Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-27
Ar1nY Cotrespondence.
CAMP GEoRoE WooD, Mumfordsville, Ky,
December 18th, 1861.


O'Clock on that day. We marched until 10
o'clock that night and camped at Bacon Creek,
that being the fartherest point attained by our
troops, and being in the command of General
Rausseau, where the rebels burnt that bridge
under the immediate presence of our army
We got to bed upon mother earth at midnight,
and slept as weary men only eau. At day break
on the morning of the 10th, the shrill blasts of
the bugle aroused us up, and we partook of our
cold lunch and pursued our march to Green
River, where we arrived at noon Our march
was a hard and severe one. Some parts of the
road were utterly impassable and we had to
make roads through felds-haying in fact trav-
eled over % miles in one half day. portion Of
the road being of new broke stone. On that
part of the road the stone cut through our boots
into our feet, and the blood of may a poor sol |
dier marked the ground over which he trod.-l
On other portions of the road we had to go
through mud knee deep, and you can rest as
sured that the men had hard and severe march.
Your humble correspondent might have been
seen vending his way over these roads, with
musket upon his shoulder and with the rest
ready to fall down at the end ofthe march from
mere exhaustion.
Our Brigade, the LIST Ohio Regiment and
Capt. Cotter's Battery of Artillery made the
advance. On the morning of the 10th, the flag
of the Confederates foated from the Cupola Of
the Court House, but upon the approach of our
army citizen of the place took it down and
burnt it, and raised in its place the Star Span
+ gled Banner-the Banner of the Free and the
pride of Union men everywhere.
Mumfordsvlle is the County seat of Hart
county, and is situated on the north bank of
Green River. On the south bank is situated
town called Woodsonville Hart county was
named after brother-in-law to Henry Clay
Green River is a beautiful stream about 100
yards wide. The water is green, from which it
derives its name, and is clear as a crystal. On
both sides of the river are high commanding
bluffs. The water is excellent for drinking
The bed of the river is pebble stone, and the
current is very strong, making it very dan
gerous stream to ford. The landscape is most
beautiful. Well may Kentucky be proud of the
Green River valley.
The Railroad bridge across the river at this
place is mighty and noble structure and is
justly the pride of Kentucky. 1t is built of
wrought and cast-iron and is 900 feet in length
and l07 feet from the waters edge 1t cost to
build it $290,000. The east span of it was blown
up and destroyed by order of Gen. Buckner, and
we found the other piers mined and ready to be
blownup We removed the powder and there
is now no danger of its further destruction
Cotter's Battery is now planted so as to COM
rnand the bridge. Rebel entrenchments are op-
posite on the river; one was to command the
bridge, the other the town of Munfordsville.-
One had two and the other three embrasures.
! This county is true and loyal, and gavea large
majority for the Union at the last election
Woodsonville is tainted strongly with secession,
and the rebel bands which have overrun the
country, have plundered the Union people un-
til forbearance has ceased to be virtue. In
Woodsonville the rebels drove family from
their own firesde, while they owere watching
over the corpse of their dead son, not giving
them time to bury the body. There it remain
ed until modification had taken place, when the
parents were permitted to return and bury theil
child. Such are the barbaritics of Secession.
On our arrival here there was a picket guard
Immediately sent out. During the night it was
fired upon by the rebels on the opposite side Of
the river, but no one was hurt. Green River is
the dividing line; that is the Rubcon we must
pass. 1t a second Potomac. The rebels have
; formed a Provisional Government, styled the
Confederate State Of Kentucky, which they as
same comes to the bank of Green river-and
whenever we cross over they will then consider
us invaders of their sacred soil. But the invas.
ion will be made and that speedily.
The rebels have about 5000 men within
miles of here, and their picket guard lines arr
now within one and half miles of our guar,
lines. They are under the command of Gen
r eral Hneman. HHI#
l Yesterday four Secessionsts from the rebe
camp were captured. They were drunk AM
had got on hand car and were coming dow
f the Railroad when our scouts intercepted them
The rebels are poorly clothed, but have gen
orally got good firearms Many of them ar
, of recent impOrtations from Europe.
A fights momentarily expected here. Al
ready we begin to see their camp fires, and W
are ready when the General says the word,
Our regiment was out on picket guard yester
day and last night, but believe there was n
/, /, firing during the time Our company was in
, ravine, and we had our guards posted behint
trees and logs, and guards stationed in ever
defle. We were not allowed any fire. and tn
!, /, night was cold and chilly-and some came o
guard with frozen ears and toes.
Imagine my "frail body wrapped up in
blanket, behind log watching for fight Th
night cold, my little toes benumbed, my 1littl
stomach" empty and my bowels yearning fo
bread. We all understand our o6is," and yo
) may look out for great events in few days.
But beware of false prophets for evil spirits al
|. found in time of war.
Q This county is noted for its caves. Seventee
] miles from here is the Mammoth Cave, III
Q greatest of all wonders. No child but has rea
. of this great natural curiosity. If possible,
shall visit it, and report.to you the result of IN
/ observations l have visited what is Gale
1 Cocktails Cave 1t is about one mile fror
here The entrance is about the size Of bar
rel head aud a solitary stone marks the en-
! trance. approached the entrance, dark an
: gloomy was the prospects, tourist without
f candle-butI l entered after once in the aperture
y commenced NV descent not by WALKING n,