Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-11-24
KsoIvIIlr, Nov. l6:h.

On the morning Of the l7Eh, We left orr e,mp Of sun
rise and p1shsd on to Barboursville. The Unionists
seemed to delgh! in our return, but could not under
stand the caus, Of it. They we're told We were only escort
ing back a large train Of captured property and that the
enemy wss not coming out Of Kentucky. We we're now safe
and no apprehenslons we're enterta ned ofour being moles
ted, or any portion Of our train j,opardizsd. The truth Is,
that great fears had been entertained that . portion Of
our train would be captured. The wagons OF eerersi
Knby Smith had been twice packed for burning, but oy
the indomitabls waschfulnes5 Of Gen. POI, and big
uutiring labor in pushing forward tbs trains, as well as
holding the enemy in check, they were sayec, on 'hi'
side of Big Hi a party Of BushWhackeEs bad hired upon
the train, ~wounding q horse ard killing q teanster. The
BushwhackeIs we're pursued and surrounded, sems eight
or ten being taken prisoners. It is said they were either
to be hung or shot. One Of hsjor Fishers wagons
OQnrsermaster in Gen. Smiths armyh having preceded
the train some distance, was stopped ard RID OF . lot
Of baggage, when the tsamster was allowed to proceed.
This was q most bold and daring cot Of robbery.
We reached BrboursviIls in the afternoon, the most
Of Gan. Bragg's army having come up. After q halt OF
two hours or 90 our train proceeded on through Fiat
Lick to Mrs. Poguss', ten miles further, where We
canped until midnight The dew was very heavy, and
a very thick fog prevailed, and though our blankets had
been spreai close to the c~amp-6res, We we're nearly
chilled through. A cup Of oCffSe was made before
starting, and, on the morning Of the 18Th, at one O'Clock,
We again resumed our march through an almost inpene'
trab,e mist. We crossed the river at Cumberland Ford,
winding through the mountains on either side, which
doomed up through the hsz,, resembling huge dark
| clouds, il being impossible almost 10 see anything dis
tincly. As d:y approached, We passed innumersbe
| camps and c~amp.fres Of those who had preceded US,
| among whom we're q number Of families. Il was q
strange sight to sec little children aud ladies standing
around camp fire., whls to one side was An improVised
tent which had sheltered them from the heavy dew.
Many Of these ladies, among them the wives and
daughters Of Kentucky congressman, had gone with US
to Kentucky, imagining that they would once more be
restored to their happy homes, and erS ~ the sweet do
mesticity Of their cherished hearthstones-but, alas! II
was but q dream to them, and nov they were again eI
periencing the bitter anguish, not only Of e1iles from
their homes, bat OF the ~suferings Of most dis
| sstrous defeat. For, so far a the people OF Kentucky are
concerned, tAey are left 10 utter ruin, desolation and
| dessrton. The heart aches, misery and despair which
we lsi. behind u,, cannot be portrayed. The effect CT
our retreat along the road, everywhere was sinking and
depressing in the extreme. No miniature banners waved,
no white ksrchisfs greeted US with approving smles
from lovely wOmsn-snd no wild cheer was heard re-
spousivo 10 the greetings which had attended our march
to Kentucky. Trembling women stole to the doors to
look upon the strange, ~nysi6sd scene before them, and
as the truth gradual y forced itself uPon them, their eyes
filed with tears and they shrank back, fearing even to
m.ks The sEghtes. demonstration Of iriendliness-all
Ws sullep, down C lt aud gloomy.
Il mus. De frankly scknoslodged that our army made
a most narrow escape, and it We had not been highly
lavoured by glorious weather and good roads, tho whole
train would in vitality have been lost. A heavy rain
would have made the roads impossible and would have
ruined us. The crossing Of Big Hill by the train, the
wreck Of wagons, with the road s;rsvn with absndoned
articles, the rattliug Of wheels down the rocky d~ecli'iie',
the rush and press forEsrd of artillery and infantry,
through th:ss mountain gOrgea, only required q deep
snow to have made I. another retreat from Moscow. Al
4. Il. We arrived within six miles Of the Gap, and Oh
tanning . pretty fair breakfast a, 4 house near, letS'le
train aud pushed forW .rd. The road was sdll blocked
head for miles ald the progrsss over tho Cumberland
Mountains vas very slow. | crossed about noon, AID
gaining the other side, as l turned back to lot upon the
pssks Of Cumberland, and ,isu oncs more the terrible
heights Of ths Gap, l mus, confess that there were no
pleasant association Of feelings which would ever make
me desire 70 look upon them again. Everything seemed
to wear q different aspect 10 me as rode along the road,
paEiog tAin after usin, until ] reached Tsz'Uel-
Nothing look inviting about the town so | pushed on five
miles further, aud stopped At hr. Mountains hOuae, a
blacksmith by trade, AID preacher by profession, where
l Obtained quarters for the light. TO sleep in = bed,
once more protected from the night air aud the doWs
vas Indeed 4 laIury.
Tee mex. day being Sunday, the lsth, I took the
privilege OF SuadIy morning and slept late. 1t YES a
beautiful day. Tho road was still blocked with wagons,
Aad | met General EaIey's brigade returning, they had
ONLY reached q few miles beyond the GIp. Also Gen.
B.eckinridse's division, which had but marched some Is
miles from K2o1ville, but with whom we're q large party
of Kentucky ladies, hoping to reach their homes. They
.ere al turned back, and their hopes dashed With ore
fell blow. Thst night I stopped a. Mrs. Bites, Is miles
from KlcIVlle, a widow lady, who had q con in the
Federal army. Sac had been imbued with abolition
iIcas, but was nou nationally Southern in her sentiments.
On Monday the 20 h, l reached Knoxville at rco1, hn-
ing been abpcn, jast three weeks to a day. / found all
IN a hurley burlcy of confusion here-the streets crowd
cd With soldiers and officers. every hotel and house filed
to overlooking, and no place to put your nose in. l
was taken care Of, however, by ny friend, Gen. J.o
R,m.ey, for the night, and the nsIs day the hospital
ties of the mansion Of the Hon. John II. Croker, were
most corci,ny extended to me, and for which l must re-
turn here my deepes; tn inks Of gratitude.
1. mus. be understood that the immense quantity Of
goods, &c brought by the trains was captured by Gen
Kirby Smith, aud indeed all tho property which. came
in-e1ctp. the arms captured by Bragg at hun'ords.
vile. l. Is sid We have clothes and j,ars enough to
olothe the whole Western army, but | doubt this.
Il is reported that IS soon rs General Joe J%ohrs'on's
he,l.h will permit he will take the command Of the
Army Of the Mississippi It is stated orders have been
received to r~eorganiz, the whole army and move st o1ce
on Nashville. We may lock soon for exciting times
from Middle Ternesaes. SIxPRE.
Grx XnIrIsn I'm Wilmington ] Inrn,. sne,kirR