CHAPTER XI. General Sherman's command-Marching orders-Camp at Jacinto -Camp at Iuka-Payment of the Regiment-On Picket-Foraging-Troops leaving Juka-Standing in the rain-March to Eastport-Crossing the Tennessee-Camp on the hill side-The Regiment divided into detatchments-Baily Springs-Sergeant Hackney whipped by a woman—' -The Seventh on the left flank -The wild rocky country-Arrival at Pulaski, Tennessee-The trip to Columbia, Tenn.-Return to Pulaski-Trip to Corinth after the division, camp and garrison equipage-Encountering Roddy and Johnson-Camp at Waterloo-Camp at Hamburg Landing-Companies sent to Corinth-Returning to Pulaski, Tenn.-Fray at Waynesboro with the Fifth Tennesssee Union Cavalry-Arrival at Pulaski-Lieutenant Robert's trip to Eastport, Tennessee River His narrow escape, and safe return to Pulaski-The expedition to Lawrenceburg-The loyal ladies of the South-The Veteran propositions-The pulse of the Seventh-Re-enlistment-The cry for the mustering officer-His arrival--The Regiment mustered as Veterans. Gen. Sherman's command for the last week has been thronging Corinth, and moving on towards Iuka. Marching orders is now the cry in camp. Four o'clock Р. м. we are in the saddle with three days' rations. General Dodge's entire command is now in motion. Our regiment moves on the road leading through Jacinto, Mississippi, to Iuka. Nine o'clock in the evening we go into camp at Jacinto. Monday, 26th.-This morning at two o'clock the bugle's blast is heard and soon the regiment is moving towards Iuka. At daylight we come to a halt one and a half miles from Iuka where we tie up and feed, after which Colonel Rowett proceeds with the regiment to luka, and reports to General Sherman. Companies A, B, C, D, E, G and K, go into camp in the woods west of Iuka. Companies H, I and F, under the command of Captain Johnson, pass through Iuka and go into camp as an out-post, on the road leading south. Wednesday, 28th.-Rumor has it that the regiment will be paid off to-day, and for once rumor proves correct. Captain Johnson receives orders to report with his detachment to regimental headquarters. the afternoon the regiment is paid. In Thursday, 29th.-To-day the sullen roar of artillery is heard in the front, towards the Tennessee river. The troops are soon in motion. Sherman and staff are now leaving Iuka for the advance; the conjectures are that a storm is brewing down by the Tennessee. Sherman is now moving with his army to form a junction with General Rosecrans, and the probabilities are that Bragg will attempt to check him. Friday, October 30th.-This morning a portion of the Regiment is placed on picket duty. It is now raining. The winds blow coldly. The day is waning. A dismal night is approaching. Amid the falling elements, chilly and drear, the Seventh boys are now standing, but all seem in fine spirits. "Their hearts beat high," "And they heed not the wild wind's wailing cry." About midnight some of of Colonel Spencer's First Alabama Union regiment arrive at our lines—a sergeant and four privates, who got cut off from their command during Spencer's late fight with the rebel General Furgeson, and have ever since been brushing it. It is now "Past the midnight hour, and we long to hear Ah! here they come, and now we can keep Saturday, 31st. This morning, after being relieved we return to camp, dry our clothes, and seek some rest. All quiet to-day. Sherman is now making his base at Eastport, Tennessee, whither the transports are now moving. Sunday, November 1st, 1863.-This morning companies C, G and H, commanded by Major Estabrook, go out on a foraging expedition. We go about three miles-load our wagons with corn, fodder and sweet potatoes, and strap all we can to the mules, and then start for camp. Entering camp the detachment reminds us of what might be called a moving "fodder panorama." Wednesday, 4th.-This morning companies H and A escort the Second Michigan Battery out to the camp of the Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. Rumor has it now that the troops will all leave Iuka in the morning for Eastport, Tennessee river. All are in confusion this evening. Considerable excitement amongst sutlers and "civilians," for the order has come for the command to move to-morrow, at 7 a. M. Thursday, 5th.-The bugle blows at early dawn, all are soon up and prepared to move; it is now raining in torrents. All the infantry are now in motion. During the morning the Seventh stand in the rain, expecting to move every minute. We wait and wait; mid-day is now passed and the Seventh still at Iuka. After this standing in the rain all day waiting for an order to move forward, we receive orders to unsaddle and remain another night, and in consequence the Seventh are far from being in a good humor this evening. Friday, 6th.-This morning, the troops being all gone, we leave Iuka for Eastport, where we arrive about noon. The troops are now busy crossing the river. We go into camp for the night with orders. to be ready to cross early in the morning. Saturday 7th.-This morning the Seventh is aroused early. Cross in twenty minutes is now the order. We feed and proceed to the river and halt to await our time. The twenty minutes have now grown to hours. We succeed in getting across the river by noon, where we go into camp, feed, and eat our dinners. The last of the army is now across the Tennessee, moving on towards the front, the Seventh bringing up the rear. We move out about eight miles and go into camp on the side of a large hill (no other place being found where we could tie our mules.) After feeding, and eating our supper, we remove some of the larger rocks and make "our beds." We all lie down, but it is with difficulty that we maintain our position. We predict that by morning we shall be down at the foot of the hill. All is still now. Nothing is heard save the watchful sentry's quiet tramp. Saturday, 8th.-We are aroused early this morning. We are made to conclude that the Seventh is indeed a tenacious regiment, to have held their position so well on this hill-side during the night. None are found at the foot of the hill, as was predicted. The mules too have been good in holding their positions. The Seventh being ordered to take the advance, we soon move forward, through north Alabama on the north side of the Tennessee, halt and feed about twelve miles from Florence, after which we move on, and about three P. M. pass through the suburbs of Florence; we march about six miles farther and go into camp. Where the main army is to-night we do not know. the flank, isolated and alone. We are now away off on Monday, 9th. The regiment is to-day divided into detachments and ordered to move on different roads on both flanks of the army. About noon the detachment which we accompany arrives at Baily Springs, one of chivalry's fashionable resorts. But we find none of her devotees pacing the building's dim corridors. War's stern voice has called them away. The springs are beautiful, sparkling with nature's purest liquid-dashing in playful sprays from granite rock. The weary soldiers love so well to linger here-love to kneel at the healing fountain. After feeding we move on our way. Before entering the main road three men from the detachment stop to do |