Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-09-11
Letter from the 99th Reg't.
Correspondence Of the Belmont Chronicle
CAMP NEAR LOUISVILLE, KY, !
Sent 6. 1850.

After one OF the severest marches I have
ever made, our regiment arrived at thi,
place yesterday noon
We left Covington Thursday evening,
August 29th, and arrived at Lexington ncxt
morning, where we remained that day and
night, encamped in one of the most beautiful
walnut groves | have ever seen. We left
camp at about ! | o'clock at night, August
30th, and moved towards Richmond about
26 miles Southeast of Lexington-where the
Rebels had attacked our forces, under Gen.
Nelson, and repulsed them. We had not
gone far from Lexington when we met Gen.
Nelson in carriage, wounded and returning
TO Lexington. We soon learned that his
whole force-about 5000 men-had been
cut to pieces, and many taken prisoners and
that the Rebels we're advancing toward Lex
ington. We, however, continued our march
until we arrived at the Kentucky River,
where we found the Rebels in force on the
other side. Our force amounted to about
5000 men, who had marched about 20 miles
during the night and morning, without food.
and without artillery, (the artillery having
all been captured by the Rebels from Mel
sons forces.) We were all worn out by the
march, as it was the first marching we had
done, and without General to command
us. The Rebels were close in our front,
with all their and our artillery, commanded
by good Generals, and in superior numbers.
After brief consultation among the Colo.
nels, it was deemed advisable to fall back on
Lexington, which we commenced to do i'm.
mediately, without giving the men time to
make cup OF coffee. The men we're very
sore and tired, and fell back very reluctant.
ly. They preferred TO stand and fight,
rather than retreat, and If we had had ar.
tillery have no doubt a stand would have
been made on the Kentucky River.
We started back about 10 o'clock. A. NJ,
and had very hot march during part of the
day. About 3 o'clock, p. NJ, however, il
commenced raining, and from that time un.
I'll 8 o'clock in the evening it rain ed hard
almost constantly. Our regiment was pro
vided With painted muslin blankets, with a
hole in the center, to go over the head, call
ed Pouch tent, v which protected them
very much from tho rain, and they got along
much better than they did during the heat
and dust of the preceding part of their
march. We met, during the march back,
Gen. jackson, Of Kentucky, with two regi-
ments Of Cavalry, that had travaled during
the previous night from Grab Orchard, be-
yond Lebanon, who was of immense service
to us in guarding our rear and flank from
the cavalry Of the enemy. We arrived at
Lexington about 10 o'clock at night, when
the men were SO tired that they threw them
selves down on the ground and went Ia
Sleep without waiting for anything to eat,
though they had had very little, except
hard bread, for two days.
We supposed that we were then at the
. end of our retreat, and that our forces would
ut once be put in position to defend them.
selves.
On the morning of the Ist of September
Monday we had an inspection of arms.
and the men having had good night 8
sleep and something warm to eat, we or
dered our men out at o'clock in the after
noon for drill, and were busily engaged in
drilling the regiment when Col. Webster,
who had gone up to town, returned with
the word that all the other regiments were
retreating toward Frankfort, having receiy
cd orders to do 50, and having burned all
their personal baggage and stores. We at
once, without waiting for orders, proceeded
to pack up our camp equipage and baggage,
leaving our tents, which we had Just drawn
that day behind. We took up our march
at about o'clock that night for Frankfort,
passing through Versailles early in the
morning, and resting an hour or two Just
outside OF the town. We continued our
march during the day, which was a very
warm one, and arrived at Frankfort at 8
O'Clock in the evening, and passed through
tho town and bivouaced on the North side
OF the Kentucky river, weary, foot. sore,
worn-out. We here thought We had cor
tainiy arrived at the point where our retreat
wonld stop, but we soon learned that Gen.
Wright had continued his course toward
Louisville, leaving orders for the army to
follow after. We were awoke at 3 O'clock
in the morning, and started towards Louis
No = hVt udyS tuc TOt-uS uFy
and dusty, with but little water to be had,
We marched ls miles, and bivouacked after
dafk within miles Of Shelbyville for a few
hours rest. At 4, A. NJ, We were again
called into line to march, but owing to
wrong start Of the advance we were halted
and did not again get in motion until about
7 o'clock. We passed through Shelbyyille
about ., A. M, where the hearts of the
worn out soldiers were made glad by the
warm reception OF the citizens, who waved
their Union flags from the windows and
doors Of almost every house In the town.
Tho women, many Of them in mourning for
husbands, sons or brothers whose lives have
been lost in the Union army--with ewes
filed with tears, waved their handkerchiefs
to cheer the dropping spirits of our men,
and the old mon and children shouted for
the Union and cheered the ''old flag" as we
carried it through their town. Nor was
their cheering and icords Of comfort all we
received at their lands; but as we passed
10 good order--eveTy man in the RANKS
through the town, they posted themselves
10 lines along each side Of the road, with
buckets filled with fresh water and baskets
filled with provisions and fruit. This re.