The National tribune., 1902-02-27

! by the middle of the afternoon, and then
! halted at Shoal River Bridge, seven miles
| from our destination.
| Our advance encountered a small force
of the enemy at this bridge, but forced
passage after brisk skirmish, in which
we captured several prisoners. Sharp
! firing continued all evening on the south
side of the river. We now learned, as we
anticipated, that all of Forests force had
safely crossed the Tennessee River, except
the detachment in our front. Forrest S
command, being mounted, was able to
travel so much faster than ours that he
gained 40 miles during these two days,
and so just escaped our clutches.
ROusseau's Division, mounted, followed
| Forrest all the way from Columbia. We
bivouacked at Shoal River, as there was
no need for further haste on our part.
Our front was clear of the enemy the
tered as far as Florence without discov-
ering any hostile force.
Our regiment was sent back three miles
! to guard the crossing of another road, and
remained nearly all day. We discovered
nothing but a goodly supply Of provisions,
which we brought back to camp and de-
voured with sharpened appetites.
As our regular rations were now about
exhausted, notice was given the following
morning, Oct. Z, that foraging would be
permitted, and in a very short time very
few men remained in camp.
OCCUPATION OF FLORENCE.
AT noon the brigade was ordered to
move, but not half the men were present.
The others were scattered about the coun-
try for miles, chasing hogs and chickens
and confiScating everything eatable.
Nevertheless, the brigade moved on to
Florence, and halted one mile from the
town, on a bleak hill. where we had to
! fight wilderness of tall dead weeds for
| possession.
Rousseau's command was camped near
| by, while the enemy watched us from the
opposite bank of the river.
! Our foragers continued to arrive all af-
| ternoon loaded down with provisions, and
when we had sat down TO feast on fresh
pork, chicken and other luXuries, we for
got that we had just accomplished one
of the hardest marches of our experience.
One regiment lost two men, who died Of
exhaustion, and doubtless there were 9th
ers.
The next day Gen. Morgan reviewed our
division in Florence. We marched in col
umn by companies and performed well,
considering that our spectators were con
| trabands and children. The few citizens
who remained, and the women failed TO
grace the occasion with their presence.
| The town bears evidence OF its eventful
experience, having changed from the Con
| fcderacy to the Union and back again. n
dozen times. Several fine buildings had
been laid in ashes. Many others were
deserted, and all presented a desolate ap-
| pearancc.
A Confederate soldier was to have been
married on the same day we reached
Florence, but was forced to fly from his
loved one before the knot was tied, and
Yankee vandals ate the wedding supper.
After spending Sunday near Florence
engaged in the reprehensible but charac-
teristc practice Of fOraging upon the ceun-
try, we started next morning on our re-
| turn to Athens over the same muddy road
| by which we had come.
TIE MARCH TO ATHENS.
On the following day, Tuesday, Oct. II,
we halted upon the bank of Elk River.
and found the water higher and colder
| than when we passed down. This being
the day of the State election in Ohio and
soldiers of the State being entitled to vote
IL the field, the Ohio regiments OF our di-
vision made preparations to cast their
votes, but before they were completed a
peremptoFy order from Gen. Morgan sent
us all piunging or half swimming through
the water 10 the other bank. Two hours
later the last man Of the division stood
dripping and shivering on the north bank
of the river, while his comrades were al
ready plodding on TO Athens, except a
rearguard of two infantry companies and
our battery, which remained awhile in
concealment TO give warm reception to
a detachment of the enemy's cavalry sup
posed TO be following TO observe our move
ments and pick up stragglers.
Reaching Athens at noon on the fol-
lowing day, we passed through and en-
camped one mile east OF the town. There,
TO our great joy, was a large mail await
ing US, the first since we left Huntsville,