The National Tribune from Washington, District of Columbia • Page 1

-srswr wm IT -5- vV-7-- SS3l5" "TO CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORNE THE BATTLE, AND FOR HIS WIDOW AND ORPHANS." ESTABLISHED 1S77-NEW SERIES. WASHINGTON, D. 0., THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1888. "OL. VH-NO.

33-WHGLI NO. Vt sv A i Jt HOOD Ftew by Hard-Riding Trovers. WREGE3HG -AST ARMY. THeaiaquislied's Endeavors to lrive Off Tiiair Pursuers. A BliOODY HARVEST.

No ReHage from "Yankee Sabers and. Carbines. BY CAPT. TJM6. J.

CAFBK, 0TH IXD. CUT. ATE in the month of November, 1864, a corps of cavalry was organized at Nashville, and the command given to 3L Tv il-son, "who was fresh from the command of a division under that prince of cavalry leaders, Gen. Phil Sheridan. It was composed of four divisions, commanded re spectively by Geos.

Croxton, Hatch, Johnson and Knipe, and was intended to he used by Gen. Thomas, commanding the army at Nashville, in driving Hood's army from the State of Tennessee. Only one brigade of the Seventh Division was present and took part in the campaign. This brigade (the First) was composed of the 9th and 10th 19th 3d aad 4th and 14th Ohio battery, and was commanded by J. E.

Hammond. The men and officers of the different regiments were strangers to each other, aad the ranks of all much reduced in numbers, bat all of them familiar with the work in which they were about to engage. On the 13tii of December, 1864, the cavalry crossed the Cumberland River at Kashville, and encamped near our line of defense on the west side of the town. For a week or more the weather had been intensely cold the mercury down nearly to zero and the whole face of the country covered with ice, but on the 13th it had moderated, so that by the 15th the ground had become soft and muddy. After dark on the 14th orders came te Col.

George TT. Jackson, commanding the 9Ui to see that his men had each three days' raiionF, a hundred rounds of ammunition, and. to be ready to move at daylight. The men understood the significance of this order that the long-expected move against Hood was now to begin, aad tie greater part of the night was spent in preparation. Long before daylight on the 15th the heavy rambling of artillery, the clatter of sabers, aad the steady tramp, tramp, tramp of infantry revealed the fact that Gen.

Thomas was massing his men on the right, and that the real work of CEUSHIXG HOOD'S A.EXY would begin in that quarter. A dense fog had settled over the two armies and obscured their movements, which cleared away about 8 o'clock a. exposing to view our men line ready to move on the Tebel works. Hatch's Division jrf Cavalry was assigned a potation to the right of the Sixteenth Corps of Infantry, under the command of the vet eran Gen. A.

J. Smith the Seventh Division placed still to the right of Hatch, and formed the extreme right flank of that part of our army. The work assigned to Smith's Corps and the two divisions of cavalry was to break through the enemy's left, double up a portion of his lines, aad drive them back upon his center, while the First and Sixth Divisions of Wilson's Corps were to drive his extreme left back toward the river, where it could be assailed by gunboats sent there for that purpose. This movement began about 9 o'clock and was carried out to the letter. When the rebel Kaes were broken our line was formed at right angles with that of the enemy, and in advancing we gradually folded them back toward their center.

The First Brigade being on the extreme right of both South and Hatch, was too far oat to come in contact with any considerable body of rebels on the 15th, notwithstanding we had dozing the day advanced 10 miles in the direction of Franklin. At daylight on the morning of the 16th oar regiment (the 9th Ind.) poshed forward en the HQlsboro pike, and was soon warmly engaged with the enemy, who disputed with us a farther advance in that direction with infantry and artillery, using the latter quite freely. About noon the 14th Ohio battery was sent to oar assistance and the REBELS WKBE DBIYWf FBOJtf THE FIELD. Shortly after this we were ordered to go to the assistance of the remainder of the brigade, which we found engaging the enemy on a high ridge east of the Granny "White pike, on our extreme rigfet and well on to the left Sank of the enemy. Our regiment took position on the right of the brigade.

