The National tribune., 1902-01-09

of musketry and the crash of cannon on
our right extending almost to our front
which brOHght us 10 our feet, and with
arms ready we waited for the attack, but
the uproar subsidized and we lay down only
to be startled soon after by a similar out
break on our left This was repeated
several times during the night. depriving
us of much needed sleep which had also
been denied us during the previous two
nights.
PREPARING FOR TIE FRAY.
May 80 we remained inactive all day,
but in mOmentary expectation of receiv-
ing broadside from the battery in front
of us. Looking through a glass, we could
see the cannon grinning vfciOusly in the
embraSures of the fort. We could also see
with the naked eye the COnfederates
throwing up the fresh yellow earth into
long rifle pits for infantry or redoubts for
artillery, a proceeding we made no at
tempt to interrupt, and the Confederates,
appearing well satisfied TO be let alone,
did not disturb us.
One of our batteries was planted near
us, but no firing occurred. During the
quiet that prevailed we improved the time
in writing letters to home folks, not know
ing when we might have another Oppor-
tunity.
Night brought n repetition of sudden
outbreaks of musketry and artillery at
various portions of our line, and caused us
TO form our lines repeatedly, with the re-
suit that sleep was eifectually driven from
our ranks. At one time it appeared as if
every cannon and musket on the front of
both armies was III Il state of eruption.
These disturbances during two nights
were caused by an effort on our part to
extend our left, under cover Of darkness,
and an effort by the enemy to prevent such
ha of r1yhi iS Ia
reach the enemy's line Of supplies.
The opposing lines are so close together
that any change is instantly detected.
Before daybreak, May 81, our regiment
was sent TO the skirInsh line to relieve two
regiments, which required an extension of
our thin line distance Of more than two
miles.
The Confederate skirmishers were not
aggressive, so there was but little
musketry firing. After noon the battery
which had excited our apprehension, but
hitherto had remained silent, suddenly
opened on the camp Of our brigade, and
soon drove our men into their works for
protection, but not before one man had
been killed and three wounded-not to
mention the destruction Of Col. Mitchell's
mess-chcst and the knocking of n brass
horn of the 18th Ohio into ''smithereens."
Our regiment enjoyed the rather novel
experience of watching the bOmbardment
Of its own campground from the enemy's
point OF view, or nearly so, for the Skir-
mish line we occupied was nearly n mile in
front of our camp and only half q mile
from the battery which hurled its shells
over our heads. This B0mbardmment con
tinued about an hoar, during which time
the enemy displayed considerable force in
front of us, but made no aggressive move
ment. After sunset there was the usual
heavy firing TO right and left of us, indi-
catiye OF the continued progress of our
flanking operation.
dark, as such changes can not be made in
daylight, and spent the night doing so,
owing to the necessity of preserving ex-
treme quiet
"pAP" THOMAS.
Our skirmishers are accustomed to a
familiar figure moving quietly along the
rear of their line noting the lay OF the
ground and often addressing them with
words of inquiry or encouragement
A faded uniform of plain blue, without
evidence of rank, showing effects of ex-
posure TO all kinds of weather, kindly,
benevolent face and gentle manner have
made this figure known TO us as the watch
full guardian of our safety whom we name
in the affectionate endearment our Pap
Thomas"
But to the enemy he is known as the
cautious, stern, unyielding, uncOnquerable
warrior, the "Rock of Chickamauga," :"
Maj.-Gen. Thomas.
June l we rejoined the brigade in the
rear, where it had halted to rest and draw
rations, n little more than n mile from
the front. We We're ordered TO take n
position further to the left, and il was
evident that fanking movement was
in progress. In fact, the heavy firing last
evening was caused by McPherson's move
ment in that direction, which invited an
attack by the enemy. A report began to
circulate in the ranks that the Confeder-
ates had retreated, but it was soon after