The Washington herald., 1914-12-13

made from the ties and bent into fan.
temperament bent the rails into the
form Of maltese cross, the badge oi
the Fifth Corps.
The work of destruction was con.
tinued well into the night and was re.
sumed at dawn the following morning
By the night OF December 3 the railroad
was a total wreck as far as the Meher.
rim River, every bridge and culvert on
the line having been destroyed.
1t was observed that the Confederates
had several strong defensive works near
Hicksford, on the south bank OF the Me-
herrin, and only ten miles north OF the
Carolina border. Therefore Gen. Warren
did not feel justified in attempting to
force a passage Of the river. He had
complied with orders, having destroyed
about eighteen miles OF track, and now
prepared to return to the Federal camps
The clear weather Of the preceding two
days suddenly ended. At o'clock in the
evening Of December a fierce storm
Of sleet began, and continued through
the night. Men and animals suffered
terribly from the cold. Fires were diff
ficult to keep going and sleep was i'm
possible.
Morning found the army in motion
over most horrible roads. The country
was cloaked in a shining garment of ice.
though the sleet had turned TO a heavy
disagreeable mist and the roads to
mires.
The disagreeable weather led the men
to partake freely Of apple-jack and peach
brandy, supplies of which were found in
almost every hous in the country side.
Gen. Warren, in his official report. re-
marked upon the quantity OF the stun
that was brought to light,
On the way out to Petersburg pri-
Vate property was generally respected
by the Federals. in many instances safe
guards being placed to see that strag-
glers did no damage. On the return
journey 1t was found that some of the
men, getting drunk, had fallen into the
hands OF bushwackers and had been
murdered.
The stories of the finding of the vic
tins OF, the Confederate guerillas spread
rapidly throughout the army, and al
most Immediately reprisals began. In
spite OF the efforts of officers every
house and barn along the route was
burned, private stores were riied, cattle
and horses run on, and the whole coun-
try laid waste.
"Details of these acts OF reprisals will
be given December H.
On December 10 the rain ard hail
stopped, but were followed by bitter
cold. The ground hardened in the night
and walking was difficult. Many Of the
men were without shoes or foot ban
dages, and were forced TO walk bare
footed over the rough, frozen roads.
Bloody tracks marked the way OF the
sufferers
Now the men who had thrown away
their great coats on the outward
march learned to regret their thought-
lessness The bitter winter wind cut
them to the skin. and caused intense
suffering. At night the familiar ex-
pedient OF sleeping tor attempting to
sleep side by side in ranks was re-
sorted TO. but 1t was so cold that even
those who gained the favored inside
places shivered the night long.
On the 10th the column reached the
Nottaway River at Freeman's ford,
where junction was formed with a de-
tachment OF the Ninth Corps 1nder Gen.
Robert B, Potter, which had been sent
down by Grant 20 carry provisions to
the returning force. Then, when two
pontoon bridges had been laid, warren's
men crossed and moved back to the Pc
tersburg lines.
AS the engineers were removing khe
the rear guard. the first OF q. body Of
the tanks and rear OF the Federals dur
ing the expedition. rode down to the
south banks OF the stream. Waving his
hand 10 the foe. he shouted. "Goodby-
boys, sorry to have missed you.2