The Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher Contributed by Maxwell Keyes Fletcher, 111 Edited by Perry McCandless*
Stephen Keyes Fletcher (May 30, 1840-July 6, 1897) was one of Calvin and Sarah (Hill) Fletcher’s eleven children. Calvin Fletcher was one of the earliest settlers of Indianapolis and his family was one of the most prominent and influ- ential in the capital city. Stephen Keyes Fletcher enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry on October 14, 1861, and he was immediately detailed as Ordnance Sergeant. In July of 1863 he was discharged to accept a commission as First Lieutenant and Adjutant in the One Hundred Fifteenth Indiana Infantry Regiment, and he joined that organization on August 14, 1863. He was mustered out on February 24, 1864. Although the journal was not begun until March of 1862, it narrates events from the author’s enlistment in October, 1861, until October, 1862.’ The Thirty-third Regiment, under the command of Colonel John Coburn, was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, then to Camp Dick Robinson, and on to Lexington, where they reported to General George H. Thomas, Army of the Ohio, as part of the First Brigade, Brigadier General Albin Schoepf commanding. From Lexington they were sent to Crab Or- chard and to Camp Wildcat to reinforce Colonel Theophilus T. Garrard’s Seventh Kentucky Regiment. On October 21 they engaged the enemy at Wildcat, defeating General Felix I(. Zollicoffer’s forces. After a march to London, then back to Crab Orchard, they spent the period January, 1862, to April, 1862, in Lexington. After receiving orders to join General George H. Morgan’s forces at Cumberland Ford, they set out on the march and engaged in several skirmishes on the way. On June 18 Cumberland Gap was taken. While here the Thirty-third participated in marches and skirmishes into East Tennessee. On September 18 the Gap was evacuated and the Thirty-third marched as escort to an ammunition convoy to
* Peny McCandless is associate professor of history at Central Missouri State College, Warrensburg, Missouri. 1Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indium (8 vols., Indianapolis, 1865-1869), I11 (1866), 193. 142 Indiana Magazine of Histom
Manchester, Kentucky, and thence across the Ohio River into Ohio. At this point Sergeant Fletcher’s Journal ends. The Thirty-third moved later with General William S. Rosecrans’ army into Tennessee and also participated in the Atlanta Campaign.* The Civil War journal of Sergeant Stephen Keyes Fletcher reveals in vivid prose the hopes and disappointments, the pleasures and hardships, the difficult monotonous work, and the long delays and dry-runs of a soldier’s life. A keen observer of both the physical characteristics of the area in which he served and of the life and attitudes of his fellow soldiers, Fletcher records his impressions in clear and at times dramatic style. During the period of the journal, the major military operations of Fletcher’s regiment were directed toward the capture of Cumberland Gap. The Union forces occupied the Gap after its evacuation by the Confederate forces only to find themselves, in turn, blockaded, and as Fletcher wrote : “For 9 months we marched & countermarched through rain & snow mud & water just to take the Gap, & just 3 months ago . . . we took it. . . . We have lived on short rations every [sic] since. . . . But for four weeks now we have been blockaded . . . & now just three months after we leave it as we took it, with a hungry gut & a lean belly” (see pp. 182-183). Following the Civil War, Stephen Keyes Fletcher became a well-known and highly respected business man in Indiana- polis. In addition to his business activities he operated a model dairy farm about fifteen miles from Indianapolis. His first wife was Miss Mary Malott, who died in 1876, and his second wife was Miss Laura Maxwell. John H. B. Nowland, who knew him well, described him as “rather below medium height,” with “light hair and complexion,” and as “genial and pleasant in manner^."^ On the following pages the journal of Sergeant Fletcher has been reproduced in its entirety. The original spelling and punctuation have been followed as closely as possible, although it has been difficult at times to distinguish between the author’s periods and commas, and between his capital and
ZZbid., I1 (1865), 330-332. 3John H. B. Nowland, Sketches of Prominent Citizens of 1876 (Indianapolis, 1877), 338. Another sketch of Stephen Keyes Fletcher is in Indianapolis Daily News, July 7, 1897. Civil War Journul of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 143 lower case letters, and to determine his intentions regarding paragraphing. The original journal is the possession of the author's great-grandnephew, Maxwell Keyes Fletcher, 111, of Sister Bay, Wisconsin. The editor is grateful to Mr. Fletcher and to other members of the Fletcher family for their cooperation in making this publication possible.
Monday March 3rd 1862. To commence this Journal & note down the incidents of 5 months in the service of the United States, I hardly know how. That a civil war broke out between the North & the south, & when that was commenced & why it commenced is & ever will be known. All know that after the Confederates fired on Ft Sumpter, that there was a general uprising throughout the North & all cryed, to arms the Union must & shall be preserved. It was my desire to join the armie immediately on the first call. But circumstances did not permit of my doing so until the middle of October (1861) Ingram' & myself worked together on the farm through the summer, both desirous of going to war as soon as the summer work was done. But when in the middle of August we learned of Drs. being taken prisoner,5 the war fever raged high in my breast. But about this time I had my right shoulder fractured by jumping a horse over a pair of bars. It was nearly two months before I could use it at all. When my shoulder got about well I told Ingram I had determined to go to war. He said that he was going, & that I must stay & take charge of the farm, as one of us had to stay. So we threw up a cent to determine which should go. I got it 5 times out of 7. I began to get up a company with Adams & Brown. I was to furnish 25 men. I had 10 of my men in 2 or 3 days. But the other fellows
4 A brother. 6Dr. William B. Fletcher, another brother, served with the Sixth Indiana Infantry Regiment and did secret service work. He was captured at Big Spring, Virginia, in the summer of 1861. In October of the same year he was tried by court martial and ordered to execution. After General Robert E. Lee issued a reprieve pending further investiga- tion, Dr. Fletcher was sent to a Richmond prison. Through an error he was paroled in March, 1862, and returned home to Indiana olis. Berry R. Sulgrove, Histm of Indianapolk and Ma.n'on County, Zdiana (Philadelphia, 1884), 285. 144 Indiana Magazine of History were working rather too slow for me, I informed them that it was my intention to go to war & not to be fooling around Indianapolis fishing for an office for nothing. As Maj Mankere of the 33 Ind. was then in the city, and just going to start for his Regt. then at Camp Dick Robinson, K. Y. I concluded to enlist & go with him as high private. So on the evening of the 10th of October 1861, we left Indps for the seat of war in K. Y. We arrived after a very pleasant trip at Camp Dick on Sunday afternoon. We found the Regt had left that morning for Crab Orchard 18 miles farther south. We changed horses & put ahead & over took the Regt. camped near Crab Orchard, at 10 that night. On Monday the Regt went into camp lY2 miles S. E. of Crab Orchard, called Camp Coburn. I went into camp Monday afternoon, 14th of Oct and this was my [first?] night in camp life. The weather was most delightful. Indian summer was just commencing, & the excitement of being brought into this new life so suddenly, filled me with the most ardent love for the camp & the life of a soldier. On Wednesday it began raining very hard. About noon I saw a buggy drive up the road, & stop at the camp, in mud up to the axles, & who should I see but Will Holliday' step out & come into camp. I had bid him goodbye but the Friday before in Indianapolis, little thinking I would ever see him in the armie. My impressions were that he would not, or could not stand the life. As he had long been a clerk in a dry goods store. But am happy to say after nearly 6 months camp life, he has stood it as well & better than most in the Regt. On Wednesday 16th Col Coburn* appointed me Ordnance Sergeant, & on Thursday started me to Louisville for ammuni- tion. I went to Camp Dick horse back. There met Gen Sherrn~m.~After a five hours waiting, I got to see his honor. He was very crabid & nervice But I had just brass enough
eMajor William J. Manker, of Martinsville. All names of soldiers identified by the editor in this journal have been located either in Francis B. Heitman, The Hiittorreal Register and Dictionmy of thr United States Amy (2 vole., Washugton, 1903), or 111 Report of tha Adjutant General of the State of Indaam. Commissary Sergeant Wilbur F. Holliday, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry Regiment. 8Colonel John Coburn, of Indianapolis, commanding officer of the Thirty-third Indiana Infantry Regiment. 9 Presumably General William Tecumeeh Sherman. Civil War Journal of Stephen Key@ Fletcher 145 in my face to talk to him, like I would to any other man. He was a tall, slim, ugly, plain man, a perfect bundle of nerves. I got what I wanted here, & started back the next morning with a wagon & 40 boxes of pills When I arrived at camp late in the evening I heard that marching orders had come for us to push on to Wild Cat 22 miles farther down. That Gerred’O at that place was expecting an attack from Zollicof- fersll whole force. All was excitement about moving. The details although they might be interesting, would take up time & room that would hardly pay, as so many things have hap- pened of the same kind since we have been out. The Regt started about 11 o clock A. M Saturday, 19th & after a hard drive over some of the worst roads, hills & rocks that I ever saw, we arrived at Mt Vernon just at dark, 10 miles from Camp. My wagon of ammunition stalled, stuck several times during the day, so that we had to doubleteam teams, & a good deal of swareing & hollooing was done to pull out. At Mt Vernon I divided the load into two wagons, so that we went through without more trouble. Wilkins,l* Test,I3 Maj Manker & myself with several others slept on the parlor floor in the hotel. About 3 oclock in the morning, Col. Coburn came in, & told us he had just received a dispatch from Gerred to “Push on for Gods sake, that the enemy were close on them.” All was astir now, & & the Re& was ready to start at sun up, & most splendidly did he show forth that beautiful sabbath morning as our boys wound around the foot of the large hill near this town. Their bayonets all sparkling in the sun. It was a stirring sight to me at least. We trudged on over the hills & through the mud at a forced march. About noon I came up to Rock Castle river. Here was quite an exciting scene. The Regt. had most all crossed, a boat load had just started across as I arrived on the bank. The large elm trees with their wide spreading branches made almost a perfect arch over the river. Col Coburn stood at the landing on his horse, cheering the boys on. The crossing of the boys & the anticipation of a fight 3 miles ahead, filled me with an
10 Colonel Theophilus T. Garrard, Seventh Kentucky Infantry Regiment. 11Brigadier General Felix K. Zollicoffer, commander of the East Tennessee District, Confederate Amy. 12 Quartermaster John A. Wilkins, of Indianapolis, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry Regiment. 1s Adjutant Charles S. Test, of Chalmers, Thirty-third Regiment. 146 Indiana Magazine of History exciting feeling, & I took off my cap & gave one loud yell. After we all got over, the Regt was drawn up in line in a field, & ammunition distributed guns inspected & C. We then pushed on anxious for the fray. From the river to Wild Cat, 3 miles, we met wagon load after wagon load of sick soldiers from Gerrards Re@. They all reported the pickets fighting ahead. The home guard Cavelry passed us going full tilt. Every one yelled out as they passed, give em hell boys, give em hell. They responded, yes we'll give em hell. But before we got to Wild Cat we met them all coming back on a slow trot saying that the pickets had quit fighting, & they were not needed. They were realy the bigest set of cowards I ever saw. We got to Gerrards camp about 3 P.M. Sunday 20th, passed on & camped about a mile in advance on a ridge about the only place level enough to set our tents, just behind the rifle pits. The 14th Ohio had got in from the Richmond road just before we. The 17th Ohio just after we got in. All was quiet during the afternoon & night. About 7 A.M. Monday 21 while I was eating breakfast with c01.1~Lt. COP & Maj Manker, Gen Sheoppf16 rode up & Staff, told Col Coburn to get his men in line immediately, that the enemy were right on us. All was now astir & excitement. The long roll beat & in less than 10 minutes the Regt was formed & all ready for the word. 4 of our companies were sent over west to build breast works & guard a pass where we expected the enemy to try to flank us. The other 4 companies (there being two left at Crab Orchard) went East on the hill where the fight took place. I went with this party. Went up double quick, 3/4, of a mile. Col Coburn was in command of this wing & Lt Col. & Major were in command of the other. The men were immediately deployed around the hill & down through the gullies. But before this was completed we were fired upon. A scattering fire now took place which lasted about an hour & a half. About 10 minutes after the firing commenced one of our men in Co. D, by the name of McFerrin,l' was shot
