My First Campaign

by Joseph W. Grant

The evening of June the 3d, at "dress parade," our colonel made a speech, wherein he congratulated the Twelfth, telling them that in all probability they would again soon have a chance to meet the enemy on a fair field. He hoped to have the privilege of leading them again, and had no doubt they would acquit themselves with credit, and return home an honor to the State they represent. In a short speech of ten minutes we were all impressed with the certainty of a conflict near, and in our imagination could almost hear the din of battle and see the "bloody 12th," eager for the fray, rush into the thickest of the fight, driving all before them. Soon victory crowns our efforts, and descending from the heavens, the eagle, the emblem of our nationality, perches upon our banner! Our history is to become immortal! Laurel wreaths encircle our brows! Roses shower down upon us, and in the whirling mists, an everlasting halo of glory encompasseth us. Rumor said that our colonel was about to issue to every man in his regiment a tunic, something after the manner of a butcher's frock, and throwing aside every other article of clothing, we were to start at once, and annihilate the enemy in his strongholds. The evening of June 4th we received orders to be in readiness to march the following morning, at half-past four, each man to be provided with sixty rounds of ammunition, and eight days' rations. At five o'clock the next morning the regiment were in line, and in fifteen minutes we were passing through the village of Crab Orchard, taking the Lancaster road, accompanied by the rest of the brigade. At ten, A. M., when within one mile of Lancaster, we turned aside, and halted until half-past two, P. M. Here it became generally known that we were to march to Nicholasville, as soon as possible, there to find transportation to some place as yet unknown to us. Various were the surmises as to where we were to go. We soon became convinced that the first brigade were to report at Vicksburg. Then the question arose, would the Twelfth accompany them, or be detached and dropped on the way.

At half-past two, P. M., we were ordered into line again; at three passed through Lancaster, and at seven arrived at "Camp Dick Robinson," having marched twenty-one miles. Here we encamped for the night. The appearance of the sky betokened rain, consequently many of us took pains to pitch our tents. This, together with making coffee and eating supper, occupied our time until ten o'clock. About this time we turned in, to gain what little rest we could before "reveille," which was ordered to be beaten at four o'clock in the morning. At the appointed time, the roll of the drums announced to us that our sleeping hours were up. We turned out in haste, having barely time to eat breakfast and pack up before we were called into line.

At half-past four we were on our way again. At seven, A. M., entered Pleasant Valley. Here the scenery became most wild and picturesque, and as we crossed Hickman's Bridge the grandeur of the scenery impressed me beyond any thing I have ever witnessed. Mountains, hundreds of feet in height, towered above our heads, in all directions. The bridge is a fine structure; it was built in 1836, is perhaps two hundred feet in length, and spans the Kentucky River, some sixty feet above its waters. After emerging from this defile, and when within one mile of Nicholasville, Colonel Griffin received a dispatch detaching us from the brigade, with orders for Colonel Browne to report in another direction. At this time we were in advance of the brigade. We immediately came to a halt, and as the brigade passed by, we gave each regiment three parting cheers, and commenced to retrace our steps. After going half a mile we filed to the right, into a grove, where we passed the night. At five o'clock in the morning we were drummed into line, and on the tenth day of June encamped in Somerset, having marched, in six consecutive days, over one hundred miles, under a broiling sun, with knapsacks heavily laden with rations and ammunition, finding ourselves at last twenty-eight miles from Crab Orchard, the place from whence we started June the 4th. Our encampment was in a grove, quarter of a mile west of the village, on ground occupied by Zollicoffer in 1861; here he prepared to make a stand against the forces sent to repel him; trenches were dug, and large, noble trees, cut at the time, lay thick upon the ground. His fate was decided at Mill Springs, January 20th, 1862.

Nothing of note occurred during our stay here, most of our time being taken up in fighting flies, which swarmed about our camp, and in trying to make ourselves as comfortable as we could under the circumstances. It was extremely warm during our sojourn here, and the flies seemed determined to annihilate us.

