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affecting manner to his Chaplain, who was with him to the last moment, he said, "Tell my mother I love her. Tell her I feel I have a God and Father in heaven. Tell her I trust fully in my Lord Jesus Christ." These were the last words he uttered.

Courtesies of Picket Life.

and he broke out: "Well, I like the` looks of things here. I believe I won't go back." And he didn't.

Raw Recruits on Camp-Guard. It happens to the new recruit that, sooner or later, he has to be posted on camp guard for the first time, and this was the lot of our "intelligent" friend who

When our army was in the Chickahom-figures below. Rebel cavalry was known iny swamps, before Richmond, just at the to be in the vicinity of the Federals, and breakfast hour, when the aroma of good as there were expectations of an attack,

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coffee is doubly delicious, our pickets were the new recruit placed on guard was inaccosted by a voice from the rebel side, only a few rods distant, with-" Hallo, there!" "Hallo yourself!" "What you doing over there?" Making some coffee. Have some?" "Will you let me come over?" "Yes." "Will you let me come back?" "Yes." "Honor bright?" "Yes." And over he came. His coffee drank, he smacked his lips, and said: "Well, that's very nice. We don't get any of that on our side;" then casting his eyes around, scrutinizing the neat appearance of our men, he continued: "Well, you look very comfortable. All of you live so?" "Yes." A few moments more of silence,

structed, if there was any firing on the picket line, to report it instantly. In the course of the evening he observed a fire in the direction of the pickets, which the "reserve" had built for their personal comfort. Supposing this to be the very thing he was cautioned about, 'Raw' dropped his gun and started through camp yelling at the top of his voice, "Fire on the pickets! fire on the pickets!" Thus summoned, every man was in line in a twinkling, breathlessly awaiting the expected foe. But when the cause of alarm was explained, the yells and shouts that greeted our new soldier can only be understood by

those who have heard a battalion of sol- arms with undying renown. General diers cheer.

Howard's corps was selected by Grant to open communications by the east side of the Tennessee river with General Sherman. Learning that General Sherman's position was not over two miles and a half distant, General Howard sent one of his staff on the dangerous mission of finding General Sherman alone. The skirmishers were thrown forward until the line became dangerously extended, and none of Gen

Jeff. Davis's Trap for Grant. On the 6th of November, 1863, one of the rebel journals in Richmond said that "whether General Grant intends to advance or is preparing to retreat from Chattanooga, he must be defeated either on the south side of the Tennessee or on his retreat to Nashville." General Grant had, however, no inten-eral Sherman's troops were found. The tion of retreating.

About this time the rebel President paid a visit to Bragg's army, to ascertain the true condition of affairs, and it is reported that the following scene occurred on the summit of Lookout Mountain :

Looking down one bright day from the lofty eminence commanding a clear view into four States, and a very distant view into a fifth, Davis saw Grant's army almost beneath his feet; across the valley, working like beavers on their fortifications:

"I have them now," said he, "in just the trap I set for them."

To which Lieutenant-General Pemberton, who was sitting on horseback beside him, replied:

staff officer departed on his mission of danger; but by keeping close to the river succeeded in crossing and re-crossing the gap without being captured. General Howard, on receiving his report, ordered the division to push further to the left, and started out to seek General Sherman. They soon met. Sherman, on the north end of the bridge, dressed loosely, with a worn overcoat thrown around him, was directing the completion of the bridge: and, as soon as the boat was put in, sprang over and shook the hand of the princely Howard. It was exactly at noon.

In about an hour after the meeting of Howard and Sherman, the latter gave his orders to prepare for an attack. The "Mr. Davis, you are Commander-in- drizzly rain began to fall, and the object Chief, and you are here. You think the of the assault was soon hid from view. enemy are in a trap, and can be captured General Sherman stood on a prominent hill by vigorous assault. I have been blamed to the left of the pontoon bridge, and havfor not having ordered a general attack ing succeeded, with the aid of two orderon the enemy when they were drawing lies, and in despite of the rain, in lighting around me their lines of circumvallation a cigar, stood puffing away at one end, at Vicksburg. Do you now order an at- chewing at the other, and observing all tack on those troops down there below us, that could be seen in the country before and I will set you my life that not one Around him were gathered at this man of the attacking column Generals Frank Blair, Morgan L. will ever come back across that valley, Smith, Ewing, John W. Corse, and Howexcept as a prisoner." ard. The troops of the several divisions were encamped just in front of him, while on the left and rear Davis's artillery was thundering over the bridge.

him.

time

Sherman's Courage before the Enemy. The advance of General Grant's army before Chattanooga commenced Nov. 23d, In a very quiet tone Sherman gave his 1863. It involved one of the hardest orders to form for the assault, remarking fought and most protracted struggles of that the enemy was reported heavy on his the war, and one which crowned the Union front. The formation as ordered, was

echelon on the left, General Morgan L. soldiers found an inconceivable amount of Smiths division being the left, John E. fun in it.

