Wearing the blue in the Twenty-fifth Mass volunteer infantry with Burnside's coast division, 18th army corps, and Army of the James . Witherby, a very interest-ing account of the advance upon Gum swamp, which describesthe feelings of those selected to lead the way, certain that theywill be the first target for the enemys pickets: — The Twenty-fifth was to lead the advance, and K was pushed outto feel the way. Tenney, Al. Clark, Brown and myself, were thefirst four, and were to move considerably in advance of the stretched out along the road, capped our guns, swung our haver-sacks ba
Wearing the blue in the Twenty-fifth Mass volunteer infantry with Burnside's coast division, 18th army corps, and Army of the James . Witherby, a very interest-ing account of the advance upon Gum swamp, which describesthe feelings of those selected to lead the way, certain that theywill be the first target for the enemys pickets: — The Twenty-fifth was to lead the advance, and K was pushed outto feel the way. Tenney, Al. Clark, Brown and myself, were thefirst four, and were to move considerably in advance of the stretched out along the road, capped our guns, swung our haver-sacks back out of the way, worked our canteens well to the rear, sothat they should not jingle out music in the air in company withour bayonets, and with still greater care stowed our tin dippers in ourhaversacks. Then came the very unmilitary order, you can startright along now in a subdued tone, and we four strode away,followed by the column. The night was dark and dismal, the moon down, and not a starto be seen, as wre plunged down into the ravine and moved into thedense woods beyond. Our nerves are strung to the tightest tension. Emvix T W: William E. Murdoch. Company K. Ilcliutype Printing Co., Eostvr WEARING THE BLUE. 205 — almost on tip-toe, breathless with anxiety we feel our way aroundthe carves with that cautious tread inherent in men who know theyare marching in the jaws of death. Not knowing the position oftheir pickets we creep along in the most unpleasant uncertainty. AsI march on, I wonder if they will hit Brown first, as he is ourbroadest man — a rustle in the leaves and grass! Well, it wasnothing, after all. Hurrying on, an officer comes up and whisperswe will meet them a half mile on, and then falls back. I dontbelieve anybody enjoys this. I would go home myself, if I could,honorably. Tenney stops and listens — we all do the same. Noneof us can make out anything but the sound of tramping men in ourrear. A careless fellow behind, drops a cup — how it rings ou
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookidwearingbluei, bookyear1879