The ground being unfavorable for the movement of horses, the men were dismounted and moved up the hill on foot "When we arrived at the top, along its summit as far as the eye could see the battle was raging with desperate fury. A brass band, superblyinounted on gray horses, had come up close to the line of battle and was playing Hail Columbia." No time was given us either to look upon the grand spectacle I or to listen, to the music, for CoL Jackson, taking in the situation at a glance, gave the command, "Forward Double-quick!" and our men sprang over the crest of the ridge with a shout which muBt have carried dismay into the ranks of the enemy, for before we were halfway down the opposite slope they were in fall retreat. The other regiments joined in tho charge, and the enemy was driven from the field in confusion. At this opportune moment Gen. Croxton's Division coming up joined in the pursuit, which continued until near midnight.

Long after dark the loud cheers of our victorious troops and the wild roar of battle was heard as onr men rolled the enemy back in the direction of Franklin. An immense wagon-train loaded with supplies and ammunition was captured, and Croxton's men galloped among the teams, set the train on fire, and the flames leaping up from the burning wagons lit up the scene with the brightness of noonday. The loud explosion of shells and fixed ammunition, mingled with the shouts of our men and the roar of battle, made one of those wild, grand scenes that will never be forgotten. Finally the roar of battle subsided, and the men sank exhausted to the earth to gain a few moments' rest and sleep before the BLOODY CONFLICT WAS RENEWED on the morrow; As soon as the first streaks of light began to show themselves in the east, we were in the saddle and on the move, with orders to give the enemy no rest until f( (O 3 Burning the Teain. he surrendered or was driven across the Tennessee Eiver.

Our brigade had the advance, with the 19th Pa. at the head. By daylight the head of the column had reached the Franklin pike, along which the main body of Hood's defeated army had retreated during the night. Everything here indicated the complete demoralization of his men. Guns, accouterments and other material were strewn along the highway in reckless profusion.

The rain was coming down in torrents, as it had been all night, and the roads had been worked into a perfect mire by the immense number of vehicles and horses passing over them. Men had stepped from the ranks and broken their guns across the fence in utter disgust at further efforts in a cause they deemed hopeless. Ammuni-tin-chests had been emptied of their con-teite into the road, wagons and ambulances abandoned, and in fact there were here all the evidences that may be seen in the wake of a defeated armv. The column wheeled to the right and pushed forward in the direction of Franklin, capturing many prisoners and driving the enemy in confusion to Hollow Tree Gap, where he made a stand. Here two ranges of hills came together, forming an obtuse angle, and the roadway had been cut through a depression at the point where they intercepted each other.

At this point the rebels had planted'a battery and posted his infantry along the crest of the hills, where they were hid from view by the timber and brush growing along their sides. Gen. Hammond, who was with the advance, seeing the position was a Btrong one, led what men he had at hand through a pass to the enemy's right and rear, where he attacked with such vigor as to drive him from the pike and capture almost bodily TWO ENTLEE EEGI3IENTS, with their colors and all their officers. "While Hammond was making this flank movement Gen. Knipe, commanding the division, came up and determined to attack the position in front The 19th Pa.

and part of the 10th Ind. with uplifted sabers advanced to the charge, but the rebels reserved their fire until our men were within a few feet of their guns, when they let loose into their very faces a double charge of grape and canister, while the infantry poured into their flanks from the hillsides above a most withering fire, which caused the column to reel and stagger, and finally fall back, leaving the ground literally covered with dead men and horses. As Eoon as this attack was repulsed the rebels withdrew and retreated in haste to Franklin, six miles away. Just at this time the 9th which had been detained in the rear, came up, and Gen. Knipe said to Hammond: "Take the 9th and follow the enemy to FntHklin and drive him out of the town and don't skirmish with them more than three minutes before you charge them." As we passed through the gap we could see how desperate had been the conflict The scene was calculated to make even the bravest shudder.

