The National tribune., 1906-09-27
RATTLESNAKE SUPPER.
Some "Reminiscences of the March from
Mobile to Montgomery. Ala.

Editor National Tribune: Directly
after the capture of Mobile, the Six
teenth Corps received orders to proceed
by land to Montgomery, about 200
miles distant, and op April 13, 1855,
for a long march to the first Capital of
the Confederacy.
The route taken was over the old
post line. and lay, for most part.
through a lonesome and almost INTERIM
Unable pine forest, for which this Sec
ton OF Alabama was then noted The
country through which this march was
made was rich, indeed, in stately pine
trees, but still was the poorest part of
the state, from the fact that it was
only slightly cultivated in places few
and far between, very sparsely inhab-
tied by occasional poor whites" and
seemed but one vast, almost unbroken
pinery and solitude for the distance of
more than 100 miles after leaving
BlakeIy. The weather was hot: the
roads were rough and dusty, and many
OF the men were afflicted with sore feet
before arriving at the journeys end.
1t was reported, at first, that the troops
would pass through Selma, Ala, and
as the regiments were toiling along one
day some waggish soldier had placed a
sign on tree where all could easiIy
read it the following notice: ITO Sell
feet"
Still further on. another pioneer
guideboard appeared in conspicuous
position having this announcement, .aTo
good living 10 miles," and the scarcity
OF chickens. pigs and forage Of all kinds
in that particular vicinity, with the
abundance in which they were subse-
quently found after getting out of the
forests of southern Alabama, fully
corroborated the truthfulness of the
witty information.
After our march had continued for
number of days through this almost
unbroken wilderness, the army entered
an open, rich-soiled portion of the
State, presenting many evidences of
cultivation and civilization. The in
habitants along the line of march now
appeared much more prosperous and
Intelligent than the few deniZens Of the
pine forests, whom we had occasionally
met since departing from BlakeIv.
Having heard of the approaching Fed
eral column, they now, vn our arrival.
professed loyalty to the Union, and in
few instances displayed the American
flag from their residences. At almost
every house white flag appeared
which denoted submission and friend
SHip oh the part OF the occupants, who
| asked protection for their premises
At the residence of one old lady. who
appeared very patriotic, was to be seen
hung up over the doorway the follow
| ing sentiment, printed in large though
rough and unsymmetrical letters, "The
United States of America forever" and
as the 95th Ill. passed by its regimental
band struck up Yankee Doodle" which
pleased the aged matron exceedingly
1 hn vol.
| forest section of lower Alabama. some
of the comrades of the 95th Ill. decided
that in the absence of articles of for
age usually found along the route OF
| such expeditions, they would partake
of a rare bit of food which came into
their possession in the following man.
ner: The 44th Mo, after getting into
camp one evening, had slain a huge
| rattlesnake, which measured full si,
feet in length and whose tail contained
a dozen rattles. 1t was monstrous
reptile of the kind, fat, sleek and ven
| omous, its appearance fully demofistrat-
Ing that If human beings could not find
enough in that wilderness to grow fat
on. rattlesnakes could.
The comrades of the 95th Ill. above
referred to. procured this snake from
the 44th Mo. for the purpose of tryine
his fat, saving the oil, and making {
meal of his flesh! And before sleep.
ing that night it was actually served
up for their supper, and was declared
the most delicious repast they had par.
taken of in a long time.
Later in the evening, some of these
comrades brought piece of theil
cooked rattlesnake up TO regimenta
headquarters and offered 1t to tn,
Colonel and STAFF, but We thanked tn,
. boys for their kindness, assured then
we had already eaten. to the full, ou,
, evening meal of common army ra
!, tions." and that we did not care to in
dulge in their kindly-proffered dish
not even as a dessert.
: Many other interesting and amusins
: incidents occurred on our march t,
Montgomery. which must be omitted
, here lest my article becomes to,
lengthy, and will close by stating that
, owing to our long and isolated march
I through the wilderness, we did not re
ceive reliable news of Lees surrende
to Grant until We had nearly reached
: that city, and we had, in fact, continued
2 on the warpath, looking for the enem,
and ready for action several days afte
peace had been proclaimed at Apo
mattox.-Wales w. Wood, Adjutant
s5th Ill, Belvidere. III.