14 Colonel John Coburn. 15 Lieutenant Colonel James M. Henderson, of Princeton, Thirty- third Regiment. 16 Brigadier General Albin Schoepf, commanding, First Division, Army of the Ohio. 1' 1' Perhaps Private Lewis McFerran, Company D, Thirty-third Regiment. However, the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, V, 92, does not list him as either killed or wounded. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 147 in the left chest. I was standing about 20 feet from him, talking to Capt McRea,’* his Capt. He walked up the hill to where we were & said, “Capt I’m shot. I’m a dead man” He carried his gun up with him. H[e] died in about 5 minutes. After the firing ceased, I went to camp for ammunition. While there the firing commenced again very brisk, & the rebels began firing their canon. They had fired but 2 or 3 shots when Standards Ohio batteryI8 came up through our camp pitched some of the tents out of the way, got in position & fired 3 shots before we could say Jack Robinson. The shells whistled through the air, over the hills, & fell bursting away in the gullie below where their canon was. They threw nothing but round shot, 3 missing our camp about y& of a mile. 2 whistled through the pine trees just at the edge of the camp. The last one struck about 6 feet below our canon in the bank. As soon as they found out that we had canon, they ceased firing. But renewed the attack upon the hill about 3 in the afternoon. They charged up the hill to within 30 steps of our men with their hats on their bayonets, crying out, we are Union, we are Union. But our boys poured volies of minie balls into them for ?/’an hour without ceasing. One of our men were killed in the afternoon, & about 20 were wounded in the two last fights. But only two were killed dead. 2 died in about 12 days from their wounds. We took 3 Secesh that were wounded, two of them died, the other we kept in our Hospital until we got back to Lexington, when I went with Capt Burtonz0 & took him to Louisville. He had one leg taken off. In the evening two canons were taken on the hill. The last attack of the enemy was about 12 at night, when the canon on the hill fired twice before day light their canons & wagons were heard rolling off in the distance. They were making a rapid retreat. We might have captured the whole of them, but our Genzl would not allow an advance. The Rebles were under the command of Gen Zollicoffer, & numbered about 7000, including Cavelry & Artilery. Tuesday noon I went down to their camp & came up the hill the same
lacaptain Edward T. McCrea, of Shelbyville, Company D, Thirty- third Regiment. 19 Captain William E. Standart’s Battery B, First Ohio Artillery. 20Perhaps Captain James E. Burton, of Gosport, Company H, Thirty-third Regiment. 91 Probably General Schoepf. 148 Indiana Magazine of History way that they did. On one side of the hill I counted eleven dead Secesh. They were all large mountaineers, dressed in butternut jeans. We found & buried all together about 60. We had authenticated information of 18 wagon loads of dead & wounded being taken off. On Wednesday the 14th & 17 Ohio marched down the road & camped 3 miles North of London called Camp Conel. Thursday the 24 our Regt with the 38 Ohio followed. As our ammunition could not be hauled in the first train I was left back with 12 guards. The 1st & 2nd Tenn. Re&. were also back for a day or two. TKen we were left alone. We were here 5 days, & a most lonesome time we had too. The next Tuesday while on our way down through the rockey gullies, one of the wagon tongues broke short off. Old Sailorsz2the teamster got the wagon out of the way so that the others could pass & went to work to make a new one. I borrowed an old dull meat axe at a Iittle log cabin & while he cut a saplin I rode one of the horses of a mile & got a y4 auger. He was pretty tight & couldnt do much, so I had to put my garnion to work. With these two simple tools in an hour & a half we had a tonge in & started, and I will state here, that the tongue is in servise yet, has lasted through every thing. (This is April 26th/62) Went to London from Camp Conel. Wednesday the 30th. Here our Regt took the advance, were camped on a ridge just below a high hill, which we built strong breast works all round. Johny Wilkins & myself went & got the Courthouse for a magazine & comissary & soon had things piled in. We laid here until the 13 Nov. Raining most of the time. We had just sent our wagons and men to commence winter quarters & I had gone out 6 miles to a mill to engage lumber for bunks, roofs &C. I engaged 12,000 feet of pine lumber, but before I got back to camp, orders had come for us to march back to Crab Orchard immediately. All was now excitement. Not a Regt had enough wagons to move every- thing immediately, so they had to press teams in of the farmers. Col started me out as soon as I got in after teams. There were men on every road. But the 33 got more than any other. Our Regt got started about 10 P.M. The moon was shining bright The boys were all in fine spirits. But were mad to think they could not go to the gap.2s
22 Harrison Sailors, wagoner for Company H, Thirty-third Regiment. 28 Cumberland Gap. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 149
I was left back with the ammunition, & Will Holliday with the commissary stores that could not be taken then. 50 guards were left back with Adjt in command. We got everything off except the Ordnance by Saturday morning this we placed under the charge of the 1st Tenn Regt. I transferred to them 44 boxes of round shot. One of their Capts. receited for it, he could not write his own name. Had to make his cross. 4 of our sickest boys were left back, one died while I was there, two afterwards, only one got well. Durham & I started Saturday evening on horseback. I had an old clay bank that would not work to the wagons, an old saddle tree with no stirrups or girth. With my blanket over it. I had been riding this for 3 days & nights & was getting pretty tired. Holliday and Lt. Johnsonzs started on foot Nov. 16th We staid all night at the river at Grissems,2e where our sick & wounded boys were. Here I took sick by sleeping in a feather bed. This night the ground froze for the first time. The trees were white with frost next morning. We took an early start & found our Regt about dark, camped in the woods about 11/2 miles east of Crab Orchard. Found they had been without tents for 3 nights & it had been raining all the time. The march from London was very severe. About 100 started in wagons that had the measels, the raid threw them into a relapse, & they took the typhoid fever, a great many were left on the road & some died before they ever got up with the Regt. Our Regt was reported unfit for duty & took up quarters in camp at the springs in Crab Orchard. The men took sick fast. Between the 1st & 10th of Dec. we had about 600 men in the Hospital, or in every house in the town. For two weeks they died from two to 5 a day. About 55 died while we were here, nearly two months. Betty Bates came down frwIndps & nurced in the Hospital for about 6 weeks. Miss Kate Merrill also came down & staid two weeks, & done much good. Mrs Lieut Col Henderson also worked hard day after day with Betty, & they saved mang a poor ~oldier.~?
24 Adjutant James H. Durham, Thirty-third Regiment. 26 First Lieutenant Henry C. Johnson, of Williamsport, Company K, Thirty-third Regiment. 26 Grissom, Kentucky. 2' Miss Bettie Bates and Miss Catharine Merrill, both from Indiana- polis, and Mrs. James M. Henderson, of Princeton served as nurses during the war. Catharine Merrill, The Soldier of jndiana in the War fw the Union (2 vols., Indianapolis, 1866), I, 253, 264. 160 Indiana Magazine of Histom
While here they expected a fight at Somerset & an expedition of 100 men under Maj Manker started down. I went along in command of the train of 100 wagons. When we got with in 12 miles of Somerset we were turned back by the Gen. This made the boys sware, as they had been anticipating a finger in the pie. Christmas I received a box of good things from home. Johney Wilkins had been home & brought a mess chest back with white dishes, also a lot of thing for Will Holliday. We prepared for a big dinner on Christmas. We had fruit & preserves & jellies & turkey stuffed with oysters, hot biscuit & butter & every thing that we could have had had we been at home. Also Mince pies. We went into it heavy, every thing was from Ind except the Turkey & biscuit. On the 10th of Jan 1862, tents were struck & the Re& took up march for Lexington, although they did not know where they were going at the time. I was left back as usual with the ordnance, Fullenwider with the commissary stores. We were back just a week when the wagons returned & we loaded every thing & started. Fullenwider & myself walked it. We found our Regt camped 3 miles North of Lexington on the Georgetown pike in a bluegrass pasture of 160 acres, about 15 acres of woods. The most beautiful camp & drill ground I ever saw. The grass was perfectly matted on the ground, making it splendid for camping until the rains set in. With continual rains & continual tramping it became very muddy. I used a Hospital tent for a magazine. Ingram wrote me that Dr would be released about the 1st of Feb. I thought this would be my only chance to get home & I thought I could Perhaps Lucy Keyes Fletcher, a sister. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keym Fletcher 161 HinesZ8had gone to N.Y. to spend the winter with Anna Williams. I returned through Cin. & spent the night with my friend, Will Fletcher. I arrived in Lexington Friday the 7th Feb. Went to camp Saturday morning, found the camp moved to a dry spot. I went immediately to issuing out the Enfield rifles to Cos A & B. This was a considerable job. While we remained in Cahnp Henderson I got acquainted with a good many of the farmers around through the country. Among the principal ones, were Mr Montague & family, The Hontan’s, Mr Thompson, & Mr & Mrs Ross. Also a great many others, in & out of Lexington, including a great many very interesting young ladies. April 28th 1862. Camp near Cumberland ford. April 30th Cumberland ford. About the 1st of April we received marching orders. All were anxious to leave. We had lain still so long that camp life had become perfectly monotonous, & the Re& was getting perfectly demoralized. Before we left the Ladies around the country gave us a big dinner. They had 3 long tables made & they were covered with every thing that was good. All kinds of meats, bread & butter, cakes, pies, jellies, mince, d2 C d2 C & C. Every thing was in abundance. Enough for another Regt. We had 3 very large cakes presented to us. One by Mrs. Scott, of Lexington. It had a tent on it with two flags crossed in front. Stamped in the frosting in pink letters was “Honored be the brave.” The edging & sides of the cake was beautiful. Another had the American Egle & shield stars & stripes, in the appriate colors, two canons crossed in front in yellow. Stamped on writing Presented to the 33rd Regt Ind. Vol. by Mr Confictiones, Lexington, Ky. It had been raining all day but cleared up about noon. This was taken advantage of, & the dinner dispatched in a hurry. But before they were entirely through the rain came down in torrents & continued all the afternoon. There were about 30 carriages & the Ladies made them selves as comfortable as possiable in them. Also some of the Soldiers found very comfortable quarters, & pleasant company in them. As it had been raining nearly constantly, for two months, the boys had got used to it, & ate away as unconcerned as though it was bright sun- 2oPerhaps Fletcher s. Hines, at the time five years old, son of Colonel and Mrs. Cyrus C. Hines of Indianapolis. Jacob P. Dunn, Greater Indianapolis (2 vols., Chicago, 1910), 11, 849. 152 Indiana Magazine of History shine. I was presented with a splendid dish of salid by Mrs Ross, which lasted our mess (at the commissary) 3 meals. We were presented by the ladies of Lexington a most beautiful, Regt flag. It is most exquisitly wrought. The American Eagle, shield stars & stripes all in appropriate colors. The eagle in heavy nedle work with gold silk thread. It cost 106$. Mrs Fishback daughter of old Governor Shelby,80 1st Governor of Ky. was the principal getter up of the flag. She was the most patriotic woman I found in or about Lex- ington. She was a particular friend of mine. She realy seemed more like a mother than a friend or acquaintance. At the presentation Col Coburn made a short but most able speech. It pleased all. The Regt left Lexington on the 10th. I did not get off until the next day, when I went down to Nicholasville, where I found them camped for their 2nd night. I remained at Lex. with Col. C. marking, & transfering guns, accoutrements &C. to ship to Louisville, also shipping out our own ammunition. This was friday. In the evening when I got through work, I got a buggy & took Miss Mollie Vanpelt, a youn[g] lady friend & went out on the VersaZes81 pike 4 miles to a Mr. Foley’s who has two fine daughters. Staid over night & made the last evening in the vicinity of Lexington a most pleasant one. Before we left in the morning we had plenty of native wine & cake, & Miss Kate sent a bottle of wine to Lieut Whits~n,~~ which, He, Lieut Hillaa & myself had a jolly time over in Nicholasville. Mr. Foley told me he had a son in Mondays Cavelrys4which was near the ford. He had been sick for some time, & was staying about 3 miles at a house south of Bar- boursville.8s He wanted me to call & see him if I had an opportunity. I went into camp at Nicholasville Saturday the 12th & to my position as Sergeant in my Co. Co. E. Capt Hendrix.86 80 Governor Isaac Shelby. s1 Versailles, Kentucky. 32 First Lieutenant William A. Whitson, of Gosport, Company E, Thirty-third Regiment. 88 First Lieutenant James Hill, of Gosport, Company E, Thirty-third Regiment. 84 Lieutenant Colonel Reuben Munday, Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, Confederate Army. 86 Barbourville, Kentucky. 80 Captain Isaac C. Hendricks, of Indianapolis, Company E, Thirty- third Regiment. