ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
We remained at Camp Wild Cat until Thursday, Oct. 24th, and then took up
our line of march on the track of the fleeing Rebels. All along the road
were evidences of their work of destruction, as, in their retreat, they
destroyed bridges, fences, and even houses. Carcasses of horses, cattle
and hogs, were strewn along the roadside. In many places they had felled
large trees across the road to cover their retreat. We also saw several
graves where they had buried their dead.
In the afternoon of the same day, we arrived at what is called Pittman's X
Roads. The Richmond road here intersects the Lexington and Cumberland Gap
road. The place derives its name from an old settler.
We here pitched our tents upon a pretty knoll. It was quite convenient to
wood and water, and was the most pleasant place we had yet occupied.
While here, large reinforcements were received, being an entire brigade,
composed of the following regiments, namely: Fourteenth, Seventeenth and
Thirty-eighth Ohio; Thirty-third Indiana; First Kentucky; First and Second
Tennessee; all Infantry, and a small detachment of Woolford's Cavalry,
with our own and Kinney's Batteries, of the First Ohio Artillery.
While here, we had several night alarms, but none of them proved of much
consequence. In each instance, however, we were promptly prepared for any
emergency. A few days later, word came to strike tents and proceed on to
London, some three miles distant.
We reached London about noon of the same day, and took our bivouac in a
large field on the outskirts of the town. Some of the brigade arrived the
night previous, having been pushed forward, from a report that the enemy
were advancing on the place. This, however, proved false. But we at once
took up good positions, and made preparations to resist any attack.
Detachments were sent out to reconnoiter, but without discovering any
signs of the Rebels. They had retired to their old quarters at Cumberland
Gap.
The country around London is rough and mountainous, and the people are
mostly of the poorer class. They are generally loyal to the "old flag."
The population of the town is about five hundred. Most of the inhabitants
had fled on the approach of the Rebel army, but returned to their homes on
our arrival. The buildings are, for the greater part, rickety affairs.
There are but few good houses in the place. The stars and stripes, which
had been torn down by vandal hands, were again raised, when the people
were addressed by those noble patriots, Andy Johnson and Horace Maynard,
both of Tennessee.
After remaining here quietly for two weeks, we changed our camping ground,
moving about a mile west of the town, the officers thinking it to be a
more desirable place for the purpose. But ere the tents had been pitched,
an order came to cook three days' rations, and be prepared to march early
in the evening. All wondered what was up, and various were the
conjectures. The most reasonable supposition was, that we were going to
attack the enemy. What was our surprise, when, on forming into line, to
find ourselves faced towards Wild Cat.
At last came the word to march. Regiment after regiment fell into line as
we filed past, for our battery was to take the lead. Soon the entire
brigade was in motion. Wild Cat was reached and passed, but forward was
the order. It was now past midnight, with the moon shining brightly. Rock
Castle river was crossed; and after marching some two miles further we
came to a halt. In the meantime the moon had sunk beyond the western
hills, and it was now quite dark. Fires were built, around which we
gathered and patiently waited for daylight. Our brigade was strewn along
the road for miles, and their watch-fires streamed brightly athwart the
gloom, but all was quiet, save the mournful hoot of an owl perched in the
neighboring forest, and the measured tread of the sentinels as they paced
their weary beat.
Daylight came at last, and with it came rain. The command was given to
move on, and forward we went, the rain pouring down in torrents, and the
roads in a horrible condition. At almost every step, poor, weary, worn out
soldiers sank by the road-side, being completely exhausted and unable to
proceed further.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, the advance of our battery arrived at
Mount Vernon. Here they halted for the remainder to come up, but finally
took up quarters in a large field just in rear of the town, and it was
decided upon to remain there for the night. Our guns came stringing along,
and at dark all had not arrived. A small quantity of coffee was procured,
from which, with some raw pork, we made the best meal we could. Fires
were kindled, around which the weary souls gathered to obtain, if
possible, a little sleep. Some crouched under wagons, others stowed
themselves away in sheds and barns. The wagons containing our tents and
mess chests were still back on the road.
Such a night as we passed through, will never be forgotten. All were wet
to the skin, and many had no overcoats nor blankets.
Morning came at last, and with it a bright sun; but the air was raw and
chilly. A breakfast similar to last night's supper was procured and soon
eaten. After waiting some time for the rest of the battery to come up, we
finally moved on without them. A march of ten miles brought us to a short
distance from Crab Orchard. Here, much to our satisfaction, we were
ordered to encamp. No time was lost in obeying the command, and what few
tents had arrived were soon pitched. A hasty supper was cooked, and as
speedily demolished. Soon, all had turned in for a night's rest, being the
first we had been able to obtain for two days.
Thus ended one of the most disastrous forced marches during the war. Many
a poor fellow owes his death to this cause.
The day following, the rest of the battery arrived, and we remained here
until Tuesday noon, the 19th of November, when we were ordered to march,
our destination being Lebanon. Alonzo Starr, of our company, died the
night previous at Mount Vernon, a victim of the forced march above
alluded to. His remains were sent home in charge of Corporal Blanchard.
