Bridgeport, Tennessee. 83 



the train. The ring to which the cord is attached, running 

 above all the cars to the locomotive, hung temptingly right 

 over my head, and knowing the use of the cord I pulled at it 

 lustily. The train stopped, and the captain who was in com- 

 mand ran anxiously to ask what accident had happened. On 

 hearing it he was inclined to be angry, but seeing my distress, 

 and probable being a lover of dogs himself he relaxed ; the 

 train stopped until my pet arrived panting from such an un- 

 usual exertion, and amid the good-natured laughter of the 

 soldiers the dear deserter was restored to me. 



We arrived at last at Bridgeport station, which was about a 

 mile and a half from Salm's camp. Tlie soldiers of the port, 

 on hearing my name, procured at once an ambulance, and at 

 the same time a breakfast, which we needed very much. We 

 arrived soon in the camp, and I was happy to be again with 

 my dear husband. 



The regiment was encamped on an island in the noble 

 Tennessee river. The railroad going to Chattanooga crosses 

 this island by means of two bridges. That next to l>ridgej)ort 

 is a remarkable structure. The banks on both sides are hidi, 

 and connected with beams on which run the rails, and about 

 thirty feet below is the rather long bridge for horse cars. 



The island was not large, but contained two or three farms, 

 and was mostly covered with beaudful trees, enlivened by a 

 great variety of pretty birds. The ground being rather liat, 

 the island was not rarely overflown by the river, and large tracts 

 of the wood were always under v\^ater. In rainy weather it was 

 by no means pleasant, but when the sun was shining a more 

 delightful place could scarcely be found anywhere. Right 

 opposite the camp, on the southern bank of the river, some dis,- 

 tance off, rose a rather high wooded ridge, the slopes of which 

 were always haunted by rebels, who thence could look right 

 into our camp. 



This camp was extended on a meadow not far from the 

 northern bank of the river, and was skirted by the wood. It 

 was not laid out with much regularity, on account of the con- 

 dition of the ground, and looked quite romantic. As it was 

 expected that we would remain there a good while, the soldiers 

 had made themselves as comfortable as possible. There was 

 plenty of wood and a saw-mill in Bridgeport ; boards were 

 therefore not v/anting, and many shanties rose amongst the 



