class="x-ebookmaker-pageno" title="[Pg 7]"/> orders were received to hold ourselves in readiness to march at an hours’ notice. Each member of the battery was assigned his position, and all was got in readiness to march.

On Sunday morning following, the order was given to strike tents, harness horses, and be prepared to march without delay; and, although it was then raining heavily, no time was lost. Every one was actively engaged in getting ready. Soon came word to move, but some of our horses were inclined to disobey orders, as they refused to proceed. Camp life had not been without its charms to them; they had no inclination to give up “going to grass,” so soon; but, after considerable coaxing, and a little “persuasive force,” we were finally on the road, and with but little adventure, aside from our horses being once or twice stalled in the mud, we reached Cincinnati.

On arriving at the “Queen City,” we were quartered at the Elm street barracks. The building is quite extensive, and built of brick. It was formerly used as an Orphan Asylum, and was thus rather suggestive to us poor soldiers. How many of our little band of warm hearts would ever again sit in the sunshine of home? How many of the loved and true would look

For the brave men who’d come never again,
To hearths that are broken, to hearts that are lone.

None could know the ending.

Quartered in the same building was Kinney’s battery of our own regiment. We remained here but two days, during which we were visited by a large number of citizens, and by them shown much attention.

On the morning of October 8th, we were on the march to Kentucky, and crossed the Ohio river. Arriving at Covington we at once commenced getting our horses and guns on board the cars, after which we were formed in line and marched to the market house, where we partook of a good dinner that had been provided for us by the loyal and patriotic ladies and gentlemen of Covington. When we had eaten to our hearts’ content, our haversacks were abundantly filled by fair hands; then, giving nine rousing cheers for Covington’s noble sons and daughters, we reformed in line and marched back to the depot. In a short time all were on board the cars and under way. We passed through Cynthiana and several small towns and arrived at Lexington, where we remained until daylight. The cars containing the horses were sent forward to Nicholsville, the drivers going with them. Those who remained at Lexington were marched up to one of the hotels and treated to a good breakfast. During the forenoon the entire train reached Nicholasville, our guns and equipments were landed, and in a short time we were once more on the march.

Early the following morning we arrived at Camp Dick Robinson, having marched sixteen miles over a good turnpike road, and through what is called “the blue grass regions.” This part of the country is said to be the finest in Kentucky. We pitched our tents in an extensive field, and found quite a large body of troops who had preceded us, numbering about six thousand. The place is poorly adapted for a camping ground, wood and water being quite unhandy. We were obliged to go three miles to the Kentucky river to water our horses. After remaining here eight days, during a portion of which time it rained, on the night of October 18th we received orders to be ready to march early the next morning.

CHAPTER II.

BATTLE OF WILD CAT.

Early the following morning, in accordance with orders, all were actively engaged in making preparations to march; and, from certain indications, it was evident that we were shortly to be called on to take part in our first battle. It had been reported that the rebels, under Gen. Zollicoffer, were advancing from Cumberland Gap to attack the Union force stationed at Camp Wild Cat. The men were all in high spirits at the prospect of soon meeting the enemy in battle array. At an early hour we were on the march, being accompanied by the Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under command of Col. Steedman.

At noon, we passed through the pretty little town of Lancaster. The citizens are nearly all Unionists, and they greeted us kindly as we passed along. A number of ladies brought out such provisions as they had ready cooked, and gave to us freely. At sundown, we arrived at Crab Orchard, having marched twenty miles during the day. We here camped for the night, it raining heavily at the time.

Next morning, after a hasty breakfast, were again on the tramp. After passing Crab Orchard we left the beaten turnpike over which we had for some time been traveling; and now commenced the worst trial we had yet undergone. Over rocks, into ruts, through mud, onward we went; when, about ten o’clock, reports reached us that the enemy had already commenced the attack on the First Kentucky Infantry stationed at Wild Cat, and which was yet some twenty miles distant. We therefore hurried along as speedily as the rough nature of the ground would admit, and, at four o’clock, halted at a small creek and were ordered to feed our horses and prepare supper with all possible dispatch, to be ready for an all night march. Instantly, all was activity. Ammunition chests were overhauled, and things got in readiness for the coming battle.

At dark the word “forward” was given, and away we went over hills, through valleys, and through the interminable mud. Such roads! The one leading to “Jordan” can hardly be more difficult of passage. The moon, however, was shining brightly, and all night long we held our toilsome way. No word of complaint, not a murmur was heard, but with a silence only broken by the heavy tread of our horses, and the creaking and rattling of the caissons and gun carriages, we passed slowly forward. We were about to engage in our first battle for the country we loved; the country that gave us birth; and that was enough to quicken the blood, to rouse our nerves for the coming conflict.

At daylight we arrived at Rock Castle River, and here made a halt to feed horses and get breakfast. On the opposite side of the river lay Wild Cat Mountain, where we soon expected to meet the foe. Breakfast was soon dispatched, and on crossing the river, which was done by fording, we were met by messengers with orders to hurry forward, as the battle had already begun. Although we had a steep and rugged mountain of some three miles in hight to ascend, and were much fatigued with our last night’s march, the whip and spur were freely applied to our horses, and hurrying along at double quick were soon at the scene of action.

In less than ten minutes after our arrival we were in position, and at once opened on the enemy. They were rather taken by surprise, it being the first intimation they had received that there was any artillery on the ground. The fighting, up to this time, had been done by infantry and cavalry. The Rebels were in a deep ravine, and so thick were the trees we were unable to obtain sight of them from our position, and were only guided by the smoke from their guns.

The Thirty-third Indiana Infantry were posted on a hill directly opposite our battery, while the Seventeenth Ohio and First Kentucky Infantry, together with a part of Woolford’s Cavalry, were stationed away to our right. The Fourteenth Ohio Infantry were drawn up in line to our left. The Rebels were making efforts to drive the Thirty-third Indiana from their position. Every shot from our guns told with good effect, and the battle continued at intervals during the day. About three o’clock in the afternoon the firing became quite brisk, and lasted for half an hour. At this time we rapidly threw shells