23rd. Boys got started for forage, but orders came to march. Reached London at 9 A. M. Went into camp and boys went for forage. I stayed in. Got some corn and had good dinner. Boys got oats and fed till 5 P. M., then moved on as far as the Laurel River. Camped about 10. Lay down near the road and was bothered by troops passing.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
22nd. Reveille at daylight and orders to march at 6 A. M. Rear guard. Hastened breakfast and led out. Went down to the road to an orchard and dismounted. Remained there till noon, idling, joking and eating apples. Read Independent. How thankful I am that I can have something to read. Loitered along the road, getting to London at 9 P. M. 3 miles. Camped in a poor, nasty place. Slept well.
Thursday, 20th. After breakfast, went out for forage with the company. Found some hay out three miles over a rough stony hill. Got some corn for roasting. During the day read some in “Barnaby Rudge.” Had a quiet visit with Henry Drake. In the evening went down to the brook and had a good bath. Hired a first rate boy last night—George. (Colored servant.)
21st. Soon after breakfast mail came. Letter for me from home. In the afternoon wrote home. Studied some in “Clerk and Tactics,” then read in “Barnaby Rudge.” In the afternoon marched, our regt. in the advance. Went 12 miles and camped, no grass or forage. Bunked with Spencer.
19th. Orders came to march at 8. Got my mare shod and prepared for the march, never moved more slowly, kept stopping to rest. Reached Mt. Vernon at 4 P. M. Have enjoyed the day first rate. Began to feel at home. Boys have treated me very respectfully and I like them. Hope to succeed well and through God’s grace do some good. Oh may I behave myself seemly every day.
18th. Teams returned during night. Early in the morning, breakfasted and packed up the wagons. Off at 9. Went over to the 19th and saw Byerley and Ed. Cobb. Reached Crab Orchard at noon and got dinner at a private house. Ordered to report to Co. C for duty. Went over to roll call but stopped at the Commissary. Burnside and Shackleford, our Brigade Commander, came in. 2nd E. Tenn., 9th Mich., 2nd and 7th Ohio.
Monday, 17th. Reveille at daylight. Division moved to Crab Orchard at 8 A. M. I was left in charge of men behind with baggage. Stopped with A. B. Good time. R. M. Haskell’s Division of Infantry came in, also three Batteries of Artillery, 19th Shield’s, 2nd 1ll. and 1st R. I. Went over and saw Ed. Byerley. He came over. Saw Capt. Shields and Mark Crais. Wrote to Fannie and sent home letter.
16th. After a breakfast of boiled corn, bread and bacon, boys went after horses and I, in company with Eggleston, started for Stanford. Several thunder showers. Stopped at a farmer’s for dinner. Reached camp near 4 P. M. Stopped at my old stand, the Commissary. Saw Nettleton and other officers. Made application for discharge from the army.
15th. After morning duties went with wagon and three men to Camp Nelson for rations. Had returned to within half a mile of the place when we met the boys in wagons. Turned back again. Camped near the 86th Ohio. Saw Capt. Lindsley and Lieut. Steele of our old regiment. Drew some horses. Had the blue sky for our covering, the first time for a long while.
14th. Boys came down and got saddles, etc., and at the depot in time for the 6:30 o’clock train. Horses remained behind. Reached Nicholasville at noon. Tried to find rations, failed. Found a private house to board at, Mrs. Fletcher’s. Plenty of negroes to wait on you. Wrote a letter home, read a little. Husband in our army, but all Southern sympathizers.
