20th. Troops still passing. Various rumors as to the position of Burnside in Knoxville. Got breakfast. 2nd O. V. C. came along. Nearly 20 ate with us. Moved on at 9. Got over the mountain nicely. Two wagons broken. Long hill and rather steep but smooth road. Went down into the valley and fed. Made me sad to see 6 mountain stragglers passing, all half famished and worn out—poor fellows, no rations and no prospect for any. Left flour for Command and 6 beeves. Moved on to Tazewell in rain. Went to Mr. Epp’s, Union man, and heard some music. After supper remembered hearing Maj. Nettleton speak of him. Good time. Camped at T. Rained steadily all night. Many poor, hungry and footsore soldiers and citizens today and tonight.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
19th. About two stopped at a house and warmed. Got into a bed for two hours. Pitied some poor people. Gave a woman $22 scrip. Wolf and I went to a Mr. Tate’s (rebel off the road) for breakfast. One very affected rebel girl with curls, perfectly disgusting. Train corralled near. One and one-half miles from Bean Station. Lay down and took a nap. Mack lost his horse last night, left him standing while he went to warm, walked 8 miles. Found him today. Pearson and men messing with us. Went with Mr. Berley to Div. Com. to sell him some beef and hogs. Boys came up before night. Sent Lewis back to see about flour and beef for Brigade. Moved about 8 P. M.—just settled for night’s rest—to the foot of Clinch Mountain. Trains and troops crossing all night. Slept well in open air. Hired George
18th. Aroused early and notified that a general evacuation is to take place. Saddled, and so till noon. Train ordered to Rice’s Lower Ford. Rode over hastily to St. Clair and notified Pearson when to cross. Got two teams to go to Kirkpatrick’s mill. Some fast and hard riding. 2nd O. V. C. train ferried but the rest crossed at Cobb’s Ford and trudged on towards Bean Station. Some mud. Good joke on 11th Mich. Batt. Sergt.
17th. Sent Lewis to Russelville to see about rations. June came with load of flour weighing 4,000. 2nd. N. Carolina and 23rd Ind. Batt. in our Brigade drew rations. Saw post Commissary. No rations. Things begin to look a little dubious. Considerable running about for one day. Rode from Gap to camp with Lt. Pearson.
16th. Before rising, was ordered to Garrard’s quarters. Went over and received orders to go to McKinney’s Mill and get 40 sacks of flour and then go to Bulls Gap where Hdqrs. had moved. Did my business and rode to the Gap after dusk. Cold ride. Learned that the Brigade was at the Lick Creek bridge. Pickets very exacting. Infantry moving.
15th. After breakfast packed up. Went up town and got rations of coffee and sugar for ten days, and beef. 7th marched to St. Clair, also Col. Garrard. Drove the cattle. Found a comfortable room. An old stove for quartermasters and Commissary. Cleaned it out, and got stove and seemed comfortable. Little like Sunday. Thought often of home and home privileges.
14th. After breakfast bugle sounded and tents were struck, horses saddled and 2nd Ohio moved to St. Clair, 9 miles distant. Moved qrs. up near Hdqrs. Rainy day, very during the night. Went down and saw the colored men dance jigs and reels. Quite a jolly time. Commenced messing with Com’ry detail. Good time. Heavy shower.
13th. Drew flour for the brigade. Set the butchers to killing hogs, 20. Some talk of moving. Wrote a short letter to the “blue eyed bonnie” I once called mine. No particular news. Wrote to Delos. Long time since I wrote to him. Weather pleasant. Got “Spike” shod. Oh my heart is sad and weary. Issued clothing.
12th. Late in the morning sent June and squad out for more cattle. Killed three beeves for 2nd Ohio. Went to town and saw Div. coming. Lot of clothing came. Got some horse shoes. George very bad face. Powder exploded and burned his face badly. Letter from Fannie. How anxious I have been and still am. Oh the future—dark.
11th. Sent out June for cattle. Brought in several nice ones. About noon drew rations and issued them to the 2nd and 7th Ohio. Did the work myself with the help of Mose. The detail for the boys was received. They reported. Mail came. Nothing for me. Oh!
