18th. Moved out between 2 and 3 A. M. Got on the wrong road and lost some time. Marched to within 5 miles of Greenville and got breakfast and dinner at 11:30 A. M. Bought a chicken and turkey. Good dinner. Drake ate with me, about sick, looks miserable. Moved on to Greenville and saw [...]

17th. Made arrangements to get the boys away if possible. Had boys posted all night. No demonstration to our surprise. Passed through Morristown and Whiteville and camped at Bull’s Gap or the junction on railroad. Went to a Doctor’s and purchased some bacon and sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Good many citizens out to see us. [...]

16th. Up before sunrise and had breakfast. Report that Longstreet and Ewell were at or near Jonesboro on Va. line. A very dusty day. Passed S. Plains and Newmarket and camped at Mossy Creek. Boy’s master Dick came for them. I threatened him and he left. Expected an exciting time in night or next morning. [...]

15th. Reveille early and all ready to march at 5 but no orders. After remaining saddled two or three hours “Recall” blew. Ordered to be ready at noon. At 4:30 orders came and we saddled and went to town and witnessed the drumming out of a thief–whole Div.–sad sight. Pitied the man. Drunk and stole [...]

14th. Talk about marching but no orders. During day studied some and wrote two letters. Finished “Barnaby Rudge.” Gave a good many boys passes to go to town. Last night reprimanded Sergt. Beers for staying behind when we went to C. Gap. Glad to get a little rest. Went to town in evening. Provost arrested [...]

Sunday, 13th. Most of the boys wet, and orders to move before breakfast. Then stopped at noon and hurried off before boys had time to swallow coffee. Straggling. Things don’t seem to have been managed well for two days. Into and through Knoxville, then through again to our old camp north of town. C. G. [...]

12th. All ready to move at “To Horse” but had to wait for whole Brigade to move, being in the rear. Stopped about noon and fed, also got coffee. Passed through Maynardsville and Graveston. Went into camp a little after dark. Good deal of dust. Thunder storm came up too quickly for supper. To bed [...]

11th. Awakened at daylight and moved at sunrise. In advance. Gen. Shackleford now commands 4th Div. and Col. Carter the Brigade. Gen. Carter Prov. Mar. Gen. of Tenn. Reached Clinch River at sundown, and camped. Receipted for oats, plenty of eggs, chickens and potatoes. Camp near a little stream on Union man’s place. Bosworth sick [...]

10th. We were notified of the surrender of the Gap and 2500 prisoners and 12 pieces of artillery. Encouraged. Had been talk that we were to storm the works. 32 pounders to be brought by Baptist Gap. Had some chopping before getting to the main road. Saw a good many Ohio boys on the other [...]

9th. Moved on at daylight without breakfasting. Reached Mr. Patterson’s where the brigade was camped and fed and got breakfast. Col. P. and Major went to gap with flag of truce. Still refuse to surrender. Drew and issued rations. Burnside arrived, and we at noon received orders to proceed to Baptist Gap and clear the [...]

9th. Friday. Moved camp, beautiful place on left and rear of infantry. Busy. Regiment not to be consolidated.

8th. Reveille at 3 and off at 5. Marched near Tazewell and fed and got coffee. Saddled and marched half a mile and halted in shade most of the afternoon by order of Burnside, coming up with Infantry. Rode through town and got supper. Camped in a secesh widow’s orchard, two sons in rebel army, [...]

7th. About 3 o’clock Thede came and awakened me. I was so glad to see him. Hardly seemed possible, the good boy. Wish he were entirely well. Gave me some letters, wanted more. Walked most of the way–two weeks on way. Drew rations and marched at 6. East of K. near Mossy Creek, and then [...]

6th. Up early and on the march at 6:30 towards Knoxville. Passed through a very pretty country along the railroad. Passed Dr. Baker’s, killed by Trescott, Co. C on raid, bushwhacker. Many rich people, many well dressed darkies. Reached K. at 3 and lay in dust for two hours. Major Seward–disgusted–marched us through town when [...]

Saturday, 5th. Awakened at 4. Breakfasted at 5. Kind people, intelligent woman. Most intelligent and pretty girls in Tenn., two. Had some music last night. Marched at 6. Rear guard. Passed through Unitia, all Union. Illuminated houses last night. All fared first rate, good time. Two meetings today and tomorrow. Forded the river. Reached camp [...]

4th. Boys got ready to go for forage, when orders came to report to H quarters immediately, lightly equipped. E, G. H and C went under Capt. Stewart over the river to Morgantown. A “coffee” girl brought us some peaches. Ate dinner with Rebs. $200 for a pan of flour. Lady said she paid $3,000 [...]

3rd. After breakfast and feeding, moved to Lenoir. Stopped two hours in the shade near the big springs. Several Union men from over the river, Blount County, anxious for us to cross over. Camped in the woods on a high bank of river. Many girls out to see us. Several came up and took coffee [...]

2nd. Aroused at 2 A. M., in readiness for a fight. Got breakfast, fed and moved at 6 o’clock. General order from Burnside saying that any man guilty of stealing, robbing or pillaging should be stripped of clothes, flogged, head shaved, branded with letter T. and drummed out of service. Marched to Lenoir. Then artillery [...]

SEPTEMBER, 1863 1st. Reveille at early daylight. “Boots and Saddles” at 6:30. Marched out on the Kingston road and halted till nearly noon. Gen. B. passed us. Infantry up and massed in a big field. Looks like business. Moved on London road, more big hills. Numerous reports about Rebs. Three taken at ford of Clinch [...]

31st. Up at 3 and off at 4, rear of our brigade. Wagons in the way again. 8 hours going 10 miles. Camped on ground of Major Ellis’ fathers. Went out with forage detail. Got plenty of hay and then let the boys go for oats. Got some peaches. Report that 20,000 rebels are at [...]

30th. Reveille at 2:45. Moved out at 4. Made the best march for several days. Advance of Brigade. Came up with teams and had a slow time getting by. Gave way for Burnside, Carter and Shackleford. Reached Montgomery at 3 P. M. Occupied the ground of Rebels. Drew rations and forage. Infantry came up by [...]

29th. Aroused at daylight. Saddled and waited two hours for “forward.” Hornets’ nest by road. Bees after Gen. Shackleford and others, occasioned considerable fun. Moved 5 miles and stopped for breakfast and to feed horses. More big hills. Air cool and bracing. Nice day for marching. 30 miles from Montgomery, where we camp. Four companies [...]

28th. Was mustered soon after breakfast (as 2nd Lieutenant). Ordered to march. Boys got in about 5, then started. Saddled several hours in the rain. Moved half a mile, teams fast. Stopped till 10 P. M., unsaddled and got lunch, just asleep. Wrote to Lucy Randall. Spencer ordered back to Camp Nelson, leaving me in [...]

27th. Breakfasted and moved out at 7. Passed the 44th, 104th, 103rd, 57th and 12th Ky. Watered and went into camp. Forage party detailed and started and then ordered back. Roads still among the hills, through woods. Pioneer corps finds work. Went on 1 ½ miles and camped with orders to muster. Boys returned with [...]