Smith the centre, and Ewing the right. Early in the morning the town was The left was to keep well toward the alive with the merry shouts of Uncle Chicamauga Creek, Sherman remarking: Samuel's blue coats, engaged in the exhil"I want you to keep up the formation, four hundred yards distance, until you get to the foot of the hill."

arating pastime of snow-balling. Gradually the fun assumed immense proportions. The fight waxed hot and furious; and

"And shall we keep it after that?" whole regiments were ranged in battle arasked Ewing.

"You may go up the hill," answered Sherman, "if you like, and can."

General Davis having got into position, and the troops having been arranged as ordered, General Sherman gave the orders to move to the assault. They were couched in calm, laconic, unpretentious terms, as follows:

ray, opposed in friendly combat. Officers and men partook of the sport; breastworks were formed of the snow, and the boys, led on by their officers, threw out their skirmishers, formed the flanking parties, and opened the fight. The battle, though a sham one, was most exciting.

One regiment had formed behind breastworks, had thrown out its pickets, and

"I see Davis is up. I guess you may was all ready, awaiting the attack of its as well go on, and take the hill." opponents. Each of the gallant lads was

In a few moments after, the three col- armed with a ball in each hand, and sevumns were moving. eral lying ready at his feet. Soon another But it was not destined that Tuesday body was seen to come over the top of a should witness the great conflict for those hill in front of the fort, with skirmishers hills. The doings of that day were more thrown out, and in a few minutes the of a preliminary than a decisive cast, the skirmishers of the advancing party were latter being reserved for the succeeding engaged with the pickets of the army in day's history. The sequel of the fight- the front. the next morning's handsome epilogue to when the the night's drama-is well known; its forced, the laurels are yet fresh and green. Sherman carried the end of Missionary Ridge, and the troops from Lookout Valley carried the point of the mountain.

Battle with Snow Balls at Chattanooga.

They fought for some minutes, skirmishers being heavily reinpickets retired to the interior of the fort, and prepared with the main body for the siege. It was not long delayed, for the besiegers advanced actually to the fort, and with a yell rushed up to the very mouth of the embrasures. Then the fight commenced in earnest. For a On the 22d of March, while our army time the boys in the fort had the best of was at Chattanooga, the earth was covered it, for they had a good supply of ammuniwith a beautiful sheet of snow, measuring tion on hand; but soon this was exhaustone foot deep on a level. Such a thing ed, and the army inside had to manufacwas never known before, at such a time ture their hand grenades of the same of year, and the residents there, including as those on the outside. The besiegers that inevitable "oldest inhabitant," all climbed up the fort walls, making shot of agreed that such a thing was never known the walls as they went, and such funbefore at the season—indeed, no such depth such a scene for a few minutes! It ended of snow, at any part of the year, in that in the attacking party being driven off. region of the "sunny South," had been The battle was gone through with a known for twenty-three years past. The second time, and on the third trial the be

snow,

siegers were more successful, for, detach- with forty pounds of percussion caps, being a party from the main body, and wind- sides his blanket and crutches. He had ing them around the rear of the fort, they no use of his broken leg, and could not awaited patiently for the signal of the walk a step without a crutch; and in flanking party. The signal was not long mounting his horse, he had to lift it over in coming, and the two parties attacking the saddle with his right hand. All this, the fort simultaneously from front and however, he accomplished with much dexrear, compelled the garrison to surrender. terity and without assistance. The surrender was done in good military style, the victors allowing them to evacuate with all the honors of war, and fists and necks and ears full of snow to boot.

Splendid Service in a Bad Cause.

Lamar Fontain proved himself one of the most daring of the many brave rebels in the Southwest, and his name will long be remembered with satisfaction by those whom he served so well in a bad cause.

One of the most hazardous feats under

taken by Fontain was that by order of General Johnston-to bear a verbal dispatch to General Pemberton, in Vicksburg, and to carry a supply of percussion caps to the rebel troops in that besieged

Gen. A. Sidney Johnston.

He crossed Big Black River that night, and the next day got between the Federal lines and the division of their army, which was at Mechanicsburg. He hid his horse in a ravine, and ensconced himself in a fallen tree, overlooking the road, during the day. From his hiding place, he witnessed the retreat of the Yankees, who passed him in considerable haste and con

fusion.