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 153 While on the pike we marched by sections. I had charge of the 1st section. Tuesday we passed through Crab Orchard, & camped at Old Camp Coburn. I went back to town & spent the evening with some of my old friends. Every thing looked as natural as though we had been away but a week. Here one of Capt Daysa7boys took sick & had a sinking chill during the night. No one knew it until he was noticed in the morning after all were up, he still laid in bed. Capt Day started with him in an ambulance to town. But he died before they got half way. Wednesday afternoon about 3 oclock we camped about a mile from Mt. Vernon. Found the roads thus far very good. The Wisconsin battery that was with us (6-10 lbrs.) camped on a hill just above us. In the evening they practised shooting at a big apple tree that was full of blossoms on a hill about a mile & a quarter [sltraight over the town, which is in a valey. The shells whistled over & nearly scared the people out of their boots. Thursday morning we took an early start & passed down throug[h] Mt Vernon, & wound around up the hill, opposite, just as we did on just such a morning, 6 months before lacking 3 days. Here we took the ridge road, right on the tops of the hills (or young mountains) Most of the time we had to go in single file, & I could look a head, for 1/2 a mile & see the Regt winding a long up, up the hills over the peaks & along the rocky cliffs. The boys supposed that some one had directed the Col this way for a nearer cut. They ripped & swore, & said they would give anything to know the man that directed the Col this road, they would shoot him with out mercy. When we got to the river & found the wagons had not yet got up, & that we had saved a great deal by coming the way we did, that the main road was a foot or two in mud, they all cooled down. We crossed the river & camped just where we had formed to give out ammunition just before the battle at Wild Cat. Here we learned that our wagon that we had hired to haul our knapsacks had broken down & would not be up. Lieut Whitson started back to get another wagon & bring them through, if he could. Our boys with several other companies in the same fix had to sleep without blankets. This 8' Captain Charleg Day, of Martinsville, Company C, Thirty-third Regiment. 154 Indiana Magazine of Histow was my first night on guard. It was a beautiful moonlight night, & the whip poor will sang all night a cross the river in the hills. They were answering each other all through the woods. The 14th Ky. & artilery camped opposite on the other side of the river. Friday morning we moved on up towards Wild Cat. The train & artilery had got in before us. Found the roads very bad, & every wagon making them worse. We were stopped continualy, on account of some wagon that was stuck or some canon that had got too heavy for its 6 horses. A great many little things happened while we were on the march, & especialy while we were at a rest, on the road, that I thought I would remember, that would be realy interesting. Here at this place while the boys were setting along on each side of the road waiting for a wagon to get out of a mud hole some of the boys got after a lizzard, there were about a dozen after it, & persued it until they had killed it with as much interest & excitement as though they were after a rebble. Then they got to snapping stones across at each other, calling them shells. They would put a little stone on the hammer of their gun, point & snap it. It would through the stone pretty straight. As we came up to our old camp at Wild Cat, instead of hear- ing the roar of canon, the thunder was pouring forth roaring voleys, & the rain commenced pouring down in torrents. We ran into the old house used last fall as our magazine. But we had been here but a few moments when the Cap.s8 came up & yelled out “roll out Co E.” So we pitched out, & were soaking wet in a very short time. But what is a soldier fit for, if he cant stand rain. Hoosier hill looked perfectly natural, the breast works were still standing. Nearly 6 months ago I had bid farewell to this place hoping never to see it again. But it seems to be the doom of the 33rd to soldier it in this God forsaken country. We camped on Zollie’ssOlast camp ground, on the bank of little rock castle. We had come but 5 miles, but were very tired from marching through the mud & raine. We cut hemlock branches for beds. Our wagon had not got up yet, & we slept under the fly of our tent, rather thin as the night was very chilly. The Lieut‘O came up said he had got another wagon & 88 Captain Hendricks. 89 General Zollicoffer. 40 Probably Lieutenant Whitson of Company E. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 166 brought all the knapsacks up as far as the river, except 16, which were 5 miles back from the river, making 10 miles from camp. I said, as the fellow did on the cars when the old man asked him if he knew he was on the road to hell. He said just my darned luck, always on the wrong train. I said it was just my luck to have my knapsack left back 10 miles, & so I found it. 36 of us started back. We found the road for 3 miles lined with the train of wagons, stuck in the mud, mules into their bellies, teamsters yelling & hallooing. All except 18 staid with our wagon to help it on to camp. I cut off one of my blankets & sold it for 50 cts, rather cheap but the best I could do. We made the trip of 20 miles in just 8 hours. Found the Regt gone ahead, but our Co. We pushed through next morning, & found the Regt at Camp Cone1 laid over to rest until we got up. It rained all day. We pitched our tents in the mud, & corporels Mont- gomery" & M~drell~~& myself went to the woods to cut brush to sleep on. We could hear guns firing all round, & fresh ameat was coming in plenty, but on the sly. While we were out we saw two fellows skinning a hog. We went up to them and they skedaddled. They just took the hams & left all the rest. The hog would gross about 150#. Montgomery staid & skined the animal, while Modrell & I carried in the brush. I told the Col. the circumstances & that I wanted to go & get the meat. He said go of course, it will spoil if you leave it. We put out early next morning, full tilt, the streets through london were 2 feet in mud. We got our mail at this place. I received a letter from Lucy & one from Laura.43 It really made my load lighter to get two letters. 2 miles from London we crossed Little Laurel river which was very high, covering the road for a mile. Some of the boys stripped off to go through, But I rooled down my pants & bolted right ahead. After I got across I went to cross a little neck of water about 5 feet wide. Two rails lay across it with the ends under the water, & I thought rested on the ground. But as soon as I threw my wait on the rails, I went nearly to my waist. The boys yelled & had a good laugh over it. It was real amusing to see them crossing. Some tumbling in head & ears, some that had 41 Corporal John Mont omery, Company E, Thirty-third Regiment. 42 Corporal John H. Efderel, Company E, Thirty-third Regiment. 43 Perhaps his first cousin, Laura K. Fletcher, daughter of Stoughton A. Fletcher, or his aunt, Mrs. Calvin (Laura Fletcher) Button. 156 Indiana Magazine of History stripped, & were coming so carefully, would slip into the mud & their legs would be streaked with yellow clay. Big Laurel River 4 miles ahead was so high that we could not cross at all. So we laid by one day. Co E got on a big bust. They got some rot gut whiskey some wheres, & about 1/3 of the Co were tight. They quarrelled & fought & cut up jack in general. The roads were so muddy that the mules would [go] clear under some times. Some of the boys said the teamsters had to fish them out with a rope on a pole with an ear of corn for bate. I dont know how this was, but it was deep enough.44 The country from Rock Castle river to Barboursville is the poorest I ever saw. Nothing but rocks & hills. No level land at all. The steep side hills were all that was cultivated & very few of these. There is very little preparation for crops, & it looks as though they will starve in another winter. They plough altogether with one horse or mule with a plough something like what we call a bull tongue. As we struck the Cumberland river we came into a beautiful, little valey. It was about a mile wide. Here were some nice fields. The grass looked nice & green. The mountains on each side were all green, & the dog woods in full blossom were scattered thickly over their sides, making a beautiful contrast. Bar- boursville is quite a pretty little place situated in this vaIey. I suppose about 1000 inhabitance. After we passed through Barboursville about 3 or 4 miles, Lieut Whitson & myself stopped at a house & got our dinner We thought it was our only chance & last chance to eat in a house, so we went in strong. Had butter milk cornbread, pork & greens. The woman that waited on the table would ask us if we would have some pork & salid. We had a good laugh about her calling turnip greens, salid. About 21/2 miles from town we found young Foley. In the evening I went back from camp to see him. A pretty sharp young man, Sergt. in Mondays Cavelry. When I returned it was pitch dark & raining. On coming down a steep place I slipped & fell, striking my right jaw on the end of a rail, sticking out from the fence. I saw Sturs by the thousand. I thought it was broke, & the first thing I done was to work it to see that none of the machinery was out of order. This was Thursday the 24th. 44 Here occurs in the journal the drawing reproduced on page 167 opposite. Civil War Journal of Stephen Key- Fletcher 167 158 Indiana Magazine of History From here we moved right along the river through this valey, which lay along on both sides. Some very good farms but very little preparation for cultivation. Monday the 28 we arrived here at the ford. Here we are camped in a valey on the bank of the river, containing 30 or 40 acres, as level as a floor. Here are 8 Regts. 1st & 2nd Tenn 3rd 14th & 22nd KY. 33rd & 49th Ind. & 16th Ohio. 3 Tenn Regts are forming farther down the river. The Tenns are coming over the Mts every day. Andy Johnsons son is Col of & Parson Brownlows son is Ca~t.~~On the 30th I went out on picket for the first time I had charge of 17 men, was 3 miles from camp, & next to the outmost pickets. The house where we were stationed, had once been a very respectable one The farm looked as though it had had an owner a little above the generality of people around here. During the day a man of about 30 & lady of 25 I should think came up, the lady picking some stray flowers that had sprung up through the hard trodden ground. I asked them where they were going, & as the man took out his pass he said, here is where I used to live. But its all gone now. I said something about his property being destroyed, he sighed & said I once had a home in the hills, & it was a pleasant one. & a tear came in his eye, & he turned a way. I realy pitied them. The Rebbles had torn every thing to pieces. Saturday May 10th 1862. Here we still lay in this valey surrounded by mountains, the sun coming down hot enough by day to scorch the hide off of us, & at night so cold that 3 blankets will not keep us comfortable. Nothing of interest going on, except a little picket work now & then. The most interesting happened last Sunday night (the 4th). Sunday it rained nearly all day. I was setting in the tent writing to Ingram & Lucy. I had just closed the letter when I heard the Maj yell out, strike tents. As usual, a rainey day or on Sunday we have to move. We didnt know where we were going, but supposed towards the Gap of course, so it was soon every tent was down & we marched across the pontoon bridge. But only went about a mile from our old camp. Stopped on a long grassy strip by 45 Colonel Robert Johnson, First Tennessee Cavalry and Fourth Tennessee Infantry. 46 Captain James P. Brownlow, First Tennessee Cavalry. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 159 the side of an old corn field with the tall clean stalks still standing The wagons had gone by way of the ford & had not yet come up. There are some men in every Regt that can always see the first straw, dry leaves, broomsey, & any thing good to make them a bed of, & always lookout for their own comfort. As soon as we stopped, some struck out into this field, cutting the stalks to sleep on as the ground was low & full of water. It seemed like a hungry drove of cattle turned into a bluegrass pasture. 2 or 3 starts in, then all see & go with a rush. So here, in a few minutes the whole field of 8 or 10 acres was covered with busy workers gathering corn stalks. I was among them of course. in 15 minutes not a stalk 2 feet high was left. Tired & wet, I went to bed at dusk also the other boys. We had been in bed about 1/2 an hour & I had began to snooze, when I heard someone ask Capt. in next tent, how many men he had. I smelt a mice, & was wide awake in an instant. Somethings up boys, say I. Wev got to go out on picket says Corprl Montgomery. Just our luck, in another minute Capt pulled open our tent & says Whitson, Hill Fletcher roll out. Montgomery Corprl Modrell rolled over together & sayd they guess they didnt have to go. But before we were out they were called. It wasnt long before Co E was formed. Loaded our guns to order & all we wanted was the word. Just then the Maj came riding down the street yelled out, drummers beat the long roll. Then came that long, stirr- ing monotonous sound. The Regt. hussled out in a hurry. There was pulling & hauling for guns, some had lost their cartridge boxes. Some a bayonet, some couldnt find their hats, but all got out finaly. We were formed across the cornfield, several other Regts were formed across. battery was moved up in front so as to rake the road right along river. Here we stood for about 2 hours every moment expecting the Rebbles would come on to us. But it was a water haul, nary Secesh came. While we were in line I couldnt help but laugh at the number that all of a sudden got the back door trot. It proved to be a false alarm & we were ordered back to our quarters to sleep on our arms but no such good luck for Co E. We had no sooner got to our quarters than the word came for us to go out on picket. All went willingly, for they were anxious to get in to a muss of some sort after being called out with that expe~tation.'