e part of the Rebel
commanders in this department, which resulted at length in the utter
overthrow of the Rebel army of the Tennessee. General Grant saw at once
the mistake which the enemy had made, and ordered General Burnside to
fall back to Knoxville and intrench, promising reinforcements speedily.
Knoxville was Longstreet's objective. It was the key of East Tennessee.
Should it again fall into the enemy's hands, we would be obliged to
retire to Cumberland Gap. Lenoir's did not lie in Longstreet's path. If
we remained there, he would push his columns past our right, and get
between us and Knoxville. It was evident that the place must be
abandoned; and there was need of haste. The mills and factories in the
village were accordingly destroyed, and the wagon-train started north.

The morning had opened heavily with clouds, and, as the day advanced,
the rain came down in torrents. A little before noon, our division, then
under the command of General Ferrero, moved out of the woods; but,
instead of taking the road to Knoxville, as we had anticipated, the
column marched down the Loudon road. We were to watch the enemy, and, by
holding him in check, secure the safety of our trains and material, then
on the way to Knoxville.

A few miles from Lenoir's, while we were halting for rest, General
Burnside passed us on his way to the front. Under his slouched hat there
was a sterner face than there was wont to be. There is trouble ahead,
said the men; but the cheers which rose from regiment after regiment, as
with his staff and battle-flag he swept past us, told the confidence
which all felt in "Old Burnie."

Chapin's brigade of White's command (Twenty-third Army Corps) was in the
advance; and about four o'clock his skirmishers met those of the enemy,
and drove them back a mile and a half. We followed through mud and rain.
The country became hilly as we advanced, and our artillery was moved
with difficulty. At dark we were in front of the enemy's position,
having marched nearly fourteen miles. The rain had now ceased. Halting,
we formed our lines in thick woods, and stacked our arms,--weary and
wet, and not in the happiest of moods.

During the evening a circular was received, notifying us of an intended
attack on the enemy's lines at nine o'clock, P. M., by the troops of
White's command; but, with the exception of an occasional shot, the
night was a quiet one.

The next morning, the usual reveille was omitted; and, at daybre