The road was choked with dead men and horses, torn and mangled in every conceivable manner, some of lhe men having received as many as half-a-dozen shots before they went down. To the right of the pike, as if lo emphasize the cruelties of war, lay among the bearded men a LITTLE, FAIE-HAIUED BOY, a mere child, not more than 12 or 13 years of age. He lay at full length upon his back, with one hand resting across his breast, the other lying carelessly by his side as if in sleep. The rain-drops were falling upon his upturned, childish face, and the Winter's winds were playing with his curly locks. Two ugly wounds told too plainly that it was the sleep of death that the bright young life had gone out forever.

But our duty was not with tho dead; it was with the living, and we hastened on to perform it. Once through the gap, the command was "Trot March!" and this pace was not slackened until the six. miles had been covered and Franklin reached. This town is A m. ii vr -k 1 1 i 5fc -1- Bituated on the south bank of Harpeth Eiver, which in front of the town runs a little to the south of east; north of the river a few hundred yards, and parallel with it, is quite a ridge, which crosses the Nashville and Franklin pike at right angles, and extends for a considerable distance on either side.

On this ridge the enemy had drawn up his line of battle, planted a battery of artillery where his line crossed the pike, and awaited our coming; and the cavalry, which came into the road and to the town in our front, pressed through his line and drew up behind the battery. When fairly across the creek the command to charge was given, and instantly tho horses were spurred into a dead run, a wall of steel flashed above that line of men, and a chant of defiance that rose above the enemy's guns broke forth from the advancing squadrons that swept along with the force of an avalanche. When half-way up the slope the enemy sought to break the force of the charge by pouring into our ranks a volley from his center line, which was answered by a SHOUT OF EAGE, and the line swept onward, unbroken as before. It was evident now that the enemy must either get out of the way or be trampled to death beneath the iron hoofs of the advancing squadrons. But before they had time to execute their purpose the front ranks were already at the crest, whooping and yelling, cutting and slashing in every direction.

Their lines gave way, the men fled in the wildest confusion, some holding their guns above their heads as they ran, in mortal fear of having them split open by those uplifted and flashing sabers, while others crouched behind stones and stumps, or threw themselves flat upon their faces in the gutters to prevent being trampled to death by the advancing columns. The mighty tide rolled back until the entire rebel force had either surrendered or had plunged into the foaming river, now so swollen by the recent rains that many of them were compelled to swim in order to reach the opposite shore. As soon as their lines gave way and we were among their men, the rebels opened fire upon the intermingled combatants from some batteries across the river, which killed and wounded more of their own men than they did of ours. The artillery which opened fire upon us before the charge did not stop to see the result, but limbered up and dashed off to the crossing in hopes of reaching the opposite side, but were so hotly pressed by Col. Jackson that four of their guns were abandoned in the river.

Capt Hobson, who commanded on our left, after clearing his front of the enemy, wheeled his men to the left and led them against a small redoubt at the crossing of the river by the railroad, and while demanding its surrender was shot through the heart and FELL DEAD FEOM HIS HORSE, within a few feet of the fort he was trying to capture. Lieut. Burrows, of Co. fell mortally wounded from an exploding aholl, while leading his men against the center. Lieut.

James S. Watts, of Co. I. was also killed by the Captain of the battery, at the crossing of the river; and Lieut Duvall, of Co. was shot through the lungs, and sent to the hospital, to remain many weeks before he recovered.

How many others, equally brave and daring, who on that December morning sealed their devotion to their country with their lives, the record before me does not disclose. Gen. Hammond, in his official report of this engagement, in speaking of our loss, says: In this charge we lost three fine officers, among whom was Capt. Hobson, 9th Ind. a man remarkable for the prompt discharge of his duty and his bravery.

