Annapolis, Md., April 6th, 1864.
We left Knoxville, with the sick and wounded of the Ninth Corps, on the twenty-second day of March, by way of Chattanooga, and were thirteen days on the road. From Knoxville to Loudon we rode in open cars. It was quite cold and snowed all day. Snow fell fourteen inches deep at Chattanooga. At Loudon we lay all night, awaiting transportation— slept in the basement of a large building that had been used for a stable. Although without fire, we were quite comfortable, having plenty of blankets and warm clothing. Early next morning we took cars for Chattanooga, where we arrived about 8 o’clock in the evening. We went to the Soldiers’ Home, and were served hot coffee, boiled ham and soft bread. About 10 p. m. we started for Nashville, where we arrived at 8 o’clock the next evening. Here we were taken to the barracks, where we stayed until nearly noon the next day, and were treated to warm supper and breakfast. We reached Louisville early Sunday morning and were given comfortable quarters. Monday morning we crossed over to Jeffersonville and took cars for Cincinnati. We rode in passenger coaches marked “M. C. R. R.” to Seymour, Ind., and it seemed like I was nearly home, and then to leave them and change direction, it cut me to the soul. At Seymour we were packed in “hog cars,” littered with straw, and so closely it was difficult for all to sit down. We expected to stay at Cincinnati until the regiment came up, but were disappointed, only staying over one night. Some of our sick were unable to go further, and I was until nearly midnight getting them into a hospital. We started early next morning and made no farther stops until we reached Annapolis about 10 p. m. of April 4th.
The next day we drew rations and tents. We got our tents pitched about sundown, just in time for a storm of rain, which soon began, and has continued with unabated fury until the present time. Our regiment arrived this morning, and I have rejoined my company. They marched over the mountains to Lebanon—one hundred eighty miles—in ten days. From Lebanon they came by rail, over the same route taken by us a few days before.
I find the men very bitter toward General Wilcox. The report is current that he is the cause of our men not being paid before leaving Tennessee; that he feared they would buy whisky if they had the money —as, doubtless, they would have done. The men believed these reports, and were very angry, and, as a retaliatory measure, swore they would steal “everything they could lay their hands on.” Most disgrace’ fully did they keep their oath.
We have received about one hundred recruits, mostly French from near Monroe. We are encamped on an inclined plane half a mile from the city. The soil is light sand. Our tents are eight feet square, and will accommodate four or five persons.