~ 47 Perhaps Captain Jacob T. Foster's First Wisconsin Battery. '*Here occurs in the journal an illustration of the camp of the Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry Regiment at Cumberland Gap. 160 Indiana Magazine of History We tumbled & stumbled along out the road (for it was a perfect bed of rocks, & dark as pitch) to what is called the stone house about a mile from camp. It is an old one storied house 34 frame ?42 stone right on the bank of the river, or just room between it & the river for the road. The Mount. running up abruptly from behind. Here 12 men were called for to go % of a mile to another house. I couldnt stand it, to see any one go father out the road than I went, & of course I volunteered. When we got to the house which stands 3 or 4 hundred yards from the road, I was tired & wet & lay’d on a big stone about 20 feet in front. I had been there but a second when I heard something up the hill back of the house, sounded like a man walking. I jumped up instantly & started that way. Just then I heard Corporel Montgomery yell out, halt, halt, there, walk right up here or I blow the daylights out of you. & I saw through the thick darkness the shadow of a man, or form of a man & I thought the bigest man I ever saw. He was a soldier with gun & accoutrements. Who are you & what are you doing here, was immediately asked. He was undoubtedly very much scared, said well Im here, youve got me. As he approached you could hear the click of more. than a dozzen guns. Where are the rest, was asked him, scattered all round here. I had imagined there was some others there & had been peeping round & just then I saw the form of a man skedadling up into the bushes about 50 yards up the hill, I put after him yelling halt, halt. But he dis- apeared, I did not shoot, I dont know why. I was cool & had my gun ready. I suppose because I wasnt shure of my game But as I found out afterwards, it was a good thing I did not. For they turned out to be our own pickets, of the 22nd KY. that had been stationed at the Moss house & when our pickets were fired on in the evening, & our Cavelry run in, they got scared & put to the woods & Mts, Lieut & all. Nothing else disturbed the silence of the night. All was as still as death. But there was no sleep. We expected the enemy in every moment, so we kept out eyes & ears open. It was a cloudy, foggy night & all was still, except one old cow that had been spared from the Secesh hands. She was browsing away in a little valey meadow about ‘/2 a mile off & the tink, tink, tink, of her bell made me think of Grays Elogy, “And drowsy tinkling lulls the distant fold.”4g Far in the night, she tired 40 A more exact uotation from Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Church-yard” would Rave been: “And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds.” Edmund Gosse (ed.), The Works of ThmGray (4 vole., London, lW), I, 73. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 161 of eating laid down to rest. Oh! that I had as little thought or care on my mind, as that old cow. That I might lay down even on the ground & sleep without fearing the cry to arm they come, I thought. But there was no other sound. Not even the bay of the long, lean lank, yellow eared mountain hound. Nor the shrill crow of a neighboring dung hill to tell us the hour of the night. All seemed, uninhabited, uncivilized. No! all was not silent, either, as gray dawn appeared, the doleful sound of, whip poor will, whip poor will, was heard from hillside & mountain top. As day broke I spread my oil cloth on the ground stretched my self, with my head on a stone for a pillow, I was soon asleep. It was broad daylight when I was wakened by one of the boys who yelled out, Fletcher, come wer going, you11 drown laying here. The rain was pouring down right into my face. Instead of going back to camp where we could get our breakfast, the rest of the Co came out & we marched on out the road they said to meet the Rebbles & give them a round. Went about a mile & half, placed ourselves behind two little noles, where we could rake them as they came down the road. Here we were until 12 M. the raine pouring down in torrents. We were wet to the hide, tired from having no sleep, & nothing to eat since the night before. The boys would go to sleep just setting round. I saw 7 all sitting on the rocks, with their heads hung down, fast asleep. This was soldiering. Where is all that romance in camp life that you read about in so many novels. Where every man wares a feather in his hat & a sword & pistol by his side. All is success & pleasure. Venison was their meat, & wine was their drink, & a good steed carried them. But where, where is the romance, the pleasure, of war. You can put it all in your eye. An eleven & a half pound musket, on our shoulder, & 30 to 40 round of oz balls, in our cartridge box. And all our earthly property on our backs. Fat bacon & crackers to suffice our appetite and strong coffee without sugar or milk to wash it down. Once in a while we are furnished with flour & the boys make what we call flap jacks, Beat up into a thick batter & fry in grease. They are heavy & not fit for a dog to eat, & men begin to get sick after living on them a few days. Sometimes, beans & rice & sugar. This is soldiering at Cumberland Ford, in the Great Rebellion of 1861. & 2. May the 12th/62. Is there any beauty & highfalutin about this? If there is I cant find it. But I came to war because I felt it my duty. I was one more drop in the bucket. I imagined the life before I came into it, but did not know it. 162 Indiana Magazine of History Although I have written the above, I am happy to say that I have not for one moment regretted entering the service. I wrote it to give an some idea of the life, as it is. I forget myself. I have left my pickets at their post, fast asleep in the drenching rain, & have strayed off. We watched impatiently till noon both for the Rebles & for our relief. Our relief came but nary secesh. We turned our wearied steps, but with a more quickened step toward camp. Sick with hunger & chilled from an incessant cold rains, & mad that after all, hadnt had a wack at a Secesh. After we got to camp we were immediately ordered to strike tents, & moved across the river again to our old camp we had left but the day before. And here we are yet, this May 12th 1862 and there seems to be a fine prospect for staying here two weeks longer. Gen Morganso has issued an order to drill 6 hours a day. Pretty hard on fat bacon & flap jacks. We are called by the revalle at 1/2 past 4 AM, roll call at 5 & drill until 6, one hour. A cook is left in each mess to have the meals pre- pared. Drill from 1/2 past 8 till y~past 10 making 3 hours in the fore noon, from YZ past 3 until 5 P.M. this is battalion drill, dress parade at $42 past 5, then Battalion drill till 7. The aim is to get the drill in the cool parts of the day. The days are very warm here, & the nights very cold. We sleep with 3 blankets & a quilt over us & then are hardly cumfortable. The clouds settle right down in the valey nearly every night, dont have any frost here. The few peach trees & apple trees that are left standing about here are full of fruit. I just had a letter from Stetson, writen on the 5th. He says the trees are just budding. I had a letter last night from father with 3$ & some postage stamps. I hear from home often. I have been up on a mountain just across the river & with the aid of Gen Coburns51 glass saw part of the Reble works at the gap. The distance was so great (10 miles) that I could not see or distinguish men or canon. They have 14 or 16 anon, 2 of which are heavy guns. Some report them 32, & some 64 lbrs. These are the works I saw6%The dots are tents, & this is as I understand the Mts to lay. One standing seemingly right in the gap. The road runing through a little valey or open space, & right up to this middle Mt then turning to the right around it up through the gullie. 60 Brigadier General George W. Morgan, commanding, Seventh Division, Army of the Ohio. 61 Fletcher doubtless meant to write Colonel Coburn. "Here occurs the drawing of the Confederate encampment at the Gap which is reproduced on page 163 opposite. Civil War Jouml of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 163 Page 34 of the Fletcher journal. 164 Indiana Magazine of History Tuesday May 20th 1862 The weather is pleasant but cloudy. Sunday it rained, a regular spring rain. It made every thing perfectly refresh- ing, & cool. From the mountain sides you could hear a perfect chatter & clatter made by the many birds that live there of every sort, shape & color. Friday morning Col Coburn brought me a Cincinnati Gazette of the 12th containing the account of Miles death.6s It was the first I had heard of it. I could hardly realize it, & can hardly yet. I have received 2 letters from Ingram, giving me the facts. It was a sudden blow & was tended to make me, away here in this lonesome country feel low spirited & blue. But I have tried to keep my self as cheerful as possible. “Why should we weep when God has called his own” But let us be prepared for the day when we shall be called. That we may meet those that have gone before in a better world. We know not the day nor the hour when death will come. Sunday afternoon the big guns that have [been?] talked about so much came up. Also a battery of 8 lbrs. But that, that pleased the boys most was, the Paymaster. The boys cheered & yelled. We will be paid off today or tomorrow 4 month pay. Sometimes when laying in my tent I can hear the 16th Ohio commence yelling, 8/a of a mile down the road. then our Regt. I11 lookout to see what is up & hear goes a poor dog up the road with his tail between his legs just a skedudling. Then the yell will pass clear along up the line of camps for a mile The guns we got were 2-32 lbrs & 2-24 lbrs. Parrott We have now 22 pieces. 6-10 lb Parrott. 6-8 lb Parrott. 2 mountain howitzers, 4 brass pieces. We expect we will soon move up to the gap & commence opperations. Friday May 16th/62. Cumberland Ford. This morning Col Coburn brought me a paper of the 12th stating that Bro. Miles was killed by a Rail Road accident at Sullivan, Ind. He was on his way to Pitsburg landing with Gov Morton64 Laz Noble6K& Dr. Bobbsaa & a great many 63 Miles J. Fletcher, another brother, was killed in a railroad ac- cident at Sullivan, Indiana, May 12, 1862. At the time of his death he held the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Indiana. John H. B. Nowland, Sketches of Prominent Citizens of 1876, 496-497. 54Governor Oliver P. Morton of Indiana. 66 Lazarus Noble of Indianapolis. 68 Dr. John Stough Bobbe of Indianapolis. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 165 nurses. It was a shock to me, & I can hardly realize it. So soon, so suddenly taken away. But so goes the world. We all have to die sooner or later. We know not the hour nor the day when death will visit us. May we be prepared that when- ever it does come, we may meet those that have gone before. Sunday afternoon June 1st 1862. On the night of the 22nd May we were ordered to be ready to march next morning at 9. In the morning all were busy, throughout the camp, prepareing rations, scouring guns & C & C. We did not get started until about 11. We had marched but a hundred yards from camp, getting into a sunny open place when Gen Morgan met Col Henderson, & asked him where he was going. Says he you have no orders to move at this time 11 oclock you were ordered to march at 9. So you can halt your Battalion here until you get orders to move. So here we lay in the sun for nearly 2 hours, when we recd orders to march. The boys cheared & yelled when we started. I got my nose thougheraly sunburnt for about the 6th or 8th time this spring. We took the right hand road at the Moss house. But proceeded but a short distances7 when we overtook the 19th Ky. wagons. Here we lay for an hour waiting for them to get out of the way. But when they did we went but about 200 or 300 yards until we overtook them again. Here we rested most of the afternoon The boys talked & laughed & cut up as usual on a march. I noticed that the beach trees all around were newly pealed. I couldnt tell what it ment. But soon saw the boys taking of the bark with their bayonets, & eating the iner portion. Of course I tried it, it had a sort of sweet bitter taste. But I realy had no particular relish for it. Just before dark we went up a steep winding hill. On one side was quite a jump off, not exactly a precipice. We went but about 200 yards beyond this when we again overtook the wagons in front of us. Our teamsters soon came up, & said that Co E’s wagon had capsized on the hill back. One fellow said it had turned over 2 or 3 times & was 20 feet below the road & could not be got up without taking to pieces. Some one must go back & help it up. But all were tired & hated to move, so I 6‘Here occurs in the journal a pa e illustrating “Zollicoffer’s old breastworks & stockade, one mile above 8umberland Ford.” 166 Indiana Magazine of History struck out calling to some of the boys to come along. 