After their columns had gone by, and the night had made it safe for him to move, he continued his route in the direction of Snyder's Bluff. As he entered the telegraphic road from Yazoo City to Vicksburg, he was hailed by a picket, but dashed by him. A volley was fired at him by the Yankees, but he escaped unhurt, though a minie ball wounded his horse mortally-not, however, until the spirited animal had carried him safely to the bank of the Yazoo river, where he died, and left his rider afoot. He lost one of his crutches in making his escape, it being jerked from him by the limb of a tree, and he had no time to pick it up.

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With the assistance of one crutch, he carried his baggage, and groped along the Yazoo, until he providentially discovered a small log canoe, tied by a rope, within his reach. He pressed this into his service, and paddled down the river until he city. It was an enterprise of great peril, met three Yankee gunboats coming up to for Vicksburg was closely invested on all Yazoo City. These he avoided by runsides. The Federal lines of circumvalla- ning under some willows overhanging the tion extended from Snyder's Bluff, on the water, and lying concealed until they passYazoo, to Warrenton, on the Mississippi, ed. Soon after he floated past Snyder's and the rivers and their opposite shores Bluff, which was illuminated, and alive were filled and lined with their forces. with amusement on the part of the YanHe was well mounted, and was burdened kees. He lay flat in his canoe, and could

hardly be distinguished from a piece of choice of them, and he mounted the colt, drift wood-and thus he glided safely but soon found that he traveled badly. through the gunboats and barges of his foes. Before day, he reached the backwater of the Mississippi, and in the darkness missed the outlet of the Yazoo, and got into what is called "Old River."

colt.

Unexpectedly he came upon a very fine horse in the bottom, tied by a blind-bridle, without a saddle. As a basket and old bag were lying near him, he inferred that a negro had left him there, and that a After searching in vain for a pass into Yankee camp was not far distant. He the Mississippi, day dawned, and he dis- exchanged bridles, and saddled the horse, covered his mistake. He was forced to and mounted him, after turning loose the conceal his boat and himself, and lie by for another day. He had been two days After riding so as to avoid the supposed and nights without food, and began to suf- position of the Yankees, he encountered fer the pangs of hunger. At night he one of them, who was returning from a paddled back into the Yazoo, and descend- successful plundering expedition, being ed it to the Mississippi, passing forty or loaded with chickens, and a bucket of fifty of the Federal transports. Only one honey. He commenced catechizing Fonman hailed him from the stern of a steam- tain, who shot him dead by a pistol-bullet boat, and asked him where he was going. through his forehead. He replied that he was going to his fishing Fontain approached with caution the lines. In the bend, above Vicksburg, he next settlement, where he hired a guide floated by the mortar-fleet, lying flat in for fifty dollars, to pilot him to Hankerhis canoe. The mortars were in full blast, son's Ferry, on Big Black River, which bombarding the city. The next morning he wished to reach near that point, withhe tied a white handkerchief to his paddle, out following any road. The fellow he raised himself up, in the midst of the rebel hired proved to be a traitor. When he picket-boats at Vicksburg, and gave a got near the ferry, Fontain sent him loud huzza for Jeff. Davis and the South- ahead, to ascertain whether any Yankees ern Confederacy, amid the vivas of the were in the vicinity. The conversation rebel sailors, who gave him a joyful re- and manners of the man had excited his ception, and assisted him to General Pem- suspicions, and as soon as he left him he berton's head-quarters. concealed himself, but remained where he could watch his return. The man was gone much longer than Fontain expected; but returned, and reported that the way was open and that no Yankees were near the ferry.

Having rested a day and a night in the city, he started forth with a dispatch from General Pemberton to General Johnston. He embarked in his same canoe, and soon reached the Union fleet below the city. He avoided their picket-boats on both After paying him, Fontain took the preshores, and floated near their gunboats. caution to avoid the ferry, and to approach He passed so near one of these, that the river above it, instead of following the through an open port-hole he could see guide's directions. By this he flanked a men playing cards and hear them converse. force of the Yankees posted to intercept At Diamond Place he landed, and bade him; but as he entered the road near the adieu to his faithful "dugout." After river bank, one of them, who seemed to hobbling through the bottom to the hills, be on the right flank of a long line of senhe reached the residence of a man who tinels, suddenly rose up within ten feet of had been robbed of all his mules and him, and ordered him to halt. horses, except an old, worthless gelding, He replied with a pistol shot, which and a half-broken colt. He gave him the killed the sentinel dead, and, wheeling his

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