October 2d resumed our march at the usual early hour; but owing to the large force accompanying, our progress was slow. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and about eight miles distant from our starting point in the morning, heavy firing was heard some distance ahead, but in a short time it suddenly ceased. After proceeding two miles further we halted, and went into camp for the night. We soon learned, from scouts sent out, that the firing was occasioned by a skirmish between our advance and the rear guard of the enemy, who were slowly retreating before us. There being so many rumors concerning the skirmish, it was impossible to obtain a correct result. However, there was no great damage done on either side. The enemy, as usual, wanted to be “let alone.” Considerable rain fell during the night.
Captain Standart and Lieutenant Bennett, who had remained at Louisville on business, joined us the next day, October 3d. The morning was cloudy, with some rain. At 9 o’clock got started. The clouds swept away shortly after, giving place to the genial sun, and the remainder of the day was quite pleasant. At 10 A. M. passed through the small town of Mount Washington. Here was where the skirmish of the day previous had taken place. At 3 o’clock crossed a small stream, called Floyd’s Fork. The bridge had been destroyed by the Rebels. We had no difficulty in fording the stream, owing to the low stage of water. This was six miles from Mount Washington, and fourteen miles from Bardstown. Just beyond here our advance cavalry were fired upon by the Rebels, with artillery from a masked battery. A halt was at once ordered, and instant preparation made for action. Two of our guns, under command of Lieutenant Bennett, were moved forward some two miles, and were then fired upon. The pieces were immediately posted on a commanding place near by, and opened on the enemy. A few shots were exchanged, when the firing soon ceased. Scouting parties were now sent out to reconnoiter, but returned without making any discovery of importance. Nothing more, worthy of notice, occurred during the night.
Having ascertained that the Rebels had retired during the night, at 10 o’clock next morning, October 4th, we again moved forward. It was now evident that the enemy were gradually falling back, but had left a rear guard for the purpose of retarding our march, and to cause us as much trouble as possible, without bringing on a general engagement. About three miles from our last night’s camping ground we again crossed Floyd’s Fork, and near where the Lexington pike intersects the Bardstown and Louisville road. We here found that the bridge had not been destroyed. About one-half mile beyond we came to where the enemy had thrown up a sort of barricade against a fence, and from which they had, no doubt, intended to give us a surprise, but had thought better of the matter. Another mile, and we came to a public building, called the Barclay House, and located on a high elevation. Here, the night previous, the Rebels had posted their artillery. Our forces were again placed in position, and scouts sent out to ascertain the enemy’s whereabouts. In two hours they returned without having made any discovery, and once more we resumed our march. At night camped within eight miles of Bardstown. From people living along the route we traveled, all manner of reports concerning the Rebels were received. By some it was represented that they were at Bardstown, from sixty thousand to eighty thousand strong, and were going to make a stand to offer us battle. But little credence was given to any of these reports; but we were all inclined to believe that a battle was soon to be fought.
The morning of Sunday October 5th, was ushered in clear and pleasant. Had breakfast at daylight, and at 7 o’clock our column was in motion. We moved slowly, and with much caution, halting frequently. Once we laid by for nearly three hours. Shortly before dark we entered Bardstown, and found that the Rebels had, as usual, “skedaddled.” We now found that the detention during the day was caused by the arrival of another division of troops, who had come by a different road, and we had to wait for them to pass on ahead. We were informed by the citizens that the enemy had left but a few hours previous, and that the division above mentioned were in close pursuit. They had taken the direct road to Lebanon and Danville. We passed through town, took a road to the left—crossed a small creek, and pitched our tents, one mile beyond the place.
Early next morning, October 6th, again on the move. Our march this day was over a rough and hilly road, and through a thinly settled part of the country. At noon crossed a creek, the name of which we did not learn. Shortly after this we passed through the village of Glenville, and again got on a good road. Marched about eighteen miles this day, and, at 8 o’clock in the evening, camped one mile from Springfield.
October 7th. This morning continued our march, and at 8 o’clock passed through Springfield. A large party of Rebels had been driven out of town the day previous, by the advanced division. We proceeded on towards Danville, following the pike for some distance, and then turned off to the left, on a common dirt road. Marched several miles, and at dark came out on the Lebanon and Danville road, six miles from the former place. General Gilbert’s division passed on ahead. We went on two miles further, and, at a small village, turned off to the right, and proceeding some distance further, came to a creek, and camped. Our object in leaving the main road was to find water. Marched eighteen miles this day.
CHAPTER IX.
BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE.
At 7 o’clock on the morning of October 8th, we resumed our march, returning and taking the Lebanon and Danville pike. A few minutes after reaching the main road, we heard heavy firing some distance in advance. A halt was made, and the order given to transfer all extra baggage from the pieces and caissons to the baggage wagons, and be prepared for action. The report was then prevalent that the enemy were some five miles ahead, and had made a stand, and were already engaging our advance force. A fierce battle was now anticipated, and our men were anxious to participate in it, after the long chase we had given the enemy.