An Interesting War Record by F. S. Loyd,
of Fredonia, Lieutenant Company H.
Part 8 of 11
Sunday, October 30th, received orders to be ready to move at a moment's warning. We marched out at 9 o'clock, crossing Oscahooca river and passed through Rome, marched out on the Calhoon road and camped about five miles north of Rome.
Monday, October 31, orders to move at 4 o'clock, moved out crossing a large creek (Mill creek) with a large mill on it, passing through Calhoon, moved one mile from town and camped on the side of the railroad for the night, making a march of 17 miles.
Tuesday, November 1st, ordered to be ready to move at 5 a. m. Moved out, crossing Oocanhia river, passing through Rassaca camped one-half mile from town for dinner. Ordered to move at 4 o'clock, joined the brigade, marched until 9 o'clock at night, camped in a field near Tilton. Rained in the evening, dark and muddy, men tired and wet. We marched 12 miles today.
Wednesday, November 2, left camp at 9 o'clock. Our regiment was ordered to guard a wagon train. Marched along on each side of the train, got to Dalton about 1 o'clock, marched about a half mile from town, camped near a large spring near the railroad. Rained nearly all day. Very muddy, men all wet and cold. We taking the Rebels winter quarters, tore them up, made fire for the men to dry their clothing.
Thursday, November 3rd. Our brigade left at 8 o'clock. Our regiment was left at Dalton to take charge of the wagon train of the 8th division. Rained all day constantly. All day in camp, turned very cool in the evening.
Friday, November 4th, laid in camp all day; nothing of any consequence happened today. Went out on picket; raided in the evening. Turned very cool and cleared off. Very big frost.
Saturday, November 5th, came off picket in the morning. Laid in camp all day. Nothing transpired today. Cool and pleasant all day.
Sunday, November 6th, remained in camp all day. Nothing doing today.
Monday, November 7th, remained in camp until 12 o'clock. Received orders to move the wagon [train?] out. It was out on the road. [We?] crossed mill creek the second time today, passing through Buzzard Roost valley, marched on through Tunnel Hill crossing East Chattahoocha creek twice, camped at Ringold on the railroad. Very muddy marching, we made a march of eighteen miles today.
Tuesday, November 8th, started out on the march, crossing Chicamuga creek, marched thro' the Chicamauga battle ground, crossing west Chicamauga, marched on to Missionary Ridge, down to Lookout Valley. Mud six inches deep. Came within two miles of Chattanooga. Rained all day and night. We all voted today and drew clothing. Very wet and disagreeable, making a march of 28 miles. Halted at 2 o'clock p. m.
Wednesday, November 9th, ordered to move at 6 o'clock, and marched through Chattanooga, Tenn., got on the cars, stayed on the cars until 1 o'clock in the rain, the men on top of the cars and flat cars. The muddiest time I ever saw. Started at one o'clock, passing through East Point and Stephensport, Ala. and numerous other places too numerous to mention. Ephrano Brown, Co. B, fell off the cars and was left at Stevenson, Ala. We ran all night. Men very wet and cold on top of the cars.
Thursday, November 10th, arrived at Nashville, Tenn., about daylight, got off the cars, ate breakfast. Orders came that no cars could be had to transport us over the road and we were ordered to move out to camp between the railroads. Remained all night. Cool night, ice one-fourth inch thick.
Friday, Nov. 11th, we were ordered to be ready to start at 12 o'clock. Got on the train, marched down through town, but we did not leave Nashville until 5 o'clock p. m. Rained all night. Passed through Galatin, Franklin and Bowling Green and many other towns on the road. Very cold night.
Saturday, November 12th, still on the train after running all night. We stopped at Elizabethtown, Ky., for dinner. Arrived at Louisville, Ky. at 1 o'clock, got off the train and laid in stock yard until we could get orders. We then marched to the Soldiers' Home and remained all day and night. A great many citizens came to the depot to see our regiment when we arrived. Very cool today.
Sunday, November 13th, laid in Soldiers' Home all day. No orders came for us. Very cool day. No orders. Rain in the night.
Monday, November 14th, still laid in the Soldiers' Home all evening.
Tuesday, November 15th, still lay in Soldiers' Home. No orders yet. Very cool.
Wednesday, November 16th, still laid in camp in Soldiers' Home. Still no orders. Cool nights.
Thursday, November 17th, still in Soldiers' Home; nothing doing and no orders.
Friday, November 18th, ordered to take charge of the military prison. Companies C and K detailed to take charge of the fort and hospital.
Saturday, November 19, taking charge of the prison at 4 o'clock, moved in and relieved the negroes who were guarding. I was officer of the day. Nineteen men on relief, set up all night.
Sunday, November 20th, I was detailed as officer of the provost guard with twenty men to do provost duty under Col. Chas. H. Hanson, provost marshal. We held this position until January 10th, when I was relieved to make out our muster-out roll. After I got them completed we were mustered out January 17th, 1865, after serving three years and three months and seventeen days. We were paid off and all the boys bought them a new citizens' suit and we boarded a large steamer guarded by a gunboat, and started down the Ohio river, got into an ice gorge above Warsaw and had to lay until the gun boat broke the gorge loose. After floating with the ice ten or twelve miles we were able to turn the wheels, ran down to Ford's Ferry, got off and took it afoot for home, got to Marion about dark, ate supper at the old White hotel on the corner of Ford's Ferry and Salem street it was called then. Started for home now, where Caseyville[?] is. The rest of the boys all scattered out at Marion except the Deboe boys. We came home together and I have lived in Crittenden county and Caldwell county ever since.
(Continued in Next Issue.)
