Part 2 (1/2)
This battle has been given several names; such as, battle near Somerset, battle of Fis.h.i.+ng Creek, Logan's X Roads, Old Fields, and Mill Springs. It is better known by the last mentioned.
It was not until Wednesday evening, the 22d of January, that our battery arrived in Camp at Somerset, having been absent six days. Although the men were well nigh worn out, yet all were in high spirits over their late victory, and for a long time it was the only thing talked of.
CHAPTER V.
HERE A LITTLE, AND THERE A LITTLE.
As has been stated, it was on the 22d of January, when the battery returned to Somerset. The next day, we went back to Mill Springs with our horses, to bring away the guns captured from the enemy.
As it was late in the day, when we arrived at the scene of the engagement, and the roads being in bad condition, we remained over night. The next morning, at daylight, started on our return, and reached Somerset at 2 P. M., the distance traveled in both expeditions being sixty-four miles.
We now received orders to march for East Tennessee; but the order was soon after countermanded, as it was found impossible to proceed, owing to the horrible condition of the roads. Colonel Barnett had arrived shortly after the battle, it being the first time we had seen him since leaving Camp d.i.c.k Robinson. He remained with us only a few days.
Not having before said anything about Somerset, we will here describe the place:--It is one of the early settled towns of Kentucky, and like all the other mountain towns of this State, it presents rather a sombre and gloomy appearance. The buildings are mostly built of wood, and are old fas.h.i.+oned affairs. The business part looks as if it had gone through the revolutionary war; many of the buildings are fast going to decay. The population is about one thousand five hundred. Although the inhabitants profess to be loyal to the old Government, yet many of them are, at heart, rank secessionists. There is a court-house and jail here, it being the seat of justice for Pulaski county.
We remained here until the 10th of February, 1862, being a period of just ten weeks from the day of our first arrival. On Sat.u.r.day, the 8th of the same month, Edward C. Chapman, a member of our company, died, and was buried the next day. His remains were followed to the grave by nearly all the members of the battery. This was the first burial in the company, the others, who died, having been sent home, with the exceptions of Hodge and Bailey, who were left sick at towns we pa.s.sed through.
It having been found impracticable to go forward into East Tennessee, for various reasons, on Sat.u.r.day, February 8th, we were ordered to be prepared to march on the following Monday.
Monday morning found us ready to move; and, at 8 o'clock, we bade good bye to Somerset, much to our satisfaction. We marched twelve miles that day, over the worst kind of a road. In many places the mud was belly deep to the horses, and they often got stalled. At night, camped in a small valley near a creek. During the night, a heavy snow storm set in, and, in the morning, the ground was covered, and more still falling. At 8 o'clock, were again on the move. The roads were but little better than the day previous; we were, however, in a more open country. Marched this day about fourteen miles, and at 4 o'clock struck the turnpike at a small creek, where there was a mill, and one or two stores. We proceeded one mile beyond, and camped for the night--the weather cold and stormy.
Next morning, the weather was quite pleasant; and, as soon as breakfast was over, were again on the road. Lieutenant Bennett was taken sick, and was left at this place. We now had a good road, and made fair progress. At 4 o'clock, we camped two miles from Danville, the town being in plain view. The distance made this day, was twenty-four miles.
Danville is one of the most beautiful towns in Kentucky. The streets are wide and clean, and the place is well laid out. The population is about five thousand. It contains many fine buildings, both public and private.
Early next morning, as usual, on the move, with fine weather. Lieutenant Sturges was left sick with typhoid fever at Houstonville, on our way through. Marched twenty miles this day, and camped in the woods eight miles from Lebanon. There was a heavy fall of snow during the night, and the morning was ushered in cold and disagreeable, but we were soon moving, and arrived at Lebanon about noon, and camped two miles from town on the Louisville road.
Time, on the above march, four and a half days.
At Lebanon, we received a supply of new clothing, and also our Sibley tents, which made us more comfortable. At this place, we obtained the news of the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. Our horses were shod, and some of them exchanged for others. Also received a lot of army wagons, with six mules to each. Had considerable sport in breaking in the mules, many a laughable incident occurring. One of them, in particular, seemed inclined to have his own way, in spite of all the driver's efforts to render him tractable. He would neither go forwards nor backwards; and when Jehu applied whip and spurs, as an inducement to proceed, he would turn his head, look his tormentor full in the face, with a most wicked leer, and then commence such a series of ”ground and lofty tumblings,” that the driver was feign to hold on for dear life. Finally, a bright idea seized the mind of our mounted friend. ”Boys,” said he, ”I'll bet two to one, that I make this cloven-footed, tobacco-leaf-eared model of a Dutch church sweat the hide off hisself;” and, leaving his animal tied to a fence, he entered a grocery, soon returning with an immense cabbage stuck on the point of his sword. Once more mounting the sagacious beast, Jehu laid his sword between the animal's ears. The cabbage projecting in full view to the enraptured gaze of the refractory steed, caused him to elevate his muzzle for so tempting a morsel, and, in the attempt, he began to move forward, and soon was going at a speed wonderful to behold. That mule always went well after that. He was partial to cabbages.
We had orders to move on Tuesday, the 18th of the same month; but, owing to the rainy weather, did not leave. From preparations being made, it looked as if we were going to have another long and tedious march. Only the officers knew our destination. The weather during our stay here, had been wet and cold.
Theodore White died in hospital on the night of February 18th. His remains were sent home in charge of his brother, who was quite sick. A large number of sick were left in hospital at this place, among whom was Corporal H. P. Fenn, who died shortly after our departure. Lieutenant Bennett returned on the 20th, having nearly recovered from his sickness.
Friday morning opened bright and clear, and we took our departure from Lebanon, having been here one week.
At 8 o'clock, were on the way, and, at 11 A. M., pa.s.sed through the town of Springfield. Marched twenty-five miles that day, and pitched our tents in the woods, five miles from Bardstown. The next morning was rainy.
Proceeded to within one mile of the town, and again camped. Kinney's battery accompanied us. This was the 22d of February, being Was.h.i.+ngton's birth-day. At noon, Kinney's battery fired a salute, in honor of the occasion. The next day, went about four miles beyond Bardstown and again camped in the woods. A large number of troops were camped near us.
On Monday morning, the 24th, we started for Louisville. Nearly all of Thomas' Division were with us, making quite a large army. Marched twenty-six miles this day, and camped for the night near a small village.
The next morning, got an early start, and arrived within three miles of Louisville. It was now the 25th of February.
We camped in a large field near the city, and the following day were paid for two months' services, being up to the 1st of January. This was the second payment we had received.
It was now generally understood, that we were bound up the c.u.mberland river; but for what point, was not fully known. General Thomas' Division kept coming in, regiment after regiment; proceeded directly to the city, and there embarked aboard the steamers which were chartered for the purpose. A number of our men went into the city, after being paid.
Louisville is the largest and most important city in Kentucky. It is situated at the falls of the Ohio river, and contains a population of seventy thousand, and is the center of a large and growing trade.
On Thursday morning, the 27th of February, we entered the city, and at once commenced getting the guns, horses, &c., on board the steamer Westmoreland. It was nearly dark, ere this was completed. At 10 o'clock the same evening, we cast loose from the levee and were soon steaming down the broad Ohio. Sixteen boats loaded with troops accompanied us. Colonel Barnett was on one of them; and there were also two or three more of his batteries on different boats.