Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Stevenson, Ala., May 3, 1864.—I took command of this post on Sunday morning, and the old force is all gone except a battery of artillery. I have my old quarters and more. I occupy for my own private residence the room that General Hooker had when here.
Twelve miles east of Bridgeport, May 3, 1864.
Have made about 15 miles to-day. This is the fourth time I have been over the same ground, have ridden over it five times. This is the first time I ever started on a march where real judgment was used in breaking the men in. We always before made from 15 to 25 miles the first day and broke down about one-fourth of our men. This time you see, our first two day’s marches were short and the 15 miles to-day seemed to affect no one. I hear from good authority here that Thomas is in Dalton, after some heavy skirmishing. Everything is moving to the front here. A portion of the 12th, or 20th Corps now, is just ahead of us. Morgan L. Smith and Osterhaus are just behind us, but Logan will not be along until relieved by some other troops.
I expect Dodge, with some 6,000 of the 16th Army Corps, is behind us. The 17th Army Corps was coming into Huntsville as we left.
Camp is in an orchard, and apples are as large as hazel nuts and we make sauce of them.
May 3, Tuesday. — Marched to Blake’s, thirteen miles. Called with Colonel White on Colonel Sickles. Get an order from division headquarters regulating halts. General Crook orders, “No rails to be burned.” Hard to enforce but am doing my best. The Thirty-sixth obey promptly. Others grumble. General Crook is testing our discipline!
Tuesday, May 3rd.
Received orders after “taps,” about 10 o’clock, to-night to be ready to move in two hours. Rumors of all kinds are flying about, and the general impression seems to be that the whole army is in motion. I directed Sergeant Theben to turn out the company, strike tents and pack up, which was accomplished in less than the time allotted. But one wagon is detailed to furnish transportation for the effects of the whole battalion, so baggage is reduced to the minimum, and large quantities of ordnance stores and camp and garrison equipage, as well as private property of officers and men, are left behind strewn over the camping ground, a striking illustration of the waste of war.
Tuesday, 3d—We remained in bivouac all day. The transports did not return today as expected. The recruits of the Eleventh Iowa were formed into a battalion and drilled twice a day, by Captain Kelly of Company D. We had our first dress parade this evening, since returning from furlough, and the regiment looked well in their new uniforms, but it was very awkward in the manual of arms because of the new recruits. An order was read on dress parade making some promotions of noncommissioned officers in Companies A and H, since they went in as veterans. Paducah is a nice town and contained about seven thousand inhabitants just before the rebellion broke out.
Warrenton Junction, May 3d, 1864.
We had regimental inspection yesterday. Our muster rolls are nearly completed and other business in proper shape, #o we are nearly ready to take the field.
All sick and wounded have been sent to Washington, and we have orders to be ready to march at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning. I am inclined to think, from certain indications, the railroad is to be abandoned and we are to join Grant’s army in a determined effort to crush Lee’s force, and, by so doing, crush the Confederacy.
May 3 — Our battalion of horse artillery was inspected to-day by General Stuart.
Huntsville, Tuesday, May 3. Infantry broke up camp early this morning and went into camp nearer to town. After dinner we hitched up and packed up leaving our old camp under guard, where we have spent nearly four months. Came into battery near the depot on the race course, a large open green, very pretty for summer quarters, but rather low for wet weather. 48th and 59th Indiana camped on our right, 12th Battery on left Teams hauling down lumber, etc. for quarters.
May 3d. Received three days’ rations. On picket post near the Romney road. A dangerous point, as the rebel scouts and cavalry take the dirt roads instead of the pikes. Cannot be heard as they advance. Horses make more noise on the pike.
Bealeton Station, Va., May 3, ’64.
Dear Hannah, — I am very sorry indeed that you did not find us at Annapolis. We started quite suddenly, and had only about 24 hours’ warning. We marched to Washington, and passed in review before the President, who was at Willard’s Hotel, and then moved across Long Bridge to camp near Alexandria. We remained there one day, and then moved on to Fairfax C. H., where we camped one night, moving on the next morning to Bristoe Station, passing over country that I have been through so many times. We camped for the night at B. Station, and then moved to Licking Run, two miles beyond Warrenton Junction. The next morning we reached Bealeton Station, where we are now camped. Our regiment is picketing the railroad for about five miles.
The Ninth Corps is to guard the railroad while the Army of the Potomac advances. If they are successful, we shall probably move down to Aquia Creek, and guard that railroad to Fredericksburg. . . .
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