Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-05
"reminiscences of a Day
f: At the Front With Gen. Johnston
BY MRS. JOSEPH H. MORGAN.

VIE following is another of the
series of papers of "reminiscences
several of which have already
been published in The Journal.
which have recently been read before
the Atlanta Chapter, Daughters of the
ConfederacyIA
In the early part OF 1864, while General
Johnsons army was in winter quarters,
in and around Dalton. Ca, the corps
commanders decided that to relieve the
monotony of camp life and keep the
troops in fighting trim for the spring cam
paign, they would have sham battle
and invite some of their friends TO come
up from Atlanta and adjacent places to
see the maneuver.
1t is a wonder that we who were so
familiar with the daily reports of the
brave deeds and fighting qualities of the
dauntless heroes who had fought such
memorable battles as Lookout Mountain
Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge,
against an overwhelming army of we'll
fed and superbly equipped soldiers. should
accept this invitation with eager delight
A happy and enthusiastic party ofyoung
folk well chaperoned, left early one
morning on the old state road, now
better Known as the Western and Allan
tic. for the front" In this party were
Miss Gussie Hill, (Mrs. Joseph Thomp-
SOM, Miss Ella Ezzard. CMrs. Robert An
derson). Miss Eugenia H. Goode, lMrs.
Joseph H Morgan). Miss Amanthus
Cockrill, of Nashville. Tenn, and other
young ladies' who we're either refugees
or the guests of friends In Atlanta. They
were to be the guests of the different
generals stationed in and around Dalton.
Miss Cockrell and myself were met on
our arrival by cur host and hostess GEN
eral and Mrs. Brown, and were given
very cordial reception by them, and
also the members of his staff. General
Browns headquarters were admirably sit
uated at the Thornton place, on hill
overlooking the battlefield. on which the
two army corps, under command of Cen
erals II cd and Hardee, were to wage
battle with blank cartridges, on the fol-
lowing day.
The afternoon and evening were delight
fully spent in receiving our army friends.
and making pleasant acquaintance with
the many officers and soldiers who called.
Owing to the limited accommodations at
General Browns headquarters, Mrs.
Brown shared her room with us. An
army cot was brought in. and each de-
sired the honor of sleeping on regular
soldiers cot. 1t fell to my lot to be the
fortunate one to whom it was assigned.
1 little thought that. in my inexperience
in adjusting myself to 1t the cot would
play me a trick by collapsing and in fall
ing on the bare floor, make so much
nois- as to disturb men in the quarters,
and General Brown. who rushed up to in
quire the cause of the racket.
AS the day had been so full OF excite
ment and novel experiences out of the
usual routine of an ante-bellum young
girl, we were fatigued and did not as
young girls usually do, have long chat,
but ere soon sound asleep.
The writer trusts that little personal
eL--o~e OF herself will be excused. She
was at that time engaged to an officer
then stationed at Gainesville. and her
trying to pass through that town without
his knowing it was the cause of an anus
ing incident that occasioned much teas
ing and fun.
Next morning. at the peep Of day. we
were aroused by a knock at the door,
and Mrs. Brown arose and inquired what
was wanted. The orderly replied he had
a letter. In the dim light, she thought
1t was for bAiss Cockrell, whom we knew,
to be engaged to General Strahl, stationed
near Dalton. So it was handed to her,
as Mrs. Brown proceeded to light the
tallow dip. I. in the tired and sleepy
tone Of one who has been aroused from