The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-04-12
CHAPTER ~. Continued.

We received orders from General
Nelson TO prepare for a march in
light order, specifying that the men
would turn over their knapsacks TO
the quartermaster, the officers to be
allowed TO carry only one trunk or
chest 10 three officers, and two tent
flies TO company Of officers. Ac-
cordingly, all this extra baggage
was marked and stored at Murfrees-
boro. This being completed by
noon, General Nelson ordered every
regiment out 10 drill two hours the
first and last time we ever drilled on
Sunday.
We remained at Murfreesboro with
no further alarms until the morning
Of the LIST OF August. The whole di-
vision, 5000 strong, marched out on
the McMinnville road, all with can
teens full, as Nelson never allowed a
man 10 leave ranks. The sun shone
down on the stone road with power
erful heat We called halt at
noon for two hours, at creek,
then kept our men well in ranks,
and arrived at Woodbury., the county
town Of Cannon County, at dark,
having marched twenty eight miles.
As we had but little cooking 10 do,
those not on guard were soon sleep
ing the sleep OF the weary, il not
that Of the just
The I'd, the division was aroused
by the bugles aud drums long be.
fore daylight, our hasty breakfast
over, and the column in motion be-
fore the sun had showed his burning
face.
We had correct information that
General Forrest, with brigade Of
rebel cavalry, was at McMinnville,
and our men generally we're anxious
10 bring the enemy at bay, and try
our hand in battle General Mel
sons threat TO catch Forrest or kill
the last man in the division, increas-
ed our desires to come up with the
foe az as early a date as possible,
for many Of the command believed
our general 10 mean what he said;
aud before that month had passed
nearly all Of the Eighth began to
think him 10 be in dead earnest.
About 3 O'Clock p. m. our advance
came on the rebel pickets within a
few miles Of McMinnyille. As they
caught sight Of our advance cavalry,
they FIRE few shots and ned to-
ward town. We FASTENED on, arriy
ing there near night, but no armed
enemy could be seen. We stacked
arms on the skirts OF town and we're
aniouxly expecting a distribution Of
rations. We had began to get used
10 disappointments and unpleasant
surprises. One was here ready for
Companies c, ID, + and H, Of the
Eighth we're ordered out ON
picket without the desired and much
needed grub. Several hours we're
spent in establishing the picket line
40 as 10 connect with the regular
chain around town.
A few OF the officers, including
the author. called at some of the
suburban residences and succeeded
in arousing the not overly pleased
inmates, who grudgeingly furnished
provisions, for which we paid a good
round price; thus our men, on di-
vide, secured sufficient to abate their
gnawing hunger.
The whole division was kept in
suspense all day the Sd, all being
held in readiness TO march at a
moments warning" We slept there
in line on our arms, and at daylight,
the 4sh, the whole command marched
in quick time toward Sparta, Tenn.
Five companies, b, II, @, X and l.,
Of the 9Th Kentucky, were detailed
as rear guard, duty all soldiers
dislike, having to march behind the
wagon train aud artillery We had
not proceeded but few miles. when,
at the ford Of Collins river, In a mar.
row piece Of road, one wagon upset,
and delayed the whole train for over
two hours. This put us long dis
lance behind our column. Our
Quartermaster and wagon masters
having more dread Of old Nelson
than they had of the enemy, made
everything double quick for about
ten miles, before the rear was prop
erly closed up. We guards, Of
course. were compelled to regulate
OR march to keep pace with the
hurrying train. Near night the ar
tillery and wagons began to cross
Cany Fork of the Cumberland Riy-
er. The troops had crossed and
climbed the mountain on the south
side. Some of the teamsters while
- a holt hoI found =, h1..a. ...ha-..