Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1912 — AROUND THE CAMP FIRE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AROUND THE CAMP FIRE

INCIDENT AT WALKER'S FORD Troops Were Compelled to Crose =_ Clinch River, Filled With Ice and Water to Their Waists. In a recent issue Comrade Sample gives an account of a midwinter expedition into the North Carolina mountains, in which he makes mention of Walker’s Ford, that brings to my mind many things that transpired there. I was second lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana, tha4 went to the relief of our cavalry, which was out of ammunition, and we held the enemy in check until the brigade could come up, writes Rev. 3. McNeely of Tiosa, Ind., in the National Tribune. I will never forget the dou-ble-quick to the ford, where, after ft few minutes’ rest, we waded the Clinch river that was filled with loe and water up to our waists. When we appeared in front of the J.ohnnies they hardly knew what to think of ft. They sent out skirmishers to ascertain our position. Our left wing was formed in an open field, through which ran a stone fence. The Johnnies succeeded in getting possession of tlje fence, but would come no farther. Our right wing was formed in the timber, the woods sloping up from the road. Artillery was brought into play to shell us out of the woods, but by changing position we managed to keep out of .range. They succeeded lp getting in on our right flank, and we had to hunt for tall timber. They pushed us back to the river, where we found the rest of the brigade in position to cover our retreat After we had formed on the colors the Johnnies formed just across the

road from us, and the boys were anxious to fight, but our commander, Col. George W. Jackson, said we had done all that he required of us, and we could rest while the other regiments of the brigade did the fighting. We crossed'the river, and went to the rapport of a battery on the hill, where we lay down In the sun to dry our clothes. Soon the rest of the brigade were withdrawn across the riveiy and the Johnnies, thinking they had everything their own way, caine rushing down to the ford, but were terribly surprised when they were opened upon by batteries on the river bank and on the hill above. They went back faster than they came. They attempted to plant a gun on top of a knoll commanding our position, but were foiled by a Michigan battery that disabled their guns and it was abandoned. They planted some guns on the hills back from the river, and then ensued an artillery duel until night fell and they retreated. We spent a very disagreeable night in an open field without fire. •We feared the enemy would attaok us in the night, but when daylight came we found they were gone for good, so we enjoyed a little rest. But not for Very long, as in a day pr so following three companies, of which my com- j pany was one, were sent out to bfqck-' ade fords on the Clinch river. WtT went first to Russell's Ford, where we worked until midnight, felling trees in the road leading to it. Some of the boys crossed the river, and proceeded to help themselves to chickens and potatoes, but did not have ti&e to cook them. After completing our work we confiscated an ox team to haul our traps, and then returned to Tazewell, where we burled some of the boys that were wounded at Walker’s Ford.

They Bent Out Skirmishers to Ascertain Our Position.