2 or 3 followed. We found the wagon had just jumped over the bank & run down in the gullie, & that nothing was hurt, but with a little hard work could be got out. The guards that were left with the wagon were sitting lazily looking at the wagon. The boys cursed them for all that was out for not chocking the wagon as they should. Soon the whole Co came back. We could not do much that night, so we built fires around, got out our rations & took a quiet supper I was glad we got to sleep here, we were away from the noise & bustle of the Regt. We tumbled on the ground & slept finely, although there was a very accomodating rock that stuck up just high enough to dig me in the ribs, & not allow me to sleep to soundly. For all that one thing happened that night that makes me remem- ber it more forcibly. I had a long pleasant dream. A dream that had a commencement & and end. It had realy a pleasant tendency away here in these wild woods. I hope I will remem- ber it. At day break we were up had our wagon out & ready to start. Found the Regt just where we left it mostly ready to start. Took our places & waited for the order to march. Here the boys lay along the side of the road & up under the trees on the side of the Mt waiting for the word. But no word came, getting tired they would take off their knapsacks & take it easy. I saw Col C. during the fore noon & asked him what caused the delay. He said he had orders from Gen Morgan not to move until further orders. The telegraph line was put up as fast as we went. About noon Morgan & staff came out & we were moved ahead about l,4 a mile & pitched tents in a little valey of about 10 acres, right down in the Mts. We had been here about an hour, were getting dinner ready, & the boys building booths all round to lay under as the sun was very hot, when Col. C. came round & ordered us to strike tents. Told us we were going back & expected to go up the Gap road. In two hours we were back at the Moss house, & when the head of the column filed right towards the Gap there went up a prolonged yell that made the hills ring again. But loo this exciting pleasure that we had so long waited for, & seemed now so near was soon knocked in the head. The Regt was halted & marched back towards the ford & camped where we now are, on the side of the Mt about half mile from Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 167 the Moss house, just where the Rebles camped last winter. Our tent sets just where one of theirs did. They had it all leveled off nicely for us & some of our roofs are fastened to their old pegs. This is called Camp Whip Poor Will. Very appropriate name too, for every evening at dusk the whip poor wills commence their to sing out their dolefull penalty on poor Will & long before morning it is again commenced. At night I can stand in my tent & look up at the valey & across up the Gap road, & it looks like a vast city, hundreds of tents, & nearly all lighted, & there’s a hum of voices, singing & blowing of bugles & beating of drums & rumble of wagons like the noise of a great metropolis. What means all this noise. What is all this queer business that has called so many thousands on thousands forth to live in this way. As I lay down on my blanket at night these thoughts are pondered over & over in my mind. All have come out with one intention, for one great purpose. How long it will last, we cant tell. We are all anxious for it to close that we may return to our homes. But are determined to see it closed honerably, or die in the effort. Cumberland Gap. Tenn. June 27th Almost continual marching for the last three weeks has kept me from writing up my journal, & I have seen so much in that time of interest that I am afraid I will never get it all wrote up. On Saturday, the 7th of June we were ordered to prepare with 4 days rations & be ready to march at 1/2 past 4 next morning. According to order we were on hands & started, we knew not where, but knew that it would be some place, & no failure this time. The 8th, 9th & 10th marched straight ahead, making about 11 miles a day. Took the same road we did before. The 11th we laid over where we camped the night of the 10th 2 miles from Rodgers Gap,68 Cumberland Mt. During the day the artilery cavelry & all teams got up, & some of the artilery went on up the Mt. 2 brass guns came up pulled by bulls, 3 yoke to each. The driver was setting on the canon driving with lines to the leaders. This created quite an excitement & those two pieces has since gone by the name of the bull battery. At dusk we 68 Rogers Gap. 168 Indiana Magazine of History fell in & moved ahead. As we struck the foot of the Mt the moon was just appearing over the top. She was just full & looked so beautiful. It was a deliteful night & made the hard march more pleasant. The assent from that side of the Mt is very steep. But the expectation of a fight on the other side made us forget all fatigue. So we soon made the top. Here we found a good road right along the top of the Mt. about 3 miles long running East. The moon shone right in our face. The large oaks & walnut & chestnut trees stood on each side of the road just far enough apart to form beautiful groves. Here was good level or rolling land enough to make a good farm. Very little was said through the whole line, nothing could be heard but the tramp tramp of the men. Orderly Walingfords8 struck up Lillie Dale, & 3 of us came in & it realy sounded beautiful, besides it seemed appropriate. Then Walingford raked up his memory & come out a little on the theatrical, which enlivened the crowd considerable. We rounded the point marched down through the Gap which is high precipitious rocks on each side leaving but a narrow space to pass through. Here the road is very steep & makes a turn of a right angle. We came then in to a wide shallow gulley or small valey away ahead we could see the line of the edge of the Mt. The white misty line stretched clear along the Mt. here we found the siege battery standing at the side of the road looking like great black monsters on wheels asleep. As we marched up the slope & turned the point at the top to the right where the road commences the decent, the view was most grand. I never saw any thing of it before & never shall again. To the right the Mt ran away above us, to our left it went straight down down hundreds of feet. Away to the front & left of us, we could look as far as the eye could pierce into a vast nothing. Away below us we could see the tops of the Mts ridges. The fog had settled down so that nothing could be seen but the tops. They looked perfectly straight, & even & smooth. At first I thought they were cultivated ridges. I looked up at the moon, but lo the upper edge was becoming darkened. I continued to look, did my eyes betray me, or was it so. Ah! I remembered then, it was the 11th of June. This night the moon was to be eclipsed full according to the almanac. The scene was now grand yes, it seemed strange. 68 Adjutant Estes Wallingford, of Indianapolis, Thirty-third Regi- ment. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 169 The Gen had given orders for no talking in ranks, so all was silent except the tramp of the troops. So we went silently down, down, down, it seemed that we would never get to the foot, turning short angles & going right in the opposite direc- tion. I was thinking of home, wondering if they were looking at the eclipse. We saw two wagons that had run over the side lay up side down against the trees away below. The last one we passed we could just see the image of a man sitting in the bed. Cap spoke to him said you had a pretty serious accident, an[y] one hurt. “No,” said the fellow but one of your men just struck me with a stone on the side of the head, while I was laying here asleep, & the blood’s running down my face. Some fellow I suppose had very foolishly pitched a stone into the wagon, not knowing there was anyone in it. The moon was fast getting dark & by the time we got to the foot, only streaks shone through between the trees & dark shadows were cast across the road before us by the big rocks or trees. The eclipse had just closed over the moon & nothing could be seen but a dim firey ball as we were halted & tumbled down by the side of the road to sleep on our arms. We had just rolled in our blankets when the pickets commenced firing all around below us. We were all on foot in a minute. But there was no more disturbance & in 10 minutes we were all down & passing off to the land of nod. We were up at early day light to see what there was to be seen. We found we were just at the foot of the Mt. just below us was a big mill over shot, run by a big spring, the finest I ever saw. It run three mills, a cording mill, grist & saw mill. Just beyond this was a big two storied white frame house, with a nice yard & fence & shrubery. Beyond to the right & left as far as the eye could see stretched Powels valey.60 This was a pleasing time to the eye. For the first time in two months, we could look without some big Mt or some big object coming in our view. About 9 oclock we started up the valey with two Regts 33 Ind. & 19 Ky. 2 guns, & some Cavelry on a forageing ex- pedition. The valey looked beautiful every thing was in the heighth of prosperity. Fields of golden wheat just ready for the reapers, corn looked very flourishing, & some grass was cut. Most of the people professed to be Union. But I have little faith in their loyalty. We got back to our camp about 3 P M. Now we thought we would have time to take a good 60 The Powell River valley. 170 Indiana Magazine of History rest. But about the first thing we heard was, that in two hours we had to start back over the Mt. This made the boys sware. They did cuss like good fellows. They didnt give us time to get supper. But started us in about 1/2 an hour after getting into camp. Just about sun set we had reached the top of the Mt. Now the view that seemed so strange to us the night before presented itself in a different light al- together. The view was most delightful. Away hundreds of feet below is [us?] lay the valey, about 3 or 4 miles wide & stretching to the right & left along the Mt as far as you could see. Square fields dotted with corn, luxurient fields of wheat, a grove here & there & the farm houses scattered about, made the scene, most picturesque picturesque. It was very hot, & the loads we had to carry made us very tired, & the boys declared it an imposition to have to carry a magazine on their backs, & the 40 rounds of cartridges in our knapsacks were flung out at very halt. We passed one 30 lbr Parrott gun going up a very steep place, which about ?4 way up made a very sharp right angle. It had 26 horses to it. But as fast as they turned this angle they lost all power, so they had to be taken off & it pulled up by a block & tick. When I saw how hard these cannoneers had to lift & push & what trouble they had, I was glad I was not one of them but was an Infantry soldier, & had nothing but my own little self to spur up the hill. Some of the men became perfectly fatigued & tumbled down by the side of the road pitching their guns away declaring they would go no farther. But would rather die there on the Mt or be taken prisoners But after a nights rest they all came on & in a day or two all got with the Regt again We reached our old camp & resting place just before dark. Here we remained over night making an early start next morning, & about 4 P.M. were within 1/2 a mile of our next old camping place just across the line into Ky. It made the people open their eyes to see us going back they didnt know what it meant. Supposed we had got whipped or scared out. We understood we were to go to Williamsburg. But when we got to this place we met the Cavelry going back towards the Mt & said we would have to start back next morning. Now the boys cussed again. But going back over the Mt into Tenn suited them better than going to Williamsburg. This night we had the best ground to sleep on we had had for some time. Charley Test & myself made our bed down at the root of an old tree. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keves Fletcher 171 We were just getting to sleep when Charley jumped up, also Mtgomery & Sprata1who were sleeping near us, & all yelled out, there’s a rattle snake, there’s a rattle snake. I laid still & laughed at them which made Charley mad. He & Sprat declared they would not sleep there, Mountgomery & I told them they could go where they pleased, that we were going to sleep there. By this time about a dozen had come around with candles, but nary ratler could be found. Charley agreed to sleep there if I would change sides with him. As he was on the side next the old log where he heard the snake. I did this & nothing more happened. One oclock next day found us back to our old camp & resting place 2 miles from the Mt. We had made a forced march of it, although it was very hot. For no particular reason though, we were mad & didnt care whether we marched fast or slow. Here we rested about three hours & again started up the Mt. We made the top & the pretiest level place just before darke, near the big spring which runs off in quite a little brook. Here we tumbled down for the night. I was waked next morning by the birds, hundred of these feathered song- sters were sending forth their notes of joy this beautiful Sabbath morning, the 15th of June. A mocking bird perched just above my head was mimicing all the birds imaginable. I was in hopes we would remain here part of the day & have a real sermon on the Mt. But Sunday in war is the same as any other day. We made an early start & were soon down the Mt. where we found Decorsiese2Brigade camped, also part of the artilery that had got over. We camped right at the foot in the woods. It was one of the pretiest camps I ever saw, the pretiest place to camp. Our wagons were back & not likely to get over until the next day. Our rations were getting prety short, nothing but crackers & very few of them. The boys scoured the country around for 2 or 3 miles, bring- ing in cornbread chickens meat & every thing else that could be eaten. They all had money & something to eat they would have at any price. On Monday the 16th 3 of our Companies went out forageing. After we had got out about 5 miles they concluded they would not need them & started 61 First Lieutenant John R. Spratt, of Gosport, Company E, Thirty- third Regiment. 62 Colonel John F. De Courcy, commanding, Twenty-sixth Brigade, Army of the Ohio. 172 Indhna Magazine of Htktoq back. Lt. Whitson in command of our Co gave me the privilege of taking 6 men & go across the valey & bring in some forage for our own consumpsion. We struck out with the intention of having something to eat or some fun one or the other. 4 went one way & 3 of us another. After crossing the valey about 2 miles we entered a cedar thicket, then passed into an open square of about 10 acres surrounded by a growth of thick cedars. It seemed to have been an old field long since neglected. Through it ran an old road that had not been used for years as the dirt was all washed out & the large naked stones remained. We followed this, & passing through the hedge of cedars on the other side, saw away ahead of us an old two storied house, almost ready to tumble through, but still with some signs of habitation. This was about ?42 a mile ahead of us across a little valey with a creek runing through it, all grown up on each side with willows & scicamores, presenting rather a wild appearance. On its bank stood an old mill, its wheel broken & weatherboarding partly torn off. Around stood half a dozen old houses, with roofs caved in, doors & windows knocked out. The weeds had grown up thick around & fences were all laid waste. About a hundred yards from the creek as we passed towards it stood a large old forge built of hewn stone & about 30 feet high. It was all perfect, every stone in its place. On top of it were cedars 8 or 10 feet high. All around were old heavy castings, & acres were covered with dross & cinders. About in different places stood stone chimneys all covered with ivy. I saw it had been once a little town, but long since deserted. I thought of Goldsmith’s deserted vilage, “Sweet Auburn, loveliest vilage of the plain, Thy charmes have fled.”63 We crossed the creek & made our way up to the old house, passed through the old gate which wm broken from its hinges. An old weeping willow stood in the yard. It was about 3 feet in diameter, one limb was broken & hung down, & the long dead limbs laid scattered over the ground. A short distance to the right was an old milk house fast 68A more exact quotation from Oliver Goldsmith’s “Deserted Village” would have been : “Sweet. Auburn! . . . loveliest. . village. . of .the plain, . . . . . These were thy charms-but all these charms are fled.” Peter Cunningham (ed.) The Works of Oliver Goldsmith (4 vols., London, 1854), I, 39-40. