Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-09

Years have passed since the memorable
struggle which for four long weary years
parted mothers. fathers. sons and broth
-. vet the recollections OF many incl
dents which occurred then are still fresh
in our memories. ] was then but a boy
Of seventeen. our youthful days often
seem the most interesting part OF our
lives. for Il Is then that we are free from
the cares and vexations that so often be-
set us in later years The old soldiers OF
the sixties often catch themselves looking
backward. living Il an over again. Yes.
the old soldier. the veteran % the civil
war under Mars Robert" How very
binding were the ties that united them;
how happy and cheerful the scenes sur
rounding them IN camp life. in winter
quarters. or on the march A mess OF six
or eight Is formed. and each has his
duty 10 perform. one Is selected as cook.
another water carrier. some 10 cut wood,
while others attend the horses
When not az work We gathered together
in our tents. smoked our pipes. played
games. chess. back CANNON. etc. In order
that we might not suffer from home sick
ness. a u1alady which indeed caused the
death OF not a few. Those winter DAYS
we're often spent most pleasantly. The
scene now changes. the rigors OF winter
have gone. the spring and summer are
upon Us. the earth is beginning once more
20 grow glad with flowers. Hostilities be-
gin again. The friendly relations on the
picket lire between Mr.. Hank and John
ME Reb are severed: the realities OF a
cruel war are again upon US. Blood shed
and carnage daily with US. Dead and dy-
ing al about US. and gaStly forms OF our
wounded messmates and comrades plead
ing for help. What old soldier is Il VINO
does not remember these scenes OF his
youth Those days when he gave up all
40 maintain the independence OF our be-
loved southland.
II was IN the early part OF the winter
OF 1850. shortly after the battle OF Fred
ericksburg that / rode into camp near
the Mine Run road a few miles above
the battlescarred town. and Joined Com
pany c. Fourth Regiment Virginia caval-
~. The ground was hard frozen, the
fields and forests were covered with
snow. A more gloomy prospect for COM
Portable quarters had never witnessed.
After the battle OF Fredericksburg
Burnsides' army occupied its old quarters
on the Stafford side OF the river, and
Eta Lees brigade. TO which / was attach
ed. was guarding the fords above Fall
mouth along the Rappahannock and
Rapidan rivers. General Robert z. Lee
was IN front OF Fredericksburg. back OF
the hills. while StOnewaI Jackson was on
the river below at Moss Neck. had only
been IN camp a short while until I was
sent with eight OF ten OF my company on
PICKET duty on the river between Banks
and United States ford: and there wit
messed my first sight OF a Yankee. who.
wrapped IN a large comfortable overcOat
with collar pulled well up around his
head. was slowly walking his beat on the
opposite side Of the river a short dis
tance away. when began TO realize the
truth. OF the saying distance lends en-
rhantment 10 the view"
Large signbOards were erected by our
boys on the hillsides above US so that
they could be plainly read by the Yankees
across the river. the object OF which will
be explained from the following article
copied from the Virginia Volunteer Con-
federate Military History"
'.Smarting under his failure 10 move
on Richmond BY way OF Fredericksburg.
Burnsides was tempted. by spell Of mild
weather 10 try a. movement towards
Richmond around Lees left. which he
began by marching up the north bank Of