The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-03-22
History of the Eighth Kentucky
Thrilling Story of the Part this Gallant
Regiment Took in Our Civil War.

working about one hundred women,
making cloth for the Confederates.
But as we were now carrying on the
war under General Buell's policy, j e.
respecting private property though
we had every reason TO believe it
would be used to feed or clothe the
enemy the spindles and looms kept
on
We were here joined by General
Dumont, with three or four thousand
troops from Murfreesboro, and early
the 18th the whole force passed
through town and struck out for the
Sequatche Valley, over the Cumber-
land Mountains. We had seven
miles Of good road to the Barren fork
Of Collins River Here the troops
we're allowed to undress before wad-
ing the river. This mode of ferrying
was rather enjoyed by the troops
than otherwise But to the great
displeasure Of our regiment, we were
detailed as train guard, and the
whole regiment assisted the drivers
in getting up the mountain, which,
here at Hills Greek Gap. is two
miles from the base 10 the summit.
in many places 50 steep our men
were compelled to push the entire
weight of the loaded wagons and
artillery, it being all the mules and
horses could do to carry up their own
weight, the teamsters and men swear
ing profanely enough to have
disguised the "Army of Elan
ders" Near sunset we reached the
top Of the mountain, weary and foot
sore; every canteen in the regiment
empty, with twelve miles of noun
tain ridge road before us, and not
a spring, stream or human habita-
tion near our road; at the same time
our lank haversacks admonished US to
diet light. The numbering wagons
and profane teamsters rolled a head
while we tramped on nearly famish-
ing with thirst About one O'Clock
a. m. the 10Th, we came up with our
main force, bivouaced at large
mountain spring of good water. We
ate the last Of our rations and for
two hours enjoyed refreshing sleep,
but before sunrise the whole force
were drummed and bugled up, and
of again on sore feet and empty
stomachs. Near noon, as we came
marching on at the head of the col
umn, bright visions OF the fat hens
and smoking pones OF corn bread
just few miles ahead in the prom
ised land of Sequatche Valley, where /
we were promised plenty, if not
peace Alas, there is many a slip /
between the cup and the lip" Gen /
eral Dumont met courier with a /
dispatch from General Mitchell to |
return with his troops to their for
mer camps. At the command "Coun-
ter march 10y file right, march, as
the head of our column filed around
on the back track, some of our boys
gave vent to their disguised feelings.
One member of Company ID yelled
out, "Now, by Cd, feel like kill.
ing something" That afternoon we
did kill few poor cows the Fourth
Kentucky Cavalry brought in out of
the brush Late that evening we
arrived at the spring we left in the
morning The line officers of the
Eighth demonstrated against the or
der to proceed on TO Collins River
We informed Colonel Barnes that
our men went no further until we
had opportunity of cooking and eat
ing some of our scrub beef, which we
did there and then. broiling it on the
Goals. aud, without salt or bread,
this tough, stringy, burnt meat was
eaten, being washed down with coffee,
which our boys were fortunate in
having. In spite OF Dumont's orders,
our regiment slept here until 2 O'Clock
next morning Our band awoke us,
and by bright, full noon we made
good time to Collins River, keeping
our men well in ranks. We passed
whole companies of stragglers from
other regiments, whose officers had
tried TO force their men to comply
with Dumouts order. On arriving
at the river at noon we met wagons
with rations of hard bread and good
side bacon, and couple of barrels Of
whiskey for the 5000 troops. Men
who one hour before had been ours
ing cold Dumont," were now prais.
ing him as the best of generals. We
arrived at McMinnville near night,
aud the general compelled citizens to
furnish his. troops bread. Some of
them certainly knew how to make
the staff of life palatable.
The following day the Eighth and
Twenty first Kentucky marched TWEEN
tv miles on our road toward War