The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-04-25

NASHVILLE, Tenn. April I6, 1856:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. April Is, 1863
To the Free Trader-We left jefferson
vile, Tuesday u4th) at three o'clock, p.
m. for the Louisville and Nashville r. X.
Depot, where we remained until o'clock
in the evening, where we left for this place
in a train of freight cars. We reached
Bowling Green next morning about 9
o'clock Here we had to remain several
hours to turn over three prisoners, belong.
ing to the 65th Ill. Regiment, who had
been courtmartialed and sentenced to be
transported here to be confined in the
Notifications at hard labor. At Bowling
Green, Co. A. was detailed to remain until
the passenger train arrived and then
guard that train through to Nashville.
The rest of the regiment went ahead but
when they reached South Tunnel, IL miles
| from Gallatin, they were detained by a
party Of workmen who were repairing a
bridge on the rail road. So that at Galla-
tin the passenger train passed them thus
enabling the Company aboard to get into
Nashville Just a. dusk This was FORTH.
nate circumstance for company A. as they
were Immediately sent to barracks where
they had comfortable quarters for the
night The whole of the regiment arrived
about 8 o'clock and were obliged to march
across the river and lay down on the wet
ground and in the mud, without tents
AS we were coming down from Bowling
Green, a arty of guerllas, made dasl,
into the rail road a few hodrs ahead OF the
train, but they did not have time to dc
any damage to theroad. They, however,
cut away some ten or twelve telegraph
s-rar SouIn Tunnel We saw detachment
of mounted infantry in pursuit of the
guerillas, and / learn this morning that
they captured several of the rascals. This
raid created considerable excitement both
at Ga'latin and Nashville-eycn extern ling
to Murfreesboro; and was the cause of
marching our regiment over the river last
evening" instead Of quartering them in the
barracks in the City. Three compa MICS.
were also sent out mile, on picket. This
morning however the excitement has subs.
sided and the telegraph wires are up
again.
We LEFT Henshaw battery at Jefferson
vile. They are to be sent down the Mis-
sissippi Capt II. Informed me that he
will be attached to Gen McClernands
corps '"
On our arrival at Gallatin, found things
about the same as they were when we left
there two months ago Gen. Paine is still
in command Of the post, and the lo2 l0J,
ILL., S1th Ind. 9S Ohio and Nicklin's 18th
Ind Battery still garrison the place. They
are in Gen. Wards Brigade. There .ilf,
several other detachment encainped there
but did not learn whore they hailed
from
The Louisville and Nashville Rail road
is strongly guarded--stronger than at any
previous time. The troops, however
stationed along this road are not placed
there so much for tho safety of the road
as for the convenience of subsisting them.
In the event of n serious engagement in
the front these troop. can be readily des-
patched to the scene of action by rail So
that those even at Louisville are Ia easy
supporting distance of the main body Of
the army at Ia lihoma.
There is no news from the front of any
great inn o~tance- Skirmishes take place
every day at different points along the
entire line of the two arml.s-EeIthsr
commander however seems DESTROYS to
bring on a general engagement The re
bells seem to be gradually dropping back on
their left while they are swinging forward
their right This movement is interpret
ed to indicate speedy evacuation of
EicksSurg The massing Of their troops
on the right is simply making room for
those from Jackson and Nicksburg
We shall probably remain here for some
time. We have beautiful camping
ground which is located on the east bank
Of the Cumberland on pretty green
common The storm having cleared away,
the sun came out this morning quite hot.
Every thing looks like mid spring here.
The forests are quite green, and the roses
and laylocks are in full bloom The men
are delighted with everything this morn
ing, and the little hardship of last night
has been entirely forgotten SO perfectly
delightful does everything look, that !
doubt, whether a man would return home,
We're the privilege granted him
This morning we had a visit from Capt.
Miller Of Millers Battery. lie is quite
feeble yet. Having been here for some
time in the care Of the surgeon His health,
however, is rapidly improving, and he
hopes to rejoin his battery in few days.
His battery is stationed at Franklin, %
miles south of this city, and is under the
command of Lieut.. John II. Colvin.
have not heard Of Geo. Spencer, but pre-
sumo he is with the battery.
Letters addressed to our boys should be
directed to Nashville. Never forget to PUT
the letter Of the company and the number
of the regiment on the address. NJ