The National tribune., 1902-01-09

pontoon to the junction of two roads ;
mile and Il half beyond, where we camped
il then heing after nightfall.
We have learned that we are TO rc
join the main army at Dallas. of which
fact we are glad, as we are tired of COW
paths. 1t is said that our commander
Gen. Davis, begs of his superior officers
the privilege of leading his division
through the woods on independent eNpe'
ditions,' and we know from experience
that he has no regard for our legs.
At Il. m, May 2i. we moved Olrroutc
was through moderately hilly country.
hoastiug of a number of fine farms and
neat dwellings. The sun shone out fierce
and strong and the dust was Sitting.
Numbers dropped from the ranks. and
were given tickets by the Surgeons per
mitting them to ride Ill the ambuianceS, but
these were soon filled to overfowing, and
many had no alternative but to hobble
along as best they could.
We marched at 4. H.. May p; cross
ed Euharlee Greek and followed obscure
roads through valleys and along the beds
of dried-up streams until we reached an
other creek. at noon. when we halted two
hours to allow the division train to close
up. When we arrived within eight miles
of Dallas we heard the dull booming of
cannon.
Our course lay along the crest of long
range Of hills, but at sunset we descended
into valley, where the shades of night
soon gathered over our path and rain be-
gan to fall. We stumbled along at a
snail'S pace, unable to see the man ahead,
but following the sound of his footsteps,
until, reaching a large field four miles
from Dallas, we halted at 10 p. III. Rain
continued 10 fall; we were all hungry and
tired and our Suppers must be cooked.
A rail fence q quarter of a mile away af-
forded fuel for bright fires, which soon
cleaned from all portions of the field
Supper disposed of, we lay down to rest
while kindly nature dispelled the clouds
and rain and the stars came out and diff
fused softened radiance over our slum-
bers. so typical, we thought, of Heavens
sympathy.
NEW HOPE CHURCH.
We marched at $50 a. NJ, May %. and
after going three miles we halted almost
two hours, then marched back through
our camp of last night and made wide
circuit for Dallas. where we arrived about
8 p m Passing through the town we
halted Just beyond it. Morgan's Brigade
was out about 4 mile in our front skirm-
ishing at a lively rate with the enemy.
There were also occasional cannon shots.
We learned that this movement on our
part was reconnaissance 10 discover the
position of the enemy. We also learned
that the cannOnading We heard on the
march yesterday was caused by an attack
made by one of HoOker'S Divisions on the
enemy at Dallas, and, after being rein
forced 10y two other divisions, a severe ac-
ton resulted at New Hope Church, a
short distance from Dallas, where the
Confederates held their ground and in
ficted considerable loss upon our as
Baulting columns.
While waiting further orders many of
our men found occasion TO forage in the
vicinity Of our division, and fresh pork
and mutton appeared in camp; but Sen.
Davis very soon was apprised. and he
sent out a patrol TO gather in the fordgers
We spent the early portion of the night
in drawing three days rations and carry
ing them a mile from the wagons 10 our
quarters.
CLOSING A GAP IN OUR LINES.
A few struggling bullets reached our
camp from the front, and one man was
wounded. AT 9 a. m, May %, our bri-
gade moved out and took position on the
left of the division, with our regiment on
the left of the brigade. At noon heavy
musketry and artillery firing began, ap-
parently two or three miles TO our left.
We soon learned that il was the right of
HOoker's Corps heavily engaged, and that
there was a gap in our line extending
from our left TO Hookers right. Our regi-
ment was selected TO close this gap, but
it could not be done in daytime, as the
enemy frOnted it with a heavy line, but,
happily for us, did not know the gap
existed. Our orders were to start at sun
set, march parallel TO the supposed line
Of the enemy as far as HOGker's right,
and then return by the same route. dis
tributing the regiment by companies to
cover the entire interval. Gen. Davis sent
his guide 10 pilot US, and at the appointed
time we plunged into the heavy woods
and underbrush and picked our wa< slow
ly and .q InuslC "a tho tirpgfilr1 of ha
firing, which continued without intermis-
sion as il had the entire afternoon.
Darkness soon wrapped our path in al
most impenetrable gloom, and the firing
ceased, so that now we had nOthiEg TO
depend on but the judgment Of our guide.
Presently we came TO road and 1ol-
lowed it short distance, when the
Colonel, riding ahead of the regiment with
the guide, noticed a squad of armed men
approaching, whom he hailed, but they
turned and disappeared in the darkness
without any reply. The Colonel then sent
q man some distance ahead. and we fol-
lowed, but had not proceeded very far
when our man discovered a squad at the
roadside and called out, Boys. what regi-
mcnt do you belong to:' "Fifty-seventh
Ala" was the reply. "All right" said
our man, and turning he walked back 10
meet us. We knew then that we had en-
cOuntered the enemy's pickets, and quick
road which led we knew not where Need
less to say We walked hastily and silently,
believing We We're widening the space be
tween US and the 57th Ala, but when we
came to a cabin nearly half mile farther
on, and were Informed by the occupants
that there was a picket post within hun
dred yards, we hardly knew whether to
continue or not, but q little farther on we
discovered another road leading to the
left, which led us into cur own lines Re
porting 10 Gen. Hooker, he directed us
10 wait for daylight before attempting TO
establish the picket line. which was the
object of our movement.
After waiting in Hooker's camp for
proper instructions until 8 a. m, May 2S,
we then proceeded to the Notifications
held by Butterfield's Divisions, where we
remained nearly an hour exposed to the
fire of battery, which dropped a shell
every few minutes in close proximity TO
Butterfeld's men and ourselves. The
whistle of bullets also helped TO make
our situation interesting. We were not
sorry to leave the works and plunge into
the woods again. Proceeding q short dis
tance in prolOngation of Hooker's line, one
of our companies was faced TO the left
and moved through the brush toward the
enemy's line. A few yards only in that
direction served to attract the enemy's
pickets and draw their fire, as evidenced
by their bullets clipping leaves and twigs
IN our vicinity. In this manner each com
pany was stationed in succession until we
reached the left of our division. All DUR
Ing the day there was continual skirmiSh-
Ing from one end of our line to the other
interspersed with occasional ducls between
opposing batteries.