ent means of transportation. At 3
o'clock the entire force were in motion. None but the officers in command
knew our destination. We crossed the river, and found ourselves on the
road to Altamont, Winchester, and other towns. Marched six miles, and, at
9 o'clock, halted for the night. It being late, and over a mile to where
we could obtain water, and as all were tired and sleepy, we went to bed
supperless--our beds being mother earth. Started early in the morning for
Altamont, without breakfast. Proceeding two miles we came to water, and
now supposed we would have a chance to cook our rations. But no; as soon
as the horses were watered, "forward" was the word, and we must obey. This
command caused much grumbling. Two more weary miles were passed, when we
again halted for a couple of hours; but no water was to be had here, so we
were obliged to content ourselves with some dry, hard bread for breakfast.
We finally got started again, and after going a short distance another
halt was made, caused by the road being blockaded by the wagons. We at
once turned into the woods on our left, and encamped. Remained here until
daylight, and were once more ordered forward. Arrived at McMinnville at 11
A. M., and proceeded to our old camping ground, having been absent two
days, and accomplished nothing. This was on August 26th. With the
exception of an alarm, caused by some of the cavalry firing their guns
just outside the lines, a few days after our return from the above
expedition, nothing of note occurred until September 3rd.

On the morning of September 3d--being just one month from our arrival--we
took our departure from McMinnville. After the usual delay, we were on the
move, and headed for Murfreesboro. For the past month we had been deprived
of all communication with home, and had scarcely seen a paper. As a matter
of course, we knew but little of what was transpiring in regard to the
war. We could not even tell for what purpose we were ordered on, or what
our destination. We marched about twelve miles this day, and then camped
in a large open field. During the morning we passed the place where a
skirmish had taken place between some of our troops and a party of Rebels,
a few days previous. The Union force had succeeded in routing the enemy,
but several of their men were captured. We remained in this camp until the
next morning, and again started. At noon passed through Woodbury, and at
night camped at Readyville, having marched