Putnam patriot., 1911-08-18

When we had found our places, we lay down among the little hummocks that covered that part of the field. The cor don of sentinels drew closer around Us, a bugle sounded Lights out" and the thousand and half prostrated forms set tied down to get what comfort they could from the situation. As most of the prisoners were thinly clad, and the nights in that climate were damp and chilly, it was hard to get much sleep.
 About dawn those not already awake were brought to their senses by the rebel drum corps supposed to be beating the revelle The orderly sergeants stepped around among the captiyes, shouting
 Turn out, you Tanks Fall in lively thar !"
 Long before sunrise the column was in motion, and marched steadily till about seven o'clock, when it turned into the fields Going about a quarter of mile we halted in a beautiful grove. l through which ran a small stream of clear cold water Soon the banks were lined with prisoners and guards making their morning toilets A small ration of bacon and hardtack had been issued be- fore we left Winchester Making fires with little dry sticks which were scat tered about, we cooked the bacon and ate breakfast After resting here an | hour or so the column was formed, and, moving out into the road again, settled down to the long, hot days work.
 Before lis lay succession of low un- dulatons crossing the road at right angles, from half to two or three miles apart The broad. white mac adamized turnpike could be seen, rising and falling over these hills. a long dis tance ahead. On the right. ten miles away, arose the outline of the Blue Ridge Mountains. the ruggedness of their sides concealed by a blue haze that i lent enchantment 10 the view The sky Was deep blue; a cool breeze was blow ! ing; all nature looked fresh and bright. and the prisoners started off in good spirits, laughing and talking But. as the sun mounted higher the breeze fell away. The many trampling feet stirred up the white lime dust. which overhung the column in choking cloud Pangs of thirst began to torment The steady. i monotonous tramp was held hour after hour Past pleasant farm houses. through shady groves. where the cool shadows were so inviting, over the clear brooks, where there would be a short. struggling halt for water. forward the Blue and the Gray pressed on together. One short halt in the forenoon. a half hour at noon. another short rest in the afternoon, were the only breaks in the steady onward movement. At the noon halt the store of rations was consumed
 Occasionally We would meet old-fash- toned stage coaches filled with rebel of- heers and soldiers going home on fur | loughs. Most of them were wounded At other times squad of cavalry would appear, and, riding along on the Hanks, have a good-natured talk and ex- change of badinage with the Yankees Farmers and their laborers in distant helds would leave their work and hasten to the roadside to see the passing show. Early in the afternoon we met a bat tery of six twelye-pounder guns on their way to join Lees army This battery was a brand new outfit, fresh from a blockade runner. Everything, except ing the horses and men, was furnished by the British Government. The highly polished cannon, mounted upon elegant carriages, the fine horses in russet har- ! ness. the men n neat gray uniforms made the best appearance of anything We had yet seen stamped with the (. s. EA. brand,
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