The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-01-28
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE



y Friend journal Thinking that few
items, concerning ourselves, would not bs
ont of place, and perhaps might give pleas.
ure to the numerous friends of the soldier.
who read your valuable paper, I at once
upon our removal here, undertake the
pleasing task. We (the First and Second
Brigades) left Paducah on Wednesday morn.
ing, January 18th, about nine O'Clock in the
morning, and went into camp about FIVE
in the evening, marching that day about
fourteen miles. We started again the next
morning about O'Clock, on our road to
Mayheld some ten or eleven miles. ahead /:
but owing 10 the bad state of the road for
the transportation of our baggage, artillery,
&c, We were obliged to take a roundabout
circuit, until we arrived within one mile of
Mayheld, making this day about sixteen
miles. The next morning we were onca
more upon the road, and passed through
Mayfeld with drums beating. colors f1vinp
band playing, but no welcome greeting was
given to as; no hurrahing or waving of hand
kerchiefs (for now we were really in seeesb
land), but instead of smiles we received
troWns, and instead of cheering hurrab
smothered curses-not loud It's true. but
deep. After our division had passed through
this shell hole, some of our scouts stopped
behind, and in less than half an hour six of
clay King men, well mounted and armed.
rode into town but were Immediately made
aware OF the presence of our scouts (fyel
sy Shot from one of their guns. The
rebels ned at once, our boys following them
TWO or three miles, but they were well
mounted and escaped.
Now, indeed, began the fatigues of our
march. Down came the rain amid the roar
OF thunder and flashes of lightning. Thun-
der and lightning in Junuary--think of il
Mud knee deep, but still our boys marched
gallantly forward; wagons stalling-still
the cry was forward. Mud and rain rain
and mud. Forward-forward-u abont
o'clock in the evening, when tired and
weary we threw ourselves upon the ground
regardless of the mud or the pitiless ele-
ments. The next day it was impossible to |
proceed, owing to the flooded state of the |
road, and the still continuing rain. How |
ever, we moved our camp ground about a |
hall mile further on, and the next day pushed
our way onward about three miles, when
we were again obliged to halt for the night.
This day horse was drowned in a creek
which we had to cross. The next morning
was clear, so we resolved to make ND for
our i'll luck, and marched in quick time.
passing through the town of Muncy, which
we found almost deserted. The people fed
everywhere at our approach, leaving in
heir hurry everything behind at the mercy
Of our boys, who | must say, with the ex-
;eption of some few (as is always the easel
behaved most humanely. This night we
;amped in little pleasanter place than be-
ore. The next morning, bright and early,
We were in harness once more. and after
about ten miles arrived here. on
he banks of the Tennessee river, and are
low camping in sight of one of the boun-
ary lines of King Jef's Dominions.
Ny journal has been brief, for it would
AXE volume to describe all the horror of :
he people who, in their lives never saw a
annon before land we have ten with us1
ever saw so many people; never heard a |
and of music; the troubles of the officers
7ere many to keep the boys from devil
1ent. They could hardly blame them for
asting sly glances at the chickens and little
igs that will insist upon running between {
ur legs. The hardships of our brave troops
DING on picket after long days march
nd the next day still jogging on with mus
ct and knapsack as happy as ever; nor
lust [ forget our Generals, Smith and
Vallace, who, whenever, a poor fellow
nks by the way side, foot-sore and wearied,
as the consolation of knowing from their \
ffcers that their General feels for them.
'.when We are rich we ride in chaises,
When we are poor We walk be 5-s.''
Yell, they can afford to ride on horses, and
General is not supposed to get tired, and, /
course, his men must have the same feel
lgs he has.
Just imagine our band playing the soul
irring melody of The Star Spangled
anner," and an ancient ladyirushing frant. T
ally to the door of her house, and both E
ands extended heavenward, exclaiming
Mercy on me, what is that Oh, Lord
hat Is this country coming to ?" And on :
eing told it was a band of music, said
Music, do you call that music; l thought A
was their nasty blunderbushes.p
However, l must now conclude as the
oat is momentarily expected to start. /, >
oweVer, before 1 close, would inform you .
at when we started, we thought our desti-
alton was Camp Beaaregard, but when we !
lssed through Mayfield, we left that place
our right. Where we are going, we I
now not; however, it is supposed that this
ovement is made as a feint. If such IS
e case, 1t is no feint to our Government,
1t stern reality. So no more at present.
W. w. DARNALL,
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