Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-01-08
"reminiscences Of the Second Tennes
see Cavalry.
BY JNO. w. ANDES.
NO. III.


the homes we had left behind US
many OF US never to look upon then
again. We numbered then upward
OF 400 men, many of whom were des
titute of money, rations aud every
thing else except the scanty clothing
upon their persons. Views as to the
/ future were exchanged. Loved ones
at home were spoken OF, and tears Of
sadness and deep sorrow were shed
| But no time wss to he lost, and soon
we commenced the descent of the
mountain, which brought US to Yellow
! Springs, in Kentucky. The country
was sparsely populated, and the stern
realities of war had made those who
were there wild as deer.
On the Gath we started out of the
mountains. Snow commenced falling
and continued until the night Of the
next day, at which time we arrived at
London, small town, the county site
of Laurel county, Kentucky. The
weather was bitterly cold, and many
of our Eaen were without coats, hats
or shoes. Blood run freely from their
bruised and frozen feet. But courage,
fortitude and patriotism caused them
to peTsevere and struggle on. The
country was in a destitute condition,
Brsgg's army hSyiDg fallen back over
that road, and taken everything in the
shape of provisions for man or beast.
Just previous to this, Buell's army
had also Tetreated toward the Ohio
River over this route. Famine stared
the people in the face. We passed an
uncomfortable night in London, most
of Us sleeping in out-houses. The mer-
curry was about ten degrees above zero.
We passed on by way of Crab Or
chard, Lancaster, Franklin and Mich
olsville to Lexington. At this place
there were several thousand Union |
troops. By this time we were filthy, rag
ged and worn out, having been out |
about fifteen days. We wereat first ta~ |
ken for Confederate prisoners, and this |
OOntribted to our relief, as
the ladies of Lexington with South
ern sympathies, furnished US, as we
passed through the streets, with some
thing to eat at almost every house.
We were furnished transportation
from here over the railroad to Coving
ton, where we remained until Nov.
4.h. Here we drew our clothing and
dOnned the blue. The hardships of |
our trip through Kentucky can not
be described. They were equal to
we endured throughout the
war, and We were not prepared for
them. Some of US had money, while
many had none. The money we had,
mostly Bank OF Tennessee, was UNI
current and comparatively of little
value, for practical purposes not worth
the paper it was printed upon.
In some localities there was nothing
In the shape OF provisions to be had,
even if we had had money. We also
for water, as it was a remark
ably dry season, and but little run
ming water in that portion OF Ken
lucky through which we travelled.
1n one occasion, after we had gone
nto camps, q venerable looking OK
lad the misfortune to pass that way.
he was slaughtered without cere-
nony, aud prepared for broiling be-
ore our camp fires. He was old and
Door, but the men seemed TO relish
lin, even without salt for seasoning.
Most OF the men were in hurry 10
est the quality of the meat and took
t .: rare.D Next day quite number
# them were sick,
e u
I'D clOi hing and donned the blue, the
contrast was so great that next morn
ng many, of the men did not know
aOh other Here our pilot, Mr.. Bow
niger returned, TO Tennessee, and by
i'm we had an opportunity TO
end l-tiers home. which
We gladly availed ourselves of, as this
vas the only means we had of send
ng letters home. / gave him one
IolIar in Tennessee money to bring
ny father and mother a letter. Others
lid the same, and he carried hundreds
i letters. When they we're received
6 home They were kept as sacred prop
,Tty, and shown to none except near
md trusted friends. They were read
With thrilling Interest, and carried
idirgs Of y 10 some aud sadness to
,theTR.
During our stay st CoviDgton We
we're visited by hundreds OF people
uxious To hear from East Ten nessee.
Among them were many East Ten
.essee refugees, Mrs. w. G. BrOwnlow
nd two of her daughters, then tenn
,orarily RESTING, in COvingt0n, gave
a pleasant call, and spoke
arrest words of encouragement.
Ne crossed the river here and en-
,arked on board a steamer for Gallipo-
is to Join our regiment, then COM {
handed by Col. y. 81. Ray, While
n board the boat, before starting, we
we're visited by Governor BrOwnlow.
When he came on beard, most of the
nen were asleep, but it became noised
round that he was there, and he was
.reeted with shouts of welcome. He
vas called upon for a speech, but was
90 unwell TO speak at length He,
however, addressed Us in few words
If encouragement, which cheered as
Up amazingly.
We remained at Bowling Green I'M
il November 4th, when we were sent
Jack TO Cincinnati, and from there to
where we arrived on the ]
All. Here We drew our horses and
The measles broke out
u the regiment, and, owing to expos
ire, several died. On the 18th of De-
ember we started to Nashville, by
Vay of EIizahethtown and Bowling
1reen, arriving at Nashville on the
4 h, Just on the eve of the battle of
stone River, in which our regiment
OJk part, and to which my next will
e principally directed.
EAST TENN. CIGAR FACTORY.
f. IEOtKENJOS, Proprietor.
,IGARS, TOBACCO, SNUFF, PIPES
--z. - Z NOR - GI A pTIHr nc