The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-29

dark, and were informed that the steamer
would be ready to start at 6 o'clock the
next morning. We passed the night in 9
small house occupied by citizen.
The next morning the road down to the
landing was filled with men on their way
to the boat. Some were hauled in ambu
lances, but most of the men were able to
make the trip without assistance. / used
clutches. AS we approached the boat
| observed q man who was very busy in
attentions to the soldiers. When / came
near him l saw that he gave loaf of
bread and tin cup full of hot coffee to
each man as he passed.
| l at once became interested in this work.
1t was entirely out of the line of the Guar
termaster's Department. l stopped and
talked with this good Samaritan and learn
ed that he represented the Christian Com
mission. There he was, with bread and
coffee and tin cups These were freely
and graciously given to every man taking
passage on the boat.
l must confess that was deeply moved
by this exhibition of the loving care that
the people at home were. anxious to be-
| stow upon the soldiers of the Union
The steam packet that piled between
kellys Ferry and Bridgeport was a flat
| boat without a roof, with an engine and n
stern wheel.
This vessel had been improvsed by Gen.
w. +. Smith, Chief Engineer upon Gen
Grants staff. 1t was not palace; it had
no staterOOms; it had no kitchen for the
| preparation OF snmptuous meals; but it
could navigate the Tennessee River, and
carried us in safety to our place of des-
| tinatiOn.
| On reaching Bridgeport We were taken
charge of by the officers of the General
Field Hospital, Army of the Cumberland,
| and given quarters. We remained there
| one night. On the morning of Dec 6 n
train Of hospital cars was made up and
| we took passage on this. The cars were
plainly but comfortably fitted up with
hunks, and each passenger had his sleep
ing apartment. We made the passage to
Nashville in due time in charge of the
Medical department, and all received the
klndest and best of treatment.
Upon reaching Nashville, Gen. Mat
tines, Welsh and myself parted company
with the Surgeons. and took passage on o
steamer for the Ohio River We boarded
the steamer in the afternoon. The Can
tain Informed us that he would leave the
city about midnight
After remaining aboard short time
Gen. Matthies decided to look over the
city little. 1t will be remembered that
Matthies had received scalp wound.
which, although an ugly affair, did not in
terfere with locomOtion. So the General
went to town and remained there until
supper time, when he again made his an
pearance aboard of the boat
When at supper he remarked: "Well.
we are going to have some fun tonight" |
incurred: How is that, General!"
lie replied: ''ye are all going to the
theater L expostulated that it was quite
out of the question for me to venture out
on such an expedition, but he said: Il
have the tickets and have engaged car
md I'm fuSv,
until we return, and so you must get ready
and CO. And go we did
Matthles had his head covered with
plaster, Welsh had his arm i'm q sling and
ms side tied up, and l hobbed on crutches.
When we reached the theater Matthies
20 the way. The place was full of SOL
mers. Our appearance there was a great
surprise to those who met us. A number
OF 0fhcers and soldiers called ut our seats
to pay their respects and to express their
sympathy and good wishes. We enjoyed
the play, and returned to the boat with
out accident
trip from Nashville down the Cum
Deriand River is always n pleasant cpl
sode. The river winds through beauti-
ful country, has great deal of fine seen
cry, and number of pleasant towns unop
its banks.
Although it was the 7th of December
the weather was pleasant, Winter not vet
having set in. We enjoyed the trip. We
reached Southland, KY, at the mouth of
the Cumberland, just as night set in. Our
steamer was bound for st. Louis. and
wonld carry Gen. Matthies to that point
on his journey home to Iowa, but Mai.
Welsh and were bound up the Ohio. he
TO Shawneetown and to GOIconda.
fortunately for us an up-river steamer
was lying at the wharfboat when our hnot
rounded to, so We encountered no delay
From Smithland to GolcOnda is but ~
nlies. BEFORE bedtime the whistle was
blown for the landing, l stood ont on tho