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muddy and rocky, so that it seemed impossible for a wagon to pass over it. And sure enough, after selecting camp five miles beyond Tantallon (Camp Barry), we waited until after five o'clock, when we learned that our wagon was stuck on the mountain, and Lieut. Col. Olson went back to bring it on. Headquarters were thus without tents, blankets or food. This state of things lasted two days, until the wagon was brought forward. Those two nights of trying to fight the cold and wet and catch some sleep, will not soon be forgotten. For food, they were made welcome to the rations of the men, who thought that in this matter—as well as the veteran bounties-they had the advantage of the officers. Our next halt was Camp Sherman, at Stevenson, where we remained all day Sunday, expecting every hour to start for Chattanooga. Night came and no train, but a terrible rain storm instead. A number of officers found shelter at the Home. Next morning we took an early start-the men riding on the top of the cars, in a heavy rain-and arrived in Chattanooga about noon. Here we remained several days, waiting for transportation, and had a fine opportunity to visit Mission Ridge—with Col. Miller and others to recognize all the localities.

On Friday, the 8th, three companies found accommodations, and went on to Loudon. Next day three more followed, the rest being left in charge of Capt. Biddulph. At Loudon we found the brigade, and the non-veterans who were with the 88th. They had been enjoying a good rest there for some weeks, and abundance of rations. This was very different from what they had at first. Thumb, of Company D, says: "My mess-mate and myself took an inventory of our stock of provisions and fuel this morning after breakfast, and found them to consist of the following named articles for one day's rations for two men: half a pound of beef (half of it bone), one pint of cornmeal, two dozen small

NUTRITIOUS BILL OF FARE.

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white beans, and a tablespoonful of salt. Our wood consisted of half a rail, and two small sticks of wood; so the first thing to be done was to cut and carry some wood (distance to wood half a mile), which took us till noon; the next, to find how to cook our rations so as to make three meals. After an hour's hard study, we concluded to boil the beans and beef and make some soup. After boiling two and a-half hours, found we had two pints of bean soup of about the strength of water-a hearty meal for two stout, hungry men. We had meal to bake into griddle cakes for supper, and then go hungry until we could get some This is a soldier's fare; who would not be a soldier? The cattle-guards went over to Division Headquarters for some beef cattle to-day, and they had to leave three head on the road, for they were so poor they could not walk; several more of them lay down as soon as they were turned into the yard, and could not be made to get up. It is only two miles to Division Headquarters. We drew beef this evening for one day, and fresh pork for another. The beef is so poor they had to give us some pork to cook with it to keep it from sticking to the pan."

more.

After reaching Loudon, however, they had good and abundant rations. Their journals were full of complainings about being lonesome, and one designates them as "we foundlings." They left the 88th, April 10th, the band playing, "Get out of the Wilderness," and returned to the old 36th playing, "Home Again," which tells the whole story.

The nine companies made camp. On the Sabbath religious services were held, and the Chaplain being furnished with a fine large tent, the evening meetings were resumed, and it was found that many officers and men had returned from home with heartfelt determinations to serve God as well as their country. A Christian Association was formed, to which quite a number

attached themselves. Our library, too, was with us, and the magazines came regularly, so that we were well supplied with reading, and passed the week quite pleasantly.

In the meantime, a detachment under Capt. Biddulph had started for Loudon, but were stopped at Cleveland by order of Gen. Howard, who now commanded the corps. The 36th was camped near his headquarters. On the other side of the town was a division of cavalry assigned to provost and guard duty. Careless and inefficient officers had made the command like themselves, so that they were notoriously negligent as guards, and property committed to them was less safe than if exposed without guard. Great dissatisfaction arose at their lack of discipline, and the lawless habits which the men had contracted. One day the Adjutant General inquired of Capt. Biddulph if he supposed the 36th could perform provost duty without being overriden by the cavalry. "Try them," said Biddulph, and the change was at once made. The detachment moved their quarters to and adjoining the court house, and entered upon their duty. Confusion and outrage quickly gave place to quiet and order. The wild and lawless found that their power was gone, and that for drunkenness and disorderly conduct they were unceremoniously dumped into the guard-house. In conversation with the Adjutant General, one evening, Gen. Harker asserted that he could. run the guard when he pleased, without the countersign. being told that a new order of things had been introduced; that the 36th was now on duty, and that running the guard was "played out," the General adhered to his assertion, and offered to wager a basket of champagne that he could succeed. The wager was taken, and the General sallied out to make the attempt, but was abruptly snubbed by the first guard he encountered, and, when he insisted upon passing, was arrested and conducted to the guard-house-out

On

ATTRACTIONS OF THE VALLEY.

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of which even his stars would not have kept him, had not the Adjutant General made his appearance and effected his release; claiming, no doubt, his basket of champagne. It was some time before the detachment returned to the regiment, but when they did so it was with high compliments upon their efficiency as provost guards.

On Sunday, April 17th, the regiment moved to the south of the river, where we held service, and the next morning started for Cleveland, the headquarters of the corps, arriving there the following Thursday.

It would be difficult to find language too strong in which to describe the attractions of this valley, through which runs the Tennessee & Virginia Railroad. Its beauty of scenery, fertility of soil, salubrity of climate, and its never-to-be-forgotten sparkling, pure water, point it out as a region destined one day to receive and sustain a large population. Its purely stragetic value in the war could not be overrated, and its advantages as a source of supplies, justified the tenacity with which the South clung to its possession and the sullenness with which they gave up the contest for its recapture.

During the winter our commanders had quite extensively to supply the inhabitants with rations, but all along the line of our march from Loudon, fences were being built, and with such horses as were left-if by any figure of speech such frames could be called horses-farmers were putting in their spring "craps." Great care was used by our commanders to protect them in their work, and avoid all unnecessary waste of property.

We remained at Cleveland nearly two weeks, occupied with the usual camp duties, chiefly picketing and drilling. We were reviewed once by our new Corps Commander, Gen. Howard, and made special use of our regimental library. We were encouraged,

too, to increase our usual number of meetings because of the growing interest felt in them. Cleveland also was visited by D. L. Moody, and other members of the Christian Commission, and quite a deep religious interest was manifested, which extended to many members of the 36th. But all signs pointed to an early advance. On Monday, May 2nd, we packed up the library and all extra baggage, to see them no more until they should come forward to us in Atlanta, and on Tuesday, May 3rd, we started out on the Atlanta Campaign.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

[graphic]

DALTON AND RESACA.

OTH North and South were looking with intense interest for the opening of the spring campaign. On our side the most stupendous preparations had been made both East and West. Chief in importance was the re-enlistment of so many old regiments, bearing henceforth, as has been truly said, "the grandest name which the war originated." Next, must be placed the unifying of all army movements, by the appointment of Grant as Lieutenant General, thus making possible the most thorough and wide-reaching co-operation of all the forces. "The Military Division of the Mississippi" was continued, and placed under the command of Gen.

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