June the 20th, at noon, received marching orders again, and at four, P. M., encamped on the heights which form the banks of the Cumberland River, in the immediate vicinity of Stigall's Ferry, seven miles from Somerset. Having a desire to bathe in the waters of this celebrated stream, I visited it for that purpose early the next morning, and returned to camp just in time to take my place in line on our return march. We reached Somerset at one, P. M., rested until three, when we took up our line of march for Jamestown, whither we had been ordered. We encamped for the night on "Logan's Old Fields," where the battle of Mill Springs was fought, January, 1862. This place is distant from Somerset nine miles, which made our day's march sixteen miles. Here we found the 32d Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Morrow, who had started from Somerset in advance of us, and who were to be our companions to Jamestown, the two regiments to be under the command of Colonel G. H. Browne, the senior officer.

At five, A. M., the following morning, the 32d took the lead, followed immediately by the 12th. This day we reached Shady Creek, at eight, P. M., where we encamped, having made a march of sixteen miles over the roughest roads imaginable. At twelve, M., the next day, we passed through Jamestown, and encamped in the immediate vicinity, having marched ten miles over a road where it required the activity and ingenuity of a red ferret to keep us on our feet. June the 24th our teams started for Lebanon, sixty miles distant, to procure rations, and it soon became evident we were not to remain idle here. Our scouts reported the enemy as attempting to cross the Cumberland, and our whole force was employed to hold them in check. Our brave colonel went to the village and ground up his sabre, preparatory to cutting and slashing. A large force was sent out three miles on the road towards Columbia, where a rude fort was constructed and garrisoned, under the supervision of our colonel. Bodies of men were sent in other directions to fell trees, and otherwise obstruct the roads; and all things were made ready to give the enemy a warm reception.

June the 28th, Colonel Woolford's Cavalry and Colonel Kautz's Brigade joined us, since which time there has been constant skirmishing with Morgan's advance. Our regiment at this time saw hard service. Heavy pickets were kept out all the time; our rations were giving out, and, to make it more disagreeable, it rained continually every day, some of the time pouring in torrents. Our teams, that were expected the 28th, were unfortunately delayed on their return by the presence of the enemy in Columbia.

They had passed Green River Bridge, and were hurrying along, and had nearly reached Columbia, before they were aware of the danger; upon learning which, they immediately hurried back across Green River, when meeting a force of thirty men, sent from Lebanon to protect them, they concluded to make a stand here until morning. In the course of the night, the bridge was carried away by the freshet, caused by the heavy rains. There was no other alternative left them, but to reach camp by a circuitous route, crossing the river at a ford some twenty miles to the north. July 3d, when within ten miles of camp, they were attacked by sixty or seventy of Morgan's Cavalry. The guard showing themselves equal to the emergency, dashed among them with great fury, repulsing them, killing one, and taking seven of them prisoners; the rest made good their escape. Shortly after, the teams reached Jamestown, much excited by their adventurous trip. Meanwhile we were expecting to be attacked, and were twice called into line. The morning of July 4th quite a force of the enemy came close upon us; the signal howitzers were fired, and the long roll was beaten. The regiment turned out, took position, and awaited their approach; but the enemy avoided us. Sunday, the 5th, it becoming known that Morgan with his whole force had crossed the river, and slipped past us, we were ordered back to Somerset. At nine, A. M., the stores were put aboard the teams, and we took up our line of march.

It was a very warm, sultry day, and the roads were in bad condition, owing to the late rains, making our march extremely difficult. The poor boys were sore pressed, and tents and blankets flew in all directions. We reached Russell's Spring and made a halt there until four, P. M. We had twenty-five prisoners with us, the fruit of our excursion to Jamestown. At four, we started, when it commenced to rain and kept it up till dark; much of the time it poured in torrents, and we made a march of eight miles, with only two halts, of five minutes' each, and at dark encamped one mile from Shady Creek, soaked to the skin.

The next morning, July 6th, we waited until nine, A. M., for the team to come up with us, when we started again, marched eleven miles, and again halted for the night. July 7th, reached Somerset at seven, P. M.