Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-03-26
Leaves from a Captains Diary.

side of Barren river, and was the head
quarters of Gen. Bucl1ner, and his rebel
army Here they made a stand, being in
a rich and fertile country having all the
advantages that an army could desire to
procure its provisions and stores of every
description. The Barren river navigable
for steamers of the smaller class; the rail
roads leading in the direction of Louis
vile, Nashville and Memphis, and the
pixies all leading into rich and fertile dis
tricts. Besides these advantages, the nat
ural position for defence was very good;
opposite the town, the Barren river forms
great bend, almost surrounding tract
of several hundred acres, through which
runs the pike, fine macadamized road
| leading to Louisville, also the Louisville
and Nashville R. R., both connecting with
the town on the opposite side of the stream.
In the centre of this peninsular tract, is
fine knob called College Hill, on which
the rebels had erected their Notifications
so as to command the whole valley. On
the opposite sideof the river, and in rear
of the town, is a strong fertilization COM
manding not only the one first named, but
the whole country around; this as well as
the former is supplied with immense els
the strongest or main work of the rebels,
built mostly of stone, above which now
floats the stars and stripes. At several
points along the river, are similar works,
though of less magnitude, all command
ing the first named fort, the whole, some
eight in number, forming an almost i'm
pregnable position. The timber for mile
or more around, was cut down, Ito give a
10 hi, 4 ,r-Iioh
some beautiful groves of a hundred acres
or more.
The rebel troops had gone into snug
winter-quarters; they had formed camps
on both sides of the river, and in differ
ent directions from the town; at these
camps were hundreds of brick chimneys
built so as to warm their tents; at one
camp they had deserted, near our own, /
counted over 800, and there were several
camps of equal, or larger number. As
the rebels left, they destroyed the bridge
of the Pike, also the r. R. bridge which
was of iron; the rebels shot down and
blew up one of the abutments. As they
were retiring on the advance of our troops
a shell from one of our batteries disabled
the locomotive, which somewhat discon-
certed their plans. They burned the de-
pot, warehouses &C., destroying a large
amount of commissary stores; fine block
in the centre of the town was burned
down, as the rebels fed; many incidents
might be related connected with their
rapid fight.
The town, once so beautiful, presents
now a sad appearance; that part in the
neighborhood of the rebel camps, is en-
tirely deserted, fences and out-buildings
torn down for fuel, all appearing as if the
scourge of war had visited it with VEN
geance.
On Friday morning, March 1st, the first
train came through from Louisville since
the obstruction of the R. R. by the rebels; |
on Saturday four trains arrived. On Sun
day morning at an early hour, the troops
began to move, 1900 cavalry belonging TO
our division, began the advance: by sun ,,
rise they had all passed our camp, at A.
Il. we struck our tents and began the |
march; the 59th Ohio, 9th and 18th Ky, |
regiments moved at the same time; the |
brigade being formed we commenced our
march, a section of Bradley's battery fol- |
lowed in our rear; our long train of wag-
ons drawn by six horse and mule teams |
reached near mile, the whole forming a |
very imposing appearance. Aswe neared |
the river, we stacked our arms, and wait
ed patiently, two hours, for the cavalry |
train to pass, standing all the time in |
pelting rain. The crossing of Barren riv-
er was formed by bridge constructed a.
cross the bows of three steamers that lay |
in the stream. Our brigade pass
ed quickly over, and stacked arms in the |
streets of Bowling Green. As our teams |
were in advance, 200 men were detailed |
from our regiment to assist in getting them /
across. The road down the river bank |
was almost impossible, while on the op- |
posite side, it was steep and rocky; many |
of the teams mired on the one side, corn
stalks and brush were used to repair the |
roads, as soon as a wagon crossed. long /
ropes were attached to it, and so or COL
men would help drag itup the steep rocky |
bank. During this time there was a heavy |
thunder storm; the rain poured down in |
torrents, and the men who were not en-
gagged fed to the vacant houses for shell |
ter. As soon as our regiment had passed |
over, another regiment aided in getting |
over their teams.
Leaving for Nashville, we passed through |
the town, which was comparatively va
cant. A few persons only, hung out the |
stars and stripes, though many were out |
to see US as we passed. The negroes of
the wealthy made quite display, having |
on their Sunday dress and looked ''fat
and sleek"
The ladies of Bowling Green, like most
ladies, exhibited evidence of their attach
ment for the Union. As we passed, being
informed that we were the 18th Ohio, they |
gave cheer of "Long live the bloody 10Th |
and their gallant Col Beatty" Perhaps
this evidence of loyalty was from the fact
that our gallant Colonel and many of his
officers were bachelors. Having reached
the distance of four miles, we encamped
at "Cave Mill Spring" This spring is a
great curiosity, deep ravine seventy-five
feet deep and $50 yards long is formed in
a level country; at one end boils up
spring forming large creek, running
some $50 yards, and rushes with great i'm