The National tribune., 1903-03-12

ing, and it seemed as if the boys breathed
inspiration from coming events, and, full
of life and song and joke, our hardships
were forgotten in present enjoyment.
About 10 o'clock cloud of dust rolled up
in our rear, and soon an order was passed
along our lines to Halt and clear the
rOadr' An order that was promptly
obeyed. Many of the boys, at once taking
advantage Of their release from the ranks,
were soon at their favorite pastime-
knocking and eating persimmons. 1t was
soon proved that the cloud of dust was
raised by a portion of the Ninth Corps,
and they came along at dOuble-quick
and took the lead. Seeing the new troops,
as usual, they raised the old cry of Fresh
fish," but some genius, seeing the occupa-
ton of so many, introduced a variation by
shouting 'Persimmon Knockers" Fresh
fish" was old, but ''persimmons knockers"
was new, and it stuck. The name given
us in derisiOn we proudly adopted, only
changing it to "PersimmOn Brigade"
Persimmons had eased an aching void
many times and we were not ashamed to
give them due credit for it.
BLUE SPRINGS.
As soon as the Ninth Corps was clear
of us We fell in and followed after at a
quick march. About noon we came in
louder as we advanced. We soon ar
rived near Blue Springs, where a small
battle was being fought. We were held
in reserve. Night closed the contest. We
lay on our arms all nigh, under orders 10
renew the fight ut daylight At daylight
the enemy was gone. Some of the boys
expressed isappointment-theyw wanted to
get into battle; but wasn't a bit sorry.
l think our forces were commanded by
Al Ill, n
Gen. Sam Jones. Our loss was reported
at 75 killed and the rebels at $50. My
diary does not state when the Persimmon
Brigade became q part of Gen. WicOX's
Division, but that was the position at this
time, and SO we remained until we started
home. On the 18th we followed the
rebels, passed through Greeneville a couple
Of miles and encamped. The cavalry fol-
lowed farther and went into camp.
RECRUITING LOYAL MoUNTA1NEERs.
We remained in the section of country
around Greeneville until Nov. 6. Many
loyal mountaineers from extreme Eastern
Tennessee and North Carolina took ad-
vantage of our proximity and sought pro-
lection under the Stars and Stripes.
think three regiments of these refugees
were recruited, organized and mustered
into the United States service under our
Is
tains to escape CONSUMPTION or assassina-
| ton, and they were glad to accept an
opportunity to do some square fighting.
These mountaineers were very ignorant
in the ways Of the world. They knew
little of politics, but they had imbbed the
idea that the war was to perpetuate or
destroy slavery. They hated slavery, but
had no love for the ''nigger." They rea-
soned, further, that to destroy slavery was
| tn rid Of hn
They knew absolutely nothing about mill.
tary matters. They were intensely loyal
and anxious to learn, but so awkward
They were organized into squads and
drilled by men detailed for that purpose
and they got lots of fun out of it at the
expense OF the mountaineers.
RACE FOR BULLS GAP.
Our life at Greeneyille was not all fun
When not scouting, foraging or picketinl
we were drilling. 1t took a great deal OF
foragins to keep the wolf from our door
he looked in occasionally to see his cap
tives. PersimmOns were exhausted. II
add to our entertainment the two Jonese,
would stir us up now and then; we wer,
called in line to fight or run severa
times, but always settled back into camp
until Nov. g. On this morning we re
ceived at an early hour the order, Pre-
pare to march at a moments notice." bu
remained ready packed until late in tn,
evening. Our actions on this day can b,
best explained by quoting from Greeley
American Conflict: ''Shackelford nov
took post ut Jonesboro Subsequent to tn,
battle Of Blue Springs), with part of hi
command, under Wilcox, at Greeneville
with two regiments and battery upde
Col. Israel Garrard, 7th Ohio Cav, n
Rogersville, where they were attacked b,
,20O mounted men under Brig. Gen. w
r. Jones, acting under the orders Of Mai,
Gen. Sam Jones, who struck them ut day
light Nov. O., surprising and easily rout
ing them with loss of four guns, 81
wagons and $50 prisoners, and creating