The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-24
History of the Eighth Kentucky
Thrilling Story of the Part this Gallant
Regiment Took in Our Civil War.


fy the Union citizens and our friends
in one Of the most populous States
in the Union; and was now about to
make his escape, almost without in
reference This was more than the
furious, patriotic temper Of our
mountain boys could endure. II is
not singular. after all this, that the
federal government removed Gener-
al Buell. the same month (October),
and appointed General VIM S. Rose
Grams in his stead; but not in time
for the latter 10 inhict any OF the
well-deserved punishment the will
ing troops desired TO give the rebels.
The 9th we moved up and biyou-
acked on the east side OF Perryville.
The 10th our brigade moved out
near Harrodsburg, and on the morn
ing Of the 18th some rebel cavalry
made dash at our picket lines, but
were sent of in hurry by well
directed fire. None of our regiment
received any WOUNDS.
The 18th, our brigade marched in
line of battle towards Dicks River,
over some very fine bluegrass farms
for miles. We left a number of
fences leyeled as we advanced by
right of companies to the front.
Some Of the brigade once came in
sight Of a small detachment Of rebel
cavalry, with whom few shots were
exchanged. At night we biyouacked
near Camp Dick Robinson. on Dicks
River, where we learned large body
Of the enemy had just left. The
18th we marched into Danville, the
county seat Of Boyle County, near
which place we bivouacked. The
people generally, being loyal, made
many demonstrations Of JOY at being
once more delivered from rebel rule,
by waving numerous flags. We
were preparing our evening meal,
when we heard diminishing ahead.
Colonel Wolford's cavalry had stir
ed up few of the enemy's rear
guard. Our regiment was instantly
into column and double quicked
four miles out to support Wolford,
and try, as the boys said, "to get a
few shots at them Johnnies." They
had cleared out before we arrived.
We returned TO camp, drew two
days rations and received orders to
be ready 10 move at @ o'clock next
morning. AT that hour we took up
our pursuit, with all the division, on
the Crab Orchard road We halted
for the night at Stanford. About
midnight we were all aroused and
into line, and in five minutes were
in column double-quicking out to-
ward Crab Orchard, TO support the
Thirty fifth Indiana, who, being on
advance picket, were fred on by the
enemy's rear guard pickets. Three
miles from Stanford we found the
Thirty fifth, who had discovered the
enemy's camp fires half a mile from
them, at the bridge over Sugar
Greek. We had two pieces of artill-
cry, with which we threw a few
shells at the fires and then advanced,
but the rebels had made a hasty re
treat, leaving us sundry skillets and
pots, containing their now smoking
pones OF bread and meat which we
relished for our breakfast, notwith-
standing il was somewhat overlooked.
Some of the Eighth boys found a
sleeping rebel in a barn near by.
From him we learned that we were
not far behind the rebels long wa
gon train, consequently there was
diminishing occasionally all day, and
our artillery was constantly Smelling
the timbered district ahead. We did
not halt for the night until 8 O'Clock.
The Eighth was placed half mile
in advance of the division on picket
near the town OF Mount Vernon, but
everything was quiet except lum-
bering noise TO the southwark, which
proved the enemy Telling trees to
prevent or impede our pursuit.
The 10th we halted near Rock
Castle River, and sent forward heavy
details to cut and clear the obstruc-
tions from the Wild Cat Mountain
road. On the 18th, the Eighth Ken
lucky, under Lieutenant Colonel
May, was ordered out ON a scout
near the "Big Hill,v where the regi-
iment about dark succeeded in sur
prising and capturing forty of Chen
ault's new rebel cavalry and thirteen
good horses. Had it not been for
the eagerness Of a few of Company
A, firing before orders. we would
have bagged the principal part Of
that regiment, who we're about to
dismount and camp for the night
All those yet on their horses made a
precipitate retreat, while those who :
had tied their horses were left hors |
de combat, and surrendered. The
Eighth then returned that night with
their prisoners to Mount "Wild Cat,