The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-04-05
CHATTER ~. Continued.


The 2lst July, we arrived at Muir
freesboro, where we made our first
acquaintance with Colonel Stanley
Matthews and the Fifty first Ohio,
that regiment here being added TO
our brigade, formed the Third Brig
ade OF the Third Division OF the
Twenty FIRST Army Corps. Colonel
Matthews being sick, Colonel Barnes
continued in command. General
Nelson, commanding the division,
on the morning Of the 22d, went with
all the division except the Third
Brigade on scout toward Manches.
ter. while our four regiments march
ed back through town, crossed the
river near the charred remains of
the burnt depot, and laid of line OF
rife pits. A heavy detail from each
regiment was put 10 digging. Col
onel Barnes also sent out guards
under commissioned officers in every
direction, with orders to conscript
every able. bodied negro man they
could find and bring them in 10 as
sist in certifying BY 10 O'Clock a.
M, we had about two hundred stout,
we'll. pleased darkies heaving up the
earth. The officers aud men that
had collected this dusky force related
some amusing incidents Of the talk
and action Of some OF those masters"
who demonstrated against having
their ringers" do work for the Yam
KEGS. Capt. Minter and squad Of
the 9th entered the premises OF a
rich planter, who with his two sous
was In the rebel army, an old negro
man named Jim conducting Affairs
on the farm for his mistress. Soon
the guards had Boss" jim aud seven
or eight other negro men assembled
in the road near the fine house. The
mistress appeared ON the portico, and
totally ignoring the presence Of the
captain and his men, she addressed
Jim" saying, 81 would like 10 know
what you mean by leaving your work
aud bringing in the other hands 2"
Jim, pulling OF bis hat, replied,
"Missus, ives gwine 20 town wild desc
jemmin 10 work" Lady-"Now
you take the hands right back to that
field this minute or you'll have to
account for il, certain" "Missus, |
can't, Use bound 10 hey desc sojers.
Desc are malicious orders, missus,
and Use bound 10 'speci dem" The
captain with his conscript force NOV
ed of, leaving the indignant "missus"
in the porch heaping abuse on the
whole Yankee army. The darkies
worked zealously-they evidently
thought themselves hOnoTed by such
service and enjoyed their ration of
hard tack" and coffee very much.
BY sunset the long line Of earthworks
we're completed. Col Barnes receiv.
ed a dispatch from General Nelson,
stating il we were not attacked before,
10 march with the Sd Brigade pre-.
cisely at 2 o'clock next morning out
va bcoohoh lihoi W aetdCh a ioict
Of rebel cavalry, then at the river six
miles from us. One days rations
were cooked, few hours for sleep,
then all the command able for duty
formed column without loud word
OF any noise that could possibly be
avoided. The measured tramp,
tramp Of our feet through the silent
streets OF Murfreesboro by the dim
starlight, awoke many Of the slum.
boring citizens. Heads we're thrust
out OF windows, but no questions
asked. We silently but speedily
moved ON, arriving at the ford OF
Stone River at the first glimmer of
dawn, hoping and expecting TO be
able 30 dash ON 10 the enemy and
try our hand at mortal combat, but
the cautious Johnnies had mounted
their CRITTERS" and left one hour
before. Some OF our men petulant
ly remarked, That's jest our luck f"
After wading the river, we halted
one hour for breakfast.
Colonel Barnes then ordered rs
forward on the Lebanon Pike, and
TO march as fast az we could, aud
kaar the man uall In the ranks