4th. All aroused by the booming of cannon, Law’s Battery. We understood it. 12th R. I. got out under arms. At 4 A. M. marched to town and got breakfast preparatory to a fight. Returned to camp. Went to the 12th and drew 3 days’ rations; returned some to 1st Ky. Train came in—our boys. A very heavy thunder shower, wet through. At 5 P. M. orders came to march with 3 days’ rations. Drew one more and issued three. Got off at 8 P. M. Thede waits till morning on account of his horse. Marched 10 miles and camped at 2 A. M. Morgan has succeeded in getting into Ky. and now the drama is to see if he can get out or whether he is to succeed in his raid. We are all anxious to overtake him and if possible to capture or annihilate him. Letter from Minnie.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
3rd. Mail came in afternoon. Merely a paper and note through Lu. The Proclamation also by Ampt. Shows a mean spirit, considerable wit. In the evening orders came to be saddled. Stood all night. Two detachments went out. One under Seward and another under a Ky. officer. Co. B in quite an engagement at Columbia. Lt. Bills slightly wounded, one man wounded in hip, another missing and one killed. Morgan across at Burksville with 4000, advancing seemingly towards Lebanon. Expecting orders. (This was the start of Gen. John Morgan’s ill-fated raid through Ky., Ind. and Ohio.)
2nd. Borrowed one day’s rations of the 12th R. I. Expecting a train for ourselves. Boys very accommodating. Regt. to be mustered out of service on the 13th. All very happy. It makes me almost homesick and still I am glad my time is not out. I could not be satisfied at home with this cruel war going on. Many will re-enlist. Boys went for forage.
1st. Went to the 1st Ky. and borrowed a day’s rations. A very hot sultry day. Everyone trying to find cool shade, almost impossible. The rash broken out on me makes me a great deal of trouble. Keeps me awake nights and gives me very little rest. Got some blackberries.
30th. Saddled up about 8 and went towards Creelsboro. Went by another ridge, as yesterday, only a little path. Command stopped back behind the hills. Advance guard, Col. and we boys, L. and I went to town. Several rebs had just passed. Advance went up the river and we down to ferry. Ladies just over report the rebels all gone down the river. Stopped at a house during a thunder storm. Got dinner and returned by Jackman’s Bottom to Hilms. Thence to town in the afternoon. T. and I got under an old house. Pleasant to get rest again.
29th. After breakfast and grazing, moved through Jamestown and on to Jackman’s Bottom. Had a guide to get corn. Followed a long high ridge through the wood, then went by a rugged path to the flat for corn. Hard work. Some firing on both sides. At Jackman’s Bottom ferry Bugler Co. B wounded in the leg. Went to main road and camped at Mr. Glenes. Thede and I occupied a shed. Husks for a bed.
28th. Up for breakfast at daylight. Fed and cleaned our horses and saddled. Creek quite high, current strong. One fellow got a good ducking. Rained considerable during the day. Passed through a thickly wooded, rough and barren country. Reached Jamestown about 4 P. M. Got a lunch of cakes and cheese. 112th Ill. there. Went back a mile and camped. Grass, had a few oats. Onions for supper.
27th. Thunder shower during the day. Passed the day reading and resting. At 5 P. M. commenced marching towards Jamestown. 7th and 2nd Ohio. Rained very hard. Fishing Creek too high to ford. Bivouacked on the bank. Cleared off, so slept very well, save wet clothes. Thede and I went together. Three days’ rations. A. B. along, first for two months.
26th. Wounded boys all happy with the promise of going home on furlough. Rebs reported at the river again. Invitation to dinner at Mrs. Vickery’s. Col. and his men. Stayed in camp. Bought some cakes, pies and bread from bakery. Still continues to rain. Makes camp life seem rather dull.
25th. Answered home letter and wrote a little to F. Kept raining most of the day. Had to keep pretty close to tent. In the evening Rob and I rode to town. Got some figs and called at the hospital. Henry prospering nicely, so are the remainder of the boys wounded. Mr. Wright in the hospital. Gave some figs to the boys.
