Knoxville, January 25th, 1864.
I saw Lieutenant Hurd, of our regiment, today. They are in camp five miles down the river. The Ninth Corps is turning over to the Government all horses and mules, reserving one team for each regiment. They are under marching orders, and are to draw eight days’ rations today. The Lieutenant is so certain they start for the north in a day or two he offers to “bet any amount.” He says Burnside has authority to recruit his corps to fifty thousand. We are having delightful weather, mild and balmy as May. Our chief surgeon, Dr. Bevere, was “gobbled” on the late retreat from Strawberry Plains. He halted at a farm house for dinner. His attendants rode on about half a mile, built a fire and cooked their own dinner. They had finished their repast and were preparing to mount when they saw a squad of Rebel cavalry dash up and surround the house. Nothing has been seen or heard of the Doctor since.
