The National tribune., 1903-05-21
Valley Forge in East Tennessee.

| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Col AL
len, Of the 9TH Ohio Cav, and Capt Bucli-
anan, of the Persimmon Brigade, have dis
played in the columns of The National
Tribune vivid pen pictures of campaign
ing in East Tennessee, the Valley Forge of
the civil war, during the Winter of 1863
| G4. The Persimmon Brigade was com
| posed of young fellows, enlisted for six
months, but the 1th Ohio Cav. was n reg
iment accustomed to wars alarms and the
privations incident to long and perilous
campaigns.
| 1 was Corporal in Co. p, 9TH Ind.
| Cav, commanded by Col. Graham. The
brigade consisting of tie 9TH Ind, 1th
| Ohio and 14th Ill. Cav, was commanded
by Col. Foster, a part of TIE Ninth Corps,
under Gen. Burnside, Department of East
Tennessee.
When Gen. Burnside led that army,
some 2J,GO0 strong, into East Tennessee,
it was effectively equipped, presenting a
line and impressive martial appearance
Confidently and proudly that grand army
corps entered Knoxville. early in Septem-
Der, 1863, the writer leading the van. No
pen can adequately portray the cheer.ess-
ness and hOpelessness of the sufferings and
hardships that beleaguered army was des-
tined to endure. The perils and privatiOns
of the loyal people of that region were no
less than those of the army. Until their
resources failed them the loyal people,
mostly women, freely supplied the soldiers
with the best food their larders could pro-
duce; not only substantial meats, but dain-
tily prepared pastry.
From Sept. until the following Febrr-
ary no Government supplies reached u.s.
1t was estimated that 10000 mules and
horses died or became nhserviceable in
that campaign. / remember instances
where dead animals blocked the roads.
Ears of corn being worth 81 each, it is lit
tie wonder that horses and mules died of
starvation. The soldier who succeeded in
securing an ear of corn for his own con-
sumption was enviously regarded by his
comrades.
Relief came, in measure, when, after
Mission Ridge, Grant sent Sherman to
force Longstreet to abandon the siege OF
Knoxville. LOngStrcet ceased to belea guer
the city. but he remained in the vicinity
all of that rigorous Winter and gave us
trouble a plenty. When our broken army,
no longer exhibiting the pomp and circum-
stance of war, YEARLY recrossed the for
midab!e mountains. returning to Ken
lucky, where We're the kids OF the Persim-
mon Brigade? My understanding was
that while we were hungry and fighting
in East Tennessee. the persimmon Brigade
was engaged in cOnvoying supplies intend
ed for us, coming from Kentucky. By
the way, VIC never received those supplies.
that they were receiving generous cOnsign-
ments of sugar and coffee. forwarded from
Kentucky by Union COmmissaries. 1t was
intimated, how truly l know not, that the
rebels captured the supply trains without
being seriously opposed by the Persimmon
Brigade. However. knowing the kids
were new recruits and their Term of service
short, the veterans duly sympathized with
them in their trials and tribulations, and
were glad to know that when they were
not delivering supplies to the rebels they
were snugly tucked away in comfortable
Winter quarters.
l may, in n series OF articles. relate Incl
dents that characterized Fosters opera
tions from the date of his arrival at Knox
vile until his retreat from Messy Greek.
While on the night march from New Mar
ket to Strawberry Plains | became dis
abled, and, with other sick and disabled
soldiers, was left there for time without
fire or shelter, exposed to the frigid Jan
uary weather. We were finally put aboard
some comfortless box cars and started to
Knoxville. the rebel vanguard then max
ing its appearance. l heard men offer as
much as SO for assistance in getting on
those cars.
This ended my career with the 9th Ind.
Cav. After we got back to Kentucky, l
was in the hospital at Lexington and home
on furlough until July "a. when l was
promoted to First Lieutenant of cOlored
troops and sent to Camp Nelson. Suisse
quently l was ordered to Henderson. KY,
where l assisted in organizing the 12Oth
u. S. Col. mfr. w. UNDERWOOD,
Eighth Corporal, Co. 3, 9TH Ind. Cav,
o.