The National tribune., 1901-08-29


the broad turnpike IA miles to EranklIl
passing through the town ana encampm
one mile beyond.
March live marched at a. m, GU
regiment leading the division, it being GU
turn according to the established rul
that each brigade shall take its turn i
leading the division one days march, an
each regiment to lead its brigade IN tn
same manner This rule does not appI
to companies leading the regiment nor L
divisions leading a corps, for our dIyIsloi
is expected to hold the advance All III
way 10 Savannah.
i strong force of cavalry was sen
ahead TO save the bridges, but after ;
march of Il miles we found at Ruther
Iord's Creek, a branch of Duck River
that the bridge was destroyed ana oul
progress checked by deep and rape
stream. Here we encamped to await
. the construction of another bridge, Whlct
was at once undertaken by johnson Brl
Eade, of our division.
March E2-The bridge being completed
our regiment crossed Rutherfords Creei
at a. IN, and marched three miles tC
Duck River, where again we had to await
the construction of another bridge.
We found Buells entire army waiting
for the means to cross this difficult stream
with artillery and baggage.
March 23-The town of Columbia is
Just across the river from our camp, but
not in sight. Excepting the detachment
of men working at the bridge, there is no
sign of activity in the camps of the army,
quietly awaiting its completion.
on GUARD AT COLUMBIA.
March 2I-Yesterday at 4 p. m. our
company was ferried over to occupy and
guard Columbia. We found that the few
men who were left in the town do not
deny their Secession sympathies, but
claim TO be peaceabe citizens, unwilling
-aI- tho Federal Gov
ernment The women, however, are per-
feet tre-eaters, and make no attempt TO
conceal their sentiments. They say II
will be a joyful time for them when we
retreat through their town on the double
quick with their Confederate boys at our
heels, as we surely will be compelled to
do. Notwithstanding their hostility to
our cause, they proved very hospltable
and polite TO US personally, ana were
treated with courtesy IN return, when
compes them TO admit that the Yankees
are not so bad as they were led to be-
lieve.
Three of my comrades went to pri-
vate house and asked for dinner. The
best the family could afford was set be-
fore them, and they were entertained like
friendly guests. The father was very
cautious, but the mother and two grown
daughters expressed their sentiments free
w. Two SONS were in the Southern army
fighting for their rights and the mother
hoped we would be whipped very soon.
After dinner my comrades were enter
tanned III the pariOr with Southern songs
and music, and later when they babe
goOd-by to their generous hosts they part
ed in perfect good humor.
March 2S-OUr company was relieved
from duty in Columbia, recrossed. the
river and Joined the regiment, which
meanwhile had remained quietly in camp
waiting with all of Buell's army, for the
If bn hriItrn which tho
work is being pushed with great energy
by JOhnsons Brigade, especially by the
32d Ind, a regiment composed largely of
mechanics. But this delay makes the
march before us to appear interminable.
March 29-knowing that the bridge
was not completed, we We're astonished
early this morning to see Nelson's Diyi-
sion passing our camp toward the river,
and later we were indignant upon learn
ing that it was fording the stream and
taking the advance, to which our division
had been assigned. Why should not we
have been sent forward as well as they?
1t appears that it was all owing to the
impetuoSity of Gen. Nelson, who, fearing
that Grants position was not safe, pre-
vailed on Gen. Buell. to permit his division
to ford the river and hurry on, without
waiting for the bridge or the other troops.
March 3O-Nelson's movement seems to
have stirred our commanders into I'M
wonted activity. We see and hear the
marching columns of the several divisions
in our rear closing up TO the bridge,
ready to cross at the earliest moment. All
soldiers not able TO make long marches
are ordered to report to the Brigade Sur
geon, to be sent to hospitals at Louis
vile and other points.
March 31-The bridge now being com
pleted, we were mortified to see Critten-
denis Division moving ahead of ours and
crossing.
Our Company Liar insisted that we
would be still further aggravated by sit |
ting idly on our knapsacks-which were !
all packed ready for the march-and |
watching the remaining two divisions of
Buells army passing on to leave us away
III the rear. This statement appeared SO
true that we suspended the Liar from his
rank and privileges, awaiting further in
yestIgation, but restored him, when, at !
4 p. IN, we slung our knapSacks, shout |
dered arms and marched after Critten- |
den. Crossing the river, we passed |
through Columbia, where our hospitable |
but uncOmprOmising Southern friends |
looked as if they would be much better
pleased TO see us going the other WHY. |
Three miles beyond we encamped to see |
the residence of Gen. Pillow, who came |
so near being captured at Fort Donelson. |
BUELL's MARCH TO SAVE GRANT.
April AFTER an early breakfast we
sat down with all our equipments packed |
10 watch the several brigades OF our di-
vision fling into the single roadway and |
marching gaily forward with drums beat
ing and cOlOrs streaming, until 8 a. m,
when our regiment also stepped into its |
proper position in the line, with our faces
set toward the Tennessee. A longer time |
was required by the troops in our rear to
ind their places, but before the day was |
very far advanced the five divisions OF |
Buells army were marching in one long |
line III the following order:
Fourth Division, Gen. William Nelson:
Fifth Division, Gen. Thomas L. Critten- |
den; Second Division, Gen. Alexander |
Med. McCOOk; Sixth Division, Gen. |
Thomas J. Wood; First Division, Gen. |
George II. Thomas.
With good road before us we marched |
u miles, passing through Mount Pleas
ant, and hating at > p. IN. for the night. |
April Our progress was very slow |
today, as ii was O'Clock before our regi-
ment found place in the oyercrowded |
road, and while we struggled laboriously |
until D 2. m, we accomplished only eight |
miles. The country was very rough and |
hllly, causing frequent delays to our heav-
Ily-iaden baggage wagons, which we did |
hot dare to leave unprotected, containing
as they did the provisions and ammuni-
tIon so necessary to the success Of our ex-
petition. A high wind blowing clouds of |
dust in cur faces, was one of the disa-
greeable conditions Of our march.
April 3-At sunrise we stepped ont
into the road, and although the sun p0ured
down his fierce rays through clouds of
dust we tramped "a miles before The
bugle sounded a halt for the night. We
stopped short time at HenryyilIe a
small village, where the peOplp all an /