Part 4
"....Next morning on the 27th we went to work, throwing up breast works. Worked all day and the next and are being detailed to cover the retreat of Hardees Corps from Corinth and the troops passed until 1 o'clock. At 2 o'clock PM of the 29th the enemies cavalry came into sight. They were received by our pickets with pretty heavy fire which resulted in their withdrawal from sight. But they soon returned with Artillery and when in range of our guns we opened fire on them. They withdrew again.
Next morning (on the 30th) they again appeared and we commenced sharps shooting which was kept up all day, but without damage. When night came on we found they had crossed the creek both above and below us. Consequently Genl Bushrod Johnston (who was in command of the detachment) gave orders for a silent retreat and accordingly at nine o'clock at night we started. Marched ten miles where we rested till day break next morning (the 31st) when we again started. We marched 15 mile reaching Baldwin, Miss on the MMORR in the evening where we camped. I need not add that we were worn down for we had nothing to eat for twenty four hours and it may readily be supposed that under these circumstances men would tire.
Here we remained until 8th June when we took up march for Tupelo. Marched ten miles and camped till next morning (the 9th) when we started again. Marched 8 miles arriving at said place in the evening. we went three miles west from town and camped where we remained until 25th July when we started for Chattanooga. Started about 9 o'clock PM for Mobile. Traveled 26th & 27th night included. Arrived at Mobile 9 o'clock AM 27th. Embarked on Steamer Joneston No. 2 for montgomery. on the 30th we arrived at the city at 8 o'clock AM. Camped at fair ground until 4 o'clock PM took carrs, started for Atlanta Ga, 5 o'clock AM. Arrived Atlanta 4 o'clock PM. here we lay by four hours during which time it rained very hard and continued to rain until 12 o'clock, However we, started for Chattanooga arrived there 5 o'clock PM. Sheltered in the carrs during the night. