The National tribune., 1903-03-12

whether they fred shot. but before it
could do any damage a solid shot fired by
the Dist Ohio Battery, in position on the
north side of the ford, knocked the rebel
piece out Of action.
About 5 O'Clock the rebels withdrew
from our immediate front and the fight
was over The 21st Ohio Battery threw
an occasional shell until late in the night,
but history says the rebels retreated at
nightfall. We recrossed the river, wading
through that icy water again just as the
sun was setting: went up the hill and
formed in line in front Of and almost
under the Ohio Battery.
Very tired, very hungry and very wet,
we lay ION our arms" exposed to a cold
tensely all through that long, long Winter
night. Our clothing freezes, our flesh
freezes and the marrow in our bones
freezes; but we still live. Why we wet,
tired and hungry soldiers are put in this
exposed position, while thousands of dry,
well-fed soldiers are in comfortable camps,
is one of the mysteries of a soldiers life.
This night, like all others, had an end.
We are called up-those that can get up
and formed in line of battle before day
light, ready to renew the battle.
After standing in line an hour or so. we
march back to a sheltered position.
build fires, thaw out. make coffee and.
have some much-needed breakfast. After
breakfast we stretch ourselves by our fires
and have a good sleep. After % hours
of fasting. hard marching and exposure,
we slept almost like the dead.
Like the balance of the article, in the
above l have referred to the part taken
by my company and self only. The cav
airy, consisting of parts of the 9th and
65th (Mounted Infantry and 14th III.
Cav, had been skirmishing for two days
and were reported out of ammunition.
When Wilcox became convinced that he
was threatened with real attack. he con-
cluded to advance and meet it at Walkers
Ford. The 18th and 10th Ind. We're
sent in advance and thrown across the
river to hold the rebels in check until his
artillery and other troops could be put in
position on the north side of the river.
When the rebels got in our front at the
ford they found us too strong to be at
tackled with prudence. l think that the
rebel retreat was FASTENED by the coming
of Sherman from the south and compelling
Longstreet to hastily retreat from Knox
VILE
The cavalry lost in this fight seven killed
and 20 wounded; we (regimenD lost one
killed and IA wounded; the rebel loss was
estimated at 20 killed and 300 wounded.
While we were taking cur deserved rest
and sleep others buried the dead.
SCOUTING AND FoRAGING.
On the 4th and most of my company
went south on the Knoxville road to
scout and do picket duty. l established
headquarters about four miles south of the
river. We had the satisfaction of bring
ing in a rebel Lieutenant and two pri-
Yates as prisoners. They belonged to the
I'd Ala. On the 9th we rested again. On
the 18th marched back to Tazewell and
went into camp on the southeast of town.
Also made out pay rolls. Dec. 8 was our
first payday. We were paid up to Nov. 1.
The first use of the money received by
those to whom had furnished shoes was
to walk up to the Captains tent and pay
for those shoes. There were no intoxi-
cants kept in our camp, and l saw no
gambling.
For two weeks our camp remained in
the same place; sometimes we were in it
and sometimes we were not. We had to
picket, scout and forage-and great deal
of the last. We had to forage for all we
ate, and the breadstuff had to be taken
to country mill and ground. Sometimes
the rebels got the grain and the mill. too;
then we got whole corn in the ear as n
ration. Sometimes the mill race would
freeze up; then we had to cut the ice out
before the mill would start.
expectantly all day, and then camped on
the same ground. On the 21st we marched
to Walkers Ford and camped on the
north side. On the ODD marched back to
Tazewell and went into camp on the
northeast of town. The 23d was spent in
expecting marching orders. On the oath
we did march, and to Walkers Ford;
crossed the river, wading its icy waters
again; went two miles south and en-
camped.
Dec. % we marched 10 miles to Monroe
Gap and formed camp. This is Christ
mas Day, and, wishing to have a dinner
out of the ordinary, l call out my most
intimate associate and my risht-hand
man in all times of need; we interview the
sutler. and, loaded with his choicest
canned goods, we go to the top of near
by mountain and eat quiet and solitary
dinner. Here, surrounded by nature in
its grandest mood, we forget the cares of
camp and the sufferings of comrades in a
short, selfish rest. l think we both went
to sleep after Il full dinner, spread out in
| the genial sunshine ON the mountain top.
COLD NEW YEARS DAY.
Jan. 1-Whew!! 1t was warm at taps
last night. A light, DRILLING rain had
prevailed during the evening, with no in
| dications of the unusual; but the wind
cold fast; the rain changed to snow, and
by 2 o'clock the boys were frozen out OF
| their pup-tents and forced to build fires to
save perishing. Unfortunately the supply
of fuel on hand was soon exhausted, and
the boys, true to soldierly instincts, used
| a nearby fence to carry them through till
morning. 1t happened that there was q
strict order against using this fence, ant
| as result we, the commanders of com
panies camped along that fence, We're al
| placed under arrest the next morning
But in that awful cold wind that came
sweeping down from Cumberlands peaks
| one side frOZe while the other was thaw
ing out. The tattered rags that half
covered the boys offered but little protec
ton from the biting blast. But we grinned
and bore it until daylight; hot coffee anG
warm sun brought relief. The snow
was about four inches deep and the Their
mometer was below zero.
On the 10th and 18th we marched back
to Tazewell and went into camp on the
northwest of town. Here we carried or
our old camp lfe-picketing, fOraging
chasing some rebel party or being chased
by them. We managed to keep up more
appetite than we did grub.
In the night of Jan. 10 we were sud
denly awakened by distant shots, the
Gathering of horses hoof and the long roll
In moment we We're in line waitn.
orders and trying to peer into dark
was big hubbub down in town-shootng
shouting, Gathering of hoOfs, but we cOul(
do nothing, as we did not know where
| g.