We remained here only a few hours, being ordered off at 6 o’clock the same evening. The left section had been here nearly a month. A short time after getting under way, it commenced raining quite hard. At 10 o’clock the same night arrived at Wartrace, where we remained until next morning. We laid out in the storm all night, and, in the morning, after breakfast, went one mile from town and camped. The Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry were already here.
Wartrace is a small station on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. Population about two hundred. Our camping ground was on a hill, and near a fine creek. For two days, everything was quiet; but, on Sunday morning, July 13th, at daylight, heavy firing was heard in the direction of Murfreesboro, which is about twenty miles distant. All sorts of conjectures were formed in regard to the cause of it. At night, received a report that the Rebels had attacked Murfreesboro, and had succeeded in obtaining possession of the town. Had captured the Third Minnesota Infantry, and part of Hewitt’s First Kentucky Battery. At first, this report was doubted, but in the end proved true.
From certain rumors current in camp, it was supposed that a force of the enemy were in the vicinity of Wartrace, and an attack was apprehended at any moment. At dark struck our tents, harnessed our horses, and made all preparation to meet the enemy. About 10 o’clock, received an order to move. The right section remained near camp. The left section took position at the depot, the center section going out some distance below the depot, and close to the track. All kept vigilant watch during the night, but no enemy appeared.
The following day we received reinforcements, consisting of the Fifty-first Ohio, part of the Ninth Michigan, and two companies of the Third Minnesota, who were engaged in guarding some station at the time of the capture of Murfreesboro, and had luckily escaped. We also had a small force of cavalry. During the day of Monday, July 14th, scouts were sent out in different directions. A small barricade was built at the point where the center section was posted. At night, troops were stationed in different places along the road, and the utmost caution observed to prevent a surprise. But the night passed, like the one previous, without an attack.
At daylight, the whole force was ordered to move, and were soon under way. We were not allowed to wait for breakfast, or to feed the horses. What this movement was for, or where we were going, none, save the officers in command, knew.
A march of twenty miles brought us to Tullahoma, which is south of Wartrace, and on the same railroad. It is also at the junction of the Manchester and McMinnville road. On arriving there, we encamped in an orchard near the depot. At dark, the left section were posted on a high elevation, at the north-east part of the town. There was already a large force here, and more troops still arriving. The concentrating of so large a force at this point, looked as if a battle was brewing. Preparations were at once made to resist any force the enemy might bring to oppose us. Rifle pits were dug, and earth works thrown up. Various rumors circulated through camp. Several persons were arrested on the charge of being spies; one of whom, rumor had it, was found guilty, and sentenced to be hung.
Three days thus passed by, during which time we were visited by frequent showers of rain.
On the night of the 18th of July, the center section moved to a grove close by the depot, while the right section moved in another direction, and near where the left was posted. At 9 o’clock next morning, received orders to march, and a general breaking up of camp now took place; some going in one direction—some in another. Our battery, together with the Eighteenth Kentucky Infantry, went towards Shelbyville. Marched about nine miles that day, and camped in a large field. During the night, had a heavy thunder storm, with high wind. At daylight, were on the move. The weather was quite cloudy, and threatened more rain, but soon cleared up and became quite pleasant. At 10 o’clock A. M., entered Shelbyville, and, after remaining there an hour, again moved forward. We were now traveling over a macadamized road, which was in most excellent condition. After going eight miles, we camped near a creek, and remained here until daylight the next morning, when we again resumed our march. At 11 o’clock A. M., arrived at Murfreesboro, where we found a large Union force, under Major General Nelson. We camped on the Nashville pike, about one mile from town. The next morning, there was quite a movement of troops. A large force headed by General Nelson went towards Nashville. Our battery moved camp to a high elevation overlooking the town. About three hundred slaves had been brought in from the surrounding country, and set to work building a redoubt for the use of artillery. Our men were engaged in putting the camping ground in good order. In a short time, report reached us that a large force of Rebels had entered Lebanon and captured the place without firing a gun. All kinds of rumors were put in circulation regarding this movement. At 4 o’clock, we received orders to harness horses and be prepared to march at any moment. About the same time, a “cock and bull” story was started, that a party of “secesh” had entered town with a flag of truce and demanded the surrender of the place. But it afterwards appeared that a small body of rebels had approached the place for the purpose of effecting an exchange of prisoners. At dark, no order had been given to move. Another sensation was created, to the effect that some Rebel Cavalry had been seen skulking in the upper edge of a cornfield, near which we were encamped.
All this time we were momentarily expecting to move; but, for some reason, the order was delayed. It seemed as if those in command did not know what to do. After waiting until after midnight, we at last received word to march. The night was very dark, and the clouds threatened an instant storm. We moved on at a snail-like pace until daylight, and shortly after arrived at Stone river, which we were obliged to ford, the bridge having been destroyed. We now knew that we were going towards Lebanon. The slaves along the road reported that a large body of Rebel Cavalry had gone towards Murfreesboro late the day previous. Here, again, was a fine opportunity to manufacture long “yarns;” and mole-hills were magnified into mountains. Notwithstanding all this, we kept on towards Lebanon. When we had proceeded to within ten miles of the town, a halt was ordered, and some of the Cavalry were sent forward to reconnoiter. In about an hour they returned, bringing in two prisoners whom they had captured. They reported that the enemy had left Lebanon. Order was now given to “about face,” and we were soon on the return to Murfreesboro. When we had arrived to within two miles of where the Nashville and McMinnville road crosses the Murfreesboro and Lebanon road, it was reported that a body of the enemy were there, waiting to offer us battle; and, from the stories we had heard in the morning, it looked somewhat reasonable.
Our forces were soon drawn up in line of battle, and moved forward to meet the supposed enemy; Colonel Barnes, of the Eighth Kentucky, acting as Brigadier General.