster
with stacks Of greenbacks-about 5000
for each manufacturing pay to Dec. %
date of muster-out and bounty on account
Of muster-in.
"Jan. 6.-The Individuals as we term
those who did not re-enlist, together with
recruits, who are ineligible, were assem-,
bled before headquarters prepa atory to
transfer to the 18th III. As they stood
In line their faces indicated keen disap.
peintment at thus being thrust from the
ranks where many of them had marched
and fought nearly three years.
Jan. 7.-Preparations for starting
home tomorrow engage the time and
thoughts Of all veterans. The Quarter
master is busy turning over camp equip
age, baggage, horses and mules. The
much-desired order for the regiment tc
proceed TO Illinois has been received from
Gen. Thomas"
HoMEwARD BOUND.
Long before the break of day, Jan. S
we marched away from the smoking ruinl
OF the huts we had constructed and oc
eupied so long on Moccasin Point. Th,
usual stiffness of the hour was broker
with cheers and noisy mirth, as IL W,
were schoolboys just let loose from school