Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-02-19
LETTER FROM BOWLING GREEN.

EDITORS CINCINNATI PREss:-CompAny B,
Second Kentucky Cavalry received orders
on the evening of the 18th instant to prepare
for long ride in the morning. We were
then encamped at Camp Woods, near Nun
fordville. Daylight came, and with it great
hurry and hustle for our anticipated smell Of
gunpowder. Do not understand me as pro-
Tossing an unusual share of "bumkum," but
l assure you had the Texas Rangers ap-
peared to US, with respectable show of fair
fight, we Kentucky Guerrillas would have
repeated Willichs infantry dose-and per-
haps "more, too"
The morning Of our start was the coolest
day we had up to that time experienced but
the fire of patriotism and the jubilant occa.
sion soon had all the boys in excellent mood,
and the cold was almost forgotten The
first five miles was passed over in a brisk
trot, as we had an excellent pike road, free
Fl ON obstacles. The road, however, in the
succeeding fifteen miles was in terrible bad
condition, and our speed settled down into a
walk. Here trees had been felled In the road
at almost every point where tree had stood
near the highway. Saw-logs had been
left. Dead horses, mules and cattle were
seen floating in different ponds. counted
| six caTcasses in one Of these hell ponds,
Twenty miles of travel brought us to Bells
| Tavern, place noted as General Hindman's
head. quarters, some few days ago. His ad.
| vance brigade was encamped near here, the
| locality being termed Camp Ash. About a
mile before you reach Bells Tavern is tuu-
mel through which runs the Louisville and
| Nashville Railroad. This tunnel, however,
| is a played-out institution at present, as it is
| filed up and almost completely destroyed.
| The railroad track to Bells Tavern will re-
| quire five days of repairing before it will be
fit for use again.
After leaving the latter place we had a
good road as far as Barren River. Here we
found General Mitchelrs advance, and ar
rived in time to witness his compliments to
the departing foe. The csnnons bslched
| forth nine times, but no response was given
| by the cowardly and retreating rebels, if |
may except an answer from the last loco.
motive, which gave shrill whistle, in token
! of the departing braves of johnson, Buckner.
Hsrdee & Co. Before leaving they set fire to
the railroad depot, machine shop, engine
house and hotel, together with few other
buildings At night the sight was grand.
The red lurid flames shot up in the air, hiss.
ing and cracking like an eruption, The
black smoke arose in volumes, casting over
the vicinity dull grandeur, terrible and
awful. The place had the appearance of
desolation, suffering and want
During the night Gen. Mitchell began
throwing his troops across Barren River.
This required considerable time, and was
effected at slow rate. Early in the morn.
ing the troops moved forward and soon en-
tered Bowling Green, with the glorious stars
and stripes flying at their head, drums beat
ing, bands playing yankee Doodle" and
Hail Columbia" "-soldiers wild with patri.
otic joy and enthusiasm, uttering cheer af-
ter cheer, yell after yell, until tired nature
gave way, and all subsided in silent realizs-
tion of our bloodless victory.
Bowling Green is we'll fortified in every
respect The forts and Notifications are
very extensive; every advantageous position
had been well strengthened. The town
wore a desolste appearance, showing in
every surrounding object the footsteps of
war with all its ravages. Desolation was
everywhere: That plot of ground, near by
large dwelling house, which once was a
garden of perfumed flowers, now presents
the appearance of trodden stubble field,
while the handsome dwelling house, once the
abode of luxury, inside gave evidence OF hav-
ing been used for storage house of COM
missary articles. Others had been turned
into hospitals, and all presented woe-be-
gone, plague-stricken appearance. In look
ing around, found the following proclama.
tion Of martial law, issued by Gen. Hardee:
MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED.
"This tewn is declared under martial law.
All citizens and soldiers, except the guard,
will retire to their quarters at eight o'clock
P. NJ. A strong force will be stationed in
the town. All persons found in the streets
will be arrested Any one attempting to
fire any buildings sViH Be shot aoithom trial.
"W. j. HARDEE,
Major General.
BOWLING GREEN, February 10, 1862"
General Aitchells advance on Bowling
Green was in advance of Hardee's expecta:
tions, and he was compelled to burn three
hundred barrels of pork, which he had not
time to place on the train.
We secured one locomotive, twenty truck
cars and one freight car. The locomotive
is slightly damaged, but can be repaired
with little expense. They destroyed the
railroad bridge across Barren River, which
act will cause delay on our part They also
destroyed the turnpike bridge aud all the
ferry apparatus near the town. Too much
praise can not be accorded General Mitchell
for the hard and laborious work he acco N
plished in such a short time. But | must
close for the present More anon.
GUERRILLA.