The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-08-16


of the hills and mountains of old Ken
lucky. this road being 30 hilly that
our teams could not get over it with
empty wagons. Our provisions went
up the river ON boat while our teams.
accompanied by Company ii of our
Regiment. as guides, took q circuitous
route in order to avoid the hills and
meet us at Louise. After our cold
lunch, we were again under march
upsthe Big Sandy. About five O'Clock,
with considerable difficulty and delay.
we were ferried across the river to old
Virginia's shore. 1t was now consid
cradle after dark and we commenced
looking around for lodging place for
the night.
Some three or four of us, seeing a
house near by, broke out to see what
we could find. They had just got up
from eating supper and, seeing quite
a pile Of corn pone and fine sausage
left. we sat down and commenced salts
flying our craving appetites-rather
unceremoniously, perhaps you will
think After we had eaten all there
was on the table we offered to pay the
mistress, but she declined taking any
thing, saying that she was glad that
she could do something for MS. We
set out and Joined our company in a
little time. They were making for a
school house about a mile ahead for
quarters for the night.
Arriving at the school house we
found no stove, no chimney and no
way of making fire. l concluded il
would be somewhat uncomfortable, so,
seeing a light a little way off, 1 gave
one or two of the boys the wink and
off we went. We found quite com
Portable cabin occupied bv young
man and wife. We spread our blanket:
before the fire and soon forgot oul
weary days march. In the morning
the mistress of the house got us good
breakfast of chicken, biscuit, coffee,
pie, ETC., for which we paid her anC
started to see how the rest of the boy,
/ were getting along.
They had spent a disagreesble night
it being quite cold and having nothing
but cold grub to eat. They were, how
ever, ready to march and off we went
The road was somewhat better TO-DAY
than yesterday, that is, not quite 81
muddy as it froze during the night
L .,I $3.50 oot - Io,,;aa N email carp+r,
town. little after dinner. Here WI
had to ferry again as Louise is on tn
Kentucky side. We went to the to-
of a high hill or mountain and pitches
our tents. We expected to see som
rebels here. out they had fled. w
stayed here awaiting our teams unit
Tuesday. December 23rd. At thi
place the Big Sandy ceases to be tn
line between Kentucky and Virgins
and hears off into Kentucky.
We were on the march by noon, on
baggage going up the river. This wa
a day that tried what kind of stuff W
were. We travelled all afternoon unit
about nine o'clock at night. throug
mud and creeks. over hills and noun
tsins and finally turned into cor
; field to pass the night supperless an
, with NO covering but the sky Th
, river being low, the boats did not ge
Iup with our provisions and tents. Th
/ boys spent the night in roasting chicl
ems, ducks, geese, etc.
December 24th our provisions cam
up and after dinner we continued on
march a few miles and pitched on
{ tents at the mouth of Georges Creei
: a tributary of the Big Sandy. Tt
rebels were said to be at Paintsvill,
fifteen miles ahead. We stayed her
, until December 31st, when we sgsi
q took up our march. The roads wei
e so bad and the mountains so high this
a we did not get to Paintsville in JohI
son County until January 7th.
We found no trouble in taking tt
town as the rebels had evacuated Il
. place and were fortified few mills
ahead. We got into town about noe
t and Immediately set about building
n bridge across Paintsville creek, a streal
: about the size of the Miami river, |
. lsshing sawed logs together, in ord
: to pursue the enemy. Our bridge con
Y plete and the brigade on the march
: little before dark, we struck out ov'
q the hills and after marching unit
y eight or nine o'clock, we brought I
r against the enemy's entrenchment
q but, as usual, found them evacuate
d The officers. after holding a consult
tion, determined to abandon the pu
:. lsuit Of the main body that night al
n take a circular route in order to C
d off the rebel cavalry. But we failed
IT get a fight out OF them ss our own ca
e airy had engaged them early in {
l. evening, killing some five or six
], them and having two of our own m
lr killed, but succeeded in scatteril
N them over the hills We travelled
10 night, passing several fortificstio
e and camp fires, but seeing no reb'
le save some dead bodies that our csval
,f left lying along the road. making IL
re or three bridges in order to crC
a streams and get back to camp by d
L break. When we came in our pickle
ly u company of Kentuckians. mistO
B. us-it was quite dsrk-for rebels a
fired into our ranks, We returned t
y. fire promptly. Their mistake "
lie found out after the first fire. they bel
IN on the mountain side and we in
" valley. Fortunately no one was hui
rs / never was so weary and ne