Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1900 — Down South One Thousand Miles At the “Jumping Off Place." [ARTICLE]

Down South One Thousand Miles At the “Jumping Off Place."

Leaving Rensselaer Dec, 4, on the 10:55, we arrived at Louisville, Ky., shortly after dark. You can here begin to notice the southern accent in their speech of the people. We noticed several people in the depot leading their dogs and carrying their guns. You know Kentuckians still maintain their reputation as good marksmen and gun loving people. Board ing the L. & N., we soon arrived at the now depot in Nashville. It was just completed last Sept. The interior is the most elaborate of any I have ever seen. Four o’clock Dec. sth found us at the old depot, which was built in 1858. at Chattanooga, Tenn. We took :it good look at Mount Lookout. ! A Jarge hotel may be seen near the |summit. We didn’t go up on | Lookout, I really believe in being , always on the lookout, the continuation of which would in time make one on a mountain of lookout, and thats about my idea of the career of a will-be successful, i. e. Be on the lookout. Enrouto from Chattanooga to Atlanta some evidence of the old bloody war may be seen. __—- After dark the evening of the 6th, we pass a small mountain which would have been of no special infbrest had it not been the scene of a terrible battle—Kennesaw mountain. Near Cartersburg, to the north some 15 miles, is a small mound where a strong fort was built. By an effort Grant took the fort. A few piles of dirt now mark the location. He left a small force in charge and gave pursuit of Gen. Johnson, who, perchance, would find a location as he was retreating southward, where they traded bullets. It was about like swapping dollars. Johnson would still retreat and finally he considered it a great treat to look out and shoot down at Grant from Kennesaw mountain. Grant looked up to Johnson because of the position he held, but.he looked down on him because of the principles he was trying to carry out. Johnson said he would grant Grant the privelege of climbing up if he could. Grant cut roads through mainly all the heavy timber of the mountain. As Grant went up one side Johnson went down on the other. Well, a good many men fell on both sides. Should I write like an orator I would say they stained the ground with their blood, but that was hardly so, because the ground was naturally so red blood could hardly stain it. * When Grant gained possession of the position he seqt the 'memorable message by the flag code of signals back to the fort, in which they were urged to heroic offorts to defend the fort with the assurance of his assistance, which has been set to tune in religious as well as national songs. Y r au have all heard it, thus it goes, “Hold The Fort For I Am Coming.” Johnson went to Atlanta and prepared to give Grant a hot reception. When Grant got there he certainly turned the tune. You know Ihey burned almost the entire town before it was over. I must not forget to mention that near Kennesaw mountain stands a large pine tree with a ramrod sticking through it. Somebody probably got nervous. Thus is the history of a battle of the civil war as it comes to my mind as 1 glide through the country and gaze (through the car window. Atlanta is quite a railroad center : and has gained the name of “The [ Gateway of the South.” Our last i change was at Lakeland, Fla., Dec. 16, 9p. m. While waiting for the i train we nte a hex of plump, rosy, red cheeked, ripe strawberries. They were grown there without any artificial protection. Eightyfive miles farther south brought us to our destination, which may literally be styled as the "jumping off place,” for its the terminus of the railroad on the west const. Thus endeth the first chapter. Respectfully,

W. PULLINS.