CHAPTER V.
HERE A LITTLE, AND THERE A LITTLE.
As has been stated, it was on the 22d of January, when the battery returned to Somerset. The next day, we went back to Mill Springs with our horses, to bring away the guns captured from the enemy.
As it was late in the day, when we arrived at the scene of the engagement, and the roads being in bad condition, we remained over night. The next morning, at daylight, started on our return, and reached Somerset at 2 P. M., the distance traveled in both expeditions being sixty-four miles.
We now received orders to march for East Tennessee; but the order was soon after countermanded, as it was found impossible to proceed, owing to the horrible condition of the roads. Colonel Barnett had arrived shortly after the battle, it being the first time we had seen him since leaving Camp Dick Robinson. He remained with us only a few days.
Not having before said anything about Somerset, we will here describe the place:—It is one of the early settled towns of Kentucky, and like all the other mountain towns of this State, it presents rather a sombre and gloomy appearance. The buildings are mostly built of wood, and are old fashioned affairs. The business part looks as if it had gone through the revolutionary war; many of the buildings are fast going to decay. The population is about one thousand five hundred. Although the inhabitants profess to be loyal to the old Government, yet many of them are, at heart, rank secessionists. There is a court-house and jail here, it being the seat of justice for Pulaski county.
We remained here until the 10th of February, 1862, being a period of just ten weeks from the day of our first arrival. On Saturday, the 8th of the same month, Edward C. Chapman, a member of our company, died, and was buried the next day. His remains were followed to the grave by nearly all the members of the battery. This was the first burial in the company, the others, who died, having been sent home, with the exceptions of Hodge and Bailey, who were left sick at towns we passed through.
It having been found impracticable to go forward into East Tennessee, for various reasons, on Saturday, February 8th, we were ordered to be prepared to march on the following Monday.
Monday morning found us ready to move; and, at 8 o’clock, we bade good bye to Somerset, much to our satisfaction. We marched twelve miles that day, over the worst kind of a road. In many places the mud was belly deep to the horses, and they often got stalled. At night, camped in a small valley near a creek. During the night, a heavy snow storm set in, and, in the morning, the ground was covered, and more still falling. At 8 o’clock, were again on the move. The roads were but little better than the day previous; we were, however, in a more open country. Marched this day about fourteen miles, and at 4 o’clock struck the turnpike at a small creek, where there was a mill, and one or two stores. We proceeded one mile beyond, and camped for the night—the weather cold and stormy.
Next morning, the weather was quite pleasant; and, as soon as breakfast was over, were again on the road. Lieutenant Bennett was taken sick, and was left at this place. We now had a good road, and made fair progress. At 4 o’clock, we camped two miles from Danville, the town being in plain view. The distance made this day, was twenty-four miles.