Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

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.

Colonel Lyons.

Stevenson, Wednesday, Sept. 16.—I did not go to Larkinsville, as I expected to, for the reason that I learned that the regiment was ordered here. It arrived, except B and G, left to guard a bridge. The men gave me some rousing cheers and appeared very glad to see me.

We are in camp in a very pleasant spot, about one mile from the town. We have a clean place, and most excellent water. The men were very weary and footsore, of course, after their march of 275 miles, but in excellent spirits. This movement is a fine thing for us. Mrs. Moulton and Minerva rode in a carriage they picked up on the road, and got along first-rate. They brought along twice as many traps as I should had I been there. The march from Columbia was conducted under command of Colonel Boone, 28th Kentucky. I rank him and I shall have command of both regiments. General Morgan, of the Second Division Reserve Corps, is in command here, but as we belong to another division he does not assume very much jurisdiction over us.

I live in a tent, and nobody messes with me except Johnny, my orderly, although the Quartermaster will be here in a few days. Scott has received his commission as Adjutant, and is happy.

We hear nothing from the front, although we are so very near there. The country is very destitute, and we get little besides regular rations on which to live. We get along just as well as though we had more delicacies. I am very busy getting the regiment in shape.

Colonel Lyons.

Stevenson, Ala., Sept. 13, 1863.—I arrived here last evening in company with Major Bigney, and we are waiting for a train to Larkinsville, which is twenty-four miles southwest of here on the Charleston & Memphis R. R.

Dr. Evans came here last night with a man from Company F, who is badly wounded in the leg by the accidental discharge of a gun. He reports the regiment well, that they will get to Larkinsville this afternoon, and that Jerry and Minerva are with them all right.

I went down to Murfreesboro on Friday and stayed there until yesterday. Saw Colonel Lowe, Dr. Wise, Adjutant Langdon and many others of the 5th Iowa. The regiment has been ordered to McMinnville. I spent some time with the 22d and saw many of my acquaintances there. Lieut.-Colonel Bloodgood is being tried by a Court-Martial. I was called in as a witness and testified to his previous good character as a soldier.

From Nashville here is 113 miles, and from Louisville to Nashville 185 miles, I think. The railroad from Nashville here runs through a fine country generally, until within twenty-five miles, where it strikes a rugged chain of mountains, passing through it for many miles. The road passes through a very long tunnel, the longest I ever passed through. The scenery is very grand. The mountains are all about us here, not such as I was familiar with in my boyhood, but still very respectable mountains.

There is a report, probably true, that General Thomas’ corps had a battle yesterday with Bragg somewhere south of Chattanooga; but with what results we do not know.

It is hard to guess anything about our future movements, but I do not think we shall be sent across the Tennessee river, unless General Rosecrans meets a check and needs reinforcements. The limits of the District of the Cumberland, which is held, you know, by the ‘Reserve Corps,’ under command of Major-General Gordon Granger, is extended to the Tennessee river. Some cavalry has been ordered from here to Larkinsville, and two of my companies, B and G, are stationed ten miles west of there to guard a railroad bridge. The regiment had to throw away lots of traps at Columbia for want of transportation. I do not know how much or what articles of mine were abandoned. The regiment was reduced to nine teams.

I am very glad that I went North when I did and had so delightful a visit. My only regret is that I was not with the boys in their long march, but they got along very well, as far as I can hear.

I do not give up the idea of having you come down and spend the winter with me. When this campaign is over, as it will be in a few weeks without doubt, the army will probably remain stationary for some time.

Colonel Bruce is relieved from the command of the First Brigade and sent to his regiment. I presume now that we are moved so far off that there will be a reorganization of the brigade. I hope that I shall have no command but my own regiment.

Colonel Lyons.

Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday a. m., Sept. 10, 1863.— Here I am, safe, sound and hearty, writing this letter in Major Bigney’s private room, where I am domiciled for the present.

