Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/404

 394 Southern Historical Society Papers.

a hard time marching to-day through a drenching rain and over muddy, sHppery roads. The eager soldiers seemed to take about as many steps backward as forward, and the wonder is that we made any progress at all, but in the afternoon the rain ceased to fall, the sun broke through the clouds, and our struggling column of grey moved cheerily forward in the direction of the commissary depart- ment. Coffee and bacon were issued.

Sunday, August 24. — Manchester. We reached this place about noon and captured a large stock of crackers, cheese, tobacco, candy, &c., which had been left for our bodily comfort by the thoughtful Federals. As we advance into Kentucky we meet with more sym- pathy and the Southern sentiment begins to be more strongly developed. The dreaded bushwackers fired into the ranks of the old One Hundred and Fifty-fourth this morning, but fortunately no harm was done, and we moved on with closed ranks.

August 25. — Left Manchester at 2 o'clock P. M. and marched nine miles. Bought flour enough for two days' rations for the " mess." Cheese and cakes are now being issued, and we will reap some of the fruits of our bloodless victory at Manchester.

August 26. — We halt to-night three miles from London, and seventy miles from Lexington. Marched nineteen miles. The wea- ther is intensely hot, and the roads very dusty. We have now pene- trated almost into the heart of Kentucky, and have met with no organized opposition. We are supported by the Federal Govern- ment, as we have drawn no rations from the Confederate commissary since we entered Kentucky. Salt is plentiful, and the troops are in splendid condition.

August 27. — We sleep to-night within three feet of Rock Castle river. Left London early this morning, and marched thirteen miles. Halted at noon. Bathed in the river, and as my knapsack had just come up, I rigged out in clean clothes, a luxury to which I have been quite a stranger for some weeks. And now let the pestilent " camp followers " depart for a season. We will cross the river in the morn- ing and advance on Richmond, where we will probably meet the enemy and fight for rations. Our very existence depends on our success in the approaching struggle, and we cannot afford to be de- feated.

August 2g. — Rested all day yesterday, and left camp at 5 o'clock P. M. Marched fifteen miles, and halted at midnight. I was well- nigh exhaused, and had I given way to the feeling of fatigue, would have broken down. Slept soundly until early this morning, when we