The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1904-07-21
SOLDIERS AT HOME.
THEY TELL SOME INTERESTING
ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.
How the Boys of Both Armies Whiled
Away Life In Camp-Fora9ing Ex.
periences, Tiresome Marches-Thril.
ling Scenes ON the Battlefield.

EST fog l ever saw. On the goth OF
November, 1868, had loaded 125 siA
ml,le army wagons with tents anG
equipment of the general field hOspl
tai Of the army of the Cumberland al
kelly's ferry on the Tennessee river
above Bridgeport l had started fol
Chattanooga by way of Browns ferry
and was nearing the pontoon bridge
when my caravan was stopped by
Sherman's men swarming up from
Bridgeport. I was sidetracked sew.
=ral hours. Uncle Billy's men, having
urgent business in the front, had the
right Of way.
while we waited the fog came on
and something else came with It.
Heavy cannonading began very near
to Us and on our right. AS 1 was in
the valley, l couldn't see TO my salts
faction and l climbed up the hill called
the Hog Back. and had unobstructed
view for radius of from three to five
miles. With good field glass l look
ed on most wonderful scene. Near
at hand and to my right were long
double lines of infantry, with batteries
In action at intervals along the lines.
In the far front was a thin line of
ekirmishers. the men climbing up into
the fog. going out of my sight firing
and cheering. Then the first line of
battle went forward over rocks and
rough places into the fog.
There were flashes from bursting
shells, and the noise of battle came
| down to ME, but for time 1 saw moth
ing. Then my heart beat fast as there
| emerged from the very center of the
see the man who carried the flag, but
the flag itself floated just above the
fog line like a swan resting easily on
water. Then as l looked the head
Of the colOr-bearer came above the
fog, then his shoulders, and a little
later his full figure shown out in
army blue, and he seemed to be walk
Ing on the top of the fog.
Il knew the color-bearer was lead
Ing, and that the boys were not far
OShlhu thS III
the whole line of battle was above
the fog, pushing ahead. halting to fire
yolley, and then on again, and the
battle above the clouds was on. From
my viewpoint 1 could see it all; could
see the supporting lines as they climb
ed through the fog. could see the
charge sheer against the palisades and
the swirl and sweep of the battle
storm on Lookout's steep side. And
should 1 live a thousand years. I'd
ne'er expect to see its like again."
Il had an experience in fog my
SELF" said the Major, (which was ex-
citing, but disturbing. Our regiment
was one of several columns converging
IN the enemy, and, of course. we didn't
want to be behind the others. The
boys, in going over the mountain,
chafted good deal because the Col
onel kept his horse down to n slow
walk, and they couldn't understand
his orders to move slowly and to keep
quiet as we went down into the valley
on the other side. 1t was now day
break, and time to strike if We were
going to strike. Between us and the
valley there was dense fog. and the
vanguard went forward into it and
disappeared.
In ten minutes we advanced down
the incline into the fog. At the rear
IF the regiment l could see not more
than two of the ten companies. The
others were down somewhere in the
fog. In twenty minutes a man came
running back with an order for the
mountain hOwitzers to come to the
front, and as they went forward the
fog lifted. l saw not only all our own
regiment stretched along the winding
mountain road, but below in the val
ley several regiments breaking camp.
The flags they carried were not like
ours. They were gray, instead of blue,
uniforms, and it was clear to us that
this division of the enemy had lust
withdrawn its pickets preparatory to
leaving camp when the fog lifted and
revealed our Nne in blne
'As their skirmishers advanced ours
retreated, and the whole column about
faced and marched back up hill. The
boys didn't like this, and the rear
guard was very stubborn about going
back. One little Dutchman was par
ticularly obstinate. and when there
came a sharp command from above.
Clear the road, men, Jump to the
side, quick" he was slow about obey-
ing. and the scattering shot from our
two howitzers whizZed pretty close
to him. AS he came creeping to the
other boys he said. What was dot"
And when he was told it was a lack
ass battery he lifted his voice and
shouted in wrath. 'Checkess, cbeckess
battery. leetle short fool checkess bat
terry, he tear my coat tail off, At
this great shout of laughter went I'D
from the company, and the pursuing
rebels retired, and their whole force
moved off. Our other columns had
been too slow. or we had been too
fast, and we failed to bag the enemy.
Some weeks later we captured some
prisoners, and, much to our surprise.
one of them greeted Dutch Charley
with Hello. checkess battery. How
is your coat tall"
There was heavy fog at Chicka-
said the Captain. ION Sunday
l carried orders to several
division commanders and the divisions.
in battle order, looked in
the early dawn like heavy clouds that
had settled in the fog to the surface
Of the ground. This fog. with the
heavily wooded stretches of country,
was confusing to the men, but | was
TO find them easy in their
minds and taking soldiers view of
the situation.
when the movements began, and |
there was an evident tangle, heard |
the men say one to another. We'll, |
It's the same old fight, anyhow, no |
matter which way we shoot Late !
IL the day. when the rebels We're i'm !,