The National tribune., 1901-07-25

shoulders and under our arms with in
creasing ferocity. Added TO the backward
strain of our knapsacks was the down
ward weight of our new muskets, hello at
carry arms" without change OF position,
as the Colonel neglected to order a change
and our discipline fortified US to endure the
result of his forgetfulness. When at last
we were permitted to drop the butts of
our muskets to the ground, comrade eI-
claimed: This last straw has broken this
camels back"
We find the city Of Lexington charming
ly situated in the midst Of the bluegrass
region, the center of wealth and fashion,
the burial place Of Henry Clay marked
by a lofty monument, and the home of
John G.. Breckinridge, Gx-VicePresident,
who recently emigrated farther South be
cause he heard we were coming, and did
not want us to board with him, nor did ne
want to board with US.
Oct. 8, 1S61.-We expected to remain
longer at this beautiful city, but this morn
ing received orders to be ready to move
at noon. Our first preparation was to re-
duce our knapsacks to light marching or
der, and when we did move at the hour
named we left the camp grounds strewn
with articles, loved but lost.
Embarking on the cars, we reached
Frankfort at 8 p. N, where our arrival was
expected and the people were out in
force, men, women, and children, to give
US hearty welcome. They overwhelmed
US with substantial hospitality during our
short stay. AT every station on our route
there were demonstrations of joy, until
we reached Louisville at II p. M, where
we found the citizens Just as eager to vel
come US. The hour being late there were
few at the depot, but they had provided
for US warm supper, which we heartily
enjoyed with fervent thanks to the gen
erous donors.
Oct. 8, 1S61.-We marched through
the streets Of Louisville at midnight to
the Nashville depot, where we passed the
remaining hours until daylight, when d
substantial breakfast awaited us at the
hands Of the good citizens, who presently
came to bid US "God-speed" on our way to
the front. After riding 33 miles, we left
the cars and started on foot to Camp
Rousseau, seven miles distant arriving al
sunset. There we found encamped sew
eral Kentucky regiments under command
Of Gen. Rousseau, also Kentuckian, who
had boldly advanced from Louisville to
hold in check their hostile Secession neigh
bors. and prevent them from taking pos
session Of the city.
Their isolated position was considered
one of great risk, as the Secession element
was III the ascendency south Of Louisville,
and 1t was not known what force the Con
federates might be able TO combine against
them. There was delay in sending them
reInforcements from the North, which
caused them to feel uneasy lest they
might not be properly supported by their
Northern allies.
Our arrival with 10000 bright mus
kets. and the will to use them. was n
glorious sight TO the poorly-armed Ken
tuclians, and was taken by them as
pledge that the State of Illinois was ready
to help them defend their homes
They crowded to our side as we
marched with colors flying and band play
ing, through their camp to ours, lust he
yond, and when we broke ranks there was
happy intermingling of our gray Illinois
uniform with the dark blue of the Ken
tuckians, who almost hugged lis for JOY.
Oct. 10, 1S61.-We pitched our tents
and went to bed last night in expectation
or remaining IN camp several days, but
carry TINS morning orders were received
TO strike tents and pack knapsacks ready
TO march at . n. III. As the entire camn
was under marching orders, we all sup
posed our objective point to be Bowling
crates are collecting to dispute our further
advance We made up our minds that
we would soon have fight on our hands.
put the grand movement projected in our
imagination resulted only in the advance
or our regiment to guard railroad bridges.
our company (dD and Co. L were dis
patched to occupy Elizabethtown and
protect the bridge over Salt Creek, while
the balance Of the regiment was advanced
SIX miles farther, to guard another.
Oct II, 1S61.-When the order was
given US today to be ready to march to-
morrow, the High Private in the rear
rank, who translates official orders into
language we can understand, announced
the meaning to be ANY place but the
place you're att
We find that we have made many
friends here among Secessionists, as well
as Unionists, who express their regret
freely, and we are informed that a petition
is being circulated in town requesting our
officials to keep us here. Many whose
sympathies are entirely with the Confed-
eracy profess to friendly and grateful at
tachment to US personally for the kind
treatment they have received at our hands,
so different from their expectations. In,
deed, we have been almost made to believe
that they would discourage any attempt
by their friends 10 the Confederate army
to modest Us in our present position.
Oct. l6, 1S61.-Ws were up early this
morning. and turned out 10 paek knan.