The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-26

to get some dry spot to lie down upon and
rest. But as l got near the rebel line of
works l began to have trouble. Bright
fires were burning, and the men kept
awake and stirring around, to complete
the barricades, and get ready for morning.
Several times 1 came very near being
| forced to give up my stuff to fellows who
We're lying in wait to rob other fOragers
of what they might bring in. There's a
heap of those mean cormorants in the rebel
army, who are too lazy to go out forag-
ing themselves, but lie around outside the
camps to waylay the men who have been
out and gotten something. Two men tried
with the chickens, which sent them over
into the mud. Then a man jumped out
| and thrust the muZZle of a gun into my
face, and ordered me to halt. l talked to
him as Christian and brother. and told
him l was gathering some stuff for the
hospital, until / got inside the muzzle of
his gun. Then he said he didn't care a
curse for the men in the hospital. Let the
Surgeons take care of them. He was
hungry-hungry now. Couldn't wait until
tomorrow. His wasn't that kind of hun
cry. Then / swatted him across the face
with the fOur-poke snatched up his gun
and cartridge-box, and carried them along
till came to a creek, when 1 threw them
in. They're out of harms way for today
and tomorrow at least, though he may
take another gun. Then 1 concluded I
wouldn't take any more such chances
! might run up against a man who was
quicker on the trigger than he, and l
wasn't half ways through the lines So
circled around, wallowed through the
mud of the swamp, and finally got around
the right flank of the rebel line Then l
had time lodging the pickets and pa
trolls. l answered some of their challenges
at distance, and talked to them in such
good Southern dialect, and told them so
confidently about the regiments and Col
onels in Cheatham's Division, that they all
stopped where they were, and let me go
on, until came to one on the other side
OF the swale from me, who appeared to
belong to the same regiment / used to be
with. They recognized my voice, called
me by name. and threatened to fill me full
of holes if l moved another STEP l de
cided to go on, all the same, and they
bred. You know We always had extra
good marksmen in my regiment. I think
you Will lind copule of bullet holes
through my hat, and probably some Others
in my clothes. l haven't had time to look
yet. But l felt the balls come mighty
close. Lots of hunters in that regiment.
Used to Devastating, and could put bull
let IN the dark pretty near where they
wanted to. I'll say that for those fellows
could shoot with anybody that ever lived.
But I'm wasting time with my own selfish
smaInesS. Let's hurry up, and get these
chickens to cooking The boys'u be wax
ing up. and need them nightly
:, Kramer was greeted with a cheer by
the sorely-hungry boys, as he reached the
hfe, and 81 and Shorty threw down his
booty. He east aside his bullet-riddled
garments with as little ceremony as he
dismissed the nights memories, and SET
about preparing breakfast. 81 and SHORTY
plcked up Kettles and went for water. and
ALT and Harry began cleaning the chick
ems.
In front of them the field remained
QUEER. except for an occasional picket shot
put away to the left the firing at times
became volieyed crash, as the divisions
OF the Army of the Tennessee came mn,
and threading their way through the |
swamps found positions the occupancy of |
which the rebels warmly disputed
Almost beside himself with pain. the
colonel walked restlessly around, watch |
ing the progress of the battle as far rs
ne Could pouring water on his arm from
time to time, to allay the inAammation
mlnisterins little here and there to his
SUFFERING men, and casting pain-sick ewes
Dack toward the camp, to note if the Sur
geoh were at last coming to relieve him
and them.
NO; III not send messenger for
him., he said, in answer to the mute an
peal IN Tom Radbone's eyes. Il know
DIR. bartholomew too we'll He is not
wasting minute. He is putting in every
instant back there doing that which is all
solutely necessary to be done for those
there. The moment he can leave them he
will come to me-. I would not have him
come a second sooner"
A wounded officer came by, going out to
look for his men.
"Sherman's just got up" he said to Col.
He rode all night to get
here, and came up with Logan's Division,
which is going in over there on the ex-
IRENE right. They are making most Of
that noise you hear"
The cannon, tugged to the 'front.' byt