The fall of Vicksburg ended the Mississippi Campaign, and our troops
were ordered to join the Army of Tennessee. All had left with the
exception of the Mississippi Regiment and our battery who were awaiting
transportation. Our commissary had also gone ahead of us and so we were
left to "root hog or die." We had to eat once in awhile any how. Quinton
Dudley and myself took a stroll to the commissary of the Mississippi
Regiment. I learned that his name was Coleman. Passing through the
building which was an old wooden railroad warehouse about a hundred feet
long and forty wide, Quinton picked up a piece of rock salt from a large
pile. Captain Coleman saw him put something in his haversack. In a brisk
manner, said, "What is that you have taken?" He showed him a piece of
salt the size of a hen egg. "Put it back," he hollowed at him. Quinton
threw it back on the pile very much humiliated. On our leaving the
building, I spied on the platform at the other end of the warehouse a
large hogshead full of smoked meat of all descriptions, there were
sides, shoulders and hams. They looked very enticing for hungry men like
we were. We went to camp and reported how that Captain had caught
Quinton who was very timid and did not like to be caught in the act.
Others felt different about such. We were entitled to a living while in
the field on duty. Some suggested that we go and charge the commissary
and get some rations. I said, "That would bring on some trouble. Maybe
we might get some of that meat by strategy," so we planned that W. N.
Harmon should take ten men around and about the warehouse, while I would
engage the Captain in conversation, during which time Harmon and his men
would help themselves to rations. I awaited an opportune moment when
Captain Coleman was at the other end of the building from where the
hogshead of meat stood. Entering by that end, I walked squarely up to
the Captain, extending my hand. "How do you do, Captain Coleman? I'm
very glad to meet you, it is an unexpected pleasure. How long since you
have heard from home?" He looked at me in surprise, holding onto my
hand. I heard some meat drop on the ground. I knew the meat was flying
campwards. "Well," said Capt. Coleman, "you have the advantage of me."
"Don't you know me?" says I? He replied, "Well, your face is familiar to
me, but I can't place you. Are you not from Emanuel county, Georgia?"
"No, but I have some kinfolks in Georgia with my name." "Well, then I am
mistaken and beg your pardon." "We have a lake on the Ogeechee River
called Coleman's Lake. I went there often for fishing, and was sure you
were one of the Colemans that lived there when at home. You favor them
very much." "Well, said he, they may be some kin to me." By that time,
between thirty and forty pieces of meat had changed hands. The next
morning transportation came, and we loaded the cars which carried us to
the Tennessee Army, then under the command of General Bragg, who was
then retreating, leaving Tennessee to the tender care of the Federals,
under command of General Rosencrantz. Our forces took a stand around and
about Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga. We struck camp some distance
from the main forces after unloading the train and watering and feeding
the horses. The boys took a swim in the river, a luxury not realized for
many days past. I was detailed to cut underbrush in the woods to assist
stretching ropes to corral our horses. I was not quite as green in
handling an axe by this time as I was in Virginia, when I was detailed
to cut wood for the blacksmith shop. I was again taken sick with risings
in my ear. I suffered as only those who ever suffered with such
affliction knew how to extend their sympathy. The pains were simply
excruciating and threw me into hot fever. We were ordered to strike
camps. We marched that forenoon until eleven o'clock. The sun was
shining in full force. I could no longer keep up. I stopped by the
roadside and lay down, waiting for the Company's baggage wagon to come
along. Lorenzo Stephens was the driver. After awhile he appeared on
foot. One of the rear axles of his wagon having broken, he therefore
hurried forward to get some assistance. In the meantime, the ambulance
came along in charge of the Company surgeon. He had me picked up and
placed in it. He said I had high fever and gave me some medicine, and as
we passed the station of a railroad, the name of which I did not know, I
was put on the train with others and sent to the Atlanta Hospital, in
charge of Dr. Paul Eve, of Augusta, Dr. Rosser being in charge of my
ward. I was suffering terribly, both of my ears were discharging
corruption. Through suffering and hardship, my general health was giving
away. I needed rest and time to recuperate. Medicines were hard to get,
and I was slow in recovering my strength. One day Dr. Rosser asked me if
I would like to have a furlough. He thought it would help me. I said,
"Yes, the best in the world, as soon as I can gain a little strength,"
so he and Dr. Eve came to my cot the following morning, and after
examining my condition, departed. Dr. Rosser came again in the afternoon
and handed me a thirty days furlough. I was very grateful to him. He was
a perfect gentleman, hard working and sympathetic. I came home to my
foster mother, Mrs. Jas. L. Braswell, under whose care I soon gained
strength.
[Illustration: "Madam, have you spilled your vegetables?" I enquired.]