He is a great loss to the service." An entire division of Hood's veteran infantry, with a battery of artillery, were routed and driven from the field into the river. Two stands of colors and 2G7 prisoners captured, besides those that were wounded, ami four pieces of artillery abandoned in the river, were some of tho trophies which the 9th Ind. Cav. had to show for this daring charge. After the rebels had placed the river between themselves and our men they literally swarmed on the opposite bank, to prevent our crossing, and the fire from them, their artillery, and sharpshooters posted in the houses of the town, made the field a warm place for one to tarry.

So Gen. Hammond assembled what, few men there were who had not either been killed, disabled or gone to the rear with prisoners, in a depression slightly protected from the enemy by the intervening ridge and some trees growing upon its crest, to await the coming of the remainder of the brigade. The men were dismounted and stood at their horses' heads. It was a critical moment; the rebels were swarming on the opposite bank of the river, with nothing to prevent recrossing and either capturing our little band or driving us from the field for at this time the whole command did not exceed a hundred men. They contented thein-Eclves, however, with firing at us from across the river.

Most of tho shots passed over our heads but one I remember a Eolid shot came over the crest of the ridge, struck one of tho horses squarely in the chest, ripped him open from end to end, cut off two of the legs of the horse in his rear, and with a terrible crash buried itself in the body of a large oak tree standing near. The astonishment of the boy who stood holding the bridle, gazing at his disemboweled but still erect horse, can be better imagined than described. Our situation was now, if anything, more trying than when we were engaged in the charge for we were compelled to remain inactive, a target for tho enemy's sharpshooters and his artillery, until our supports could arrive. Notwithstanding our perilous situation, minutes lengthened into hours before wo were finally permitted to move down to the river and drive tho rebels from the opposito bank, while thercmainder of the brigade, led by the 4th charged across the stream and through the town, driving the enemy to the hills beyond. At this point Hood sought to STOP TniS RELENTLESS pursuit of his fleeing army by turning upon his pursuers and giving them such a check as would render them more cautious in the future.

To this end he drew up a heavy force of infantry and artillery on a high range of hills crossing the pike at right angles, and awaited our coming. As we pushed back his skirmish-line to tho foot of the hill, as far as the eye could see, both to the right and left, the crest was fairly bristling with bayonets and artillery. Tho brigade halted in front of this formidable array to await the arrival of Gen. Wilson with the remainder of tho corps, who soon made his appearance on the field and began at once to arrange the command for a mounted charge. While the different divisions were coming up to take position, we could plainly see the rebels busy making ready to receive us.

Some were piling up logs and rails and building barricades to impede our advance, while the gunners Btood beside their pieces, rammers in hand. Now, for the' first time, the four divisions were called upon to act in concert under the eye of their new leader. Hammond's Brigade was assigned the center and ordered to charge in column down the pike, which was done under a galling fire from the rebel artillery. The guns were aimed with deadly precision, and as we swept along many a poor fellow was seen lying where he fell under the horses' feet, covered with mud, waving his hands to keep from being trampled to death with their hoofs. The whole face of the earth seemed to be covered with moving men and horses, sweeping onward with the force of an avalanche.

It was a grand sight to see, but many a brave trooper bit the dust before those frowning hights were cleared. The struggle at the crest was desperate beyond description the fighting was hand to hand. The hill smoked like a volcano, and trembled beneath tho shock of battle. It was cavalry against infantry and artillery saber against bayonet Men were cutting and slashing, prodding and stabbing at each other with the energy of desperation. The line swayed to and fro as the gray or the blue received additional strength, until finally the rebels, no longer able to withstand the accumulated force of the oncoming squadrons, were CROWDED BACK OVER THE RIDGE and broke and fled in the wildest confusion.

