Colonel Lyons.
Stevenson, Sunday, Sept. 20, 1863.—There is no change in our condition since I wrote you last. Reports come to us that a battle is being fought between Rosecrans and Bragg, but you will know all about it before this reaches you. If we win a decided victory I think the fighting is over in this section of the country.
Captain Blake returned this morning. He brings information that the 102d Ohio is ordered here from Clarksville, and that five companies of the 83d are ordered to Clarksville. So the 83d seems to be elected for the Cumberland. I much prefer being at or near the front. The men feel better and are better soldiers; and then it is almost a disgrace to be left so far in the rear as Donelson and Clarksville now are.
Our dishes were nearly all lost. The sweet corn comes very convenient. It is difficult to get anything to eat except rations. I succeeded in getting a half-bushel of potatoes, a few eggs and a few chickens. We can get very good butter at fifty cents per pound. I am very hearty and bacon tastes good, so I shall not starve, I reckon.
The boys found quantities of lumber in the old camps about us, and they are getting well fixed up. To go through the camp you would think they had been here a month, from the amount of work done. I have a good-sized tent, with a floor, a bunk, a table, two stools and a camp chair—a nice folding one, which Lieutenant Dutton gave me; and I have straw to sleep on and plenty of bedding. So you see I live very luxuriously. Jerry and Minerva live in the rear of my tent, under the fly, and have a sort of board fence which encloses my dining room and their quarters. There is an arbor built over the whole, and, in fact, over all the tents in the camp. These arbors were put up by some other regiment.
20th. Ground white with frost. Quite jolly at Hdqrs. talking over old Ky. times. Moved out at 7. Passed Bull Gap and got nearly to Russelville and received orders to return to Jonesboro. Battle expected. Stopped for supper and to cook beef and then moved on. Reached our old camp 5 miles north of Greenfield at 2 A. M. Sleepy time in the night.
Helena, Sunday, Sept. 20. A fine day but cold night. Felt unwell and sad all day. Wrote a letter home but received none. Evie is also unwell. “Mars” arrived with the 9th Wisconsin which disembarked here. The “Thos. E. Tutt” with the 4th Illinois Cavalry passed by to Vicksburg. Had inspection at 9 A. M. Most of the boys were anxious to return to our comfortable quarters at Vicksburg rather than stay in this deserted place.
Cumberland Gap, September 20th, 1863.
We are now in East Tennessee, one mile south of the famous Gap in the Cumberland Mountains.
When we left Crab Orchard we expected a fight here, as it was then in possession of the Rebels. I cannot say I am sorry they gave us possession without a struggle, for it is an ugly looking place, and “hard to take” without opposition. Our route, for the last sixty miles, has been over, around and among mountains, but this is the “back bone,” or main ridge, which rises in a direct line high above the isolated peaks on either side. The Gap is a slow, gradual ascent that rises to about half the altitude of the mountain on each side; is very crooked, and, at places, barely wide enough for a wagon to pass. At the summit it widens out into a small plain, or basin, containing about five acres, and shut in by a solid wall of rock two or three hundred feet in height. Near the center of the basin is a large spring of crystal water. Here are the fortifications, and a stronger position can hardly be imagined. One thousand men can hold it against any force that can be sent against it, so long as provisions and ammunition holds out. On the summit is a marble shaft that marks the corners of Virginia and Kentucky and the north line of Tennessee. By taking two steps I was in three different States. We are awaiting orders, and may remain over tomorrow. It is yet undecided whether we go to Knoxville or to Morristown, thirty miles above the former place, on the Richmond & New Orleans Railroad.
Sunday, 20th—We had dress parade this evening at 5 o’clock and important orders were read to the command. The first is, that our division is now to be known as the First Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps; second, that on a march we are to carry only nineteen pounds, and third, that we are to be ready to form a line of battle at a moment’s notice. The reason for the last is that the rebels have driven in our pickets on the right and may make a raid. News came that a battle is being fought on the Chickamauga river, to the south of Chattanooga, with heavy loss on both sides.
September 20. — Abbott and party returned. Found the mountains filled with deserters and refugees, the roads and paths patrolled by Rebel soldiers in pursuit of them. Food scarce; returned in consequence of difficulty of getting food and the great number patrolling all routes. Many very desperate gangs of Union men in the mountains.
September 20.—Lieutenant Earl, of the Fourth Wisconsin regiment, in command of a squad of forty cavalry, marched from Baton Rouge, La., as far as Comite River, and captured fourteen prisoners, with their arms, horses, and equipments. Among the prisoners were Colonel Hunter and Captain Perry, notorious guerrilla chiefs.
by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 20TH.—We have nothing to-day from any of the seats of war but I saw several hundred head of cattle driven through the city this morning, marked “C. S.,” which I learned had come from Essex and King and Queen Counties, which may indicate either a raid from the Lower Rappahannock, or another advance on Richmond.
There was a meeting called for mechanics, etc. last night, to consider the grievance of the times. I have not learned what was done, or rather said; but I hear citizens on the street to-day talking about subverting the government. I believe they have no plan; and as yet it amounts to nothing.
September 20—In speaking distance of the Yankees.
Saturday, 19th.—Heard there had been some fighting on Pea Vine Creek, near West Chickamauga, supposed to be general engagement.
