The National tribune., 1903-08-13

it was during the march to the sea. be-
ing divided into Right and Left Wings,
each consisting of two corps.
Our regiment belonged to the Second
Brigade-Gen. John G. Mitchell, Second
Division-Gen. J. d. Morgan, Fourteenth
Corps-Gen. jeff c. Davis, Left Wing.
Gen. II. W. Slocum.
o Kilpatrick's Cavalry was attached to
our wing throughout the campaign.
1t was intended that the Left Wing
should cross the river at Savannah and
march toward Augusta, on the Carolina
side. and two divisions of the Twentieth
Corps did cross. but the pontocn bridge
was carried away and the Union Cause
way submurged by flood, so that we
were forced to seek a crossing at some
other point.
Accordingly. we marched up the Geor-
gia side. with the intention of crossing at
Sisters Ferry, about 40 miles above Sa-
vannah.
RAIN AND MUD.
We started bubbling over with enthu-
ure trip like the march to the sea, but our
merry jests and laughter gradually sub
sided under the depressing influence of
rain above and mud below, and when we
turned off the road to bivouac under the
dripping pines, we We're silent and spirit
less.
Fortunately. We found an abundance of
pine knots which soon furnished roaring
fires that transformed the grim trees into
FURNISHED columns, supporting a canopy
of dark-green foliage whereon the rain
drops sparkled like strings of pearls. The
warmth and glow of Il thousand crack
ling fires diSpelled our outer dampness and
our inner gloom. 50 that i'll spite of the
rain, which fell steadily all night. we
considered ourselves almost comfortable.
Next morning we looked upon a watery
scene. On our right, rapldly-fiowlng
river at food hight and still rising. On
the left, wide sheet of water covering
the Iowlands. In front, an Obliterated
read. dissolved by the elements into a
streak of fathomless mud.
We We're not surprised that the order
to march was countermanded. Our equip
ment was deticient-we had no fins.
Five days we We're held at bay by Cen
eral Georgia Mud-that power which an
augusta paper invoked in vain to obstruct
our march TO the sea.
Resuming our march Jan. %, we found
the streams bank full and mud aboundinG.
Oar brigade, in advance, had TO make
frequent stops ar swampy places to cordu-
roy the road with fence rails and small
pines, for the passage of our wagons and
artillery.
Notwithstanding these delays, we made
,,;1o l;,-,po.I-aI ,,-bn NH l-pntS
were plentiful The weather being quite
cool, we enjoyed our roaring fires with
supreme satisfaction.
OUR FIRST DEFEAT.
We encountered the enemy during the
day and suffered a repulse at the hands
of three women armed with broomsticks
and quick-action tongues. They stood
guard over pig-pen and intimidated the
conquering heroes of hundred pig pens
who essayed to lay violent hands on their
''porkers.'
The next day our brigade was trans
ferred from the advance to the rear Of
the wagon train, where we endured the
usual routine of moving by Jerks and
stops
As the weather was exceedingly cold,
we improved the time during enforced
halts by building fires of pine knots,
which sometimes we enjoyed for a brief
space, but as often had TO abandon before
they We're fairly started.
The leading brigade encountered de-
tachment of cavalry at a branch of the
Ebenezer, where they had burned
bridge and felled timber which served for
a barricade TO dispute our passage. A
brief skirmish. and the hasty building of
a temporary bridge. cleared the way for
us TO move on with very little delay.
FoRDING THE EBENEZER RIVER.
Tie only notable event of our march on
the following day was the fording of
Ebenezer River. The bridge had been de-
stroyed, and the ford obstructed with a
tangled mass of timber and underbrush,
which had to be suImounted after fording
the main stream, distance of 100 yards
or more.
There was no way TO avoid the plunge,
and the water was icy cold
Some dashed in with desperation.
clothes and all, others stripped TO the
waist, but we all suffered severely and
our teeth chattered as we splashed and
thrashed through water and brush to the
other bank. \ number were seized with
cramps and had to be carried out. An
officer lost his sword and several men
their guns and knapsacks. A week after
the crossing 70 men of our division were
still confined to the hospital, in conse-
quence Of il.
A short march on the 2Sth brought us
to Sisters Ferry. One of our gunboats
with two transports loaded with supplies.
had been awaiting our arrival several
days, during which time four marines had
been captured and an equal number of
Confederates. Negotiations for exchange
were in progress when our arrival dis
persed ''the party of the second part be-
fore the contract WAS completed.
While we were passing a cabin, the oc-
cupant, a negro, stood in the doorway.
rolling his eyes steadily up and down our
ranks, apparently speechless with aston
ishment at the number of soldiers, yet our
regiment was only the third one he had
seen thus far. At the moment | passed.
he recovered his voice so far as to ex-
claim, "Whew, Jehosophat.' which ex-
pressed his conception of the magnitude
OF our Army.
If he stood there until the Corps passed,
his idea of numbers must have been con
Siderably enlarged.
BRIDGE-BUILDING AT SISTERS FERRY.
1t was unnecessary to command a halt
at the ferry-the river did that most eff
fectually. 1t swept before our eyes appar-
emily irresistible and impossible, spread
ing far beyond its bank Oh the Carolina
shore, where no land was yisible-only
trees were seen standing in watery