CHAPTER VIII.
AT LOUISVILLE—AND OFF AGAIN.
As before stated, at noon of September 26th, we arrived at Louisville, having marched over two hundred and fifty miles, occupying just twenty-three and a half days. We were nearly all worn out on this long, dreary, and tedious march, and presented a most woful appearance, being dirty, ragged, and well nigh famished. Take it all in all, we had undergone more hardships and real suffering than on any previous occasion, and it was probably one of the most disastrous movements that had taken place since the war had an existence. The boys say it was a “masterly piece of military strategy,” and think that a few more such movements will speedily terminate the war.
Our camp was located on a piece of low ground, and in a potato patch near the canal, through which the boats are obliged to pass when the river is at a low stage, as there is then an insufficiency of water on the falls.
We now had full rations served out, and as far as the matter of eating, were well off. On Sunday the 27th September, we received an addition of forty-seven new members, they having been recruited at Cleveland by Colonel Barnett and others. Two of our men, who had been home on sick leave, rejoined us at the same time.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 30th, we moved camp a short distance, and the same afternoon were paid for four months’ services, and also received a lot of new clothing, which rendered the men extremely happy, and many a wistful eye was cast towards the city. But the same night we received that same “eternal” order to be ready to march the following morning. So the men were disappointed in the expectation of getting “shut” of their money.
At an early hour, October 1st, all were ready for a start; and shortly after daylight the battery was in motion. But, on crossing the canal, we came to a halt, and after being delayed an hour, again moved forward. In a short time another halt was ordered, and
We all halt, halt, halted.
In this manner nearly the entire day was consumed, and it was quite late in the afternoon ere we were fairly outside the city.
We now found ourselves on the Bardstown pike, being the same road by which we had entered the city seven months previous. Marched six miles, and at 9 o’clock camped for the night.