The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-19

her 1G years of life. and ROW had come
the end of it ALL The slaves had been
freed and turned loose, TO suffer like south
ern roses under a Winter blast. She was
carrying n basket of dainty things to a
wounded Confederate soldier, home from
the war to die. That was the way the
Lieutenant made the acquaintance of pref
ty Annie Andrews.
Carrying the basket between them, fol-
lowing trail along the river bank, they
soon came to a primitive home, where one
of Bragss men was making light for Il
life dear to mother and children. Out of
the basket came fresh bread. pickles and
jellies and when she went away that poor
devil Of n private thought himself n bri-
gaae commander.
1t was the Lieutenant's day off: what
mattered, he could ride all night and make
up the time; so they slowly wandered back
to the girls home, where the day passed
all too rapidly.
The days went by, each one crowded
with events to the busy soldier. The bat
ties Of ChickamauGa were followed by
starvation days in Chattanooga. The boys
in gray held the cracker line, and the corn
and bacon were scarce. So the mounted
troops were sent away over the noun
tains, where forage could be found for
man and beast.
All Tic oIutl Dt'H
killed or promoted, and orr Lieutenant
bad been made Captain, and it was a boy
company from the Captain down to the
bugler; that was the reason why the com
pany was always on duty. If by chance
they had II day in camp, it was because
the Colonel could think OF no place to
send them. A scout in the mountains,
guard to some bridge or ford, but more
often a hunt for busliwhackers or guerril
he ;,fo tod oil ha in
try of Tennessee and North Alabama.
These guerrilla bands were made up of
outlaws. deserters from both armies
bOunty-jumpers and thieves. who pillaged
from all alike. They robbed and murdered
both Unionists and Secessionists: until
Gen. Bragg, the Confederate commander,
suggested to Gen. Thomas that n regiment
of Confederate Tennesseeans be Joined
with one of our Tennessee regiments to
rid the country of the scoundrels. Gen.
Thomas declined the proposition: the feel
ing then was too bitter for these two
elements to come together in any other
way than in open battle. So pillage. muir
der and rapine went on amidst the people
of the mountains.
Our Captain was loved by all the regi-
ment. The boys said he never slept; at
least, no one ever caught him at it. On
the picket lines at night, on guard, in
SOltS VI Dl'iftS. OUT VI lHe
darkness would appear the Captain. look
ing out for the men, their comfort and
their duty. If there was especially cOur-
ageous work to be done, he was the one
selected.
Along in the Summer when the lines
were closely drawn and the sound Of the
musket came from every tree and fence
corner and someone dropped out of the
regiment every day. the Captain was de-
tailed to command the skirmish line.
And now in the October days the
company was in squads guarding Crow
Creek Valley, just over the mountain from
Annie Andrews home. We camped away
up the valley head six miles from the An
drews place. The creek turned at the
end of the cove, making the incest SWIM
ming pond in the world. often think
if l could find disability about my per-
son that would give me n pension. would
take it (the pension. 20 back to that quiet
nook in the hills. and camp out the rest
of my enlistment on this earthly battle
| field. But there is no use thinking about
that. i have no hospital record Isn't
that funny condition? 4 soldier sery-
ing all through the war-battles, marches
all the time-cannot get Il pension, while
fellow that stole green apples in the
State camp. contracted n collie that gives
him S14 month. lie never loaded n gun
marched mile. or met up with any other
enemy full full III green apples
Truly the reasoning of the pension laws
are past finding out
The Captain maintained strict discipline
| in camp, concealed pickets being kent
out day and night. Many stragglers and
deserters from Bragg's army were picked
up and sent away TO headquarters
After being in camp n couple of days.
the Captain with two of the boys went
over the mountains to see Annie Andrews,
her father and mother, again. They spent
an hour at the home, and all were in love
with the girl when they went away; but
the Captain Outranked them all; one could
see it in her eyes as they parted ut the
gate.