n to
London, some three miles distant.

We reached London about noon of the same day, and took our bivouac in a
large field on the outskirts of the town. Some of the brigade arrived the
night previous, having been pushed forward, from a report that the enemy
were advancing on the place. This, however, proved false. But we at once
took up good positions, and made preparations to resist any attack.
Detachments were sent out to reconnoiter, but without discovering any
signs of the Rebels. They had retired to their old quarters at Cumberland
Gap.

The country around London is rough and mountainous, and the people are
mostly of the poorer class. They are generally loyal to the "old flag."
The population of the town is about five hundred. Most of the inhabitants
had fled on the approach of the Rebel army, but returned to their homes on
our arrival. The buildings are, for the greater part, rickety affairs.
There are but few good houses in the place. The stars and stripes, which
had been torn down by vandal hands, were again raised, when the people
were addressed by those noble patriots, Andy Johnson and Horace Maynard,
both of Tennessee.

After remaining here quietly for two weeks, we changed our camping ground,
moving about a mile west of the town, the officers thinking it to be a
more desirable place for the purpose. But ere the tents had been pitched,
an order came to cook three days' rations, and be prepared to march early
in the evening. All wondered what was up, and various were the
conjectures. The most reasonable supposition was, that we were going to
attack the enemy. What was our surprise, when, on forming into line, to
find ourselves faced towards Wild Cat.

At last came the word to march. Regiment after regiment fell into line as
we filed past, for our battery was to take the lead. Soon the entire
brigade was in motion. Wild Cat was reached and passed, but forward was
the order. It was now past midnight, with the moon shining brightly. Rock
Castle river was crossed; and after marching some two miles further we
came to a halt. In the meantime the moon had sunk beyond the western
hills, and it was now quite dark. Fires were built, around which we
gathered and patiently waited for daylight. Our brigade was strewn along
the road for miles, and their watch-fires streamed brightly athwart the
gloom, but all was quiet, save the mournful hoot of an owl perched in the
neighboring forest, and the measured tread of the se