direct
road to Chattanooga. In many places the road was narrow and rocky, and our
progress was necessarily slow. The Tennessee river was frequently in plain
view, and the road ran in close proximity to the railroad. We occasionally
passed places where the Rebels had made a halt, and had hastily erected
breastworks, or slight stockades, no doubt from fear of an attack from our
forces.

At dark, all were anxiously awaiting for the order to encamp; but in this
were disappointed, for we were still kept on the move. At half-past 9
o'clock we passed the ruins of the railroad bridge at Falling Waters. This
bridge was formerly a splendid structure, but was now a complete wreck,
having been destroyed by the Rebels. Three miles further, much to our
gratification, we filed into a cornfield and camped for the night.

All were weary and well nigh worn out by the protracted march; but fires
were soon lighted, and preparations made for supper.

It so happened that there was--to elegantly describe it--a hog pen near
by, in which were several fine young "porkers," and the men--though
contrary to orders--were determined to make an inspection of the place.
But how to manage the thing, without alarming the guard, was the question.
Finally a plan was arranged: Two of the men were to stand sentry, while
one, with axe in hand, and another with keen, glittering blade, were to
knock on the head, and cut porkers' throats. This done, they would be
thrown out to the sentries, when they would at once drag them off into the
field, where the initiated were to be lying in wait to receive them. But,
alas! how often are poor mortals' calculations vain. Owing to some
blunder, the pigs took the alarm, and beat a hasty retreat into one corner
of the pen, and their outcries soon brought a Major to the scene of
action, who at once arrested all those who were in the vicinity of the
pen, and all of whom were innocent of any crime. But to the guard-house
they were marched, there to dream of pork in all its forms.

At daylight we were again on the move, and shortly after crossed the
Georgia line, being the first time we had ever been in that State.

In many places there were evidences of a grand "skedaddle" having been
made by the Rebels. The men now anxiously began to enquire along the road
the distance to Chattanooga, and what about the enemy. To these questions
they received about as intelligent answers as they might expect from a
freshly imported Dutchm