The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1904-09-12
FROM THE FIERY FRONT
Brilliant Record of the Oeala Rifles on
The Sweat Stained and Historic
Fields of Manassas

-hdndSSdS Ndr sept =
Your correspondent has been una
bic to send you any news on account
of pressing duties and long and tire
some marches to the front. But today
iii the time telling you a thing or two
about the boys from Florida in general.
and Ocala in particular
We came in last Sunday about =.
m. after a long and mOnOtOnOus ride of
over thirty hours. and were put off
about three miles from our camp. We
We're compelled to walk the entire dis
lance over steep and rocky hills and
pitch shelter tents in the inky night
without even a lantern. We finally
to straighten up our street
in Il Semidecent condition. The next
day. or rather most of il. was spent in
putting our quarters i'm good condition.
and attending to the commissary sup
plies.
We are situated about four miles
from the town of Manassas and a half
mile from General Frederick Grants
The Florida regiment
and the First South Carolina are side
by side on a beautiful hill, overlooking
the Fourteenth New York, and the Six
teenth L. S. infantry on the south. the
First Tennessee and the Texas regi-
ment on the north. We are one regi-
ment of the Second brigade The 9TH
ers are from New York, Tennessee,
South Carolina. and the regulars. The
lii st division. under General Grant
marched To the front Tuesday morning
They left here about 3 o'clock and met
the Browns. under General Bell. at
ThOrOughfare, Va. where fierce
blOOdlesS battle occurred. Both sides
Blues. of which the Flori,ias are among.
are the winners. our battalion was
commanded by Major Mathews of
Starke and the regiment was COM
manded by Colonel Sackett Of Jackson
scouting tour of about fifteen miles.
and do not expect to return until to-
morrow afternoon. These long march,
es are telling on the boys. and they
are weakening. one by one. 1t is said
that on Friday and Saturday We will
maintain positions on the Outposts of
our camp to protect the same from as
saults of the Brown army, under Cen
eral Bell.
The Fourteenth New York is COM
posed of the most clever boys we have
had the pleasure to meet. They are
very popular with the Florida regiment
and spend a great deal Of their spare
time with us. They are from Brook
lyn.
AS an evidence of the popularity OF
our Captain Nash. he was detailed Off
Ger of the day the day after his arriv.
he has served i'll that capacity sine,
leaving Ocala.
The evening concerts by the Secon'
Regiment Band of Orlando are gran,
and the Ocala boys greatly enjoy TIT
melodies. The Orlando boys are fin
musicians and are greatly liked by tn
regiment.
The Tampa Light Infantry has PAL
| of alligatOrS as maScOts. which in
source of much curiosity and merri
ment to the natives of old Virginny.
They also have goat on their stree
which is holy terror.
| Private Hampton is clerk under Col
Onel Sackett, ut headquarters Of tn
regiment.
| Sergeant earn will act az quarter
master in the absence of Quarteimas
ter Sergeant Chambers. who goes wit
the boys to the front today.
Sergeant Billy Dunn dreamed that
WAS a colonel the other day. He wok
up yesterday morning.
The entire country from Camp. NJ
/. to Manassas fairly swarmS Wit
street fakirs Of all descriptions. an
the way they catch the Unsusl--ctin
and hoo-,loo the simple ones is SONS
thing monstrous. They hail frol
Washington and New York. and on II
strength Of il. Manassas has develop
ed from struggling village Of lh'
souls TO a prosperous little city
about 5000 population.
The Jacksonville Light Infantry. II
crack company Of jacksonville. orc,
pies thu street next ~ US on the IVES
and thu clever Miami boys arr on II
never lack for little amusement.
Thu eiitOr Of thr Star Will acce
thu sincere thanks Of thu ocala Ri:.
for a bundle OF Stars w greatly al
rreciate thu kindness.
Little Wilt DOdSon has ben co
roral Of the guard AMI +. VI, H-n.icich
p r Hatch.ll AMI H r Hodges guar
for The past forry--ieht hours. Hon
amt nothing like this one may h.
them say every hour of the day.
The regiment mail orderly is I
most popular man il tn regiment,
Respective of military rank ~ sol
standing. H brings stacks Of lette
from sWe-rhearts. fathers an3 moth
!. 70 rfe soldier boys tnret times d j;
ana makes US happy and content.