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyea Fletcher 173 decaying & a big spring runing under it was nearly filled up. We found no one at the house but an old woman. She was sick. I asked the old lady about this old vilage. She said it was called Speed well, & had been deserted about 50 years. Its day of speed had long since played out. She said it was a very prosperous place in its day. We went back to camp with our haversacks well filled with cornbread. But the fation of making bread down here is just with water & meal, no salt nor lard. On the next evening the 17th we were ordered to be ready to move at any time during the night We had about a cracker a piece. With this in our haversacks we laid down on the ground to rest until called for. I forgot to mention, on the evening before just at dusk word came up the valey that the Rebles were advancing & that our teams that had gone out forageing had been cut off. In 30 minutes we were in line & out yz a mile from camp ready to go at it. We only wanted them to come. We had done some hard marching to find a fight and now we were anxious to have it. Here we remained about half an hour when word came that the news was all false. Some fellow had got scared & magnifyed it to a big truth. Now for our march! At 2 A M Wednesday we fell in & started towards the Gap. There were two particular objects in this move. We were to bag a party of about 2000 Rebles out about 8 miles & then march on to the Gap. Two roads started out from the camp runing up the valey 3 or 4 miles apart, so?' One Brigade went the right hand road cuming into the main Gap road on the cross road just beyond the the Reble camp. The rest of the division came on the main road, intending engage them the others came up on the other side & bag the whole thing. But just as we were going to put the salt on the birds tail, the way she went. They had just left that morning, their fires were still burning. Here we rested & the boys scoured the grounds tired as they were. Picking up Secesh papers & C & C. Not finding them here we pushed on to the Gap, which place we came in sight of about 4 P.M. The white tents were shining in the sun, & had all the appearance of a lively camp. But we had heard from every person along the road that it had been evacuated that 64At this point occure a small drawin indicating the valle roads and the positions of the Confederate and bnion campa at Cumterland Gap. 174 Indiana Magazine of Histow morning. Just at this time It began to thunder & lightning & the big black clouds came rolling over the Mt. Soon the rain began to pour down, & for two hours nearly, it soaked us to the hide. When it stopped raining we were within 3 miles of the Gap. The sun came out & the most beautiful rain bow appeared that I ever saw. It appeared so close & so perfect. The end didnt seem to be more than a hundred yards off. We now went for 2 miles through a thick woods where we couldnt see the works at the gap at all. We were tired & worn out, we had had but one cracker the whole day. But we all at once came right out in full view of the Gap, & all its works. The boys sent up one cheer that made the woods ring. It cheered them up & they moved on with a quick spirited step. We now began to get into the clearing where they had cut the timber out & all the hills to the right were surrounded with heavy rifle pits. A lively appearance was presented as we arrived in the little valey just at the Gap. Two brigades & two batteries had arrived before us, being in advance. Decorsies Brigade & Fosters battery had on arriving gone up into the Gap & were firing a saloot. Because they were in advance & arrived first, they claimed the taking of Cumberland Gap. Straight before us on the far side of the valey were the Reble winter quarters neat log huts built in rows. Well roofed with good chhneys & doors & windows. The boys began ransacking them immediately, Getting good bedsteads, tables, chairs, stools, & C & C. The Rebles had left all their tents, but had slit them from top to bottom. They had left them all standing, so as to deceive us I suppose. Worn out from the 20 miles march I could not visit the works that night, so tumbled down on the ground, & slept soundly, although it rained. As soon as we got our breakfast Lt Whitson & my self started to make the trip A perfect swarm of soldiers had been going up & coming down all morning. We met some with good ovens & lids, others with flour some with lard, crackers & C & C. We went around their works with our eyes open. Here was one part of Military art that we had never seen before. I cant describe it on paper. Here all the art & science of military art had been displayed. Every point that guarded a hundred yards of space was fortifyed by rifle pits, breast works, & C. They had left 5 canons, all 60 lbrs I believe. two of them had rolled over the abrupt bluff,but have since been pulled up & all are now Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 176 unspiked & ready for use. Any number of shot & shell, grape & canister lay about. Some of the shell were loaded. Some man carried one home with him down by the ford, his children were playing with it & it exploded, shattering the mans leg. He died about a week or two after from it. They had left nothing in their magazines at all. They had destroyed a great deal of lard & bacon, & flour by emptying it into a big well. Out of this the boys took a great quantity. Here at the Gap is a big Grist mill run by water from a big spring cuming right out of the side of the Mt Also a big forge & foundry, 3 or 4 houses & a store. One big two storied white frame house. There is another thing of particular interest here that has tended to divert our minds from the dull, weary monotiny of camp life. That is a large cave in the side of the Mt about 150 feet above the Va. road.e6 It has been visited by nearly everyone in our Regt & by a great many in other Regts, & a great many fine specimens have been taken out. Lt Col Henderson sent home as fine a collection as I ever saw. I have also sent home a small collection. I was in it several times, also in several other caves on top of the Mt A real interesting description might be given of this cave by a good writer, but as I dont profess to be such I shall not attempt it. I have been in the Mammoth cave Ky. and several smaller ones, but never have I found one so beautiful as this, nor half so fine. High guttered, fluted columns, the color of rich honey comb Colums of stelagmites most magnifficent, and beautiful. One column about 30 or 40 feet high & about 12 or 15 feet in diameter at the base we called “the tower of Bable.” The ceiling glittered with thousands of pure white steactights [stalactites] each with a drop of water on its point. One room was full of pure white knotty formations, another, chamber adjoining it, full of pure white smooth formations. One big chamber covered about an acre & a half of space. We could not throw across it, nor throw nor see to the top. The rocks seemed to have tumbled in from the top from some great concussion earthquake or something forming a perfect conglomerated mass of big rough ugly rocks. In this chamber I got lost. I had very foolishly gone in by my self & if some of the boys hadnt have come in after me, I probubly would have staid there by my self. but I have writen a descrip- 68 Powell’s Valley road. 176 Indkm Magazine of History tion of this and of the other caves, home so I will take no more time for it now. The Mts here are full of caves, are all hollow. & Some day I want to come down here & explore them. Cumberland Gap, Camp on top of the Mt Friday August. 22nd 1862. Summer has almost gone by and my journal has been laying quietly in my knapsack. A great many things have happened throughout the general Government, through out the army, & right here in our own division. But here its the same old tune, every soldier knows it. I dont care what part of the army he is in. About the 1st of July we moved out on the TazewelP road & camped near a fine large spring. It was the best camp we have ever had. 4th of July passed off like a Sunday, there was nothing to do, & the boys, mostly went out in the country, & to the Gap & other camps &c. So the camp was left perfectly still, & I was very glad of it too for I was not well & prefered to keep still. We went on a 3 days forageing expedition into V.A. Also on one out to Tazewell. The last expedition there under Col Decorcey had quite a little fight with the rebles. I believe 3 were all we lost on our side. I was sick about 2 or 3 weeks, part of the time quite badly, in fack for 4 or 6 weeks after I was lost in the cave I was not well. I got perfectly chilled through. About the 1st of Aug false alarms got to be all the go. We were called out nearly every night. One night we thought they were coming sure. We were ordered to strike our tents & take them off & hide them. This was about 2 or 3 oclock in the morning. The sick were all started off to the gap in ambulances & we waiting for them to come up, but nury came. So a little after day light we were ordered to pitch tents again. This is the way soldiering goes, hard enough, any man knows. On the 8th or 9th I believe it was about 2 oclock in the morning we were yelled out & ordered to strike tents & pre- pare to move. This didnt suit us for we hated to leave our camp, as a man hates to leave a good home. In fact a good camp is home. We had but 2 wagons, all the rest had gone after forage. So it took longer to move. But we finally got our things all off & then moved ourselves, to the gap & camped right on 66 Tazewell, Tennessee. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 177 the slope of the foot of the Mt just below the VA road under the canons on top of the Mt. How different soldiers live after they have been out 6 or 8 months. The first 6 months they are out, they dont know nothing, dont know how to make a bed, dont know how to cook, or fix for a march, or shift at all. They sleep on the ground & live more like hogs than any thing else. But now our men are above sleeping on the ground. They know how to shift they live well, under the circumstances. We moved to the gap about noon & before night v3 of the whole Regt had him a good bed made from one to two feet from the ground, fixed up as though they knew we would stay here a month or two. Here we had the best bed we have ever had yet. Last Sunday the 17th the Rebles made their appearance at Powels river quite early, drove in our pickets & advanced as far as Pattersons, showing themselves 2 or 3 Regts strong out in the fields. Mondays cavelry pitched into thema7pretty strongly, keeping them on a short lookout. The long roll beat & the different Regts were all out in a few moments. Orders were to strike tenta right where they were, & in 5 minutes every tent laid low. We took position right up back of our camp on a steep hill side, or the steep slope of the foot of the Mt Artilery was flying here & there & taking position Generals, Col’s, Aids, Orderlies, & C & C, were riding here & there to & fro as light as their horses would go. It began to look like something was up. The old 30 lbr right over us & the one on the opposite Mt would speak out every few moments and send a despatch over to the Rebles in the shape of a shell. Whiz they would go, singing through the air. The Rebles were firing also, but at Mondays camp. They did no harm! We were ordered to take 80 rounds of cartridges in our haversacks making 120 in all, a regular magazine. In about an hour we came back to camp & in 3 minutes every tent was up again, & we laid down on our beds & took it easy, the canon all the time barking away. When the Rebles would shoot the boys would all yell out, guardhouse guardhouse put him in the guardhouse. A fellow by the name of Colwell MajorsB8was detached from our Co to the Siege battery that was firing, & every time she would belch out the boys would yell out, give it to em Majors, give em hell, 67 Here occur two pages of drawings with the caption “Cumberland Gap Tenn Side.” 68 Private Caldwell Majors, Company E, Thirty-third Regiment. 178 Indknu Magazine of History Colwell, give em another Colwell. We didnt know what moment the shells might come rattling over into us, nor didnt care. That evening we were ordered to strike tents, & the Regt moved out the Harland lV2 miles on the Ky. side of the Mt It is an awful rough road runing right out the spur of the Mt. The Col had picked out a most beautiful camp ground right in the woods, wagons were scarce & our things did not get up that night, we had but a cracker apiece. I munched down a half a cracker & rolled in my blanket, under some trees, & never slept better. The difficulty of getting water here was the only thing that made this a bad camp. Next day our cooking utensils came out but not our tents. So we laid around until afternoon, waiting either for our tents or the Rebles when we received orders to march back to the Gap & Decorceys & brigade came & camped where we were, & are there yet. We camped right up on the Mt. & an awful hard time we had geting our things up. Cumberland Gap September 5th The Companies were scattered about wherever they could find ground. Our Co got right where the Rebles had leveled out places for tents. This saved work. We picked out a fine place for our tent & Montgomery & I took possession of a Secesh bed that was already made. Here it was dreadful hard to get water. Such a task as I never want again. But it was not our luck to remain in one camp long, so in about a week we were moved down below just above the battery in the gap. & here we are yet. Just inside of the long rifle pit running up from the gap. It is the dustiest dirtyest camp we have ever had. Wood & water are both hard to get. We have been out on two or 3 forageing expeditions since we have been blockaded with the expectation of a fight each time, but narg fight do we find. That is we dont go quite far enough out, & the Rebles wont come quite far enough in. This dividing line is gagued by our 30 lb Parrotts on top of the Mt. they can do fine execution from 3 to 4 miles. We are afraid to go out side of their range for fear of being cut off for they have a heavy force, & they are afraid of getting inside of our range for they know that we can cut them all to pieces with artilery & infantry. Last Sunday the 31st of Aug we started out early 68 Harlan, Kentucky. