The march across from Corinth to Memphis would have been exceedingly enjoyable had it not been for the heat. Field officers are always mounted, and are sometimes utterly incapable of doing justice to infantry when marching in the heat. As we were nearing La Grange the day was very hot and men began to faint in the road till it was alarming. When the army wagons came by these men climbed into them, and their number increased till it became a burden. I think complaint was made to General Sherman, and, coming up, he ordered them out in strong terms. A man of Co. K, of my regiment, had marched till he fainted, and was now totally unable to walk, and as so outraged he deserted and was not heard from again. He was a first-class soldier and a sterling man. It seems impossible in this world for all to get justice. There were men who ought to have been thus ordered, but who could distinguish? One boy of earthy parents, in New York, died that day and we buried him late in the night in a field, marking his grave with his name, company and regiment. He was a beautiful boy and it was a painful service, but Jesus has His eye on his dust and it will come up in the morning!
Camping at La Grange for a time, we found it a delightful region, though we still had sufferers who needed much attention. Now in the interior and at a distance from our base of supplies, it was difficult to secure any special comforts for the sick, so I proposed that we go out of the lines in search of provisions. I had an excellent revolver, but left it in camp, and we started unarmed. When we came to our picket line the boys warned us of danger, but the Captain said he would give us three men as a guard. One of the boys proposed to lend me his revolver, which was very small and in a stiff leather case. I was mounted and led the way, and being in advance, I saw a man leave the mansion to which we were going on horseback. He avoided me, but headed for a woodland east of us. The old planter declared they had nothing with which to help our sick, but said the gentleman living east of him probably had. The house was east and south, and I led the ambulance around the lane, but the doctor went across, striking the lane running south, at a cooper shop. Dr. Smith was a great talker, and when he met the cooper he set his talking machine running. The ambulance stopped as it came up, but I rode on. When within about fifty yards of the timber, a man on horseback came suddenly into the road out of the brush facing me, and I saw a carbine by his side. I knew my borrowed revolver was not reliable and turned my horse up to a rose bush, as though to browse him, at the same time dismounting with a pretense of fixing my saddle. Keeping the horse between me and the gentleman, and my eye upon him steadily, unbuttoned the leather case which held my gun, so in case of emergency I could do the best in my power but wished for my own revolver. I feared to turn my back to the rebel, lest he should shoot, and all the time hoped to attract the attention of our guard but the doctor's supply of gas had not yet been exhausted. I also saw the man with the carbine look behind him into the woods, as though there might be a troop secreted there. He also repeated twice: "Why don't you come on?" At last I turned quickly and with a harsh, strong voice called to the doctor, telling him it was very hot. The moment I turned the man leveled his carbine,
fired and retreated. I rushed to the road, working for dear life to get my field piece out of its strong leather sheath, but the hot sun had so shrunk the leather that I had only gotten it released when there came a bullet over my head from one of the guards, and as I expected two others to follow it, being between the guard and the rebel, I sprang back out of range as the rebel ran, but the doctor was frightened and forbade the other two to shoot. I was so full of war that for weeks I regretted I did not send six balls after him with my popgun. The doctor's gas was now exhausted, and leaping into the ambulance he ordered a rapid retreat, and the mules did their best to get away from danger, leaving me alone in the presence of a hidden foe. Having some regard for my own welfare, I mounted and brought up the rear. It was afterwards learned that he was an experienced rebel scout, and it was marvelous he did not hit me.
When the army came into La Grange, the boys took two hundred thousand dollars of Confederate money from the bank. Our coming robbed the notes of any value whatever, but they could be used in exchange for commodities with the "Secesh." We were weary lying around, and I said to five boys: "Let us go out into the country and see if we can get a good dinner." We reached a nice looking mansion, and the lady of the house met us at the door. Her husband was in the Confederate army, as most of the men were. I said: "Lady could you furnish us some dinner to day?" She said she had nothing but some corn bread and buttermilk. When we had eaten to the full, I took fifty cents of Government scrip, which was then equal to gold, and gave it to her, expecting these larks would follow my example, which they did, but one of them was a little slow and waited till the rest had paid. He then said: "Madam, can you give me change for a five dollar note on the La Grange Bank?"
She began to hand him our currency in exchange. It seemed too bad, and I said excitedly, "Now, my dear woman, that boy is cheating you. The currency we have given you is as good as gold, and that La Grange bill is not worth the paper it is printed on." But she responded: "I guess I know about our own money." I added: "You will find what I have said is true." But she gave him four dollars and a half of good money and that dinner for nothing. When we got by ourselves I handled him without gloves, but he insisted that she was too smart; that she needed her eye teeth cut, and so he cut them.
We reached Memphis July 21st and remained there in camp, excepting a few sallies made upon the enemy, till Nov. 26, 1862. This stay for rest, and drill, greatly increased the health of the soldiers.
My wife and our two little boys made us a visit, and remained in camp till our departure for Vicksburg. It was enchanting to get this taste of home life again. More of the common comforts of life were enjoyed here by the men than, perhaps, at any other point during the war. Both citizens, and soldiers of the South, were largely cut off from coffee, and other luxuries, which made them glad to exchange sweet potatoes and other vegetables for them. Then such things were gotten by other means as well. We suddenly received marching orders one Saturday, and Monday morning we left for the Tallahatchie River. Price, and Van Dorn were there, with two Confederate armies, and Grant had planned to land a body of troops on the Mississippi side below Tallahatchie, who should march eastward to cut off rebel retreat, while Sherman, coming from the north, would attack and drive them into the mouth of the lion. The plan was complete for the capture of both armies of the enemy, and his force fully adequate to execute it. The strictest orders now prevailed at Memphis, that nobody pass our lines, but a Southern Methodist preacher went on horseback from our brigade headquarters on Sunday about noon, with orders to picket commanders to let him pass. We left Memphis Monday morning for Tallahatchie, but that gentleman had left for Tallahatchie the day before, and nearly two
days before our arrival he had arrived! We expected the capture of the bird in a trap, but the bird had flown.
The marching was very rapid for the last seven miles, and the road slippery. In Co. A, of my regiment there was a short-legged little fellow, who walked like a goose. He seemed never to have known the meaning of fear, and by will force he had always kept up till he was badly weakened with sickness. Then, each day, he was compelled to fall behind, and was abused by the rear guard, who considered him a nuisance, and purposely left him behind that he might be captured; but in the morning he was always found in his place, and would bravely keep it till his strength would fail. He carried nearly twice the burden of other soldiers, and insisted on so doing. When about seven miles from our expected field of battle, I looked to the left and found we were passing this weary little mortal, and, thinking of the abuse he would receive, and knowing his soldierly qualities, I turned out quickly and ordered him to throw down his arms, and knapsack, and mount my horse, and I would take his place in the ranks. I dreaded his load but feared the horse would throw him if he carried it.
Marching seven miles at quickstep, I was in a foam of sweat, and the enemy having fled, we were halted. and stood in a strong wind for many minutes. While standing, a pain struck me under the right shoulder blade which was the first touch of rheumatism I had ever felt. Forty years have gone, and it has been my companion to this day. That little, short-legged mortal never knew how much he cost me.
PENTECOSTAL POSSIBILITIES or
STORY OF MY LIFE By Milton Lorenzo (M. L.) Haney
CHAPTER 35