The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-02-04
Campaigns of the 1st Ky. Cav.

EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: In a re.
cent issue / gave sketch of the siege of
Knoxville, 1863. What here follows is
from my diary.
Saturday. Dec. ), 1868, Longstreet had
withdrawn his men from around Knox
vile. The Army of the Ohio set free, al
once set off, up the valley, in pursuit. The
long fast had left us emaciated and lank
| in appearance; many of the cavalry were
dismounted: the horses that survived were
skeletons. We had to pursue slowly. with
great caution. At this time the Second
and Third Divisions of the Fourth Corps
commanded by Gen. Granger, were left n,
Knoxville, while the Army of the Ohio
hunted LOngstreet.
Dec. q, 1st Ky. Cav. stayed in camp;
Dec. Z, moved to Flat Greek, and next
day to Rutledge. On this march we
| struck country where the land was bar
| rem and the inhabitants intensely rebel. We
reached Beams Station, 40 miles from
Knoxville, and on 10th, 1st Ky. Cav i'm
advance, went as far as Mooresburg, strik-
ing the rear-guard of LOngstreets forces
OH 10th. Gen. Foster assumed command
Of the troops. On 18th, list Ky. Cav. met
the enemy and were driven back, suffering
small loss; some of our forage wagons
We're captured Battle Of Beans Station
was fought on 14th. the LIST Ky. Cav. being
advance picket. At 2 D. IN. the enemy
attacked; soon there was general en-
gagement, and the Union cavalry slowly
fell back to Bean Station Hotel. The
engagement became hot: the 1st Ky. be-
ing on elevation cast of the hotel. held
their position until night. I'he army fell
back four miles, 10 strong position. the
LIST Ky. Cav. being i'm line of battle. That
set i'm early, with cold northern winds. oh,
/ n frxi -
to get warm! = IL, rs''.,.
Dec. -, fell back to Blaius Crossroads.
Gen. Granger with his command was or
dered from Knoxville to support Foster.
and on 10th Elliott joined us with 1900
cavalry. The 1st Ky. moved, Dec. II,
from Strawberry Plains to, cross the Hol-
ston River, but it was too full, and on
18th we returned to camp.
Dee. %, crossed HolstOn River. The
ford was wide and the water muddy; LIST
Ky. took the lead, crossed safely. but 18th
Ky. Cav. was beaten down stream and
many were drowned. We went to New
Market, on the railroad.
Dee. ~, moved to Flat Gap to picket the
roads in direction Of cambridge On 2Sth
1st Ky. broke camp, taking the Messy
Greek road for cambridge. The enemy
had withdrawn from cambridge and
massed Mt Messy Greek. After a hard
days fight the rebels fell back. Both
sides lost heavily; the Union loss was $50;
the rebel loss was heavier. This battle
was partly fought after night.
Here the 1st ky. was cut off and had
to 90 by the way Of Bay Mountain. a
hard march Of p miles, in sleet and rain
returned to Flat Gap.
Well, comrades, do you remember the
cold New Years in 1864! Oh, l shiver now
to think how l suffered from cold and
hunger then! The morning Of Dec. 80, nj
Flat Gap. East Tenn, will always be re-
membered. The Both was clear and cold
raincd without pity. On the morning OF
Jan. /, 1864, the wind changed to the
north, and the temperature fell to % be.
low zero. Co. i was stationed in the gap
as advance picket OH the cambridge
road. At night | took my station on the
cambridge road, running east from the
gap, being the most advanced picket No
fi'e was allowed, Of course. How / did
SILVER! How it is that l am here, 40
years after, to write of it-well it is a
provdental wonder. Many comrades
were frozen on their posts that night
Jan. -, 1st Ky. marched all night
| through drizzing rain; Jan. 10, crossed the
Holston River. 1t night snow commenced
falling; after Is hours in the saddle we
| bivOuacked in our wet clothing. and were
| soon covered with snow and ice; the keen
| north wind cut like a knife!
Marched to Knoxville Jan. 20, ending
one of the most trying ordeals of cold and
| hunger that the LIST Ky. Cav. experienced
during its services of four years.. c.
WEDDLE, Go. i, 1st Ky. Cav, Faubush
| XIV