The National tribune., 1902-03-27
A AVZlH the WESTERN
fHSA >:4RlNY~
AglIfI#E Opening the Cracker Line"
Opening the "Cracker Line"
By GEN. GREEN B. RAUM.
Copyrighted 1901 by the publishers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE

By GEN. GREEN B. RAUM.
lers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
, ment one wagon was aboard and out OF
the way another would be hurried for
ward TO be treated like the first.
\ number of officers aided in this work
l remained up during the night and su.
perintended the operation.
The brigade train consisted of about &C
wagons. each drawn by six mules. We had
four pieces of artillery, with their Gals
sons, forge, tool chest and supply train.
1t was a laborious job for the men TO
drag these hcavily-loaded wagons and the
artillery on and off of the barge; but the
work was done by willing hands and
without murmur. During the night q
staff of officers came down TO the land
ing with a message TO me that it was
against orders to allow any colored women
to cross the river with the army.
This was information | was not prepared
for; no such order had been promulgated
from any headquarters. AT FickSburg l
had ordered the employment of company
cooks, and in number of cases both the
husband and wife were so employed, and
of course We're marching with the proper
regiments. The colored people soon learned
of the order, and were thrown into u great
state of excitement. Some of the women
came to me as L was standing on the bank
and plead that they be not abandoned
among strangers.
l had no time TO discuss the merits of
this order with anyone; | simply said to
the women, take to the wagons They
all crossed the river and most of them re-
mained with the brigade to the end OF the
war.
l directed Adj't-Gen. Nicholson, Insp.-
Gen. McCannon and Brigade Quartermas-
ter Gorges to select camp-ground on the
north side of the river and see that the
troops and train report there and so into
camp as they crossed.
Early in the morning of Nov. / the
crossing was completed, and l rode out
to the camp. | found everything in per-
feet order, as though we had been en-
camped there for week. My tent had
lHen pitched, my baggage was in its ac-
cuStomed place. My cot was up and the
bed neatly made, camp stools were there,
and . strip of two widths of brussels car
pet was spread on the ground in front
of the cot.
The country was new to me, but the ar
about headquarters were IA
miliar, and l felt at home. Two things,
however, were necessary for my comfort
"A bath and breakfast. When these were
TO | visited the river to see how
the passage of the First and Third Bri-
gades was progressing. Another steamer
had arrived, and the ferrying facilities
were much improved. in the afternoon
concluded to take some needed rest.
TO LIVE on THE COUNTRY.
l had scarcely fallen TO sleep, however,
when an orderly brought message from
Zen. Sherman, who was occupying a
house hard by. l at once reported in per-
'On, and received orders to march out to |
Nf.s.r- r-s.I1r L.,
cred bridge which spanned deep rayine. |
l informed the General that my troops |
we're practically without rations, but that
We expected the supply train every hour
% cross the river. He replied that we
would have to live off the country until |
he supply trains overlook US. l imme |
iiataly broke camp and was on the road
within an hour. The march continued |
nto the night, which was cloudy and dark. |
We reached the west end of the bridge !
ibOut 8 p. m This structure had roof, |
ind WAS weatherbOarded at the sides; it /
vas as dark as cavern. | caused the |
ldyance guard TO move cautiously across |
he bridge, feeling their way so as to avoid |
lccident if any portion of the flooring had |
,een removed.
Fires were built near each end of the
bridge, so as to light it up. | moved three
2piments and the battery across the
ridge, leaving the 18th Iowa, commanded |
~ Col. Clark K. Viewer, to guard our
ear. We formed lines of battle at each
nd Of the bridge, threw out guard and
'ivouacked for the night. The next morn.
ng bright and early Quartermaster Gorges
vas sent out with wagons and a guard to
eize from the farmers in the neighbor-
lood provisions and forage for men and
nimals for the day. The Quartermaster
vas directed to give receipts for all arti-
les seized, and to observe due care and
lot strip families of articles requisite for
heir subsistence.
We were in a prosperous country; the
armers had good crops of corn and plenty
# fat hogs, besides cattle and poultry.
An ample supply of the raw material
vas soon obtained, but bread was not to
'e had, nor could a supply of flour pr corn
neal he obtained; but parched corn is not
bad substitute for bread. so it was not
ong until the entire brigade had satisfied
IS hunger.
| had expected to remain at Gravelly
'pring until Gen. Smith arrived with the
first and Third Brigades, but at an early
our in the morning / received an order
rom Gen. Sherman to at once march to
florence.
| pushed on to Florence with all posi-
lie dispatch, believing that | would upon
rival there be able TO secure bread for
ny men. | arrived about noon, Nov. y
zen. Ewing, who had occupied the place
or some days with his division, had al
eady departed. Upon inquiry | learned
hat there was a good water mill on a
reek near by, and an abundance of corn
lose at hand. !
QuartermaSter Gorges was again put to
york. A number of wagons were emptied,
regiment was detailed for the service.
nd the column marched ont to the mill
several wagon loads of corn were gath
red, shelled and ground. The mill was
ept going for about "a hours, and every
egiment was well supplied with meal
he brigade larder now had no stint of
royiSiOns. We had secured meat, meal
alt, sugar, molasses, besides chickens and
few fat cattle to be taken along on foot
he supply train was still i'll the rear with
zen Smith and the First and Third Bri-
AIDES. On Nov. =, about l o'clock in the
fternOOn, Gen. Sherman, with his staff
nd body guard. rode into town. He came
irecty 10 my headquarters. The Cen
raj WAS in fine spirits. He Informed me
hat the entire corps was now north OF
he river and that our march eastward
hat his plan was to have eachl
constantly to the front and
bject being TO stretch out along the road
nd cover as much territory as possible
nd yet be sufficiently near to cooperate
With each other in case of necessity. He
irected me to move out at once and camp
I Shoal Creek, seven miles away, that
light and the next morning to move for
1