Then ensued one of those scenes which no man can adequately describe. Men were everywhere fleeing across the fields and through the woods; artillery going at a dead run, the drivers plying the lash to the horses in a vain effort to accelerate their speed. Men and horst wagons and artillery, pack-mules and ambulances were all crowding together along the highways in inextricable confusion, each trying to outstep the others in getting away from Wilson's pursuing horsemen, who seemed to be everywhere, confronting them on every hand War's Victims. with viclorioun shouts and gleaming sabers; pressing upon the flanks crowding the rear driving them back upon Hood's exhausted and overtaxed trains, struggling through almost impassable roads to get out of the way of their pursuers. Night at length came on and enveloped the combatants in gloom, but the darkness seemed only to intensify the fierceness of the conflict A number of the regiments were armed with repeating rifles, and when ad vancing upon the enemy through the dark fired by volleys, and the dreadful roar of the conflict was such as is peldom heard on the field of battle.

Late in the afternoon, by order of Gen. Wilson, Gen. 'Hammond led his brigade beyond the loft flank of the enemy, in order to get in Hood's rear and cut off his retreat; but night coming on some of the regiments took the wrong direction, owing to the extreme darkness, and failed to reach the point of attack, and the 9th and 10th Ind. were the only ones to arrive upon the ground. Nothing daunted, however, Hammond led them against the enemy, who were already aware of Mir approach, and prepared to receive us.

We advanced in liue slowly through the woods, and the first intimation we bad that we were in the presence of the enemy was the ominous click of their guns as they made ready to fire, almost iijrtantly followed by a sheet of flame along tbeir entire front, which for a moment lit up the scene with brightness of day, and revealed their line lying behind a rail fence along the edge of the pike. Unflinchingly our men advanced right up to the fenw and pushed the rebels back across tho embankment of the pike, behind which they took shelter to renew the struggle. For a time our men and the Confederates were so intermingled that it waB difficult to distinguish friend from foe. First one side and then the other would have possession of the pike. After the struggle had thus continued for some time, reinforcements came to the assistance of the rebels, and our lino was pushed back into the woods and we were finally compelled to retire, leaving the dead and part of the wounded in the hands of tho enemy.

While thus engaged, and the two contend-jng lines were only a few feet apart, vr yyr A ca. tssrrsfsrz col. jackson's noRSE was shot, and in falling pinned him to the ground, so that he was unable to get away. The rebels, seeing his situation, rushed forward to secure him a prisoner; but the boys of the 9th rallied to the rescue, and while some held tho enemy in check with their sabers, others dismounted and dragged tho horse off and relieved him from his perilous situation. Although we were compelled to retire from tho field, the struggle was not barren of results; for tho official report of Gen.

Hammond says: Heavy loss was inflicted on the enemy and we took many prisoners. Both regiments suffered severely, but were repaid in the knowledge that this attack caused the abandonment of four cannon by the enemy." Lieut. James S. Bristowe, of Co. as brave an officer as ever drew a sword in defense of his country, was shot through the head and instantly killed while leading his men to the attack.

The color-bearer of the 9th also was killed about tho same time, and as we passed over the battlefield the next morning the abandoned guns, surrounded with dead men and horses, lying where they fell the night before, presented a ghastly and sickening spectacle. On the morning of tho 17th, when the 9 th Ind. was mustered for action, there were more than 300 men answered to the call les3 than half that number were present at night when the regiment went into camp and at the beginning of the day, of the 12 line officers present, at night all but six were missing four lay dead on the field of battle and two others had been sent desperately wounded to the hospital. Col. Jackson was so severely injured by tho fall off his horse that he was disabled from command during the remainder of the pursnit, and the command devolved upon Maj.

V. H. Lyon. The 9th was engaged in the pursuit of Hood's army from the 18 th to the 2Gth of December, moving and skirmishing more or less every day. But on the 25th it had another severe test of its mettle at; REYNOLDS HILL.

