Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/400

 390 Southern Historical Society Papers.

readers must see that the statement that General Polk was responsi- ble for General Bragg' s failure to crush Crittenden, is in every par- ticular incorrect.

Diary of Rev. J. G. Law. ADVANCE INTO KENTUCKY.

August ij, 1862. — General Preston Smith's brigade left Knoxville at 5 o'clock this morning. We marched thirteen miles and halted for the night at 2 o'clock P. M. We rested about one hour during the march. The heat was intense and the dust almost suffocating. Harry Cowperthwaite, of the Maynards, was overcome by the intense heat and fainted under the scorching rays of the noonday sun. My knapsack was a heavy burden, but the anticipation of clean clothes helped me to endure the extra weight. Many of the boys left their knapsacks at Knoxville and will probably never see them again. The baggage of the officers is limited and my chess-board was left behind in Major Dawson's box. General Preston Smith has ordered brigade guard to-night and I am the unfortunate individual that rep- resents the " Maynard Rifles" in that grand farce. But the drum beats and the guard must obey.

August 14. — Another day of intense suffering. Marched thirteen miles. Left camp at 3 o'clock this morning and crossed Clinch river at Clinton at 8 o'clock. The country through which we have passed to-day is thoroughly Union in sentiment, it being a rare exception to meet a good Southern man. The inhabitants are very poor and illiterate and it is not surprising that they have imbibed the principles of that precious pair of traitors, Andy Johnson and Horace May- nard.

August 75. — The troops have suffered terribly to-day. A heavy shower of rain fell last night, and blankets and knapsacks were thoroughly soaked. My tremendous load worried me considerably and it was hard to keep up with the regiment. We marched through the little village of Jacksboro this morning, where only two families of Southern principles reside. Here we heard the first cheer for Jeff. Davis, and saw the first white handkerchief waved since we left Knox- ville. The face of the country is rugged and broken and we fre- quently have long ridges to climb, over rough, rocky roads; but the water is excellent and abundant, and the scenery grand and beau-