This was the first death in the battery. A number of our sick were left
behind; one of whom, E. K. Bailey, died on the 17th of December. After
marching about eight miles during the day, we encamped for the night, and
the next morning were again on the move, marching some eighteen miles,
when we halted near a small creek. The weather up to this time had been
quite pleasant, but the following morning it commenced raining, still we
pushed forward, the rain continuing during the day. In the afternoon
passed through the village of Caynaville, rather a small place. The same
night pitched our tents in a field near a creek, about six miles from
Lebanon. The weather on the next day was clear but quite cold, and we
again resumed our march. Daring the forenoon we halted and camped on a
high hill, a short distance from the town, which lay in plain view. The
Fourteenth Ohio Infantry were still with us. Four days later our right
section was ordered forward to Somerset, it having been reported that a
large Rebel force under Zollicoffer had made an attack on the Twelfth
Kentucky Infantry, Col. Hoskins, who were camped on the Cumberland River,
about five miles from Somerset. According to orders, at nine o'clock in
the morning, the right section, under Lieut. Bennett, started, and at noon
the remainder of the battery were sent forward. Shortly after dark we came
up with Bennett's command, and halted for the night. We here found the
paymaster, who, the next morning, paid over our first instalment, being up
to the 1st of November. After receiving our pay, again moved forward in a
heavy rain, which continued through the day, and late in the afternoon the
advance reached Danville, and encamped two miles beyond the town. At dark
all had arrived. Most of the men were quartered in town for the night,
procuring their suppers at the hotels, and at private residences. The
citizens did all in their power to make us comfortable during our short
stay. A number of us obtained beds at the hotels, by paying for them,
which was done willingly, for a comfortable bed we had not for a long time
enjoyed.
In the morning, after passing a short time doing our trading, all returned
to camp, and were again soon on the move. The right section had gone on
ahead, under command of Lieutenant Baldwin--Lieutenant Bennett having
received a short furlough to go home. We passed through Stanford during
the day, and pitched tents four miles beyond the town. Next morning
continued our march. The weather was clear, but quite cool. After marching
fifteen miles, encamped near a church in progress of erection. That night
the boys lodged in the church--probably the first time some of them were
ever in one. Early in the morning were again moving.
Every one that we now met, reported that a battle was going on at the
river just beyond Somerset. In a short time we distinctly heard
cannonading, and pushed on as fast as possible, at noon arriving at
Somerset. We were here informed that a regular battle was being fought at
the river, five miles distant. The Seventeenth and Thirty-eighth Ohio
Infantry were close on our rear, and all possible dispatch was made to
reach the river, as the men were anxious to have a hand in the fun, as
they called it.
At two o'clock we reached the river. It was snowing quite hard, and the
firing had ceased. This was on Monday, December 2nd.
We here found Lieutenant Baldwin, and his command. It appears that the
firing had all been done by the Rebels, who were on the opposite side of
the river. They had been throwing shot and shell into the camp of the
Twelfth Kentucky, but without execution, only causing the Twelfth to move
further back from the river, and out of reach of their guns.
Occasionally the Rebels would march forward in regiments, fire a volley,
and then fall back. Our guns made no reply, we not firing a shot. There
had been some slight skirmishing between the enemy and the Twelfth
Kentucky a day or two previous to our arrival. Colonel Hoskins had a small
mountain howitzer, with which he now and then sent them a shell. No more
firing took place that night after our arrival.
The following morning, after vainly endeavoring to make some discovery of
the enemy, but seeing nothing of them, it was concluded that they had gone
down the river about sixteen miles, to what is called Mill Springs, and
that they would there make an attempt to cross, as at that place the river
is sometimes fordable. Accordingly, Lieutenant Sypher was directed to take
part of the Battery and proceed to that point, to prevent their crossing.
The Seventeenth Ohio Infantry had previously gone on as far as Fishing
Creek, and there Lieutenant Sypher joined them. They then proceeded on
towards the river, Lieutenant Sypher having the front. On enquiring of
people living along the road, they were informed that none of the enemy
had crossed the river; and when they had arrived to within six miles of
the ford, a halt was ordered.
After some consultation, Colonel Connel, and Captain Rickards, of the
Seventeenth Ohio, and Lieutenant Sypher, concluded to go forward, by
themselves, and reconnoiter. When near the river, and in a deep ravine,
they were suddenly fired upon by a number of Secesh Cavalry, and ordered
to halt. But, instead of obeying this command, they put spurs to their
horses, and made "tracks" as fast as possible, the Rebels firing several
volleys after them. In their flight, Colonel Connel's horse stumbled and
fell, throwing the Colonel off, by which means he lost his cap and sword,
and was badly bruised. Captain Rickards immediately came to his
assistance, and gave him his horse, the Captain making his way out on
foot. All got safely back to their men.
It was now evident that a large body of the enemy had already crossed, and
there being no chance of obtaining a desirable position, and not having
sufficient force to contend with them, they determined to fall back to
Fishing Creek, and await further orders. A retreat was ordered, and our
men retired in good order, and at daylight next morning were safely
arrived at Fishing Creek. In the meantime, the balance of the Battery were
on the way to their assistance, and on the night previous were camped only
two miles from the creek, where we soon found them.
We remained here through the day, and early in the evening were ordered to
have all the horses harnessed, and everything ready in case of an
emergency; information having been received that the enemy were advancing.
One section of the Battery, under Lieutenant Baldwin, was posted on the
spur of a hill, commanding the crossing of the creek. A part of the
Seventeenth Ohio were also stationed with them, and all were prepared for
an attack.
About ten o'clock, our pickets were driven in by the enemy's advance. They
reported the Rebels in large force; and it being deemed folly to contend
against such odds, General Schoepf, who was then in command, thought it
advisable to fall back on Somerset, and there await reinforcements. We
were soon retiring in good order, and before daylight arrived at Somerset.
The Thirty-eighth Ohio, and Twelfth Kentucky, coming in about the same
time. Shortly after daylight we moved about two miles North of the town,
and encamped. This was on Thursday, December 5th.