AT LOUISVILLE--AND OFF AGAIN.
As before stated, at noon of September 26th, we arrived at Louisville,
having marched over two hundred and fifty miles, occupying just
twenty-three and a half days. We were nearly all worn out on this long,
dreary, and tedious march, and presented a most woful appearance, being
dirty, ragged, and well nigh famished. Take it all in all, we had
undergone more hardships and real suffering than on any previous occasion,
and it was probably one of the most disastrous movements that had taken
place since the war had an existence. The boys say it was a "masterly
piece of military strategy," and think that a few more such movements will
speedily terminate the war.
Our camp was located on a piece of low ground, and in a potato patch near
the canal, through which the boats are obliged to pass when the river is
at a low stage, as there is then an insufficiency of water on the falls.
We now had full rations served out, and as far as the matter of eating,
were well off. On Sunday the 27th September, we received an addition of
forty-seven new members, they having been recruited at Cleveland by
Colonel Barnett and others. Two of our men, who had been home on sick
leave, rejoined us at the same time.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 30th, we moved camp a short
distance, and the same afternoon were paid for four months' services, and
also received a lot of new clothing, which rendered the men extremely
happy, and many a wistful eye was cast towards the city. But the same
night we received that same "eternal" order to be ready to march the
following morning. So the men were disappointed in the expectation of
getting "shut" of their money.
At an early hour, October 1st, all were ready for a start; and shortly
after daylight the battery was in motion. But, on crossing the canal, we
came to a halt, and after being delayed an hour, again moved forward. In a
short time another halt was ordered, and
We all halt, halt, halted.
In this manner nearly the entire day was consumed, and it was quite late
in the afternoon ere we were fairly outside the city.
We now found ourselves on the Bardstown pike, being the same road by which
we had entered the city seven months previous. Marched six miles, and at 9
o'clock camped for the night.
October 2d resumed our march at the usual early hour; but owing to the
large force accompanying, our progress was slow. About 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, and about eight miles distant from our starting point in the
morning, heavy firing was heard some distance ahead, but in a short time
it suddenly ceased. After proceeding two miles further we halted, and went
into camp for the night. We soon learned, from scouts sent out, that the
firing was occasioned by a skirmish between our advance and the rear guard
of the enemy, who were slowly retreating before us. There being so many
rumors concerning the skirmish, it was impossible to obtain a correct
result. However, there was no great damage done on either side. The enemy,
as usual, wanted to be "let alone." Considerable rain fell during the
night.
Captain Standart and Lieutenant Bennett, who had remained at Louisville on
business, joined us the next day, October 3d. The morning was cloudy, with
some rain. At 9 o'clock got started. The clouds swept away shortly after,
giving place to the genial sun, and the remainder of the day was quite
pleasant. At 10 A. M. passed through the small town of Mount Washington.
Here was where the skirmish of the day previous had taken place. At 3
o'clock crossed a small stream, called Floyd's Fork. The bridge had been
destroyed by the Rebels. We had no difficulty in fording the stream, owing
to the low stage of water. This was six miles from Mount Washington, and
fourteen miles from Bardstown. Just beyond here our advance cavalry were
fired upon by the Rebels, with artillery from a masked battery. A halt was
at once ordered, and instant preparation made for action. Two of our guns,
under command of Lieutenant Bennett, were moved forward some two miles,
and were then fired upon. The pieces were immediately posted on a
commanding place near by, and opened on the enemy. A few shots were
exchanged, when the firing soon ceased. Scouting parties were now sent out
to reconnoiter, but returned without making any discovery of importance.
Nothing more, worthy of notice, occurred during the night.
Having ascertained that the Rebels had retired during the night, at 10
o'clock next morning, October 4th, we again moved forward. It was now
evident that the enemy were gradually falling back, but had left a rear
guard for the purpose of retarding our march, and to cause us as much
trouble as possible, without bringing on a general engagement. About three
miles from our last night's camping ground we again crossed Floyd's Fork,
and near where the Lexington pike intersects the Bardstown and Louisville
road. We here found that the bridge had not been destroyed. About one-half
mile beyond we came to where the enemy had thrown up a sort of barricade
against a fence, and from which they had, no doubt, intended to give us a
surprise, but had thought better of the matter. Another mile, and we came
to a public building, called the Barclay House, and located on a high
elevation. Here, the night previous, the Rebels had posted their
artillery. Our forces were again placed in position, and scouts sent out
to ascertain the enemy's whereabouts. In two hours they returned without
having made any discovery, and once more we resumed our march. At night
camped within eight miles of Bardstown. From people living along the route
we traveled, all manner of reports concerning the Rebels were received. By
some it was represented that they were at Bardstown, from sixty thousand
to eighty thousand strong, and were going to make a stand to offer us
battle. But little credence was given to any of these reports; but we were
all inclined to believe that a battle was soon to be fought.
The morning of Sunday October 5th, was ushered in clear and pleasant. Had
breakfast at daylight, and at 7 o'clock our column was in motion. We moved
slowly, and with much caution, halting frequently. Once we laid by for
nearly three hours. Shortly before dark we entered Bardstown, and found
that the Rebels had, as usual, "skedaddled." We now found that the
detention during the day was caused by the arrival of another division of
troops, who had come by a different road, and we had to wait for them to
pass on ahead. We were informed by the citizens that the enemy had left
but a few hours previous, and that the division above mentioned were in
close pursuit. They had taken the direct road to Lebanon and Danville. We
passed through town, took a road to the left--crossed a small creek, and
pitched our tents, one mile beyond the place.
Early next morning, October 6th, again on the move. Our march this day was
over a rough and hilly road, and through a thinly settled part of the
country. At noon crossed a creek, the name of which we did not learn.
Shortly after this we passed through the village of Glenville, and again
got on a good road. Marched about eighteen miles this day, and, at 8
o'clock in the evening, camped one mile from Springfield.
October 7th. This morning continued our march, and at 8 o'clock passed
through Springfield. A large party of Rebels had been driven out of town
the day previous, by the advanced division. We proceeded on towards
Danville, following the pike for some distance, and then turned off to the
left, on a common dirt road. Marched several miles, and at dark came out
on the Lebanon and Danville road, six miles from the former place. General
Gilbert's division passed on ahead. We went on two miles further, and, at
a small village, turned off to the right, and proceeding some distance
further, came to a creek, and camped. Our object in leaving the main road
was to find water. Marched eighteen miles this day.