The Falls City tribune., 1909-12-17

would so out at about Il O'clock At
night, taking ratfons. water and am
munltion to last them twenty.foul
hours, and they would stay until re
lieyed the next night.
At the battle of Peach Tree Creek
on July %. 1864, about noon, his
regiment drew up along the bank Of
the creek and stacked their arms,
only Il little ways off the skirmishers
were engaged and the firing sharp.
1t was an awful hot day. tmany of the
soldiers being sunstruek). The cool
water of the creek looked so inviting,
many of the regiment pulled off their
clothing and tumbled into the creek,
and we're having a good time when
the skirmishers from the east came
running through the corn field yelling
that the rebels we're coming, the
bullets all the while tearing through
the corn. Their officers got the men
out of the creek and into-line, many
of those in swimming not having time
to get ON all their clothing before
they had to grab their guns, and by
the time they were in line the reb-
els we're coming out of the corn field
on the hill. His regiment in line OF
battle forded the creek and started
up the hill to meet them, as they
were advancing three or four lines
deep.
They returned the rebel fire with
their Spencers, which vas severe
enough to split the rebel lines, who
surged to the right and left of them.
The rebels were held back by other
troops on their left, but those on their
right ave way and fell back three
fourths of a mile. His colonel was
urged to get out Of there as they
were liable to be surrounded and
taken prisoners. Instead, however,
they turned their fire to the right and
held their position, the rebels final
ly being driven back, the battle last
ing all the afternoon.
They had nothing to eat since early
morning, and nothing to eat at night,
and were very tired. The ground was
covered with rebel dead and wound
ed, he laid there all night among them
Beside him lay a wounded rebel who
often called for help. He tied up
his bandages and did what he could
for him, but in the morning he was
dead.
Settled down in this neighherhood
for a seige of Atlanta, being IN the
rifle pits or entertainments day and
night for over a month. Every third
day he would be on the skirmish
line in the rifle pits, and then for
two days he would be back in the
main trenches, being under artillery
and musketry fire all the time.
From here his regiment was sent
back eight or ten miles to the Chata-
hoochee River, where they went into
camp, until Sherman thanked the reb-
els out of Atlanta.
On September I'd marched through
Atlanta and camped outside of the
city, his regiment guarding the rail
road. They broke camp about 10
o'clock one morning in November
and started on the memorable march
to the sea. His regiment moving at
a snails pace, owing to the slow
movements Of an immense wagon
train they were guarding. They
marched all that day and night, with
out hating for supper. In the morn
ing they made a short halt for break
fast, resuming the march as soon as
the meal was finished. Marched UNI
til night, when tired, sleepy and hun
CRY they went into camp. Marched
through "a good country where
forage was plenty, fresh pork, chick
ems, mutton, m~olasses. honey, sweet
potatoes We're brought into camp i'll
abundance; one company driving into
camp about thirty head of cattle
they had picked up during the days
march.
Usually the line of march was in
Dictated by the smoke of burning
buildings and cotton, only a few pri-
yate residences were destroyed how
ever, as they dealt mildly with the
citizens.
The darkies were oyerjoyed to see
them and followed the army in large
numbers, showing their joy by sing
ing and dancing.
On November %, his regiment vas
in the advance and they had the
choice Of chickens and other forage
along the roadside, and at night
when they camped almost every sol
der was loaded with something good
to eat. A flock Of sheep was discoy-
cree close to where they We're going