The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-02-08
History of the Eighth Kentucky
Thrilling Story of the Part this Gallant
Regiment Took in Our Civil War.

remainder Of the day was busy
time with rank and file. Many had
debts to settle with citizens, others
letters 10 write home informing dear
friends that at last we were bound
for Dixie" Captains Hickman and
Winbourn, Lieutenants Nichols,
Martin and Carson, being reported
unable for duty, we're ordered to take
charge of the conyalescents able to
leave the hospitals and private houses,
where many were quartered, and
follow in few days on the cars to
Louisville and join the regiment
there.
On the morning Of the 10th OF
March, 1852, the camp of the Eighth
Kentucky was all life, everybody
hurrying his comrade in loading up
our garrison equipage. A cold,
misty rain was falling. At last all
the good byes had been said to our
kind Lebanon friends, and the column
marched out the Louisville pike.
Having learned by sad experience
not to let men just out Of the sick
beds unnecessarily expose them
selves, our column did not cover half
the space il did when we left Estill
Springs. The rain continued 10
drizzle, and the limestone road be-
came quite sloppy. At four O'Clock
p. m, we halted in Springfield, the
county seat Of Washington, and
quartered the men in the court house.
Company commanders borrowed
several cook stoves Of citizens, and
the men soon had the town perfumed
with frying bacon and boiling coffee.
The 18th we camped near Bardstown.
Here Col. Barnes informed us he had
just learned that we we're brigaded
with the 23d Kentucky, Col Munday,
and the Sd Minnesota, Col. Lester,
and that be had orders to march
directly to Louisville, and probably
thence to Tennessee. We passed
through Bardstown the 18th with
our colors unfurled, keeping step to
the lively music of our martial band.
That night we procured abundance
OF straw for bedding, and the owner
OF the pasture being a home rsbel,
talked loudly Of private rights, until
Maj. Broadhus told him il he said
another word he would arrest him
and march him 10 Louisville before
a musket. The 18th we pitched our
tents at Hays Springs, on the bluffs
OF Salt River, where we also found
the 23d Kentucky. During the night
and next morning a heavy rain fell,
making the cooking a difficult task,
and marching very disagreeable
Col. Barnes proceeded to Louisville
in company with Col. Munday.
The night of the 18th we camped
within three miles Of the city, where
We remained several days. The
10Th our sick and convalescent arrived
at the depot. The officers not
knowing where to find the regiment,
quarsered the men in barracks, where
they remained several days. When
those able TO join the regiment re-
ported they appeared proud to once
more take their arms and place in
the rank with their comrades. All
the men not able 10 march we're
given descriptive rolls and sent to
hospital in the city, principally to
No. z.
We exchanged old army wagons
for new ones, cleaned up our guns,
prepared five days cooked rations,
and early the morning Of the 10Th
struck tents, and, during the prevail
enoe Of heavy rain storm, marched
through the city to the wharf, where
the remainder Of the day was spent
in transferring our camp and garrison
equipage, including mules, wagons
and horses, to two steamers, the
Nashville" and Lady Jackson"
The Twenty-third Kentucky was
assigned TO the Jacob Strader," and
Third Minnesota, Colonel Lester
commanding, to the "Undine" and
the Denmark" Captain Rice, Of
the Third Minnesota, once a citizen
of Estill County, and an old person
al and political enemy of Colonel
Barnes, met the latter on the wharf
The Captain extended his hand, say.
ing, Colonel Barnes, | am happy
to see you occupying the position
you do" The Colonel olasped the
hand, and replied; 81 am equally
pleased, Ben, TO see you enlisted on
the side Of law, order and good gov
eminent; henceforth let us be
friends" And these two brave men,
who, few years before had, in the
heat Of passion, engendered by bitter
remarks made in public speech,
tried to shoot each other in the court.
house at Irvine, KY, buried there, by