Here the rebels had made a stand and thrown up log breastworks on the brow of the hill, protected in front by rough and broken ground, densely covered with timber, through which our men were compelled to advance to the attack. Our cavalry had dragged a couple of pieces of artillery to a high point in close proximity to and coni-maudinc their line of defense, and were pressing them heavily, when the rebels charged out of their works and captured, one of the guns, and turning it upon our men, swept round to the right and left and assailed them in flank and rear so fiercely that a panic almost ensued. The 9 th had been delayed by having to press through a dense cedar thicket about a mile north of the hill, and appeared on the scene jusfc in time to witness the full force of this temporary reverse. As we approached a perfect cloud of pack-mules, ambulances and camp followers, all neeing as tnougn certain destruction was about to overtake them, met us, blocking up tne way, and lor a lew moments causing a perfect pandemonium around us. This was followed as we were entering the woods by a perfect stream of men pouring out, all bent on getting to the rear as fast as possible, and all saying that it would never do for the regiment to advance farther; that the enemy were waiting in ambush to destroy us, aud all admonished us to get out of there as soon as possible.

The men who were coming out of the "woods were as brave and daring as any that had ever drew sword, and had faced death on many a bloody field, but they had been assailed in front, flank and rear in those dark forests, and it was not surprising that they were determined to get out of there. It looked for a moment as though our men might join the throng that were drifting to the rear. Confidence, however, was soon restored, and after the disorganized troops had all gotten out of the woods, Maj. Lyon pushed the 9th to the front until the rebels were driven into their works, where it was halted until the men who had been driven out of the woods could be brought back and the line re-established. Just as the sun was going down the bugle sounded iuc uuu giuuu iiiau was maue along our whole line for the rebel works, which were soon in our possession, the enemy fleeing across the open field, where they were subjected to a severe fire from our men as a PAGTING SALUTE FOR THE DAY.

"We went into camp for the night near the field of battle, with orders for our brigade to take the advance in the morning. By daylight we were on the move at a double-quick, which was kept up until the 2d in the advance, struck the enemy's rearguard and pushed ifc back on the main body, strongly posted behind temporary works on the south bank of Sugar Creek, while the 2d and 4 th Tenn. assailed them in front. Eight companies of the 9th Ind. were sent around to the right, and the remaining four companies went to the left in order to get on the flanks of the enemy and drive theru out of their works.

Owing to the ground over which the flanking parties had to pass being hilly and broken, they were compelled to dismount and advance on, foot, leaving their horses in the rear. Eat before they had fairly gained position so as to begin the attack, the enemy charged the two Tennessee regiments with two columns of infantry, with cavalry in the center, and succeeded in driving them a considerable distance to the rear, then, swinging around to the right and left, came up suddenly in the rear of the two detachments of the 9th and made a DESPERATE EFFORT TO CAPTURE THEJL Although assailed by greatly superior numbers in front, flank and rear, most of the men succeeded in making their and shortly after joined the brigade, which rallied and drove the enemy back into his works, when the 14th Ohio battery was brought up and made it so hot that the rebels abandoned the position and retreated so rapidly that they were not overtaken again during the day. This ended the fighting in that campaign, during which ou brignde had captured eight pieces of artillery, fourstaads of colors, two Colonels, two Lieutanant-Col-nels, one Major and 303 Irne officers and enlisted Men. We moved from there to Gravelly Springs, where we arrived about the middle of January, and went into Wiater headquarters. This article is intended only as an acoonafc of the movements of the 9th Ind.

Car. in assisting in driving Hood's army from, the State of Tennessee. No effort has been made to give a Ml account of the part any other regiment performed in that memorable event It would be impossible to do any of them justice, unless the writer had been present and witnessed what was done. It is hoped that no injustice, however, bag been done to any of the brave men who rode with Gen. Wilson through the rain and anew and hail of Midwinter to achieve that splendid victory.

They are all deserving of the highest praise. No better encomium could be desired than was given by a General of infantry who fid-lowed in their wake and saw what they hud done. Says he: The whole course from Nashville to the Tennessee River is one bloody line of battle. I have seen the road lined with abandoned guns, dead men and horses, until I am heartsick. I want to lift my hat to Wilson's splendid corps of cavalry." In it thore is glory enough for all, aad if some did more than others it was only because their opportunities were greater.

