The Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1861-1862, 1862-01-11

CAlrP WooD, GREEN RIVER. !
MuMFoRpsYILLE. KY, Jan. 4. 1852.

mess to move at O'Clock Sunday morning
with three days rations. Preparations for
departure were made, and about seven O'Clock
We were on the road to Getty. The morn
ing was biting cold. In due time we reached
the City, and went to the Louisville and Nash
vile Depot and loaded upon the cars, which
took about three hours, and at IL O'Clock we
left for the Green River country. As We
passed along, although it was Sunday, San
went merry as marriage BELL" and some
were little merrier, for the whiskey they
drank was of the funny kind One of the
men thinking perhaps that he would be SAT-
er upon Terra Frma, and being pretty heavi
ly loaded ahead went over the side of one of
the cars while going at the rate of thirty miles
an hour. He lay perfectly still and apparent
ly dead. AS soon as the train could be stop
ped and run back, to see what the matter
was, we were somewhat astonished to see him
scampering towards the train exclaiming, "be
jabbers I thought would desart."
We rode on a little farther and came to
camp Nevins, one of the largest camps in
Kentucky. The soldiers gave us cheers as
we went by. We now began to get into the
grand army of Kentucky. On and on, moth
ing but white tents dotted beside the Railroad
for miles, streatchiLg on both sides of the road.
The railroad is guarded all the way, and all
the bridges have infantry guards to keep the
rebels from burning them. Bacon Creek
Bridge was doubly guarded by some Wiscon-
sin soldiers. This bridge is not very long,
but rapid creek runs far below. 1t is new
one, made of rough hewn trees by the Wis
consin boys. The train crossed carefully and
slow. 1t was now getting dark, but we went
on, knew not whittier, and cared but little
so that we met Buckner and his motley crew.
ATT o'clock we drew up; the whistle blew,
the brakes were put down, and we haltcd.-
looked from the car window, "and through
the dim darkness could see tho glimmering
rays of some half dozen camp fires" The
officers then got off, and returned Immediately
saying 1--WE have got there;;" and adding II
want ali the 'cannoniers' to get off and go for
ward and help unload" This kind of work
is never relished much, but all went to help.
1t was rather a tough job, as we had to let the
pieces down by the "prolong" Qong rope at
tached to the cannon) on planks to the track.
At last all was off, and then we began te cast
about us as to the prospects of camp. 1t
was pitchy dark, and things got badly mixed.
I slept in baggage wagon, on some oat bags;
l had no blanket; it was pretty cold, too, as a
heavy frost fell. But morning showed itself,
and it was biting cold. After getting some
refreshments, / began to look about to see
where we had dropped I found that we had
got off at place called Mumfordsville, the
place where the fight occurred some two weeks
ago.
1t is the end of the road at present, for Just
below about half mile is the greatest bridge
in the United States, called the Green River
Bridge, being 1900 feet long. 120 feet high
above the water, and was of seven spars be .
fore it was blown up. The massive stone pill
lars or abutments Of iron joined firmly togeth-
er and sunk into the rock. 1t was built in
1857, at the cost of 100000. Harpers
Weekly engraving lisa very poor representa-
ton.
The bridge Is being built as rapidly as pos
sible by tho Michigan 1st Regiment of Me-
chanics and Engineers. 1t is being made up
by tressel work so as to be in readiness for
the moving of the provisions and forage, in
case of forward movement A long Pom
toon Bridge, made by small boats being tied
together and planks thrown on for travel;
these bridges are made so as to carry and can
be thrown across ten rod river in three hours.
A guard is stationed at both ends of the bridge,
to keep the people from going across the river;
also to keep the soldiers from going over; no
one but those that have pass signed by Gen
McCook, can get over. We have four thous-
and picket guards across the river but are not
but little way from the bank and do
not venture far as yet. 1t is reported that
some venturesome ones have been down as
far as Brownsville. The Texan Rangers
(rebels) are thought by our troops to be the
bravest men they have got. They are noun
ted and often come up within musket shot
and then dart back into the woods; their skill
in horsemanship is such that they fire from
their horse and then lie fiat upon their sides,
and ride away safely, Indian like. In the last
fight the 35 Indiana volunteers lost IL killed,
who were buried on the ground where they
fell. They said the Rangers fought bravely
and were hard to whip.
Cotter's Battery, from Portage county, is
guarding the Railroad Bridge with their guns
unlimbered and at faction 'front.' loaded all
the time. The elevation and commanding
position they have will be of great use in case
of an attack. They are extreme front of our
lines; next is the 32d Indiana Regiment, and
then Konkle's 4th Battery LIST Regiment
Light Artillery, Col. Barnett, o. v. U. s. A.
Cor. Cleveland Herald
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