The National tribune., 1903-01-29

After couple Of hours of eagerly anx-
ious struggle with the damp woods and the
mud, 81 at last came out on the Colds
boro road near the banks of Mingo Creek,
and found the corps going into camp,
while Shad Graham was building a bridge
across the creek.
"Wheye is Gen. Slocum or Gen. Davis?"
inquired 81 of the first soldiers he met.
there on that knoll, by a big fire under
an old oak" answered n battery Sergeant.
Il saw them not 10 minutes ago. They
are waiting for their wagons to come up
with their tents"
81 pushed OH in the direction indicated,
and presently came to tile General COM
handing the Left Wing standing, under
what shelter he could get from many
armed oak, by q fire of blazing pine logs
Near him was the General commanding
the Fourteenth Corps. They were watch
ing the regiments plOd over the spongy
ground to make such camps as they could
in the water-soaked woods.
In spite of the dismal surroundings the
men were in high spirits. They yelled vo-
ciferOusly when ordered to stack arms ara
break ranks. They flung their things on
the ground, and rushed to cut down and
gather pine stuff Tor shelter, build fires,
pitch their pup-tents, get supper. and
make themselves as comfortable for the
night rs possible.
did the world ever see such an army ~
said Gen. Slocum, as his fine face lit up,
in spite of his discomfort, at the c!Ieer-
ness with which the men tool, their hard
ships. ''1here is nothing like it in his
tory
''Tbat is the Fourteenth Corps" said
significantly the sour-faccd Jefferson C..
Davis; ''you need never be surprised at
anything it does. 1t has no equal any
where, and never had"
'.i was just thinking" remarked Gen.
Slocum quizzically, that they seem al
most like my own old Corps, the Twelfth.
1t is astonishing how much the -Four
advantage of association with the Twelfth
Corps
Gen. Davis glared viciousIy at his su-
perior officer, muttered something sui
phurous about paper collars" and re-
lieved bis feelings by savagely kicking
few chunks farther into the fire.
81 rode up hurriedly. and seeing his SUI
perior officers on foot, dismounted, and
stiffy drew himself up in front of Gen.
Davis and formally saluted. He knew the
rigid ideas Of his Corps Commander as to
discipline too well to omit the least cere
mOny
swell, Sergeant, what is it? Whom
have you thereY" asked Gen. Davis curt
ly, after stiff return of his salute.
''This is,a rebel Colonel, who
ran into us. and we brought him aiong,"
answered 81.
Every good: This is the gentleman; he
is Lieutenant Colonel, rs I see by his
stars. Wen, Sir'--to Licut.-Col. Bower
''the fortunes of war seem to be against
your' -
''Damnablys So" remarked Col. Bowler
sententiously.
''Well, We must expect such things in
war;" answered Gen. Davis consolingly:
Il am Jefferson G. Davis" he continued
with a view of leading up to asking the
rebels nance
You Yankees, not content with steal
ing everything else from us, even steal our
names" remarked the reDel, with ill-timed
spitefuIness.
"ImpertiHent upstart, muttered Gen.
Davis. looking around for the Provost
Marshal to turn him over to.
Gen. Slocum stepped forward, smiling
pleasantly, and said:
nell"
..Bovier, sah." replied the rebel CURLY.
"And you belonged TOY"
'"The Charleston Heavy Artillery, sah."
"Ah, indeed. thought you were from
Charleston. l am Gen. Slocum. I was
stationed at Fort MOultrie for three
years, from SO to sc, as Lieutenant in
the 1st u. S. Art, and made many pleas
ant friends in Charleston"
''WhO probably regret much. sab. that
one who enjoyed their hospitality should
repay it with such black ingratitude," Col.
Bowler responded crushingly.
well, that has two Sides" answered
Gen. SIocum suavely. 81 believe 1 ex-
tended some hospitality myself, which they
have repaid by becoming my enemies, and
that of my country and flag"
Col Bowler disdained any reply to this
retOrt.
''Come. come. Colonel" said Gen. Slo-
cum with undiminished pIeasantness.
."rhese reverses are inevitable in war, ard
soldiers must take them piliIosopllically.
Were you in the battle yesterday"
unfortunately was not" snapped the
Lieutenant-Colonel.
GLOW did you come to be captured by
our menu
The Lieutenant-C Colonel had learned
some prudence by this time. and answer
ed: 1.-THE circumstances, sab. connected
with my capture are ma ttahs for my own
information, and that of my General, and
not for youths, sah."
81, who had been so far fairly bursting
to speak, now broke out, as lie sa!uted,
with:
General, he had just come from Smith
field, where he had been to see Joe John
ston, who is there with his whole army,
preparing to attack us. He fought Scho-
field at KiDston yesterday, and is not Mt
Raleigh at all. This man was trying to
get back to his command when we picked
him up"
Cen Slocum's expressive face took on
a look of surprise ut this announcement,
a,,1 VnF ~ frrr, v,se
severe gaze at the camping regiments, and
bent a listening ear.
slows that? how's that?" exclaimed
Gen. Slocunl, and turning to the prisoner
asked, rs that true, sir?,
81 have no information for you, sab. l
am prisoner of wah, sah."
"Have you come from Smithfield, and
is Gen. Johnston there?" reiterated Gen.
Slocum.
81 shall, tell you nothing as TO wheh 1
have been, nor which l was going You
have no right to know nor ask me, sah."
General, lie let out before he thought,
when we jumped him." repeated ST earn
estly, ''that he had not been with his rcgi-
ment the day before, because he had been
sent over to Smithfield to see Gen. john
ston, but was unable to since Gen. John
ston was engaged with the battle which
Gen. Bragg was fighting against Gen.
letting ON how important this information
was; he saw it, and shut up like an oyster,
and we couldn't get another word out of
him." u1f
Gen. Slocum had attentiveiy scrutinizcd
the Observation-Disclosures face 1t was as
as scornful dignity could
make it. - 81
asked Gen. Si6cuIn, in a quiet,
WAY fhOuph ma Eipr