BKAVE5T OF TICK BIIA.TB. BY XOBEBX J. TCRDKIT. I see no more the gray and 'At I seed in the war I fit into But I sec in th papers now an' then 'At they're fighting it still with the eed stel pea. An' I read 'em all, and I often think 'At in all tbia effoaion of gallant iotc, How every one of 'em just leave out The asma of the bravest man 'at foot.

They's fellers a writin' about the war 'At nobody never knowed before, And ne'er a word, you understand, 'Bout Corp'l Alexander Rand. In every paper. West and Eaat, Thcai writes the moat aa fit the- least But there was cheers and carnage when Brave Corp'l Rand led on his i When Grant was in that awful meas A flghtin in the Wilderness, Says Meade, Who bears the battle's haftT" Says Grant, It's Rand 'at holds the-ieft." When rebeldom was out of j'int. An' Lincoln came from City Pint, Well, well! says he, with honest joy, "There's Corp'l Rand of Eeiinoy." An' yet I ain't nor you ain't seen His pictur' in a magazine The bravest man 'at ever drored In any cause a soljer's sword. The sharpest, keenest, bravest man To plan, or execute a plan; Ef ion as time his fame don't.

stand, 3Iy name ain't Alexander Band. 3mIh Transcript. ILA.BO.RE.HS ABKOAlf). The Effect of Free Trade Lpan the TTerlcIusmea of England. comrade who now resides in Liverpool writes U3 a long privato letter, in which he says: "I have just received The Natioxai; Tbibune of Jan.

19, in an editorial in which you speak of the price of clothing. You are in error in imagining that clothiog is cheaper here. The same quality of clothing costs tho same in Liverpool as in Chicago. I know, because I have worked in both cities and bought clothing in both. Clothing in Chicago is just as cheap and just as good as it is here.

When you speak about wages, you must remember that it is only the first-class laborers hero who get as high as that is, $5 a week. Only one in a hundred does thi3 well. I say to you and all other Americans, Keep up the tariff1, whatever else you I send you some copies of tho Liverpool papers, in which you will find marked articles showing what England expects to make out of the reduction of your tariff. I cannot understand how any American or any Irishman can vote to enrich England at tho expense of his country. It seems to mo that everything is better and cheaper there than here.

For example, you cannot get a postal card hero for ono half-penny or a cent as you can in America. You must buy either six or 12 at a time. Twelve halfpenny postal cards cost seven pence half-penny, that is 15 cents. One dozen penny postal cards cost 14 pence half-penny, that is 29 cents. If you want to keep a horse you have to pay horse water-tax of one pound, a one-poaud road-tax, and another pound if you want to use the horse for pleasure that is, to take anyone but yourself out.

I nofcico that and street-car drivers work 73 hours a week for from 12s. to 14s. A man working in a tea store 80 hours a week gets boiler-makers carpenters 2 Is. to but a man has to be first-class to get as good wages as these. Bookkeepers aud specially good hands are all that gee over 20s.

a week. I want to put this matter before the work- ing people and say to all Americans, 'Do you want to work for such wages? Ifyoudonot, hen keep up the present tariff. Protect home industries. Be independent. Look after your own interests and only vote for such men as will raise rather than lower the If you could only see the idle poor people of England you would be surprised.

The poorhouses in Liverpool are filled to overflowing; in fact, this is true everywhere else in England, and I believe in tho whole United Kingdom. If the Americans lower the tariff it will simply set to work the idle people of England and reduce those of America to idleness, bringing poverty and distress" throughout tho whole of that pros-porous country. It is far bettor even to enrich American manufacturers which will help American workitigmen than it is to feed fat the British manufacturers at the expense of those of the United States. Thepeople here are weary of a Government in which the Qneen costs 400,000, the Priuce of Wales 130,000, aud which maintains an army of 250,000 regulars aud 250,000 volunteers to blot out the freedom of tho people. The English lords aud manufacturers are auxious to email out the" American manufactures, even as they have crushed out American commerce and shipbuilding.

