Creek on the 6th, wading it
seventeen times, and encamped on Taylor's Farm, within two miles of
Floyd's Camp. The severe frost of that night did much mischief in the
wet socks of the soldiers while sleeping in the open air. It was
amusing, in the latter part of the night, to see the men racing about
camp at more than double-quick to prevent their feet from freezing. The
heavy rains rendered it impossible to convey bread to the army, and
famine stared them in the face. When, at last, a few sacks of hard bread
were brought through, and the very crumbs counted out to secure fair
division, those crumbs were more delicious than the most costly
preparations of food on royal tables.

[Sidenote: Pursuit of Floyd.]

After six days the regiment moved on a few miles farther to the rear of
the rebel camp, passing over a high mountain in zigzag lines of single
rank, which gave the appearance of "Bonaparte crossing the Alps." While
this part of the army was sleeping, in the early part of the night of
the 12th, Gen. Floyd quietly passed by on the Fayetteville pike, not
more than four miles distant. As soon as he had securely accomplished
this feat for himself, and defeat for Gen. Rosecrans, all the Union
forces were put in pursuit. It was continued until the close of the
following day, with no decided result but a skirmish, in which Col.
Croghan of the Second Georgia Cavalry, was killed, with a few of his
men, and a few prisoners were taken.

Being without blankets and bread, the soldiers gladly heard the sonorous
voice of Adjutant DeForest, just after the terrific thunder shower at
midnight, commanding them to "fall in," to return. They were then far
out in the State towards Raleigh. Floyd has never since been seen in
Western Virginia. The next thing heard of him was his stealing away from
Fort Donelson.

It was at the close of the next day that the Seventh had a feast. Having
marched back four miles past Fayetteville, the men found an abundant
supper of boiled pigs, prepared by the blanket guards. After so many
days of semi-fasting, this tender meat gave a relish which cannot be
appreciated by those who are accustomed to sit at loaded tables. That
night, too, was refreshing after two sleepless ones, though the heavens
did let fall a sheet of snow four inches deep upon the shelterless men.

The 17th of November saw the Seventh Ohio again in its quarters at
Charleston. The men found that a canvas tent was a palace.

While ta