Longstreet was now no longer a possibility.
In the meantime, the siege of Knoxville was pressed with ardor by the
forces under Longstreet, and Burnside found himself in close quarters.
Having disposed of Bragg, General Grant determined to send a force,
under Sherman, to the relief of Knoxville. Our division formed a part
of this force.

Early on the 28th of November, bleak and cold, Sherman began his
northern march through East Tennessee, to the assistance of the
beleaguered city. On its route to Knoxville, our division passed near
Cleveland on the 29th, and on December 1st, crossed the Hiawassee
river. Marching on, it arrived at a point on the Little Tennessee
opposite Morgantown, on the 4th, and crossing, marched up the river
four miles when orders were countermanded; then, countermarching,
recrossed the river at Morgantown--Longstreet having abandoned the
siege, and hastily retreating towards Virginia.

The object of the expedition now being accomplished, the army began its
return march on the 7th of December. General Jeff. C. Davis had orders
to march to Columbus by way of Madisonville. On its return, the
division passed through Madisonville, on the first day's march, leaving
the Eighty-sixth Illinois to garrison it during the night. The regiment
lived well while here, nearly every family being set to work baking
corn-bread, cakes, and such. It passed a pleasant night with the good
folks of this inland village, only regretting that it could not remain
longer and enjoy more of their forced hospitality.

Leaving Madisonville, the regiment plod on after the division, marching
the distance of twenty-five miles, through mud and rain, reaching the
Conasauga Mills about ten o'clock on the night of the 8th, when the
division was encamped. No Eighty-sixth man will be so recreant to the
memories of the past as to forget this day's march. And no one will
forget the manly action of our Colonel on this occasion, who, to
encourage his men, trudged along through mud and rain, allowing his
wearied boys to ride his horse by turns. The division remained encamped
near these mills one week, living fat on corn-meal, molasses and pork.

On the 15th, it again took up the march, bound for Chattanooga, and
arrived there in the afternoon of the 18th, after a toilsome march. Our
brigade was detained several hours, waiting to be ferried over the
Tennessee. It was very late at night when the Eighty-sixth effected a
crossing, and when once