The National tribune., 1904-07-07
DUST, THIRST, REBELS AND HUNGER.
The Main Features of the Retreat from Cum.
berland Gan to the Ohio.

| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: l have
! been much interested in letters from com
| radeS giving their recOllectiOns of the
grand promenade from Cumberland GAP
to the Ohio River. They prompted me to
look into my diary of those days, as l was
also IL member of the Seventh Division,
Army of the Ohio. 1t occurred to me that
| might also give a brief reminiscence of
that long and tedious march of 16 days
and nights. AS no supplies were coming
to us from the North, the food problem
was growing serious: so much SO that Gen.
Geo. w. Morgan decided to send DE
COurcey's Brigade-the 10th and 42d Ohio
and 22d Ky, and Lanphere's Michigan
Battery-to Manchester, about 80 miles
northeast of the Gap. the Ith Ky. having
preceded us to that point. quote from
my diary:
Sept. S-At clock p. M. DeCourcey' s
Brigade started out for Cumberland Ford.
The dust was ut least four inches deep.
| which made it very unpleasant for those
marching in the rear. We marched most
of the night. going into camp about day
light, at Camp Patton, near the CumbeT-
land River, where we took a good bath
and rested until = p. M, Sept. D, when we
fell into line and started out for another
night march, going into camp about day
light.
Sept. 1O-At $50 p. m. we are again
on the road, and march until midnight.
Sept. 11.-At noon we resume the
march. and after going seven miles arrive
at Manchester, early in the evening. A
strong picket was posted around our
camp.
Sept. II to 20, MISUNDERSTANDING ra-
tions for man and beast and doing picket
duty.
Sept. 2O.-Gen. G. w. Morgan, with the
balance of the division. joined us to-day,
having evacuated the Gap. Sept. IL. Ra-
tiOns have been scarce for some time, but
the flour and bacon we have been able to
procure i'm this section has put the men
all i'm a good humor again.
Sept 21.-The brigade was marched out
this afternoon to witness the execution OF
member of the 9TH KY. who had been
tried by court-martial and was sentenced
to be shot, for the murder of one of his
comrades. Orders were issued to he ready
to march soon after dark. Our road for
considerable distance was through the
woods. The night being very dark, it was
impossible 10 obey the order to move
quietly, and make no noise. A man would
catch his foot under root, and would
pitch headlong into the man in front, then
such a clatter as our iron bayOnet scab-
bards would make. 1t was near midnight
when we finally got started. and We
marched until 10 a. III. of the ODD, when
we halted and rested until ) o'clock p. m,
when we were ordered to fall in for an
other night march. Went only about nine
miles, halting about 10 O'Clock p. m, and
resting until $3.50 in the morning.
Sept. 23.-Resume our march ut $3.50
a. M. making halt at 8 o'clock near a
large four-mill Rations Of -four issued
and baked as soon as possible. After d
rest OF three hours we again move on. We
arrive at Proctor, on the Kentucky River.
at s o'clock p. M. Near where our halt
was made this morning was a depression
about the size of n large iron kettle which,
in wet weather, when full of water. is a
boiling spring; but at this time it was
dry, and Il flame about three feet high was
issuing from the crevice.
Sept. 24.-The Quarternlaster procured
some shoes at Proctor. and supplied those
in need of them. At 10 o'clock we are
again OH the move. Go about u miles and
halt for the night. at p. M.
Sept. 25.-Alarch this morning ut 8
O'Clock: pass through Campton and march
until evening: go into camp about two
miles from Hazel Green.
Sept. 26.-AI0ve forward at Z o'clock
this morning. to Hazel Green, where we
| halt for about two hours. Not many Union
people here. A small drove Of cattle had
been collected, and fresh beef was issued.
After leaving Hazel Green we go about
| eight miles. TO where our road descends
into narrow valley. n little wider than
| the road. and about two miles long. The
| hills on either side are very high and heav-
| lily timbered. The wagon train and rear
guard. of which | was one. had gotten
we'll into this pass when John Morgans
rebel cavalry made dash from by
road, and after wounding two or three Of
| the guard. and killing one. stampeded our
cattle. The troops were dOnble-quicked
back. but found 30 rebels. as they had left
as suddenly as they had appeared. We
bivouacked there for the night
Sept. 27-We move out Of this pass
about noon. and after going a short dis
tance discover the rebels in our front. The
10th Ohio is right -obliqued into the woods
and moves forward rapidly; the artillery
is soon exploding shells i'm their midst. and
| they beat hasty retreat. i understand
that case Of surgical instruments and n
mule or two were the trophies that were