The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-02-04

from afar, and he was soon at the head of
a crowd Of people, who listened eagerly to
his every remark. They crossed Chicka-
manga Creek and came to the site of Al
exander's Bridge. and the people listened
almost breathlessly, while Capt. Brent told
how they had stood their ground here from
noon until dark, holding Bragg's army in
| check. After that, the crowd visited
Snodgrass Hill, and then returned to the
city to attend the grand Campfire.
Uncle Billie was tired after his unusual
day, but he listened attentively TO all the
wonderful tales that were told. Presently
some one called for Capt. Brent, and his
old comrades took up the cry. He looked
| around in startled way, but Big Joe was
pushing him up out of his seat and urging
him to go on. He had not told any of the
old stories for a long time; Martha Ann
did not approve of his telling them, but il
seemed that old stories like old wine were
only the better for being long sealed up
for he talked SO eloquently after he had
gained confidence in himself, that the ap-
plause was long and loud when he sal
down.
That night, long after Uncle Billie was
| asleep, Big Joe was writing home His
| letter was for the Brayt0n Daily News
and the article was made up almost en-
| tirely Of the sayings and doings Of Capt
| Brent, who was now attending the Grand
Reunion at Chattanooga. 1t told OF the
| respect and yeneration in which he was
| held by his men and all of his old com.
rades. There were tales of his courage
| and daring during the perilous times OF
| war that the young people OF Brayton had
| never heard Of, and the older people had
| forgotten; but Big Joe had not forgotten
and he knew how to tell story so that il
| would appeal to Brayton readers. And
Uncle Billie slept on peacefully, all I'M
aware Of the effort that was being made
| to give him notoriety i'm his own town.
The next morning they were out bright
! and early to go to Strikers Ridge, where
| the rebels were prevented from crossing
the pontoon bridge. From there they went
to other interesting points.
At one place Uncle Billie exclaimed
| "Why, over there is old Aqueduct Hill,
and Immediately crowd gathered about
| to hear him tell how they had fired across
at the guns on the hill and had upset Q
part of them, rolling them clear down tht
hill. In the afternoon they visited Cam
eron's Hill, and then went to Missionary
Ridge. where so many markers showed
where the brave fellows had climbed the
Ridge and captured the artillery Of tn,
rebels.
| fire, where Capt. Brent was again i'm de
mand, and Big Joe sacrificed another
hours sleep after they had gone to theiI
room, to write another column for thu
Brayton News.
| The days were busy days, and on tn,
last morning Of their stay they stood OF
| Lookout Mountain, and Uncle Billie, look
| ing away across the wonderful scenery
heayed a sigh of regret that it was al
over. 1t had been grand time for all OF
the men who had gathered to view once
more the old battle-ground and to renew
old friendships; but to no other one OF
| them had it meant as much as it had Il
| Uncle Billie. The sight OF the old ground
and the respect with which he had beer
| treated on all occasions. had completely
emancipated him from the timid, shrink
| ing life of the past years; and he started
on the homeward journey with no fear OF
| what awaited him. 1t was Big Joe's turr
| to feel nervous and afraid. He dreaded tt
see his old comrade again put under sub