Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-03-06
JOHN HARKIN.
BowI1Sa GREEN, Kr., Feb. go, 'sg.

BOWLING OhkkNS hI'g ceO. zOS ozs
MR. HARPER:-DEAR SIR: Having
formerly been resident of Gallia co1n-
ty, Ohio, but now Of Bowling Green,
Ky, or rather for the time being, I
shall endesyor to give you shors
sketch of our marches, and also the
manner in which we took this place,
which has been occupied BY the South
ern army for the past eight months, and
very strongly fortified at that This
brigade (the eighth, Gen. Mitchell. be-
ing 10 the advance, left Green river on
the 18th. and reached Bowling Green
the next day, distance about forty-eight
miles. The first day we marched
twenty-six miles. having a very pleas
ant day until late in the evening, when
the weather became very unpleasant,
sleeting and showing during the follow
ing night. Our men suffered greatly
during the night, having no place 10
sleep, as we were not allowed to pitch
our tents. We slept with our eyes
open, with the rebel scouts all around
US. After passing wearisome night
we were ordered TO march on double
quick time. but the boys were so tired
and sleepy they declared they could not
stand it, until word came that we had
an opportunity to give the rebels some
Of Uncle Sans improved pills. when
all was well. and every man was in
good spirits and ready for any duty that
cAanced to fall to him.
By day-break we we're on our way to
Bowling Green, and after marching
some lour or Eve miles our General
pressed every team on the way to haul
the mems knap-sacks, which Of course
relieved US very much. and we reached
our destination by four o'clock Satur-
day evening, notwithstanding we had
extremely bad roads, rendered more
difficult to travel by the internal rebels
having fallen timber. rolled stones, aad
IN every conceivable manner bleckaded
the roads TO prevent our speedy march.
but all in vain, as we were homeWard
bound.
LOOMS battery, with a number Of
cavalry, reached their Notifications on
this side OF Barren river about 2 O'Clock,
and commenced cannonading immedi-
ately, which lasted some fifteen min
utes, but not shot was fred on the
enemy's side. Every man took TO his
heels and run like the al, leaving
everything behind except what they
could carry on their backs. They fred
both bridges at the east end Of town to
prevent our men from crossing Barren
river. and not only the bridge, but eve
ry building they could get FIRE to was
burnt into ashes before we could cress
the river, as we had nothing but bare
one old Aat-boat to cross our whole ar
my in, until we constructed more, which
Of course took considerable time, con-
sequently the rebels made their escape,
or the greater portion Of them, before
we reached the town. Our cavalry
scouts took quite a number of Texas
rangers, who had not yet crossed the
river, and several others were captured
after we crossed, among them were two
Captains and three LieutenaDts.
Gen. Mitchell's division is now quar-
tered in town and has full possession Of
the place, and he has appointed the reg
ular town officers, among whom is Col.
T. R. STANLEY, Of the 18th Ohio Regi-
ment. who is Provost Marshal, and has
his Office where Gen. BuckneT former
ly quarteTed. Being weary / shall not
add further for the present, but will en-
deavor to give you full detail iu my
next. Yours, &C.,
L. D. CARTER.