16th. 2nd Ohio in advance. Rations came and delayed us a little. Drew none. Breakfasted at Winchester. Our brigade ordered to the front and to act independently. Moved over a rough road by Jacktown and Locust Grove. A high mountain to climb. Stout work. Morgan but a few miles in advance. Bridge over the Scioto burned. Bridge and mill at Jasper burned. Bivouacked two hours. Could not ford the stream. Built a temporary bridge. One Union man shot because he would not take the oath. Put him in skiff.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
13th. Breakfasted in town about 5 A. M., at Mrs. Harper’s, very kind and hospitable people. Mrs. Derban’s husband Q. M. in Grant’s Army. Two little girls sang “Down With the Traitor.” Passed through several German towns, very patriotic. Passed through Lawrenceburgh. Reached the Whitewater at dusk. T. and I stopped at a German’s for supper and napped till 2 A. M. Rebels burned the bridge, compelling us to ford the river.
12th. Moved out at 3 A. M. 10 miles from Paris. Reached Paris in time for breakfast at Mr. Dixon’s, and little Lizzie Dixon attracted my attention, resembles, etc. Morgan served the town as others. Moved towards Vernon. Morgan turned off to Dupont, bridges and depot burned. Some Ohio people, Charlie McKane’s mother. Very hearty reception, bread, beef and pies. Went to Versailles and camped at 11 P. M. in a meadow. Only 25 miles from Ohio line. Think Morgan will go to Ohio.
11th. Started at daylight. Thede, Steve and I went ahead to town. Several met us with “Have you been to breakfast?” “Come with us.” We accepted an invitation of a gentleman, but a Mr. Lyon insisted on Thede and me going with him. Very pleasant people. Wanted to do everything for us. A girl, Emma, Ella or Anna Lyons, beautiful girl, 16 or 17 years. She went up town and we had a good visit here. Brought me some paper. Wrote home and to Fannie. Depot and bridges burned. Stores gutted. Levies made upon the people. A good many pretty girls—one Miss Reed. Oh it cheered our hearts to meet with such kindness and friends. Passed through Lexington and camped at 12 P. M. Morgan 25 miles.
10th. Moved out at 4 A. M., our brigade in advance. Reached Corydon, 17 miles, before noon. Passed the barricade where the militia fought. Made of logs and rails, very good. Made little resistance, afraid of cannon. 350 taken prisoners. Many home guards went on with us. All the men, women, girls and children out to see us, water and grub. Did us all good to meet friends.
9th. On at daylight. Advance reached Brandenburg on south bank of Ohio River, just as the last boat of rebels crossed the river. He set the Alice Dean on fire. Burned to the water’s edge. One propeller came down at 1 P. M. and commenced ferrying. Fed corn and looked about town. Before dark, 12 to 14 boats, steam, gun and packets. ‘Twas a fine sight. Got over in the evening and camped on the hill—all over. Several boats ferried us. Two mills burned near river.
8th. Breakfasted and moved out about sunrise. Boys found amusement reading our brother soldiers’ letters which Morgan had feasted upon. Morgan reported near Elizabethtown. Find he turned off towards Brandenburg on the Ohio Road, over the hills. Reached Garnettsville before dark. Some fun with a girl who thought I looked like her former sweetheart—now dead. Three miles from Ohio. Morgan across the river. Captured several steamboats. Lay in the road till morn.
7th. Morgan still 20 hours ahead of us. Out at 2 A. M. Passed through Fredericksburg. Forded Rolling Fork and through Bardstown. Got breakfast 2 miles farther on. Rested an hour. Reached Bardstown Junction (Kentucky) near dark. Got supper and fed. Train came in from Louisville, 36 miles with rations, bacon and bread. Issued them before midnight. Slept till morning, a very hot day.
6th. Aroused early and breakfasted. Marched two or three miles and got forage. Our brigade in advance. Passed through several villages. A beautiful country for farming, good residences. Reached Lebanon at 3 P. M. 20th Ky. 350, surrendered here to Morgan, but not till punishing him. Out a mile, fed and got supper. Passed through Springfield, 9 miles and camped on Pike, 8 miles.
5th. Aroused at daylight. Marched very soon, roads quite muddy. Crossed Green River about 7:30 and camped one mile out. Fed and breakfasted. Got a good meal at a large white house. Passed through a now almost wilderness till reaching the Green River. Some day this will be a rich country, good pine timber. Several little showers. Moved on to Dan Tucker’s, 22 miles from Lebanon. Got supper and ordered to unsaddle ready to start again at daylight. Rained and all got wet through. Great time getting supper.
