The Monte Vista journal., 1906-12-29
kSI9EMIEGSEN1
H>ESS.>W
RATTlESNAkE SUPPER,
Some "reminiscences Of the March
From Mobile to Montgomery, Ala.

Directly after the capture of Mobile
the SiXt corps received orders
to proceed by land to Montgomery.
about 200 miles distant, and on April
Is, 1865. We moved out from near Fort
Blakely for long march to the first
capital Of the confederacy, writes a
Belvidere correspondent of the Ma.
tional Tribune in relating his war
time experience.
The route taken was over the old
post line. and lay. for most part,
through lonesome and almost in.
termnable pine forest. for which this
section of Alabama was then noted.
The country through which the march
was made was rich, indeed, in stately
pine trees. but stil was the poorest
part of the state, from the fact that
1t was only slightly cultivated in
places few and far between, very
sparsely Inhabited by occasional
poor whites" and seemed but one
vast. almost unbroken pinery and soil.
tude for the distance of more than 100
miles after leaving Blakely. The
weather was hot, the roads We're
rough and dusty, and many of the men
were afflicted with sore feet before
arriving ut the journeys end.
After our march had continued for
a number of days through this almost
unbroken wilderness, the army en-
tered an open. rich-soiled portion of
the state. presenting many evidences
81, hA tp1 1ul 81.
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 Blakely. Having heard
of the approaching federal column.
they now. on our arrival. profcssed
loyalty to the Union, and In few in.
stances displayed the American flag
from their residences. At almost
every house white flag appeared
which denoted submission and friend
ship on the part OF the occupants
who asked protection for their prem.
ises.
At the rcsiden,e Of an old lady,
who appeared very patriotic. was to be
seen hung up over the doorway the
following sentiment. printed In large
though rough and unsymmetrical let.
tiers. THE United States of America
forever and as the Ninety.ilfth iii
nois passed by It's regimental band
struck up Yankee Doodle" which
pleased the aged matron exceedingly.
During the march through the pine
forest seodon of lawcr Alabama. some
Of the comrades OF the Nlnety.iifth
Illinois decided that In the absence Of
articles OF forage usually found along
the route of such expeditions. they
would partake OF rare bit OF food
which came into their possession in
the following manner: The Forty,
fourth Missouri, after getting into
camp one evening, had slain a huge
rat,lesnakc. which measured full six
feet In length and whose tail con
tained a dozen rattlos. II was n mon
strous reptile OF the kind. fat. sleek
and vcnomous. Its appearance fully
demonstrating that II human beings
could no, find enough In that wilder
ness TO grow fat on. rattlosnakcs
could.
Later In the evening some Of these
comrades brought n piece OF their
cooked raitlesnake up To rcgimental
headquarters and offered II 10 the
colonel and stan. but we thanked the
boys for their kindness. assured them
we had already eaten. To the fun. our
evening meal OF common army ra.
tions." and that we did not care 10
indulge In their kindly.pro'rcrcd .lsh.
not even as dessert.