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 179 to capture a big lot of wheat 3 or 4 miles out, but when we got to the bottom of the hill we were halted & about faced & marched back to quarters. The Gen had just got word that the Secesh had stepped in & taken it just the night before. We marched back & had inspection, but before we were through with this were ordered out again. As we marched down the hill the canons on the hill commenced firing away at a rapid rate, we thought there was something up sure, & the boys yelled out with joy. The roads are awful dusty, we have had no rain for 3 weeks. We marched down the valey road about 1% miles, & deployed in ambush. 2 or 3 canons had gone up on a point of a hill & those & the canons on the Mts threw their shell thick & fast. But I believe they availed but little. We were only out 2 or 3 hours But when we got back to camp, I was never more fatigued from a days march. Times are awful dulI here. All the talk is about half rations & sur- rendering. Next Sunday will be 3 weeks since we have been blockaded & have been on half rations. We have done finely until now. This morning we drew our last flour, a pound a piece. This is the last. When this is gone, beans, rice, & mixed vegetable soup will have to form our feed. Also v2 rations of bacon. It is pretty slim, but not near as hard as those at home would think. All I am afraid of is that those at home will fret & think that we are starving. It is all the talk, But no one is scared yet, or but few. 3 or 4 are in our tent now discussing the probability of surrendering & being parolled or retreating & leaving every thing. We can stand it until about a week from next Sunday. We can hold the place as long as we have got feed. Hundreds of reports go the rounds every day. About the last is that Lu Wa11ace70 has advanced & drove the Rebles this side of Barboursville. But I believe nothing unless I here it officialy or see it my self. We bring in some prisoners every day. Some come in & give themselves up. Tenn recruits also come in But the fewer the better of them just now. Cumberland Gap Sunday Sept. 14th 1862. Yesterday things began to look as though some move was to be made of some sort, but the fortifying still went on. Reports have come in that the Rebles are in Lexington & Frankf~rd,~~& if this be the case, we know we cannot remain 70 Major General Lew Wallace, well known Indiana author. 71 Frankfort, Kentucky. 180 Indiana Magazine of Historg here many days longer. Today the thing seems more certain An order has been read, that the pickets for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday shall be picked men. Men are at work drilling the rock on the Va. Road & on the Ky. Road in order to blow them up & blockade them. We dont expect to remain here many more days. Grub is geting most awful short. We have had no bread for a week & over except some corn bread made from meal we grate. Nearly every mess has a grater & you can hear them going at all times of day & night, like so many saw mills. But corn is very scarce, we have to go from 4 to 8 miles to get any. We have gone 5 days without a bit of bread. Montgomery got a few potatoes this week & have served us well. Bake them in the stove. Soup is our principal food. We have to be careful & work every thing in so as to make our rations hitch. But not a night passes but I see men go to bed with a hungry belly. Cumberland Gap Monday Sept 15th The feature of things has slightly changed today But I think will not last long. Last night an order was read stating that Seigle had gained a great victory between Louisville & Frankford & perfectly demoralized & scattered that portion of the Reble Army & that we would not leave the Gap for some ten days at least. At this the boys cheered greatly for none want to leave. So this morning the fatigue men were detailed as usual & diging & shoveling went on. Tuesday 16th Sept. Cumberland Gap Last night the 4th Tenn Regt. CoZ Johnson were drawing new guns at the Commissary, and kept up a continual yelling & noise so that I could hardly sleep. This morning as soon as it was light I looked across to the Commissary to see what was going on & saw the large square hole dug in the side of the Mt for a magazine was filled half full of guns. I knew the thing was all up now. I knew we would never remain in the Gap 10 days nor three. Men were beginning to move to & fro & every thing seemed to be geting in a hubub. Some of our boys had been over & were bringing away straps & new parts of ringing [rigging?]. After breakfast I went over. The magazine was one conglomerated mass of all sorts of guns, pitched in from the top, some in boxes never opened & which had smashed scattering the new bright barrelled pieces in all sorts of shapes. Others had been pitched in from the top by Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 181 arm loads. Here were Springfield rifles Enfield rifles Belgium rifles Prusian rifles, French carbines Tennessee rifles Greenwood muskets & every other kind made almost. All new & serviseable, none costing less than $14. & some as high as $40. I suppose there were 1500 in this hole. I passed on into the commissary where hundreds of soldiers had collected. At the far end the accoutrements for small arms & cavelry were stacked in boxes to the top of the building. The top of these were covered with boys with axes & hatchets prying of [f] the lids & sling the contents to the hundreds that stood around. They were yelling & talking & grabing & snatching & the greatest excitement existed As fas[t] as one box was emptied it was pitched off & another opened. The Infantry were geting new cartridge boxes belts & straps. Cavelry & artilery were geting new bridles, girths, mart- ingales sword knots & c. As it was a general pitch in I availed myself of the opportunity & got me a new rig out & out except the gun. A great many of our boys that had no guns or guns out of rig got new ones of the same calibre. Nearly every officer got him a Springfield or an Enfield rifle or any other kind they wanted it was a free pick. But this high slashing destructive operation soon got to such a pitch that the officers had to put a stop to it, & a guard was placed over the things. But with an order from their Captain or a commissioned officer with them, any one could get every thing he wanted. This afternoon I took 10 men & loaded 7 wagons of ammuni- tion. We were ordered this morning to cook two days rations & be ready to march at any time. But this was a very slight job as we had very little to cook. Beef was all. Our beans & rice we could not carry cooked. We had a little corn which we grated & bi[?] & baked. Montgomery & I made us some little bags out of an old fly, one for beans, one for rice, one for salt & one for sugar. Modrell is sick & is in the Hospital & I am afraid will be left & be taken prisoner so there is but the three from our mess. We have each put a tin plate & knife & fork in our haversack, & each a chunk of bacon. I have the little tin bucket fastened to my knapsack 8t John72has the little coffee pot. We also have about 29$ qts of ground coffee in a sack, this is our main dependance. Night. Every thing is now ready. We have been notified that we will march at 72 Probably Corporal John Montgomery. 182 Indhu Magazine of History 4 in the morning. Our canteens are resting quietly full of water from the mountain spring, the last canteen full probubly that we shall ever dring from it. tin cups are attached. Haversacks are full, & knapsacks packed all except the blanket. I have just as little in mine as I can get along with. I keep but two shirts, two prs socks & one pr pants & jacket. With but few little extraes. I have burned my letters except one or two. Our mess chest & stove have to be left They have become bosom friends, old friends that have served us well through long tedious marches. There are all of our dishes (except what we carry) & other little things. Our whole Kitchenary department have to be left to be smashed to pieces to keep the Rebles from geting them. Then our tent, next to a soldiers home, is next to his heart. Although black & rusty with the ware & tare and rains & snows of nearly a years hard servise & leaks a little when it rains. I love its shelter. & there is my bed, although made of Secesh punch- eons, on no bed did I ever sleep sweeter. Here in my soldiers home I have read & slept & dremed, Dreamed of that other home away off in Hoosier. In my dreams I have seen all my friends there & we have talked & laughed together, but I would wake to find it all a dream & I still under canvas. The very flies on the ridge pole have become my companions. If we make good our retreat we will probubly soon get new tents. But it will be like going from an old house where you have long lived, into a new one. Among all the Companies but one trunk is to be taken. (Lieut Maze's) 73 it takes all company books & papers. All others will have to go by the board. Hill has a splendid one. These things will all be smashed & tents riped up by the last that leave the Gap. I hated to leave home, I knew what I had to go through as a soldier. I knew it was a hard life. For 9 months we marched & countermarched through rain & snow mud & water just to take the Gap, & just 3 months ago day after tomorrow we took it. We marched in with empty haversacks & no rations in our wagons. Tired & hungry after a 20 miles march on half a cracker. We have lived on short rations every since & have made the very finest preparations for defense looking forward to a better day coming. But for four weeks now we have been blockaded, & have lived on short half rations. & now just three months 78First Lieutenant John C. Maze, Company D, Thirty-third Regi- ment. Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 183 after we leave it as we took it, with a hungry gut & a lean belly. I say I am sorry to leave it, yes, more so than I was to Ieave home. For we endured so much to take it, & have done so much work & expended so much money on it, that to let it fall into the hands of the Rebles, it seems to me will give them more encouragement than any thing else, besides a new footing. If it would do any good I could shed tears at having to leave it. There is not one of our men but would endure any thing to hold it if there was any hopes beyond. 4 Parrott 30 lbrs have been spiked & hammered. So good by Cumber- land Gap Cumberland Ford, Wednesday Sept 17th/62 I am tired out with a hard days march of 16 miles. We were called up last night at just 12 m & marched out at 11/2 oclock. The road was awful dusty & the day hot. I came nearer giving out to day than I ever did before & the boys generaly are foot sore & lame shouldered. About a half dozen picked up old Government mules along the road so thin you can almost see through them. & have them loaded with knapsacks swung across their backs. belonging to the weakest men. They lead them along with straps & roaps. it is rather amusing to hear the remarks made to them by the boys. The old camp ground & valey at the ford look natural, but are all grown up with rank grass & weeds. As the season has been very dry, water is very scarce. So we have to use river water. I have just been down for water. Right on the bank I passed over the last remains of two old mules. Found 6 or 8 men in swiming about 30 yards above & 10 or 12 washing their feet & hands & faces right where we had to get the water. But we didnt know the differance after the coffee was made. I took a good bathe & washed & dried my socks. Papaws are just ripe along the river & of the very finest quality. I have eaten so many that I am nearly sick. In a fence corner, some where in knox Co. Ky. at the head of Goos[e]creek. (which is dry). Thursday Sept 18th. Just 3 months ago today we marched from Rodgers Gap to Cumberland Gap & today we have marched nearly as far (18 miles) & are as tired. It has been a better day for march- ing than yesterday. It rained just as we started & laid the dust & has been cloudy nearly all day. But some of our 184 Indiana Magazine of History stoutest men had to fall out by the side of the road & rest. I among them for the first time. At Flat lick we took the right hand road leading to Winchester. It is the best Mt road I ever saw, & the country is much better that that we passed through last spring going to the Ford. Corn looks fine, houses look neat & every man has a patch of sugar cane. We had this morning for breakfast a little piece of corn bread & raw bacon, on this we marched all day (also coffee,) and to night we have the same. Goos Creek Salt Works Knox Co Ky. Friday Sept. 19th To day we have marched about 14 miles. The country geting better, it is, rather, a narrow valey. The road runs right down Goos creek. The corn is as fine as any I ever saw in Ind. & houses begin to look civilized. I saw this morning standing in a door a pretty girl, with a neat, stylish red dress on & hoops. The first thing of the kind I have seen for I cant tell how long. It realy done me good. The old Govern- ment pack mules have increased to about 20 or 30, a perfect train. We had for breakfast this morning about 4 spoons full of rice after it was cooked, & some raw meat & coffee. This we marched on all day. We passed two salt works one woods. the other Old Col Garreds about a mile up the creek from here. They were both in opperation & the flores were covered with nice white salt. The creek water is so salty we can hardly use it. Fresh water is scarce. We are camped right between Old Col & young Col Garreds houses which are about v4 of a mile apart. The Old Col is a strong secesh. But his son is strong Union & Col of the 3rd Ky. We drew flour tonight & John Montgomery got it baked up at a house. It was made up with just water & salt & not half done but I thought it was the best bread I ever ate. Some place Saturday