Lord Salisbury said in his speech Jan. 10 at Hengler's Circus in this city, Ve arc soon to have freo trado with America. Then tho unemployed will find Avork, and our mills and factories will all bo stavted I want tho veterans of the late war to look this question squarely in tho face and consider well the interests of their country. Let them stand firm against any reduction of the revenue, any modification of the tariff, until tho country pays off its debts to the veterans and to the bondholders. Lot thero be no reduction until the equalization of bounties bill, tho arrears of peusiou bill, the disability bill aud other bills are passed, and the money provided to carry them out.

"The common people hero arc all very Tost-ive under the burdens that the Government heaps upon them. They aro tired of tho enormous oxpouso of tho royal paupers and are eager for a Republic." Ills Poiiauce. Puck Mr. Hoffman House (to tho Rev. Dr.

Chasuble's son) "Aw, Harry, I supposo in tbeso Lenten days you aro putting a penanco on yourself?" Harry Chasuble "Ya-as, deah boy; I'm wearing a turn-down collar now." Boy Spy in Dixie. Sime Wm tin State of m. Bug-Mae's Hmk TEBLIjStG TH1 BWWB. Pleasant Evening with Best Girl. Hie 12 TEOTTBLB AiBAIH.

The War Depajrtaaaaaate cious of the Spy ltyymUfty eomae my rwaj-tion had aofc beee. exactly such aa ee would natoraHy expect to reccrre at tlte hands of friemds after the disagreeable experiences I had jafc passed through daring the all-aigbife double-quick oa fee out of Pichmsmfl. aad the rebel Hesr aad the charge oa bare back of a ptow-hawo on the TJnkM. Ibmo, loaded down, as ifc were, with mportaat news. As I rode along there thai early aeahg I have no doubfc I felt as big a SWrMsa iid on his famous ride, and I had rather calculated on being received by our feliews wiih open arms.

That squad of eavslryMen both, presented arms and opened fire ea xae from a distance, but luckily for the old hesse and myself they carried the old cavalry earbiaes, which, when fired from a galloping er moving horse, were about as barsalees a weapon at long range as a saber. I afterward carried "I Surrender." one of these same carbines slung aexees my back for nearly a year, and also "toted a saber, so I feel safe enough, in asserting that they were entirely harmless, until taey got to fighting ns dismounted en the skirmish-line. The leader of the squad of gallaat cavalrymen dashed up to my fence-eoraer, with a drawn navy pistol in hand, demasdiBg in loud tones that I should "STOP AND SURRXXMK." I accepted the terms and laid down say ansa, consisting of my switch. "When I saw who they were, I am afraid I acted in a nanner that must have made them think sae a erazy person. This was the first experience ef the Union officer with the enemy, and he determined to make the most of it for his own sake.

This feeling of 'his own importance caused the fellow--for he was not a gentleman to act toward me in a spiteful way, seemingly because of the absurdity of the affair, which, upon being discovered by the more sensible men, provoked shouts of laughter among-themselves, while some of the trooparswore inclined in a familiar way to poke fun at the officer, keeping him constantly irritated by jocular remarks to each other as we rede back toward the Union lines. To resent this sort of chaffing he pretended to believe that I was a rebel spy, wo was assuming the manner as a disguise to hide my real character. He did not say as atach. to me, but I gathered from overhearing the yns Hiding the Letters. earnest talk of a sensible Sergeant who rode beside the officer in my rear, and who was evidently defending me, that this was the case.

Of course I did not eare for this mere opinion of the officer, as I knew very well that I should be able to clear myself of any such charges before the Union officers in Fredericksburg. I was quite nervous thongh, about the package of undelivered, rebel letters that I still carried with, me, lest the fellow should discover them in. my possession. I knew veiy well that the mere fact jpf ray. having such papers about my pcrison 111 "9 x-so- srs-f Mfc-fa j- i fe---..