I arrived at Chicago ‘by due course of mail’ Monday night, and found there Colonel Robbins, Captains Wolf and Redfield, and Lieut. Williams, of the 8th, who were on their way home. Took the Cincinnati Air Line R. R. for Louisville at 8:30 p. m. Went to bed, and got up in the morning at Indianapolis; breakfasted and moved on. Arrived at Louisville at 1 p. m.; remained there until next morning. Left at 8 o’clock, and arrived here at 7 last evening.

I met Lieut. Boone, Colonel Brace’s Adjutant, at Louisville, who informed me that the 13th had been ordered from Columbia to Larkinsville, in Alabama. The regiment left Columbia last Sunday with the 28th Kentucky, formerly at Clarksville. Larkinsville is on the Memphis and Charleston R. R., about twenty miles southwest of Stevenson, where the railroad, running south from Nashville, intersects the M. & C. R. R., and between Stevenson and Huntsville. There is, of course, railroad communication all the way there. It is a few miles north of the Tennessee river.

Now that Chattanooga is evacuated by the Confederates, we probably will remain for some time in that vicinity. The regiment will probaably not reach there before Sunday, and I shall not leave here until Saturday morning, unless I conclude to go down to Murfreesboro tomorrow and spend a day with the 22d Wisconsin. The Major goes to Larkinsville with me on a tour of inspection. He is well and in good spirits, and does everything in his power to make me comfortable. The route yesterday was through a very interesting country, indeed. Along it have been fought several battles during the war. A part of the way the country is mountainous, and the road runs through several tunnels, one seven-eights of a mile long. We passed within a few miles of the great mammoth cave.

About your coming, there is a late order that no citizen can pass Louisville for Nashville and south, without a permit from Major-General Granger; and I learn that these permits are only given to wives of officers and soldiers who are sick and need the attention and care of their wives. That can all be managed, I think, when we get in some safe place with a reasonable prospect of staying awhile. I think there is no chance for much fighting where we go—except bushwhacking.

The regiment had some skirmishing on its march to Columbia, and I hear had one man killed. I don’t know who it was—did not get particulars. Colonel Chapman allowed 136 men to go by way of Nashville, 100 of whom were able to march with the regiment. They were all sent on to Columbia (Jerry and Minerva with them), except some twenty left here in hospital, mostly from Company D. Dr. Evans brought here about six tons of old truck, which he doubtless had to leave at Columbia. How he must have groaned. None of the regiment are left at Fort Donelson except Captain Ruger and the Quartermaster. I believe Captain Woodman went as far as Evansville with his wife on her way home. He has gone on to the regiment.

During this time Colonel Lyon had a leave of absence and went home for a visit of two or three weeks. Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman had command of the regiment during his absence, and Colonel Smith, of the 83d Illinois, had command of the post. During his absence the regiment was ordered to Columbia.

Colonel Lyons.

Fort Donelson, Aug. 15, 1863.—We are scouting and chasing guerillas pretty lively now. A party of mounted infantry, which I sent out last Saturday, had several skirmishes with them; wounded some of them and made some captures. None of our men were hurt. I sent out a whole battalion for an extensive scout.

Colonel Lyons.

Fort Donelson, Aug. 7, 1863.—I am going to Clarksville on the first boat, to consult with Colonel Bruce about an expedition from both places through the country to Waverly. I had to obtain leave from Nashville before I could go—so strict are the orders on this subject.

The guerillas destroyed the telegraph office night before last at Fort Henry. There are no troops there now. Our mounted infantry chased them ten miles, but failed to catch them.

Colonel Lyons.

Fort Donelson, August 3, 1863.—I have finally applied for a leave of absence. I have but little hope of getting it . If granted, I can not go to Racine before the 20th.

Mounted infantry from Clarksville were here on Thursday, and on their way home were fired into by guerillas in ambush about eight miles from here, and five of them badly wounded. One has since died and another will die. One of my companies, commanded by Hollister, was in that section and went after them, driving them several miles.

Colonel Lyons.

Fort Donelson, July 28, 1863.—Adjutant Ruger has his commission and will leave us very soon for the Potomac. I mean to have Scott commissioned as Adjutant . Of course, I shall make him Post Adjutant if he is commissioned Regimental Adjutant.

Colonel Bruce was here on Saturday with his staff. I like him very much and think we will get along first rate.