London, Ky., September 13th, 1863.
We broke camp last Thursday morning, the tenth of September, bound for Cumberland Gap, ninety miles distant. The first day we marched eleven miles over a rough, broken country, and encamped for the night. The next morning we started at 5 o’clock and made eighteen miles; yesterday, nine miles— thirty-eight miles in three days, with eight days’ rations and our accoutrements. The second day we marched rapidly, making few halts, our business being urgent, for Burnside’s left was threatened, and we were hastening to the rescue. But, thanks to a kind Providence, a messenger met us at this place with the intelligence that the Rebels had suddenly left East Tennessee to join Bragg’s army at Lafayette, and the Gap was already in possession of our forces. There being no cause for haste, our commander decided to spend the Sabbath here, and give the poor, tired mules a chance to rest. We will probably resume our march in the morning and proceed leisurely to the Gap—perhaps to Knoxville. We have borne the fatigue thus far better than I expected.
It is a long time since I carried a knapsack, but the more I have to do, the more strength I have to do it with.
