Pikeville is a small place, containing one hundred and fifty inhabitants, and is situated at the head of Sequatchie Valley. It is on or near the dividing line of East and Middle Tennessee. There were several Union men living here, some of whom joined Woolford’s Cavalry.
The advance, finding their mission at an end, set out on their return the next day. In the meantime the rear detachment, which had camped half way between McMinnville and Pikeville the night before, the next morning proceeded on; but when they had gone four or five miles, were ordered to face about and retrace their steps.
A day and night’s march again brought us to McMinnville, where we camped on the river’s bank. Those who went forward also arrived on the afternoon of the same day, which was Monday, June 16th.
We remained here until 5 o’clock on the afternoon of the 17th, and then once more moved towards Murfreesboro. Marched all night, and at daylight of the 18th entered the town of Woodbury, where we camped near our former ground. Remained here during the day, and at night resumed our march. During the night were visited by a heavy thunder storm, rendering it so dark as to be almost impossible to keep the road. At 4 o’clock next morning reached Murfreesboro, and went into camp.
Murfreesboro is quite a pretty place, and contains a population of five thousand. It is the county seat of Rutland, and is located on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, being some thirty miles from the former place.
Friday morning, at daylight, we started for Columbia, free from infantry and cavalry, with the exception of one company of the First Kentucky. Captain Standart left us at Murfreesboro and went to Shelbyville, where Lieutenant Sypher was stationed with the left section. We were accordingly under command of Lieutenant Baldwin. We camped the first night, two miles beyond Franklin. Made an early start on Saturday morning, June 21st, and reached Columbia at 11 A. M. the same day. Camped on the east side of Duck River, where we found Lieutenant Bennett with the second detachment of the right section, they having arrived the night previous from Rogersville, Alabama, where they left the first detachment. The Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry were encamped with them. All were glad to once more get back to their old quarters. We had been gone just thirteen days, during which time we had marched two hundred and fifty miles, and which resulted in no particular advantage; but, on the contrary, had considerably worn down the men and horses, besides losing our tents and part of our baggage. Take it all in all, it was the most severe march we had yet endured. Our present camping ground was not near as pleasant as formerly.
July 1st, moved our quarters one mile north-east of the town. This was a much better location in many respects. The Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania camped near us. July 4th, at 3 A. M., one section of our battery went into town, and fired a salute of thirty-four guns. At noon, the entire battery did the same. On July 9th, the left and center sections started for Shelbyville, marching till about 8 o’clock that evening, and then halted near a creek to feed horses and get supper. At 11 o’clock, the moon having risen, were ordered forward, and soon passed through the small town of Farmington. The stars and stripes were flying from a high staff in the center of the town, and several of the inhabitants displayed small United States flags in front of their houses.
TOGETHER AGAIN.
We were here joined by the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry; and, on the morning of July 10th, entered Shelbyville, where we found Lieutenant Sypher with the left section, camped one mile from town. This was the first time that the entire battery had camped together since the 7th of April. Distance from Columbia, forty miles.
Shelbyville is located on Duck River, and is the terminus of a branch of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and distant about seventy-five miles from Nashville. It contains a population of three thousand five hundred, and is the county seat of Bedford. About one-half of the residents are good Unionists.