27th. Up at 4 and an early breakfast in anticipation of marching. Infantry came in a little before noon. Saw Wattle. Got dinner and then started. Bob, Col. A. and I went. Covil and Dod stayed. Marched by way of “Fishing Creek.” Very high banks. Country quite mountainous. Fun to see the infantry fording. Encamped at 16 miles. Got a ham and had tea and crackers. Rained in the night.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
26th. Spent the morning cleaning up the tent clothes and boots. At 11 A. M. went to hear Mr. Brown preach. Was much pleased. Quite disappointed. My only objection was that I had seen him smoke. Read some in Independent. Orders to march at daybreak, so went to bed rather early.
25th. Played chess with Chester. One game ahead. Was down to see Charlie, writing to Will Hudson. Mr. Brown preached in the evening at the church. Read Fantine in “Les Miserables.” Much more interested than at first. Splendid. In the evening wrote to Delos. This is his birthday, “B. F.” anniversary.
24th. After breakfast had a visit with Henry Drake. Examination for commissions. Henry went in. None in before allowed. A very pleasant day. About noon rations came. Issued in the P. M. A little slave child buried. Exercises by the chaplain. Serious thoughts. An immortal soul gone out of a poor slave. Wrote to Will in the evening. Read Independent. Letter from home.
23rd. In the morning Dod killed the beef. Issued some rations. Received letters from home and Lucy Randall, also one from Charlie Crandall. Does me good to hear of him, an old schoolmate. Pitched quoits with Henry Drake. In the evening played three games of chess with Capt. Nettleton, all success.
Wednesday, 22nd. Finished Fannie’s letter and mailed it. Pitched quoits awhile with Charlie Fairchild. Read in an old Atlantic. “Old Age and Hundred Days in Mo.” Boys went out and got a beef from 1st Ky. Issued rations from what we had. Received some from 3rd Battalion. Stayed out doors till tattoo. Commenced raining. Wrote a letter home. Got a Cincinnati paper of the 20th.
21st. Took my horse out to graze in the morning. A good long letter from Fannie. Saw Delos’ journal. Ordered out on a reconnoissance. Went to the river. Major P. and several of us went down the bank about two miles. Pickets visible. Quite romantic, a narrow path between deep river and high perpendicular bluffs. In the evening wrote to Fannie. Have been happy all day.
20th. Passed the day very quietly in camp. Took my washing over to a house. Called at large white house to see if we could get a beef creature. Made a good many inquiries. Got shaved by one of the boys. The day has been very warm. The train brought in a good supply of forage. Everything passing quietly at camp.
19th. Train stopped back twelve miles. No grain or feed for our poor horses. Ordered to march at 11. Train arrived at noon. Got rations and started. Took a good bath. All the forces, 1st Ky., 2nd Ohio and 45th Ohio moved to the Cumberland. Pickets could be distinctly seen across the river. Rode with Lt. Abbey, and Drake. Got some forage. Moved camp. Went to church in the evening. A chaplain preached. Rather tired tonight.
18th. Got started at sunrise. Rode along with Drake a good deal of the way. Had to leave some rations. Met a messenger for more forces. Fear of rebels crossing the Cumberland. Very warm and sultry at noon. We stopped twice and napped. Very rough and sterile country. Houses deserted generally. Got into camp at sundown. Slept with Thede and C. G. Had a good visit with Henry Drake on religion. Did me good.
