The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-04-05
History of the Eighth Kentucky
Thrilling Story of the Part this Gallant
Regiment Took in Our Civil War

The day was oppressiyely hot and
water scarce. At noon we were
within ten miles OF Lebanon, and
halted for little rest before pro-
ceeding to where We we're assured
we would have all the fighting we
wanted. just then a courier from
Nelson handed Colonel Barnes an
order for us 10 countermarch TO Muir
freesboro as quick as possible.
Nearly every man had sore feet, but
at the word Of command, knapsacks
were slung, arms taken and, hol for
Murfreesboro again. When within
two miles Of Stone River, our advance
guard fell back and reported large
force Of rebel infantry at the ford.
Colonel Barnes instantly had Skin
mishers put forward. The briga le
trampled down a good sized field Of
corn in hastily forming line Of battle.
We we're all ready, and just then in
the humor 10 fight anything, human
or devil. A courier came dashing
up and informed our colonel that
the supposed enemy was General
Nelson and the balance Of the divis-
ion. Many OF the Eighth swore they
had rather il had been the enemy,
for. said they Here we've been out
soldering nearly twelve months,
and but few OF us have seen an armed
rebel" The brigade bivouaced at
the forks Of the Lebanon aud Wood
bury Pixies. Our men did very lit
tie cooking or eating. We were too
tired for anything except sleep,
which we enjoyed with no more pre-.
paration OF beds than drove OF
stock.
We were bugled up early the oath,
and had hastily marched 10 within
three miles of Murfreesboro. when
we were again met by one Of General
Nelson's orders to countermarch. At
this unexpected command, Chandler
Branson, Company ID, yelled out,
"Now by the blood OF Balaam, ef this
don't beat ALL" Some member Of
Company A, Eighth Kentucky, re-
torted, II bet, by Cd, old Nelson
or somebody's drunk" Our brigade
returned 10 the cross roads before
alluded 10, and were reinforced by a
squadron Of the Fifth Kentucky Cav.
airy. We remained here two days,
keeping out a strong chain of pickets
TO prevent any force of the enemy
passing toward Nashville. Several
bodies Of rebel cavalry we're then
scouting around through the cedars
that skirt the mountains in Middle
Tennessee.
The 25th, General Nelson review.
ed the Third Brigade, after which he
pot us through a "knapsack" drill,
in brigade and battalion movements,
cursing the Eighth for some plumbers,
but praising us for the correct per
Torrance Of other movements. What.
ever may have been his opinion OF
the Eighth, we certainly did not
form favorable one OF this swear
ing, clustering old tar. A months
acquaintance did not increase our
respect OF love for him, though we
all became thoroughly convinced OF
two prominent traits of Nelson's
character: First, brave in the face OF
the foe; second, overbearing TO all
subordinates.
The 18th, foraging party, com.
handed by Major Broadhus, of the
Eighth Kentucky. and composed OF
Companies Ii and c, OF the Eighth,
and two companies OF the Twenty
first, with twenty wagons, proceeded
through the cedars, up Stone River,
eight miles TO a mill owned by VIC
lent rebel named Tilford, where the |
soldiers, assisted by lot OF slaves,
loaded the wagons with corn. No
white man or woman could be seen. /
Major Broadhus said to a patriarchal |
darkey:
"Old man. where are the white
people Of this placer"
"Missus an de chillen is to her
an speck mars is wild !
lem oder kind ob sojers.
Major Broadhus -"Did he leave
you to manage affairs heres"
dyes aah. doh he tole ma dis