On one occasion the wagons mired down in the soft mud
of a field which they were crossing to reach the pike. To
release these loaded wagons, and help them to the firm road,
was an all-night task for the men, and a very disagreeable
task it was. On the march to camp it was found that in
very many places the heavy rains had flooded the pike, and
quite frequently all the command had to wade several rods
in ice-cold water three feet in depth. It was near nighi
when the weary ^ and dispirited troops marched into camp.
They had been absent thirty-six hours, during which time
they had toiled incessantly without sleep. Colonel Scribner
had thoughtfully ordered a ration of commissary whisky for
each man, which was issued as soon as we stacked arms, and
in this case proved to be the kind of medicine needed.
On another occasion, after all the wagons had been loaded
and started for the pike we were attacked by rebel cavalry.
One wagon, which was so firmly fastened to a stump or
tree that it could not be extricated, had to be abandoned.
Seeing this the rebels were emboldened and rode rapidly for-
ward, hoping to capture other wagons. In this they were
disappointed.
The skirmishers of Company G, which had been deployed
as *'flankers," gave them a warm reception, and a volley
from Company H sent them scampering away with one or
two empty saddles.
The column continued its march to camp by the light of
the moon without further molestation.
CHAPTER IV.
CAMP LIFE AND THE TULLAHOMA CAMPAIGN.
"What makes you look so white, so white?" said Files-on -Parade.
"I'm dreadin* what I've got to watch," the Colour-Sergeant said.
