The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-31


behind our captured commisaries,
drawn by old broken down horses,
that had seen hard service under
Morgan's men. Vehicles of all kinds,
except good ones, were in the train,
driven principally by citizens, whose
anxiety for the safe return of the
pressed teams prompted them to vol
unteer their services. The mems
hayersacks we're crammed full Of
smoking bread, and yet we had not
room 10 store the large quantities
which remained, but Captain Wilson,
on the eve Of leaving Lebanon, spied
buggy that had been overlooked.
This was soon loaded, and the men
Of Companies c and II drew it along,
in the ranks, by turns. All we're in
jubilant spirits, and marched up
briskly on our return toward Nash
vile. About the middle Of the
night we came up with the Twenty
first Corps, at Silver Springs, having
marched thirty five miles in the last
twelve hours-the last fifteen miles
with extra loads, which made all Of
as enjoy that refreshing sleep none
but the weary know how to appreci-
ate.
We remained at Silver Springs
six days, being the longest halt we
had made for near three months.
The rain fell in such quantities that
drilling had to be dispensed with,
and we were allowed 10 rest and en-
JOY full rations, with occasionally the
luxury OF taste Of our captured
whiskey, for a few mornings.
On the 18th the Eighth formed
the guards to escort a forage train
into the country, 10 collect forage
while the wagons we're being loaded.
Our boys did not forget their own
creature comforts, for on their return
to camp nearly every man brought
little donation for his particular
mess, such as a chicken, or a few
potatoes; also a good sized pumpkin
graced the bayonet Of nearly every
gun.
At noon, the 18th, the regiment
formed, and marched as guards TO a
supply train going to the Fourteenth
Brigade, under Col Hawkins, sta
toned at Rural Hill, twelve miles
southeast Of Silver Springs. The
camp aud garrison Of our regiment
were left in charge Of the few men
not able for duty, and after a tedious,
muddy march, arrived late at night
and took up quarters on an old
Methodist camp meeting ground,
situated one fourth of a mile from
the brigade, the old plank shanties
aIfording good protection from the
drilling rain, which had not ceased
when we awoke early the morning
Of the 18th Of November. The sur
rounding country was shrouded in
smoky mist. The oth boys were
within the shanties busily preparing
and eating our morning meal, when
we were little surprised to hear a
few of the l4th pickets fire and i'm
mediately after about two hdndred
rebel cavalry came charging toward
our shanties yelling like savages,
evidently unaware Of our sheltered
position. The officers and men of
the 9Th did not fool away any time
to form in line, but every man seized
his gun, choosing each his window
or crack, while some knocked of
boards for port holes. On came the
yelling Johnnies. When within ca
sy range Of the innocent looking
shanties, Col. May gave the com
mand, STEADY boys, fire." The
volley that was poured into those
unsuspecsing Johnnies emptied so
many saddles, that they checked up
ia great confusion, and before they
could realize their situation the dead
ly popping Of our guns began again
with telling effect. So the enemy
was glad to retreat as fast as they
came, leaving seven oil their comrades
dead and wounded on the field. A
number OF their wounded were car
ried of by the retreating party. In
the pockets of rebel lieutenant
were found several "rat tail" files,
that some of their wounded acknowl-
edged were to be used in spiking the
artillery belonging to the Fourteenth
Brigade, which was situated rather
too far from the infantry for rea iy
support. AS soon as the Disconnected
rebels were well out of sight and
hearing, our men stacked arms and
began hunting up their scattered
cooking utensils, and proceeded to
finish their breakfast
TO Bs CONTINUED
Fertilizer.