Friday, 31st. Reveille between two and three A. M. Breakfasted and off in advance at five on backward track. Reported that our rations had run short, a train been captured, etc.—again that we were to join Schofield, etc. Nothing of interest till we reached camp 10 miles from Bentonville, near where they were fired upon before. I had gone ahead to see if there was a spring up a ravine, advance a little ahead—halted—suddenly, “bang, bang, bang.” Drew revolver and waited. Nothing appeared. Saw Hoppy, Co. B, running by—followed. Heard him telling a woman to show him where to find the rebels. I told him we knew enough and two of us rushed up the hill and others followed. Burr, Co. G, rushed ahead. I saw nobody, soon heard shouting—Burr—saw him and followed. Got off half a mile. Foolishness to pursue so far with such a start. Followed a distance and was returning when we met Capt. Welch’s command. Scouted the woods some and went to camp. One man was overtaken, his arms taken and himself shot. Got dinner at the house. Considerable excitement.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
Thursday, 30th. In the rear guard again. Till noon getting to Maysville, a little place, mostly forsaken, a few old people. Tried to catch a hog. Didn’t succeed. Letters from home, Sept. 30th, and an Independent. Read Lorain News. Little article about N. and me being taken prisoners.
Wednesday, 29th. Up at daybreak. In the rear guard. Waited several hours for the train to get by. Stewart and Jacobah came up and joked. Read a Leslie. Very slow work today, so many halts. Can not admire Capt. Seward. Had the impudence to keep me carrying water for him to drink. Lingered to guard a sutler, whose stock he tried—the miserable poison. Advance guard fired upon near a mill, three stories. Got into camp at Price’s old headquarters three miles from Maysville—an old Free Love Institute, they say. Had a little conversation with our guide of the 1st Arkansas. Bill and I went to work to get supper—soon others joined us.
Tuesday, 28th. Reveille at three. Breakfasted and were on the move at 6 in the advance—bound for Maysville. Capt. kept me running a good deal. Passed through Bentonville about noon. Saw several whom I had seen on my other visit there. Passed along two miles. Got plenty of rambow apples at an orchard. Encamped in an orchard. Had to go two miles for water. An old man showed us protection papers, signed by Curtis, given because he went for the old Constitution.
Monday, 27th. Report that we are to go to Camp Cleveland, boys all pleased. Made picket detail and heard the officers discuss military tactics. Some rather ignorant. A beautiful day, warm and pleasant in the sun. Cold in the shade. Capt. N. officer of the day. Small train came from the fort and recruits for Battery. No news brought about going to Ohio and worse still, no mail. Pity that none of the 2nd Ohio care enough about their fellow soldiers to send their letters to them. Orders to march next morning at 6. Boys played poker till midnight—precious little sleep.
Sunday, 26th. Cold but pleasant morning. Made a forage detail to go out with brigade teams. Several of the boys played poker. Read some in Pope. The Iliad. Gibbs strange fellow. Came into the army a professing Christian, a class leader, today he is playing poker with the boys. I occasionally hear an oath from him. Never saw a man more egotistical. Eats more than any three men. Still a harmless fellow. Good talk about going home with Co. H boys around a big fire.
Saturday, 25th. A cold wintry morning. Never remember of seeing snow so early. Snow fell during the forenoon. Afternoon more moderate. Night cold. Built a big fire of brush. Comfortable.
Friday, 24th. Got the morning reports and combined them. Helped pitch the tent and clean up. Turned very chilly—appearance of cold weather. News of a fight, Black and Cooper, few particulars. 200 prisoners and 4 cannon. During the night three or four inches of snow fell.
Thursday, 23rd. Bill and I did some washing. Johnson, Co. E, invited us to dinner—pork and crackers. Made inquiries about Sheldon. Found he had not sold his pony—never found it. Claimed he sold it to get “poker money.” Said he went immediately to playing poker with Co. F after leaving here. They said it was the middle of the P. M. N. asked him in and saw him. Would not admit it. Read St. Louis Republican of the 20th. Surprised to see Ohio so Democratic. Hope it won’t influence the president.
Wednesday, 22nd. After breakfast went out on Culver’s horse foraging with Spurgeon and Bushnell. Got some apples and a sheep. At one house where we stopped, two sons were forced into the army. The people felt very badly. The old lady, 70 years old, prayed very earnestly and loudly for mercy and protection—quite touching.
