The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-05-05
HILLsDALE, MICH TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1868.

fused to do. Thereupon Gen. Manson i
command Of the post, ordered out the l6t
} Kentucky which is squartered near the depot
They were formed in line of battle, ordered t
load their guns, battery planted to bear up
ON the train, and that supported by two regi
Inents of kentucky cavalry. The insolen
demand, made in plain violation of the Presi
dents proclamation and the act Of Congress
upon that subject was bad enough, but at
tempting to compel obedience by armed force
was regarded by our officers as perfect insult
Affairs looked squally for awhile, but Col
Doolittle knowing himself to be in the right
was determined not to give up, even though
he bad to fight TO carry out his resolution.
fie had the support and appreciation Of all The
officers and soldiers from Michigan Of which
there were six regiments. In the afternoon
the Kentucky regiment was marched back to
its quarters. Monday afternoon we started
taking the negroes with us, much against the
Lebanon. 1t was fue day and we passed
through splendid country, the peach trees
were in full bloom and looked through the
thick ndian.summer air, like clouds at sunset
after shower has passed away. We stopped
at Bowling Green early in the morning which
is place Of no great size, but which occupied
a prominent position in the eyes Of the nation
year and half ago, as it was then one OF
the strongholds of the rebels. We started on
again at ten o'clock, passing over numerous
bridges--.each defended by small stockaded
forts and company or two of Uncle Sans
boys.
A few miles before reaching Nashville, we
passed the remains of several trains, which had
been attacked, robbed, and burned by the reb-
els not long since. All the trains from Bowl
ing Green and from Murfreesboro to Nashville,
s-~-aoa hv .oldiers. The train stop.
ped at six o'clock, within mile of the town
and remained several hours. It grew dark
and we laid down to sleep, some in the cars
and some on the tops Of them. 1t COM
menced raining, but we did not mind that an
we had our rubber blankets over us, and the
roof OF car is not the worst place in the
world to sleep. About ten o'clock the train
moved on to the city. We got of, formed
into companies and marched to the barracks,
the rain falling in torrents, where we enjoyed
good nights sleep. As we marched up to
our camp, which we have done since CON-
menced writing, We passed some noble resi-.
dences surrounded by all the adornments
which taste can devise, and wealth procure.
The country this side of the city bears un-
mistakabe evidence OF the ruinous effects of
war. Not fence is left standing except those
around the houses and many of these are gone,
and gardens, fruit trees, shrubsry and every
thing else, is turned out to the commons. !.
The people at the north have suffered and
sacrificed much in life and property in this
horrid war, but could they SOC what it has
done in this fair southern land they would ex.
perience deep feeling of thankfulness at
their own happier lot. The 22d Mich. are
camped with us. Our camp ground would
be fine one had it not been used as a sort OF
burying ground for mules and horses belong
ing TO regiments quartered near here since the
commencement Of the war, and it would be
just as well if the grass had not given place
to the bare soil upon which We shall have to
sleep, for straw is out of the question in the
vicinity of Nashville. Every one here except
the rebels, likes Rosecrans. He is fighting
general combining decision, energy, and cour-
age, with a loyalty and zeal for the govern.
ment, which hesitates not at using any means
that ca be made subserviant to the great end
the salvation of the country. E.