30th. June came down looking better. No news of importance. Yesterday morning firing heard in the direction of Knoxville, very heavy. None since. Rebels thought to be leaving. Thede came back about dark with rations of sugar and coffee. Had a long jaunt of it. Went from T. to Walker’s Ford.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
29th. Started Theodore to find Leavitt and rations and to see Jackson. Also sent for salt. Read several chapters in Bible. Have neglected reading Bible too much since I have been in the army. Borrowed “English Orphans” and reviewed it. Good story. Mrs. Jones’ Hdqrs. Two sons in rebel army.
28th. Have an old store for the Commissary, storehouse below and office above. Cleaned up and put up a stove. Looked about to get mills. Hear no word from B.—borrowed meal. Aggravating. Lewis not successful. Dan fixed up a very good desk from an old P. O. box. Read some in Burns. Settled some accounts.
27th. Lt. Byard started for home. People sick. Sent two letters, one home. Did some writing, business. Near night moved to Bay Springs. Foster’s Brigade passed today on K. road. Crossed Clinch River. Sent Lu Emmons to the Gap to see if he could not get rations. Cattle came up. Gave hogs to the regiments.
26th. I shall be glad when the suspense shall end and we can move forward or back where we can find plenty to eat. Had some hogs driven up for 9th and 2nd. Bought 5 head of cattle. Drove up 7 from near Gap. Infantry Brigade, Wilcox’s, came up, still half starved. Jackson so begged that we lent him 1,200 lb. of meal. Letter from Ella Clark. Answered it. Did me good. Hid a dispatch on a messenger.
25th. In the morning rode out and found the wagons 1½ miles from town. Had Dan and Lewis go with Lt. Leavitt 14 miles for flour and meal. Got back about midnight, clear and cold. One of the Drivers came down. No move today. Spent the day at the wagons mostly. Read some, pitched a fly and took our ease. Numerous reports as to Burnside.
24th. Rob came before daylight and got flour for 2nd O. V. C. Hard up for rations seemingly. Another alarm and all saddled up before noon. Wagons moved to the rear and flour and meal collected. Letters from home and A. B. Moved to Tazewell. Wagons moved beyond. Couldn’t find them. Slept at Hdqrs. after rambling round awhile. Cold night.
23rd. Went to mills and put them to running as fast as possible. Capt. Rankin in charge of two mills. June and Dan went to town. No pay. Read papers. Alarm towards night. Pickets fired upon. Some arms lost in the river. Pleasant day. Very strong position here at this gap.
22nd. A bright pleasant morning and day. After breakfast went up to Col. Foster’s. Telegraphed to Garrard whether to go to Command or remain at T. while the train went to the Gap. Ordered to report. Drew rations and moved to Sycamore. Saw the papers at the Col.’s Hdqrs. Talk of the paymaster coming. Burnside thought safe at K. Four men started for K.
21st. Raining heavily. Issued flour and beef to 2nd O. V. C. Robertson came down. Moved north of town and pitched tents and sent for forage. Two boys, “Shorty” and another, sat by the light and played “Seven Up.” Became pleasant before night. Left flour for the brigade with Powers. All wonder at our movements.
