The National tribune., 1902-01-02

and baggage, and there we learned that
we had been detached to capture Rome,
80 miles distant, where there were cXtcn-
sive iron works engaged in the manufac-
turc of cannon and ammunition for the
| Confederate army. The main body of
our army proceeded down the railroad to-
ward Kingston in the wake of JohnstOn's
retreat.
Starting about noon our division march
ed rapidly through a well-cultivated and
comparatively level country until about
the middle of the afternoon, when we en-
cOuntered the Fifteenth Corps marching
south by another road. Without crossing
their line of march we turned TO the right
and entered the woods by an obscure road
and threaded our way through deep
ravines and heavy timber until long after
dark, when we halted 80 miles from our
point of destination. We were greatly
exhausted, but our bivouac fires and
steaming hot coffee which we prepared
soon restored our spirits, and We lay down
to rest with n feeling very much like CON
tentment, although we knew that another
day would bring us TO face new dangers.
\ considerable number would have drop
ped ont of the ranks during the afternoon,
but such a Performance meant capture by
the enemy's cavalry, which separated US
from our main army.
CAPTURE OF ROME.
May II our regiment was called up
early in the morning and at sunrise we
led the advance toward Rome At noon
We halted on the south bank Of Il creek
eight miles from the city, and remained
ali hour to cook and eat dinner in order
to strengthen us for an expected battle.
After dinner we started ahead Of the divi-
sion, keeping an interval of half mile or
more, in order to develop the enemy
Five miles from the city a solitary horse
man in the road ahead of us discharged
his carbinc and sent n bullet whistling
down our line, which indicated that it was
now time for us TO throw out skirmishers,
which we did, and then proceeded with
more caution.
At first we had only tie solitary horse
man to oppose us, who sent n bullet
bounding down the road at short intervals
as he slowly retrcated. Presently our
/ Iskirmishers in crossing an open field were
/ greeted with a vOllcy from few pickcts
concealed at the edge Of n little patch Of
| timber. Our skirmishcrS returned the fire
with interest and advanced briskly toward
! their cover, while IN" remaining companies
| OF the regiment followed the main road
closely behind them. In this manner We
/ proceeded without serious opposition until
We came within plain view Of the enemy s
intrcnchmcnts on the north bank Of the
g
on the other bank.
We were now within mile Of the
works. which appeared deserted, and as
we had SO far encountered such a small
| force we had almost concluded that we
might capture it without striking a blow;
! but at this moment We were greeted by =
round Of grape md canister, which
whistlcd with a variety OF discOrdant
sounds about our ears. We of the reserve
| Aattened our bodies behind a rail fence.
while our skrmishers had no shelter what
ever. Our small number (ab0ut 400 mem
| invited attack, and presently we saw five
regiments issuing from the works to give
/ MS battle, and while portions DETECTED 10
right and left, heavy column advanced
anxiously back, hoping TO see the remain
! der Of our division coming TO our rescue
| but 1t was beyond our sight or hearing
| The storm broke upon US in front, and the
! thanking ctachmcnts must soon have Ell
velopcd US had not two regiments OF Me
| Cook y Brigade, with McCOok ar the head
: come rushing TO our relief, arriving lust In
time 10 deploy into the woods TO our left
and check our aSsailants from that quar-
ter Evidently We had been nearer 10 the
enemy than to our own division. and for
n time II was question which should
reach us first. The firing had brought the
division TO our aid on the dOuble-uuick.
ana presently our strength was sufficient
TO force the Confederatcs back into their
works. 1t was then nearly dark and no
further advance was made, but during the
night we gathered logs and rails 10 con-
struct bTeaStwOrks, not knowing what
force might assail us on the morrow.
Ny regiment was relieved from duty on
the front and retired TO the rear, having
lost five men wounded, one seriously, on
the skirmish line who fell into the hands
OF the COnfederatcs, but was left where
he fell when they retired TO their works.
Our pickcts were alert ut the break Of
day May Is, watching for a possible at
tack and scrutinizing every object in front
with sharp suspicion as its outline grew
visible in the dawning light At last the
heavy fortications lOOmed into plain view