The Rich Hill tribune., 1906-03-08
Marching Through Clay.


reminded me OF another. +
II any one wishes 20 know the locality .
In which is found the clay having the .
greatest adhesive capacity found IN I
the United states-Outside OF Kansas
'gumbo'--I can testify ihat Il Is 20 be
found In a field on the left side OF the .
Nashville and Murfreesb0To pike.
about one mile north Of the town Of
LayerEne The First Kentucky in
fantry was IN the lead Of the First
brigade of Palmer's division, on the
Nashville and Murfreesb0ro pike, in
the advance Of the Army Of the Cum
berland on Bragg's forces az Murfrees-
boro. Tenn We had passed over the
last high ridge Of ground. and we're
in plain view OF the town, when we
were halted in the road We were
there not more than a minute when
a white puh Of smoke arose from the
left of Iavergne, and a screeching
shell came our way. On either side Of
the road was a high ran worm fence,
made OF cedar the riders Of which
we're Of whole logs and Of gocdly d.
mensions. when the smoke showed
itself the boys naturally took 10 the
fence. bat before they had reached IL
the shell had struck the end Of a very
large rider--top log-and made the
splinters hy and the boys dodge.
Companies II and c were right op-
posite where the she'll struck and
were quizzed quite litiie by the
Nineueth Ohio who were in rear of
US and on top Of the rising ground,
about lodging. but they did the same
thing a minute later for the next shot
war far TOO high and went away over
them and never a man OF the First
Kentucky moved from their reformed
line in the middle of the road. soon
we were ordered over the fence Ca
the right side OF the road into a woods
pasture where there was a large stack
ui straw near by and the remains oi
another stack that had rotted away
al bat a pyramid about two feet high
and thick. on which sergeant either
of Company u or C, had taken seat
with his back 20 the front
eve were an ou the alert for the
next shot. which did not come for
several minutes. bus when it did come.
every one hooking that way would see
81. for Sc came lelsurely and straight
for the little p0In, Of straw on which
sag the sergeant D. struck near the
rrcund ana bounced the sergeant who
skipped around 10 she front side to see
where % had hit ID went Through she
straw and into ,be ground. came uut
again made bounce or two, and
stopped within fow feet of me
viewed ii With some wisriyinEs and
shut ms eyes for some time for 81 io
go OF. but as Sc tid not, rcraiusd
confidence. went to &c. picked Sc up
and puf it down much quicker. for il
vas hot
Il ran my hayonci Through the ring
art held ii gp-,hp pea OF steoiyard
and told the boys tD ge3 ready 10
be weighed. for tho next shot would
be- a hay scales missed my guess.
Tor the next proicCtlle used by our
{ friends the enemy w8s q piece Of r
rail six or cirhj inches long. which
came HURTING through the air with a
scroech like cross between rebel
Z yeIl and a So pension, but you get
used no both iu time soon We were
ordered across the road and formed iu
I line of battle, shrmishers to the fsost
aud ! was one of them We came Go
a cotton Geld which we had 60 cross.
and there We found the aforesaid clay.
I We wadcd In end each step added to
our lanto3 possessions. At first g
was only toiCwbly easy eoins and we
sped along with little interfering. hut
as our Shoes took ON more clay Nc be-
l gan 20 have more the walk of a goose
/ Ne necessarily walked Wide and man
aged To set through the Geld an right
Every man brought his breastworks
\ on his feet We just ,ay down with
I our fee TO tlle front. and there we
{ were With our bayonois We punched
I portfolios through the clay 90 serve as
I points &C observation. which was nog
Z long. as the lohnnies became So in.
Z sistent that we united our shoes and
& deliberately walked out OF our breast.
works and chased the Johunies down
the hin to the creek ia front ol Ia.
yergno That WAS gbe limit for that
day. aud that niEht J was one of the
/ picket guards and am the one TIA,
/ persuaded the hig iohnnie 60 give mg
bis gym n was a dandy iu appear
apoo. silver mounted uae li was his
individual property, but cussin' did no
T good d VAS a lost gun. shoula
Y liko 10 know Il he Is alive. and BITS
ha5no. 70 deabs some of his compan
ions viii SEE this and q will explain
that he did noi desert bai was plated
on picket h6ieecn nlc end nur reserve
/ baine iho outside lofi of our line and
~ u he rleht ~ Chicara Inter ocean