On Sunday, August 10th, about noon, were ordered to be ready to march at 4 o’clock, but shortly before the appointed time the order was countermanded. The next morning at daylight, got the order to “forward,” and were soon in motion. One of the guns was left behind, as there were not sufficient men to handle it. The Eighth and Twenty-first Kentucky, and Fifty-first Ohio, with a small detachment of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, and our battery, constituted the force, all under the command of Brigadier General Jackson. A march of eighteen miles brought us to the town of Smithville, and about 4 o’clock we camped a short distance beyond the place. We here found the Thirty-first Indiana and Twenty-third Kentucky Infantry, and the Second Indiana Cavalry. They all joined us on the march next day, when we made an early start, and after proceeding six miles struck on the Lebanon pike. About noon, passed through the small village of Liberty—a strong Union place. Going two miles further, we turned off on the road leading to Murfreesboro, and went into camp on the banks of Clear creek. Remained here until 4 o’clock of the next afternoon, when we once more formed in line for the march. On getting on the old road, we were faced towards McMinnville. The Thirty-first Indiana and Twelfth Kentucky, and Second Indiana Cavalry, remained in camp. Nine o’clock that morning, we arrived at our old camping ground at Smithville, and remained there for the night. Resumed marching early in the morning, and at 6 P. M. reached McMinnville. The day after our arrival at this place, the battery wagon, tents and baggage, came on from Murfreesboro. Remained here until Sunday afternoon, August 24th, when we again moved forward. The sick were sent to Nashville, and a large quantity of provisions and other property was buried, as there was not sufficient means of transportation. At 3 o’clock the entire force were in motion. None but the officers in command knew our destination. We crossed the river, and found ourselves on the road to Altamont, Winchester, and other towns. Marched six miles, and, at 9 o’clock, halted for the night. It being late, and over a mile to where we could obtain water, and as all were tired and sleepy, we went to bed supperless—our beds being mother earth. Started early in the morning for Altamont, without breakfast. Proceeding two miles we came to water, and now supposed we would have a chance to cook our rations. But no; as soon as the horses were watered, “forward” was the word, and we must obey. This command caused much grumbling. Two more weary miles were passed, when we again halted for a couple of hours; but no water was to be had here, so we were obliged to content ourselves with some dry, hard bread for breakfast. We finally got started again, and after going a short distance another halt was made, caused by the road being blockaded by the wagons. We at once turned into the woods on our left, and encamped. Remained here until daylight, and were once more ordered forward. Arrived at McMinnville at 11 A. M., and proceeded to our old camping ground, having been absent two days, and accomplished nothing. This was on August 26th. With the exception of an alarm, caused by some of the cavalry firing their guns just outside the lines, a few days after our return from the above expedition, nothing of note occurred until September 3rd.
On the morning of September 3d—being just one month from our arrival—we took our departure from McMinnville. After the usual delay, we were on the move, and headed for Murfreesboro. For the past month we had been deprived of all communication with home, and had scarcely seen a paper. As a matter of course, we knew but little of what was transpiring in regard to the war. We could not even tell for what purpose we were ordered on, or what our destination. We marched about twelve miles this day, and then camped in a large open field. During the morning we passed the place where a skirmish had taken place between some of our troops and a party of Rebels, a few days previous. The Union force had succeeded in routing the enemy, but several of their men were captured. We remained in this camp until the next morning, and again started. At noon passed through Woodbury, and at night camped at Readyville, having marched about fifteen miles. The following morning resumed our march, and reached Murfreesboro at noon. Considerable delay was caused here, and it was 4 P. M. ere we pitched our tents, which was done two miles from town, on the Nashville pike, and near Stone River.
Here, for the first time, we received information that some extraordinary movement was on foot. Troops, in large bodies, were constantly coming in from all quarters, and it seemed as if Buel’s entire army were about to concentrate at this point, for the purpose of some grand movement upon the enemy. The report was that we were about to return to Kentucky. About this time we received a late paper, and the tenor of its news led us to believe that such a movement looked reasonable.
The next morning early were on the move towards Nashville. All doubts as to our course were now removed. Owing to the large body of troops in advance, our progress was necessarily slow. But we made sixteen miles during the day, which was September 6th, and at night camped at a small station on the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad, and fourteen miles from the former place.
An early start the next morning brought us, at noon, to within five miles of the city. We here turned off from the main road, and proceeding two miles, camped near a small creek. But scarcely had our picket ropes been extended, and horses unharnessed, when we were again commanded to move. This time proceeded to within a mile of the city, and then pitched our tents. Were ordered to be in readiness to move at 3 o’clock in the morning.
It was now evident that Kentucky was our destination. At the appointed time next morning, we were on the move; and, shortly after daylight, crossed the Cumberland river by means of the railroad bridge, which had been planked over for the purpose. We passed through the pleasant little town of Edgefield, and found ourselves on the road leading to Bowling Green. When we had gone four miles we halted in a piece of woods, and remained there two hours, then proceeded on our way, and at night camped eight miles from Nashville, and near what is called Edgefield Junction.
We remained at the above camping ground two days. On the afternoon of the 2d of September, we had an alarm; and, as the surrounding country was swarming with Rebels, it stood us well in hand to be on the alert. It took but a moment’s notice to be prepared for action, when scouts were sent out in all directions. They succeeded in bringing in several prisoners, some of whom belonged to the Rebel army. But little information could be obtained from them. The remainder of the day and night passed without anything further of note transpiring.
Early on the morning of September 11th, we were once more on the move. About 10 A. M. passed through the small town of Goodsonville, or Edgefield Station. We here saw evidences of the Rebel’s work of destruction. The place was almost entirely deserted, and every store had been completely riddled and robbed of its contents. Many of them had been fired, and were partially consumed.
We made no halt at this place, but continued our march. A few miles further on passed through another small town, which contained two or three stores, all of which were closed, and, as at Goodsonville, the inhabitants had mostly fled. At noon we halted near a large public house, where there was a fine spring of water. Here we procured dinner, and remained for two hours.
It appears that there had been a skirmish a short time previous, some two miles ahead, between our advance and a large body of Rebel Cavalry. A part of the Ninth Michigan Infantry, one section of Hewitt’s Battery, and a small detachment of cavalry, succeeded in repulsing the enemy, who had one killed and three wounded, who fell into our hands. On our side, there was but one wounded.