The next day, at five, P. M., marched again, en route for Hickman's Bridge, by way of Crab Orchard and Stanford. Marched six miles, and halted for the night. July 9th, marched twenty-two miles, reaching Crab Orchard at eight, P. M.
The next day passed through Stanford at ten, and halted for dinner one mile from the village at eleven, A. M. Here our colonel was told he could give his regiment a ride on the supply train, which was all ready to go to Hickman's Bridge. Our colonel accepted the offer, and in one-half hour we were aboard and on our way, much to the relief of the suffering, sore-footed members of the Rhode Island "Itinerant" Regiment. The train made a halt at Dick River, and we dismounted and encamped. The next day, July the 11th, at one, P. M., we dismounted at Hickman's Bridge, marched up the hill, and at two, P. M., halted at General Burnside's head-quarters, for orders. Here we remained until nine, A. M., July the 12th, when we got orders to report in Cincinnati. We then marched to Nicholasville, went aboard the train at two, P. M., and at eleven at night arrived in Covington.
On the 13th, at seven, A. M., we crossed the Ohio, and stacking arms in front of the Fifth Street Market House, waited there for breakfast. Here we learned that the omnipresent Morgan was within a few miles of the city, and advancing. Martial law was to take effect in the city at ten, A. M. Companies were arming and organizing, and we were soon informed that nothing but the presence of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers would save the city from utter destruction. This pleasing bit of information was imparted to us after dinner, while laboring to get up Vine Street Hill, to a new camp where we were destined to remain for a few days longer. This was sorry news, and some of the boys were rather riotous over it, the thought naturally suggesting itself to them, whether the same necessity might not exist in Bungtown or in any other place. By the way, the term of service for which our regiment was mustered in, had already expired; and the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, weary and worn out, had hoped that we were finally on our way home.
It was indeed disheartening to many of us, who had expected that upon our arrival here nothing would occur to interrupt our journey. Little did we think that even here in Ohio the presence of John Morgan would render it necessary for us to rally again. About this time, also, the New York riot was raging, and some apprehension was felt by the authorities of a similar demonstration in Cincinnati. This was enough to detain us, and at the junction of the two roads on Mount Auburn, on the afternoon of the 13th day of July, the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers established their camp, and on the same evening the "redoubtable John" illuminated it by burning a bridge within three miles of us.
Sunday, the 19th, reinforcements having arrived, we were relieved, and at seven o'clock, A. M., of that day we left Cincinnati for Rhode Island; where, on the 29th day of July, 1863, we were mustered from the service of the United States. The particulars of our journey, together with our reception in Providence, I copy from the "Providence Evening Press" of July 22d, at the conclusion of which is appended the Order which General Burnside, in appreciation of our services, upon our leaving his Department, issued to the regiment.
Return of the Twelfth Regiment.
This noble regiment returned home to-day from its arduous and protracted services at the seat of war. The unusual amount of hardship and exposure to which it has been subjected, the important duties it has performed, and the heavy losses it has sustained in the defence of the country, made it highly appropriate that it should be received with demonstrations expressive of the popular interest in all that concerns our brave soldiers.
The record of this regiment will compare favorably with that of any nine months regiment which has been in the service during the war. In addition to long and frequent marches, they have spent seven months of their time at the front, in the face of danger, and where the duties imposed upon them have taxed their every energy to the utmost.
The regiment left Cincinnati on Sunday morning, and proceeded by rail to Dunkirk on the Erie Railroad, and thence to New York, where they arrived at eleven o'clock yesterday morning. They started about one o'clock for Providence on the steamer Commodore, arriving about four o'clock a short distance below Nayatt, where they anchored. They came up to the city shortly afterward, and landed about seven o'clock. A salute was fired by the Marine Artillery.
The Fourth and Sixth Regiments Rhode Island Militia were drawn up on Benefit Street to receive the returning veterans, and loudly cheered them as they passed through the opened lines. A crowd of expectant friends, who had assembled at the Point, immediately gathered around the gallant boys, and the short halt was improved in the interchange of the heartiest greetings.