The National tribune., 1903-09-03

our march an ovation. Passing through
Bulls Gap, we proceeded to Greenville,
the home of Andy johnson. and where
John Morgan was killed year later;
thence we marched to Zollicoffer, and then
to Bristol, on the Tennessee and Virginia
line. After q skirmish with Gen. Sam
Jones. we We're assailed at Blue Springs.
We destroyed n portion of the railroad,
burned some bridges, and slowly retired to
near Greenville. and thence to Rodgers.
vile. The 9TH Ohio Cav. was attacked at
Rogersville by Gen. w. Il. Jones, Col. Ora
ham, with the 9Th Ind. and 14th ILL.,, be-
ing some distance away, but within hear
ing of the noise of battle. We hurried to
the scene, but when We arrived on the
battle-ground neither friend nor foe were
in sight. RumOr said that the Confeder-
ates had run away in one direction and
our comrades of the 9TH Ohio in another.
About this time substantial Quaker
drove into camp, with liberal supply Of
provisions. He was accompanied by his
family, all anxious to extend glad welcome
to their friends, the Union Army. A few
days later the fortune of war changed.
We We're driven back, and the rebels
ruthlessly despoied the home of that loyal
Quaker family. The fate of this family
is given as an illustration of that Of many
others. The iron heel of two hostile ar
mics marching up and down the valleys
of East Tennessee left an impress that
could scarcely be effaced when came the
piping days of peace. Homes were de-
stroyed and lives were sacrificed. The
voice of lamentation was in the land.
War, always horrible, was especially
so in East Tennessee. When Winter
came supplies of food for man and beast
could not be had. Both armies were in
like condition-thinly clad, freezing, and
starving. Staggering through the noun
tain passes the cOmbatants relentlessly
waged bloody warfare.
On one occasion Fosters Brigade was
sent on a long, cifcuitous march to in
tercept Gen. Sam Jones, Shackelford's
Brigade following in his rear. Just be-
fore the dawn of a Sunday morning the
9TH Ind. reached the road on which Jones
was marching. The enemy, unaware Of
our presence, were early astir, preparing
to resume their march. We were not
more than 200 or 800 yards ahead Of
them, and, unfortunately, as the rest Of
our brigade had not yet arrived, we were
compelled to withdraw on the same by
road that We had before Travelled. The
enemy, their column scattered, pressed US
closely, until our rear guard, % men Of
my company, formed behind Il ridge to
check them. l can now hear the voice
of their commanding officer: 'Close up,
men! We've got them now" When they
had come pretty near, our bugle sounded,
and we charged them, rolling up their
scattered column. We drove them back
almost to the point whence they had
started, but for the want of support we
could go no further. 1t was n lost OPP
pcr.unity. If the brigade had been up,
.Jones's entire force would doubtless have
been captured. We were forced to see
the rebels resume their original line of
march, we being powerless to stop them
at least no effort was made to do SO.
When the rebel column had passed be-
yOnd the byroad. Shackelford appeared,
and our brigade Joined him in following
the Confederate rear. OF course, accord
ing to the plan, our brigade should have
then been in front of Jones. Bad gener-
alship was responsible for our failure.
The pursuit. however. was vigorously
pushed, and as 1 was riding an exception
ally fine war horse, the same animal L
mentioned in a previous story, l was able
to keep well to the front. l had my eye
on house by the wayside, whence had
been driven from an unfinished meal,
when in that country a week or two be-
fore. Coming in sight of the familiar
place, l saw soldier in gray leaving it.
Smelling dinner, l temporarily lost inter-
est in pursuing the enemy. l rode up to
the house, but found the woman in
charge inhospitable. There's nothing to
eat in this house." she said. WELL"
said l, ''let me have a cup of milk-the
big cup l left here a week or two ago."
Are you the man that left that cup?"
Yes. l am that man. Please fill up the
cup?" While she was gone for the milk,
noticed a shortcake that was being
baked in the kitchen stove. When the
obligins woman placed the cup of milk
before me, l thanked her, but said l be-
lieved l would wait for that shOrtcake.
No." said she; Il prepared that cake
for Gen. Jones. You can't have it."
Telling her that Gen. Jones had gone to
look for another boarding house, l fOrci-
bly, proceeded to eat everything in sight,
and what l could not eat l put into my
haversack, as a provision for future add
verse contingencies.
l regret to say that Gen. Jones eluded
us. and afterwar'l met us in battle array
at ZOllicOffer.-R. w. UNDERWOOD.
Eighth Corporal, Co. B, 9Th Ind. Cav,
"a rdinpton O.