Part 10 (1/2)
A halt was now made; and, after standing in the rain for an hour, we finally turned off the road, and camped for the night in a piece of woods.
Thus ended our first day's march from Cripple Creek.
The next morning was again rainy. Made a move at 6 o'clock, and found the roads rough and hilly. Had one very steep and bad hill to ascend, and found it necessary to double our teams; but it was some time ere all the guns and caissons were well at the top. We marched about five miles, and then halted for the wagon train to come up. The weather had now partially cleared. At 5 o'clock, seeing no prospect of the trains arriving that night, we finally camped. Some firing heard in the distance, on our left.
Next morning, the train had not reached us, and we could not move without it, as we were without provisions or forage. Were obliged to send back for feed for our horses. More rain was falling, and the roads were getting very heavy. About noon, the wagons arrived; but no further move was made, and we quietly remained in camp. Heavy firing was heard nearly all day. A general battle was reported as going on at Beech Grove, about twelve or fourteen miles distant. General Thomas' Corps was engaged. Rumors were rife in camp, and several prisoners were brought in. Our camp was located at Holly Springs, about seventeen miles from Murfreesboro.
Sat.u.r.day, June 27th. All hands were up at daylight, and prepared breakfast. The weather again cloudy. Firing on our right, still heard; but just before noon, ceased. At 12 o'clock, report came that General Thomas had defeated the Rebels and driven them, taking a large number of prisoners, and a lot of plunder.
At 1 o'clock, we once more got started, but the road was in a horrible condition; and after plodding slowly along for some six miles, we turned into a field near a creek and pitched our tents.
Sunday, June 28th. Morning cloudy. About 9 o'clock it commenced raining, but we were soon moving. Went two miles, and then prepared to camp; but the stumps and brush were so thick that it was some time ere we were enabled to pitch the tents. This was one mile from Manchester, and near a large creek, called the Barren fork of Duck river.
In the morning we were again moving, but nothing worthy of note transpired for several days.
Sat.u.r.day, July fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three. This is the eighty-seventh anniversary of our National Independence, and here we are engaged in civil war. What would our old Revolutionary heroes say, could they but look in upon us? Ah! little did they dream when they laid down the sword and gun, that this country would ever again have cause to maintain her honor by sword-blade and cannon's mouth; yet, this curse has been entailed upon us, by the vandal hand of the South. And now, to-day we stand up in a cause just as pure and holy as that for which our fathers fought in days gone by. We battle for our country as a whole; it _must not_, it _can not_ be divided. Yes,
We'll battle for our own true flag, We'll fight for every star; In town, on plain, or beetled crag, Our cause we'll thunder far.
But, already a light--faint though it be--breaks over our war-tossed homes, and 'tis slowly but surely expanding. Ere another year be pa.s.sed, we hope to see its effulgent rays light up all the dark corners of our land. That light, is the light of Liberty and Union.
But to our Battery.
We were now camped in the woods near Elk river, and there was but little prospect of our very soon getting out, as it rained almost uninterruptedly for several days, making our condition far from enviable. Our wagons, which had been left at Manchester, arrived early in the morning, as also did the train from Murfreesboro with provisions, which was hailed with delight. But still we were to be kept on half rations, as we had been for some time back.
During the afternoon the writer of this received two boxes of ”good things” from home, and the men all gathered around him with open mouths and straining eyes.
There being a little ”mountain dew” in one of the boxes, on inspection, it made some of the men feel in better spirits, and rather more patriotic.
Thus pa.s.sed the 4th of July, 1863.
Tuesday, July 7th. About five o'clock in the afternoon cannonading was heard in the direction of Tullahoma, and from the regularity of the firing it was supposed to be occasioned by some good news. In a short time after, firing was heard much nearer, and evidently in General Thomas's Corps, which was encamped on the opposite side of Elk river. One half hour later, the joyful news was received of the capture of Vicksburg, and the entire Rebel army of that place. The news spread like wild-fire through the camp, and every one was in high glee. Good news was also received from the army of the Potomac, which was now under the command of Major-General Meade.
Wednesday, July 8th. Early this morning received word to prepare for a move. Some of the batteries in our division fired a salute in honor of the victory achieved at Vicksburg. About half-past 7, we got started, and moved towards Manchester. The roads were in a horrible condition, and it was with difficulty that we were enabled to proceed. We pa.s.sed through the town of Hillsboro, and here General Woods's division went into camp while we pushed forward, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon reached Manchester, a small town on the Chattanooga and Nashville railroad, and went into camp.
Our tents were pitched on the same ground that we formerly occupied, and on the following day we commenced clearing up and regulating the place, as it was evident that we were to remain here for several days. Shades of evergreens were erected over the tents, and the ground being hard and dry our situation was quite pleasant.
On Monday, July 13th, Generals Rosencrans and Crittenden, together with several other distinguished officers, arrived on the cars. They appeared to be on a tour of inspection; but after a short stop proceeded to McMinnville.
The Pay Master arrived on the following Wednesday, and took up quarters with Captain Standart. The next day we were paid for four months'
services, being up to July 1st.
The above comprises about all that occurred while in camp at Elk river, out of the usual course of camp life. The weather, while here, was quite hot, and frequent thunder storms ensued. Several prisoners were brought in at different times, and numerous foraging expeditions were sent out, and were generally successful, bringing in oats, rye, and hay. Farmers came in with wagon loads of potatoes, fruit and vegetables, which were readily bought by the soldiers. A number of men in our Battery built ovens, in which they baked bread, pies, etc.; and, as a general thing, we lived on the best the country afforded.
A few days before we left camp an addition was made to our Battery of twelve new members, who were enlisted on the Western Reserve, in Ohio.
Orderly Sergeant Thompson, received his commission as Second Lieutenant, and William Camp was appointed Orderly Sergeant. William Broe, who was wounded at the battle of Stone river, rejoined us. Captain Standart was acting as Chief of Artillery for the division, and also sitting on the Court Martial board. We received a number of fresh horses from Nashville, together with a lot of new clothing. Several of the members who had been left in hospital at Murfreesboro, returned to duty. We remained in this camp just thirty-eight days.
At 3 o'clock on the morning of Sunday, August 16th, we were all aroused from a sound sleep, with the order to ”turn out,” and ”get ready to march.”
This was rather unexpected, and caused considerable surprise, as it was understood that no movement would be made until Monday. But, ”no man knoweth what a day may bring forth.” So move it was, and at 8 o'clock we were ”marching along.” About 10 o'clock we crossed Taylor creek, and headed towards McMinnville; but when we had proceeded some five or six miles it clouded up suddenly, and soon we were experiencing one of those thunder storms so peculiar to this region. In a couple of hours the storm had pa.s.sed over, and the remainder of the day was quite pleasant. We reached Viola near sundown, and camped in a large field near the place.
At daylight all were up and had breakfast, expecting the usual early move.