The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-04-19
CHAPTER ~. Continued.


did not come TO attack us, on the
morning of the ] It'll our brigade now
under command of Col. Matthews,
received orders TO go in search Of the
Johhnies The dirt road was rough
from the dried mud of recent rains,
and the weather continued excessive
ly warm. After a hard march Of
twenty miles, we arrived late in the
evening at the village where we ex-
pected TO find the much sought but
little loved rebels.
The citizens informed us that John
Morgan's force Of cavalry passed
through there the day before, going
north. Our command bivouaced
there, and resumed the march early
the 18th, over rough roads, through
the hills northwest, thirteen miles,
and we were in the village of Liberty.
Our brigade remained here until
the next evening. living principally
on green corn. The citizens here
appeared to be more loyal than any
we had found in Tennessee, display
ing the stars and stripes as we
marched through town. The loyal
women here came out 10 our camp,
and cheerfully loaned the soldiers
their cooking utensils. This days
rest among these people, and the
benefit Of a good bath in the clear
stream, which most OF us enjoyed,
greatly refreshed us in soul and body.
AT four O'Clock, p. m. the 18th, we
again formed column, and, as usual.
took the back track. The moon
shone bright, and we halted at 10
o'clock at Smithyille, and rested IN
Ill morning. The officers and men
OF the Eighth about this time became
very solicitous TO be mounted, 80 we
could have a chance 10 catch some
OF the rebel cavalry, for. said our
men, we find il impossible TO either
head them OF or catch them on foot.
We left Smithville at sunrise the
18th, and at . p. m. re-entered our
camp at McMinnyille. The follow
ing ten days, when not on picket or
other duty, the time was spent in
vigorous drilling. One evening. at
dress parade, we were rejoiced to
learn that General Nelson was relev.
ed from the command, and would
proceed Immediately TO Kentucky TO
take command of raw recruits then
arriving at Louisville and Cincinnati.
We did not envy those same raw re-
cruits their pleasure in obeying the
orders Of their general. Though.
with all Nelson's harsh, oyerbearing,
and often wanton cruelty to his sub.
ordinates. be often did a good thing
IN protecting his soldiers from the
grasping greed Of suffers OF citizens,
with whom our boys often traded
One day, before Nelson left us, a
crowd Of soldiers we're collected
around a lank looking, long haired
Tennesseean, who bore on his arm
basket containing some tough look.
ing pies. Between the two thick
crusts was a darkes streak OF woolly
peaches. General Nelson came along
the street, and noticing the citizen,
stepped up, saying: Here. my man,
what have you there 10 sell ?"
Citizen-"Pies, sar; unly 80 cents
apiece, sar."
The general broke one open, and
dropped il back in the basket, ex
claiming, "Only fifty cents apiecel"
Drawing his sword, he continued:
Now, you Internal, lecherous, spin.
-shanked devill those things
wouldnt digest in the stomach of
hyena. How many have your
Citizen tremblingly replied; ask,
| b'leve."
General Nelson, raising his sword
more threateningly, said: "Now, eat
the last one in shor. order, OF III
cut your Internal head from your
worthless carcassl" The poor, fright
ened fellow munched and swallowed
in painful haste. until his eyes,
which continuously watched the up
lifted steel, assumed a frog. like
prominence. Thus, he worried down
over two dollars worth of his dark, /
choky pastry. Nelson then ordered
the would-be pie vender outside our
pickets, telling him il he should ever
see him here again on any pretext,
death would certainly be his doom.
We saw no more Of that enterprising
tradesman.
Rrigadier General Ammon assum.
ed command Of the troops in and
around McMinnyille. The oath OF
August, we were ordered to prepare
two days rations, load the baggage
and be ready TO march at | o'clock,
r. m. At that hour we were in col.
umn. and the general wish and be