The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-01-07
LETTER FROn KENTUCKY.
BkARpsToWN, XIV, /


Ed. STANDARD - Here We are, forty miles
from Louisville, on the Louisville and Nash
vile turnpike, and SO many miles nearer to
the front of our lines, which hold in check
Buckner, Zcllicoffer. Humphrey Marshall, and
the rebels under them; many Of whom, espo-
cially under Buckuer, are from this Fart of The
State.
We left Louisville on Wednesday of last
week and csmped the firt night on Fern
Creek, ten miles distant This being the first
of our experience in "st'iking tenls," break
ing up camp, and marching, we wero longer
in starting and more easily tired than after.
wards; besides, the weather was uncomforta
bly, warm for us Northerners. The second
day we breakfasied by candle and camp fire
light, and commencing our march at half past
eight, we travelled fifteen miles and pitched
our tents at Salt River about three o'clock p.
NJ. Whether this is the Salt River so often
travelled by disappointed politicians, or not,
am unable to say. Getting an early start on
Friday, we came to our present camping
ground in good season, making, ] Am told,
the best time of any Of the fve regiments
now here. have thus briefly gone over the
march from Loui.ville to Bar lslown, leaving
The ipciderts and observations of the trip for
record by themselves.
The weather 81 ce we crossed the Ohio,
until yesterday, las been delightful. During
Saturday night it commenced raining and
continued exceedingly unpleasant and blus-
tering until this morning, when it commenced
clearing eff and now promises another spell
of pleasap, weather. Frequently on the march
heard it remarked that it seemed just like
corn pla' ting weather. The nights have been
uniformly cold, even to freezing.
The turnpike connecting Louisville with
Nashville, upon which Bardstowu is located,
is one of the finest roads ever travelled, be-
ing thoroughly macaGamized aud having no
heavy grades. One pecuiaritv, however, at
tracts the attention Of the traveller. For sew
eral miles in the vicinity, and along the banks
Of Salt River, the country is very broken, in.
sersected frequently by raviues and mountain
water courses. Traversing this section OF
country, the turnpike winds up and around
the hill sides, 50 that n several places the reg
iment hid the appearance OF countermarching,
only that the head Of the regiment would he
perhaps forty feet highe than tic rear guard
- probably milo apart by road, and not
more than forty roads distant from each 9th.
er on direct line. Having turned one Of
these elbows for OK bows) and ascendcd a few
rods on the countermarch to point present.
ing a picturesque view Of the surrounding
hills, valleys, and the river bottom, with the
regiment winding up the opposite side of the
ravine, the rear guard just emerging from the
covered bridge which spans the river iu the
distance, was filed with peculiar emotions
charmed with the scenery aud The living tab
leau and yet constrained to wonder that the
necessity was laid upon the Government to
marshal its hosts in defence of the Consttu-
ton and the Union. II single r. gment can
make an impression Of military prowess, what
must have been the grandeur Of the GREAT
REVIEW on the Potomac! Aud it is not TO be
wondered a, that the people Especially the
rebel sympathizer.) of Northern Kentucky,
who have seen regiment after regiment cross
ing their borders until now the troops in This
Department, exceed, it is believed, 100000
men, should be flied with wonder and ankle.
ty for their friends in the rcLel ranks. Sew.
ersl incidents exhibiting this anxiety fell uu
der my notice. One Of our soldiers passing
down Broadway, Louisville, was stopped 81
he approach gate where three ladies' were
,tandng-two apparently visitors and sympa
thlzrr>. One of the 'adics asked him how
many federal soldiers there were in Kentucky
After moments reflection be replied thai
according to his best information there were
over 5000, and more coming daily. I'm
mediately the lady within the gate bursting
into tears, exclaimed "Oh, that l could gel
my son away from Buckner."
Not far from tho point where l had Til
view OF the regiment, as above alluded 10
Capt. Hackstaff, Of Coldwater, who, on ac
count Of his health. was allowed to march a
will, and myself, stopped at dwelling e
rest; and in conversation with the lady anC
daughter, learned from the daughter that be
brother was iu Buckner's army that he wa
over persuaded aud enlisted contrary to thei
wishes and feelings, the family being. rs sh
said, warm Union people. They felt grea
anxiety for him; yet when we left, bid US Coz
speed and cess to our arts, with hope
that it BE accomplished with little sacrifice Q
life. Another family we are told Of wher
one son was in Bucknet's army anl che i
Rosseau's; another family, where n son joine'
Buckner's amy against the wishes Of bi
friends, who, after wearing out the clothes b
took with him, not being able to procure new