Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is situated on the Cumberland River, two hundred and fifty miles from its mouth. It is the terminus of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and is also the centering point of numerous other Southern roads. It is sometimes known as the City of Rocks; being built on a high rocky elevation. The population is about twenty-five thousand, and it is a place of considerable trade. Most of the cotton, and other products of Middle Tennessee, here find a market. The State House, is a large and magnificent structure, built entirely of marble, and situated on a high elevation called Capitol Hill. It is the first object that attracts the attention of the stranger, on his approach to the city, as it can be seen from a considerable distance from all quarters of approach. The glorious old flag, under which our fathers fought in a cause most holy, now floats from its dome, in place of the late Secesh rag. The streets are narrow and irregular, not being laid out with any regard to beauty. There are a large number of fine buildings here, both public and private. The citizens are, for the most part, strong secessionists. The appearance of Union soldiers in their streets was not much relished, but they were obliged to put up with it.
On the 29th of March, we struck tents, and again moved forward, taking the Franklin road, in company with the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, First Wisconsin, and Thirty-fifth Indiana, all Infantry, and one Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry. We were now in the Seventh Brigade of General Buel’s department, General Negley commanding. A march of twenty miles through heat and dust, brought us to the pretty little town of Franklin, and at 4 o’clock in the afternoon we camped in a grove one mile from the town. Nearly all the places of business here were closed, many of the inhabitants having fled from the wrath of the “barbarous Yankees.” We remained here only two days, and were then again ordered forward.
On Monday morning, April 1st, we left the place. The day was quite warm, and the roads very dusty, but we marched twenty-five during the day, and camped in the woods near a creek. The men had now a good opportunity for bathing, which most of them took advantage of. This place was rather a rough camping ground, being quite uneven and covered with rocks. The next morning, had a fine shower, which cooled the atmosphere and settled the dust. At 8 o’clock were once more moving, and soon forded a creek, the Rebels having destroyed the bridge. A number of the First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, were actively engaged in rebuilding it. After proceeding about two miles, were ordered to halt, remaining in the road for two hours, then moved into a field to our left, and encamped. Next day, again started, and at noon reached Columbia, having crossed Duck River. We here camped on a high hill just back of the town.
This was April 3d.
It was about 2 o’clock, when our tents were pitched. The ground was cleared up, and the place made quite pleasant for camping purposes. It was surrounded by a heavy growth of trees, which were beginning to leave out. We also had a commanding view of the town and surrounding country.
Columbia, the county seat of Maury, is situated on Duck River, and is fifty miles from Nashville. The Tennessee and Alabama Railroad, passes through it. Population, about three thousand. The streets are wide and clean. Among the public buildings, is a large Female Seminary, then closed. A majority of the people are secessionists. Shortly after our arrival, Dow Tanney, a member of the Company, died. On the 7th of April, the right section of the Battery, under command of Lieutenant Bennett, went to Mount Pleasant, fourteen miles from Columbia. A part of our brigade, also went with them. On the 22d of April, we received another payment, being up to March 1st. On the night of May 1st, about 11 o’clock, an order came for one section of the Battery to proceed at once to Pulaski. At 12 o’clock the centre section, under Lieutenant Baldwin, started, with four companies of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, one company First Kentucky, and four companies Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, accompanying.
The reason of this sudden movement, was on account of Morgan’s cut-throat Cavalry being at Pulaski, where they had captured a wagon train of General Mitchell’s division, and had also made an attack on a party of unarmed Union soldiers, who had just been discharged from hospital, and were on the way to join their regiments. A number were killed and wounded, and several taken prisoners. The citizens of Pulaski had assisted Morgan in this attack, firing on our soldiers from their houses, and had also broken open the store of a Union man, and carried off all his goods and money.
Our men pushed on as fast as possible, and, when within ten miles of the town, were met by a number of the troops, who had been captured by the enemy, and released on parole. They reported Morgan and his gang still at Pulaski, when they left. Lieutenant Baldwin having the front, gave the order to forward on double quick. The men were not slow in obeying; and at 2 o’clock went rushing into Pulaski in hot haste, but were a little too late for the Rebels, as they had taken the alarm and “skedaddled.”
The men retaliated on the citizens for their base conduct. They took possession of the town, and went into the mercantile business. From soldiers, they were soon turned into merchants, and opened stores on their own account. Soon all were loaded with watches, jewelry, boots, shoes, hats, clothing, etc., besides a certain other article which we wouldn’t mention by a jug-full.
They remained here a few days—long enough to regulate matters, and to give the residents to understand, that they must behave themselves. For Union boys wont be trifled with.