Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 12.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

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[391] In the distance can be seen the blue peaks of the Cumberland Mountains kissing the skies, while the intervening valleys are covered over with grassy meadows and ripening grain. We camp to-night near the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, one mile from Big Creek Gap and forty miles from Knoxville. A general inspection of arms this evening causes some speculation as to the proximity of the enemy. The object of our movement is not known in the ranks, but we know that we are moving in the direction of the Yankees and can conjecture pretty well as to what is expected of us. When ‘Reb’ meets ‘Yank’ then comes the tug of war. In the morning we expect to pass through the gap and may look out for some sharp shooting. I must pray for grace to meet any emergency.

August 6.—The troops have stood the march well to-day. We all left our knapsacks this morning so as to be unencumbered with baggage in case of a fight. We have marched sixteen miles and are encamped a few miles from Wilson's Gap, which we will probably pass through to-night. The country through which we have marched today is wealthier and more refined than any portion of East Tennessee that we have yet seen, and the friends of the Southern cause increase proportionately with the intelligence and cultivation of the people.

Sunday, August 17.—Along, long, weary day. We were aroused from our slumbers last night at 12 o'clock, and resuming our march crossed the Cumberland Mountains by moonlight. As we slowly ascended the mountain with drooping eye-lids and weary limbs, some timorous mortal gave the alarm, and for a few moments there was considerable confusion in the ranks, but order was soon restored and the line of grey moved on without further incident, reaching the foot of the mountain on the Kentucky side just as the first grey streaks of morning appeared in the East. On we marched ‘o'er hill and dale’ until 8 o'clock, when we rested about two hours. We then fell into line and continued our march all the live-long day, bivouacing at sunset. Our cavalry had a skirmish with the enemy this evening and brought in nine live Yankees with their horses. We may have some fighting to-morrow as the blue-coats have made their appearance. We have marched twenty-six miles to-day through a wild and desolate region. The inhabitants of this mountain wilderness are wrapped in profound ignorance. Some of them do not know in what year they live and are under the impression that Andrew Jackson is President of the United States.

August I8.—Barboursville, Ky. After marching since 2 o'clock