ere on the move. We had
proceeded but a short distance when we were ordered back, and the old
by-word came again in play, that we were only going to water our horses.
Back to camp we went. It seemed as if those in command were diverting
themselves at our expense. The next day we were permitted to remain in
quiet. But at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 30th July, we were all
aroused out of a sound sleep with the old oft-repeated order to get ready
to march. Soon all were actively engaged in preparing to move. At
daylight, after drinking a cup of slops--denominated coffee--and devouring
some mouldy hard bread, we patiently awaited the order to march.

It had now commenced raining, and in a short time was pouring down
heavily. No word came to move. And thus we stood, hour after hour, and
received a thorough drenching. Finally, about noon, were ordered to
unharness horses, but to hold ourselves in readiness to move at any
moment. Here was a piece of great military strategy displayed.

Finally, on the morning of August 1st, we succeeded in making a start. At
5 o'clock were on the road leading to McMinnville, over which a part of
our battery had before traveled. The forces with us consisted of the
Eighth and Twenty-first Kentucky and Fifty-first Ohio Infantry, together
with a part of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry. General Nelson headed the
column. A much larger force had preceded us a few days previous. It was
rumored that there was a large force of the enemy at McMinnville, and the
object of the present expedition was to drive them out. Their number was
variously estimated from five thousand to forty thousand. We marched the
first day as far as Woodbury, a distance of twenty miles, and camped for
the night near one of our old quarters.

Early next morning, as usual, again on the move. Another "cock and bull"
story was going the rounds, but little heed was given it. At 6 P. M. of
the second day, August 2d, we entered McMinnville, but instead of finding
a large Rebel force, we found only the residents. As near as could be
ascertained, there had been some three hundred Rebel Cavalry in the place,
who had said "good-bye" on our approach.

We pitched tents near our former camping ground. The next day, which was
Sunday, we were allowed to rest. It was said that the Rebels, some eight
thousand or ten thousand strong, were camped nine miles distant, on the
Sparta road. Our force numbered about twelve thousand. At dark, that
night, r