It was now generally understood, that we were bound up the Cumberland river; but for what point, was not fully known. General Thomas’ Division kept coming in, regiment after regiment; proceeded directly to the city, and there embarked aboard the steamers which were chartered for the purpose. A number of our men went into the city, after being paid.
Louisville is the largest and most important city in Kentucky. It is situated at the falls of the Ohio river, and contains a population of seventy thousand, and is the center of a large and growing trade.
On Thursday morning, the 27th of February, we entered the city, and at once commenced getting the guns, horses, &c., on board the steamer Westmoreland. It was nearly dark, ere this was completed. At 10 o’clock the same evening, we cast loose from the levee and were soon steaming down the broad Ohio. Sixteen boats loaded with troops accompanied us. Colonel Barnett was on one of them; and there were also two or three more of his batteries on different boats.
Lieutenant Sypher, who had been absent on a short furlough, joined us at Louisville.
The late heavy rains had caused quite a freshet in the Ohio river and its tributaries. Many towns and buildings, which we passed, were almost submerged, and in some places the river spread out in lake-like expansion. We frequently met boats, which were returning for troops and supplies, having discharged their loads. Making but few stops, and only then for the purpose of “coaling,” on Sunday morning, March 2d, we arrived at Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland. We made but a short stay here, and then went steaming up the river.
It was now well understood, that Nashville was our destination. The Cumberland, like the Ohio, was at a high stage, and our progress against the current was but slow. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon, we arrived at Fort Donelson, and as we made but a short stop, had no opportunity to go on shore to see the place, but had a pretty good view of it as we passed by. There were a large number of Union troops stationed here, who heartily cheered us on passing. The stars and stripes were floating over the fort, where erst the hated symbol of secession flung its disgraceful folds.
On Monday morning, we passed the city of Clarksville, Tennessee, but made no landing. A band, on board one of the transports accompanying us, played several national airs as we steamed along. The place seemed almost deserted. Occasionally, a group of “wooley heads” could be seen, displaying their “ivories,” and swinging their old hats. Here, as at Fort Donelson, were a large number of troops, and the good old flag was flying. The railroad bridge, over the river, had been partially destroyed by fire, when the Federal gunboats first made their appearance before the city. On Tuesday morning, March 4th, we arrived at Nashville, having been four days on the trip.
At Nashville, we found about fifty steamers discharging their loads. All of them had brought troops and munitions of war. There had already twenty thousand troops arrived, and more constantly coming. Our guns and caissons were got ashore at once, the men and horses remaining on board until next morning, when we disembarked, and took up our line of march for the camping ground, passing through several of the principal streets. We proceeded out on the Charlotteville road some three miles from the city, and pitched our tents on a beautiful spot, near a small creek. Bartlett’s and Kinney’s batteries were camped near by. We had dress parade at 4 P. M. each day. The weather was very changeable, sometimes being cold, with rain and snow, at other times quite warm and pleasant.
While at this camping ground, a large number of the Company visited what was called Fort Zollicoffer, or, at least, what was intended for a fort, or defence, for the protection of Nashville. It is situated on a high bluff, three miles below the city, on the Cumberland River, and consists of a slight earthwork. There were several large guns laying half buried in the mud; only two remaining mounted, the Rebels having hastily attempted to destroy the works, on the approach of the Union gun-boats. Shot and shell, were laying around in large quantity.
Remaining at this camp until Sunday, March 16th, we moved our quarters two miles south of the city, on the Franklin Pike, and near the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad. We here pitched our tents, on a high ridge between the railroad and turnpike. Colonel Barnett named it Camp Brownlow, in honor of that sterling old patriot, Parson Brownlow. There were also camped near by, several batteries from Kentucky, Wisconsin, and other States. Colonel Barnett, had the entire command. We were kept under thorough military discipline. Dress parade every afternoon, drilling and guard mounting. After remaining here about one week, for some cause or other, we again moved half a mile to new grounds. While here, a number of the sick were discharged the service. Those who had been left sick at different points, and had recovered, here rejoined us. Richard Williams, a member of our Company, died in the hospital at Nashville on the 15th of March. He was from Cleveland.