The National tribune., 1903-03-26
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON D. o. THURSDAY

r.
idea of the AnbAr involved and the immense
strnin upORreNerybody concerned.
The rebuilding of 81 miles of railroad in
less than tlAree weeks was only the pre-
paratory stRpI
As soon afsJthe railroad was completed
it was OperatRd to its utmost capacity;
the down TRAINS. brought supplies Of pro-
visions, clothing, ammunition and medi-
cines; the Hofthbound trains were loaded
with troops. and all the material OF war
brought forward during the siege of At
lanta that was net required by a march.
ing army. A6nreful inspection was made
of the forces designed for the great raid
all sick. disabled and feeble men were sent
to the rear.u, The hospitals were all broken
up; the cavalry, artillery and wagon trains
were inspepfed and all unserviceable am
mails sent nYIth. ;..,,
Many officers and soldiers who had gone
home on leave and veteran furlough re
turned to their commands. Every effor'
was made to secure the return to the flag
of every absent ablebOdied soldier.
The Presidential election occurred OF
Nov. 8. 1t was arranged that all the sol
diers whose States had provided by law
for soldiers to vote while absent from
home with the army in the field shoule
have an opportunity to cast their ballot:
at the election.
PAYMASTERS VISIT CANT.
The army had not been paid for some
time. so it was also arranged that the
whole army should be paid before thu
great movements of the impending cam
paign were fully entered upon. A corps
of Paymasters was sent down for tina
purpose; more than 30 OF these officers
with their clerks, were assigned to pa!
| the troops south of Dalton. They all came
down on one train, with several million
| dollars in greenbacks. They reachet
Resaca about dark. Under the rules o.
| the road their train was not permitted t.
travel after night and was sidetracket
| within our Notifications and under thu
guns of the forts. These Payma ster'
were not practised in camp life; they hat
comfortable enough quarters on the freigh'
cars which had been assigned them, bu
they had made no arrangements for com
missary supplies. The train had not beer
long on the sidetrack when two or three
of them came to my headquarters ant
stated their predicament; the question
with them was where more than 10 mel
were to obtain supper and breakfast!
l stated to them that We were glad t.
see them, and that they would have M
trouble in getting their meals; that W.
kept an open house for all belated travel
ers, and for all of them to come to head
quarters and their wants would be provid
ed for They expressed some surprise a
| the offer, but i assured them that on
household arrangements were quite sum
cient to provide for them without trouble
The cook was Informed of the situation
| and went to work heartily, aided by al
| the officers servants about the premises
1t was not long until our guests wer
amply provided with fried ham, baker
bread, butter, boiled potatoes. coffee ant
stewed fruit. The old colored woman VIII
ran the kitchen was provided with mes
| of camp kettles IN which large quantitle
of food could be cooked on occasion. Sh
| brought these into use in feeding the arm!
| of Paymasters.l l had now been n
Resaca over -four months. 1t was I
period of intense interest and activity
| During thisatirbe it had been my pleasur
to have mauyboflicers as guests. Gen
Sherman. GsnW Schofield. Gen. John
| Smith. Gen!GBiair Gen. Mower. Gen. Xii
patrick, Geha Murray, Gen. Watkins ant
| many others7hohored me with their pres
ence at my liable. L look back across tn
years and recall the meetings l had witt
| many officerNoah Resaca with great salts
| faction Tiiks;stress and strain of tn
great campal gnfwas upon all. but the lead
/; ing thoughtzm every mind was to rende
the greatest possible service for the preser
| walton of the Union.
Go, be cOntinued)