of
beautiful springs, but after that the country was more level, of red
clayey soil. We passed some fine fields but a large portion of it is in
its wild state waiting for the hand of enterprise and industry to
convert it into productive fields of wealth. Halted at Cypress Mills
half an hour at 3 o'clock. Watered our horses in creek of same mill. A
good water power here which used to move a large cotton factory owned by
the furious rebel John Morgan. The factories were burned last May by
Colonel ---- as they were manufacturing for the C. S. A. The people here
were represented to be all Union people. Squads of factory girls were
strung along the road, some of them good looking, others passable. An
old woman did good business selling milk at 5 cts. a drink. Many of them
wore Union badges and inquired for the Alabama Cavalry. This was three
miles from Florence and we reached it by 4 P. M. Went into camp on the
outskirts of the town. A beautiful college located here, three stories
high, of brick, and built after the manner of ancient castles. Tuscumbia
is on the other side of the Tennessee River. A branch R. R. five miles
long formerly connected the two places. Rebs represented to be at
Tuscumbia in force and to shoot every blue "breech" they see on this
side. R. Randolph captured by rebs and paroled. He was detailed to go
with forage train in the evening, strayed off, and was gobbled up by a
couple of cavalry. Paroled and sent back. He arrived in camp after night
completely worn out. His parole was not properly drawn, and will not be
respected by our authorities. 2nd Brigade moved out at 5, after drawing
five days' rations from Division teams. We have forty-seven miles to go
in the next two days.

En route, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Called out at 3 A. M., and I thought it was
no more than ten as I was very sleepy. At 5 A. M. we moved out, marched
through the sleeping town with drum and fife playing, colors flying.
Florence like most southern towns, is built with due regard to elegance
and comfort, roomy sidewalks with spacious door yards filled with fine
shrubbery and trees. Took a northerly course and marched twenty miles
with no unnecessary delays and very fast. The infantry many of them
falling back long before night; frequent rests were given of about
twenty minutes in length. Crossed Shoal Creek at 10 A. M. A fine bridge
over it built on stone piers and carefully enclosed, the stream about
100 yards wide, shallow but very sw