After a few minutes conversation, we bade them good night and rode off on our long and uncertain journey. It was quite cold and the ground hard frozen. Wind was keen and cutting, and it seemed that our horses made more than common noise going over the frozen ground. We went up the Franklin Road till we got near the South Union Depot, and, as we had learned at Mr. Proctor's that the enemy was there in a body, we turned to the right about half a mile from the station and crossed the railroad south of it, and went directly to the house of Mr. John McCutchen in order to warm ourselves, as by this time we were extremely cold. It was before day, but we aroused the family and were received kindly. We remained there till after an early breakfast, when we again set out.9
After cautiously feeling our way, and traveling neighborhood roads, we reached, at night-fall, Dickson Beard's home on the edge of Tennessee. The family was “loyal,” but being acquaintances, we were secure. A good night's rest for us and our horses was succeeded by another day's march, or rather ride, through a section of country that, at that time, was full of Major General Don Carlos Buell's Federal forces on their march in pursuit of the retreating Confederate army under General Albert Sidney Johnston. This was in that part of Kentucky and Tennessee between Franklin in the former and Gallatin in the latter State. We traveled by-roads, except the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike, and also the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. After being almost in the midst of the Yankees several times during the day, we, at night, found another safe retreat at the hospitable house of Mr. Thomas Dobbins, a relative of our family who lived at that time, and at this date, near Gallatin, Tennessee.10
This day was Sunday, but “Sunday shone no Sabbath day to us.” Bailey was here taken quite sick with diphtheria, and as a consequence of which we remained for two or three days, the Yankees all the time passing down two roads near us. As soon as he was able to ride, although before he got well, we again set out, going north and east of Gallatin, and, reaching the Cumberland River at Canoe Branch Ferry, we crossed over and proceeded directly and rapidly to Lebanon. We expected to encounter the enemy at Lebanon but found none there, as they had not ventured up that far east of Nashville.
Here we debated as to whether we should go by way of Alexandria and McMinnville and thence to New Market, Alabama, or to go directly to Murfreesboro, and at that place fall in the rear of the Confederate army. The last named route was extremely dangerous, while the other, being further east, was quite safe, although circuitous. We at length determined to go by way of Murfreesboro, and run all risk of encountering the enemy.
Our progress was not very rapid, as we felt our way cautiously and with a good deal of discretion. We had learned to take affairs calmly and were prepared for any emergency. Near Black's Shop we spent the night, and in the morning of the next day we rode into Murfreesboro and found the last of the Confederate soldiers leaving the town. This body of men was the cavalry squadron commanded by John H. Morgan, who at that time was a captain. Here we learned for the first time definite information about the whereabouts of the Confederate army and the place of concentration.11
Major General Don Carlos Buell, commander of the Army of the Ohio. (Library of Congress.)
After leaving Murfreesboro we traveled leisurely, going about thirty miles a day, passing through the towns of Shelbyville and Fayetteville, and on in the direction of Huntsville, Alabama. Then, when we arrived at a point about twelve miles, I think, from Huntsville, we were compelled to stop a day or two on account of rains and high water, the streams being impassable. We concluded, after waiting a few days, during which time the rain continued to fall, to go directly to Decatur, Alabama, on the Tennessee River, and, accordingly, we did so. During the next three days we made our journey to Decatur. We swam a good number of angry streams and had calamities enough to, in some degree, try our nerves. I remember we stayed overnight with a family in a section of the country known as “Nubbin Ridge,” because, I suppose, corn grew in “nubbins” on account of the land being poor, and it was poor too. The next night we stayed with a wealthy planter named, I believe, Bibb, a son, perhaps, of an ex-governor of Alabama. At both of these places we were kindly taken care of, and every attention was paid to us. Bibb lived only a few miles from Decatur, near a place called Mooresville. The day we left Mr. Bibb's we reached Decatur, crossing the Tennessee River on horseback over the railroad bridge which had been prepared for the use of the retreating army.12
We found our old company, the “Guides,” encamped in the suburbs of the place, and once more, amid shouts and cheers, greeted our comrades. Well do I remember the joy which filled my bosom in again seeing my friends, and the pleasure it afforded us all to recount to each other the events which each had experienced during the previous two months. We carried to them the latest information from their friends at home. We told them all we knew about how the Federals were doing in Kentucky and what had transpired after they had left Bowling Green. We told them how we had been captured, how we had escaped, our travels, and everything connected with ourselves from the time of our separation. They in turn told us what had occurred on their retreat, how and what they did at Nashville and everywhere they had stopped. Altogether we had a perfect “jollification.”
The army was at this time concentrating at Corinth, Mississippi. A few days after we arrived at Decatur we proceeded on our march to Corinth, which occupied us some three or four days or perhaps five days, passing through the towns of Tuscumbia, Courtland, Barnesville, and others, where we camped and had a good time generally. We finally got to Corinth and went into camp. It was evident that a serious battle would soon be fought. Troops were rapidly concentrating at that place.13
The object of the organization of our company, as given in the first part of this sketch, being that of guides, it was evident that we could no longer be of service in that capacity, inasmuch as we were wholly and entirely unacquainted with the country in which we had been thrown by the stern fortunes of war. Consequently, the company was disbanded by order of General Johnston, and the members were left free to act as they chose and were at liberty to attach themselves to any company or command they might select.
Of course, it was but natural that we should seek to place ourselves under the command of Captain John Hunt Morgan, who had at this time won very considerable fame. And, although all of our company did not at once join Morgan, still a large majority of the “guides,” in a few weeks, were in his command.
It cannot, I think, be said that it is egotism when I affirm that each and every one of that gallant company won more or less notoriety before the war closed. And, they contributed their full share toward making up that glorious and undying record of gallantry and daring which Morgan's cavalry afterwards won. As officers and private soldiers, they share the largest in the honors given now and which shall be given in the future history of our country to the fame of that cavalry command which attracted the eyes of the civilized world and the likes of which has never been witnessed. It would be a pleasure to write down the names and deeds of each one, but it would comprise so much that it cannot be done. For a complete history of Morgan's Cavalry, reference is made to its history as written by Basil W. Duke, though in it many deeds and acts of individual daring and bravery are, as a matter of course, omitted.14
Youthful John Hunt Morgan, as he appeared when he commanded Morgan's Squadron of Kentucky Cavalry in the fall of 1861 and spring of 1862. (Hunt-Morgan House Deposit Photographic Collection, University of Kentucky Special Collections.)
The Battle of Shiloh was fought and won, and lost. That is