forenoon Sept 20th We are with in a mile & a half of Winchester, & are resting here to day. We may remain here several days. The day is very pleasant & a nice breeze blowing This morning we made our flour up with water & salt, made it in thin cakes & baked it on our plates set up before the fire it ate well & no mistake. Also drew fresh beef. They are bringing us to it by degrees, I forgot to state yesterday that Gen Morgan staff & suit passed us about 6 miles from Civil War Journal of Stephen Keyea Fletcher 186 here. As we passed the salt works yesterday I saw a great many darkies, & several of them the very same fellows that I saw leave Crab Orchard the 2nd day of last January singing their corn songs. One fellow, that I saw dance the jigg at Colwells, knew some of our boys, & seemed as glad to see them as a brother. He walked with us about a mile. I am writing under the shade of a big elm tree just across the creek op- posite the camp. The 2nd Tenn & 49th Ind have just come in & passed down on this side of the creek to camp. The 49th came in playing Dixey. Some other Regt went down the other side. Also Fosters Battery. They say that every thing was destroyed before they left the Gap. A lot of the boys are in swiming, & some laying under the shade of the trees along the bank. This elm tree I am siting under is about 7 or 8 feet in diameter. About the largest I ever saw. I am hungry as a wolf, & must go & see if our beef is boiled, & try & worry down a small piece. A Corporel in the Reg by the name of Higgins'" took sick Thursday & died last night The water is very salty & not fit to use. Although last night when we came in, tired thirsty & hungry we pitched into it & cooked & made our coffee of it. Last night while I was asleep with my blanket drawn over my head some fellow took hold of my cut which was fastened to my haversack. In fumbling with the tin he woke me. I threw the blanket from of my head & yelled at him, he slceduddled double quick leaving the cut behind him. he belonged to Co H. One thing I have remarked particular since I have been on this march. That is the dew. it drips from the trees in the morning like rain & our blankets are soaking Tuesday Oct 6th 1862. Sciotoville Ohio We have at last struck the Ohio River & crossed into free soil. It seems like getting home. Here the people come out & greet us with smiling faces & pleasant words, & this cheers us up. Since I wrote up my journal at the salt works the march has been kept up at such a pitch that I have not had time to keep it up & I have forgoten many little interesting incidents that I intended to note down. Saturday evening the 20th Gen Morgan issued an order, stating that we had a long 74 Co oral Richard H. Higgins, of Bartholomew County, Company I, Thirtyxird Regiment, 186 Indhnu Magazine of History tedious march before us. Over a road that was called im- practable & that we would have to go two days on one canteen of water. The case looked pretty billious, but we all were willing to stand any thing, with a prospect ahead of us of geting once more into civilizeation. But we did not find it as bad as expected. The road lay mostly along creek beds & along these pools & holes of water still stood which furnished us with plenty. 8 or 10 miles was the fartherest we had to go without water. We left Sunday noon the 21st marched 14 miles Camped on a little stream about 12 Midnight We passed through Manchester that evening. A little county seat of 6 or 6 houses & a log court house. We started about 4 oclock. 22nd camped at dusk on the east branch of the Ky. river. We had just got to bed when the orderly was called to draw rations. The rations consisted in a little flour bacon & coffee. We had to mix the flour up with water & salt & bake it on our plates before the fire, this took till about 10, & I tumbled down in a fence corner with burnt fingers & aching tired feet. In about half an hour we were called up, to get ready to march, this made the boys sware. It was too bad for we were tired out almost. Boon ~ille?~was 6 miles & we were ordered there. We made this march with but one rest. It was the hardest I ever made, the men droped by the side of the rode & declared they would rather be picked up by the secesh cavelry (who were just in our rear) than to be marched to death. We passed a steam grist mill on the Ky River. the boys yelled & cheered, for it was the first steam machine we had seen in 6 months. We camped in the streets of Boonville until about sun up. It is the county seat of Ousley county, & has a very nice brick court house. Marched 23rd to Proctor, 16 miles on the Ky River middle fork. Here the Secesh had burned a fine steam flour mill that morning. This left the people without any thing. They had to get their meal as we did, by gritting it. We crossed the river & slept in a barn yard all night. We rested until noon the 24th. The road along the river where whe [we] had to go was greatly out of repair, this delayed us greatly & by dark we had got but about 4 miles. The Col told us we could lay down & sleep about 2 hours, or we might be called up any moment. Hill, Montgomery & my 75 Booneville, county Beat of Owsley County. CiVil War Journul of Stephen Keyes Fletcher 187 self went up on the side of the hill to sleep & an English man in our Co by the name of Tommy DelP went above us & layed down behind a beach tree. Hill told him that he would get left when we were called up. But he said there was no danger. In about an hour & a half we were called up in a great hurry. I intended to go & wake Dell But they hurried us out so that by the time I got my things on I had forgotten all about him. The next morning he was missed & has not been heard from since. I suppose the Reble cavelry picked him up, for they followed close at our heals for that purpose. We marched about 5 miles over the worst road I ever saw & it was so dark you could scarcely see your file leader We came up to the rest of our Brigade & camped on each side of the road. The 25th marched at daylight, our Company was rear guard, & we were bothered greatly with the wagons on start- ing. About 3 P.M. we reached the North fork Ky river where we found one of our Reg & the 14th Ky camped in its bed. Here we had to wait until all the train passed. We had an immence hill to climb on the opposite side & the sand was very deep, which made very hard pulling. The men had to shove the nearly empty wagon all the way up. It was long after dark before we moved on. We had to climb the hill or Mt single file to keep out of the way of the wagons. This was very tiresome, & took a long time. We then marched 6 miles down a gradual slope without one halt, & when we saw the camp fires away below us, the men cheered & yelled, although they were completely tired out & hundreds lay along the road in the fence corners. Why Colonels will march their men so I cant tell. They ride & carry nothing we walk & carry all. We received orders on marching into camp to be ready to march at 3 A M Now the same old tune commenced. We had every thing to prepare for next day. No rations were given us. Fences were torn down, fires built, chickens squalled, geese squaked, pigs squealed, & Arm Strong mills were running furiously all through camp. Friday 26th. Started at daylight report came that the enemy were a head 5000 strong. But we reached Hazle green" 12 miles on red river at dark with out molestation. Decorsey 76 Probably Private Thomas Dell, Company K, Thirty-third Regi- ment. 7' Hazel Green, Kentucky. 188 Indiana Magazine of History & SpearsTswere allready in camp. Since we left the Ky River we have struck the ridges, & have one or two very high long bad hills to cross every day. Hazle Green is a dirty little town at a cross roads. Saturday 27th drew a tin of flour to the man. Marched through town, with our Brass band playing. Our Reg is in the rear of our Brigade today & has to help up the wagons. Scouts brought word in that the Rebles had killed 2 or 8 of Decorcies men & had taken all of our cattle, & the Gen thoilght we would be attacked. the train was all run in close together in a little meadow, & we were ordered up double quick. the road was 2 or 3 inches in dust, but we trotted it through a mile & formed a line of battle without once thinking of our hap sacks. The train now came up & was marched through about 5 miles strongly guarded by Re& on each side in rear & front, until we were out of all danger. At noon our Company was put in advance of the train, as advance guard. At dark we were with in 4 miles of West Liberty & the citizens told us that Decorcy was fighting at the town, & soon we could hear the booming of our canon. But as usual it was only shelling the woods. Got into camp at 12 M & slept along each side of the road. Sunday 28th Laid over today. Had nothing to eat & the boys commenced killing hogs at day light. We are right in a secesh County & the boys say the hogs wont take the oath. West Liberty is the county seat, but the people have nearly all left. Monday 29th Were called up at 2 A M & ordered to march at 4, but the trains & artilery were so long geting started that it was near 7 before we got fairly stretched out. Felt fine for marching after a days rest, & made 15 miles. We are now on what is call the open fork of Sandy.T0 They say we will get to the Ohio river in 4 days. Tuesday 30th Marched out at 4 A.M. in about 3 miles, overtook Carterso cuting out the blockade. Ours & Carters’ Brigades were ordered ahead on an other road about 3 miles where a lot of Secesh were camped on a bluff. We drew up 78 Bri adier General James G. Spears, commanding, Twenty-fifth Brigade, fnny of the Ohio. 19 The Little Sandy River. 80 Bri adier General Samuel P. Carter, commanding, Twenty-fourth Brigade, 6,of the Ohio. Civil War Journul of Stephen Key& Fletcher 189 in line of battle & shelled the woods, then climbed the hill over the bluff & scoured it completely. But nary Reble could be found. We then marched across over the hill to the main road It was now after noon & we had made but 5 miles from camp. We had a very hill [high?] hill to cross that day & made 17 miles, camped at 12 M in an old orchard where there was no water. Wednesday Oct 1st Started early, but the road was so blockaded that by noon we had got but a mile or so, here we struck a queer sort of a chanel. It seemed that some great stream of water had one day rushed through the hill & left a chanel from 50 to a hundred yards wide, with perpendicular rock on each side. this rock was full of holes & caves, & hung over forming complete shelters, & large trees grew right out on the edge of the overhanging rocks. here one of our men belonging to Co. D. died & was buried in a beautiful grassy spot under these high rocks. We marched this day but about 6 miles & camped on little Sandy. A gun was accidentaly discharged today in the 3rd Ky Reg. & shot a Corporel & a Lieut. the Corporel was shot through the body & died in a short time. the Lieut leg was shatttered & had to be im- mediately taken off. Thursday Oct 2nd Grayson is but 10 miles a head, the place we have been traveling for, for days & seem to get no nearer to. But at about 2 P.M. we passed the town, & camped about 3 miles this side on little Sandy. It is but 23 miles to the Ohio river & the boys although worn out with forced marches talk more cheeringly, & it seems that they smell free soil, & it enlivens them up as the oxen smell the water 20 miles off when crossing the plaines. We used our old gritters to-night we hope for the last time Friday Oct 3rd. Made a very early start, & marched rapidly. It commenced raining about 9, & rained hard for about 2 hours. But as the road was all sand, right along the bank of little sandy it soon dried up & made splendid march- ing. We began to find Union people all along the road, & they had given away every thing to the troops that passed before us. We marched into Greenupsburgal at 10 P.M. The boys cheering at the thought of once more seeing free soil. Very few stopped for supper, but rolled up in our blankets & were soon a sleep. 81 The present Greenup, Kentucky. 190 Indiana Magazine of History Saturday Oct 4th The boys are strolling the town like so many Boon Countyans. The river is full. The boys are washing all the Tennessee & Ky soil off of them. The canons & teams are fording it is an amusing sight. One Regt had waded.s2 rather a new thing to wade the Ohio river at this point. We drew crackers to day, only half rations. The boys are buying flour & having it baked. Sunday Oct 5th Crossed the river this morning in a small steam ferry, & had to wade nearly a hundred yards on this side. My shoes got knocked off, & I had to take it barefoot. I marched so about 6 miles. My feet were begining to get very sore. One of the boys let me have his shoes & I made the trip fine. The people along the road came out & met us with buckets of water & smiling faces. This made us feel good, & more than once loud cheers went up for the red, white & blue that was waved by some fare hand. At WheelersburgS3 the hole Division was fed, the 2nd time we have ever had any thing given to us since we started out. We got into Sciotoville at dark where we were to take the cars. When we crossed the railroad there was nothing but a confused yell, for it was the first we had seen in 6 months. Monday 6th. Waited all day for the cars to take us to Portland.84Our boys took advantage of the time & all got tight. That is 8 or 10. It was about 4 P.M. when we got off, & arrived in Portland about 9, where I found Mrs Coburn, & Ovid ButlerE5& Frank McCready. We camped 4 miles from town. On Wednesday evening Col C told me there was some one up where his wife was boarding close to camp that wanted to see me, & who should I find but Lucy. This was a happy night to me. I was very anxious to see her. Sunday 12th I have spend a very pleasant week although it has been raining most of the time. I have spent most all the time with Lucy. She starts home in the morning I am sorry to have her go. Our camp is in a very bad place for rainey weather. But we have straw & rail sheds which keep us quite warm & dry. We expect to have tents & clothing soon. It is geting quite cool & we need the clothing much. 82 Here, at the top of the page of the journal, the author has added the words “Rained hard nearly all day.” 88In Scioto County, Ohio. 84 In Meigs County, Ohio. 86 Probably Ovid Butler of Indianapolis.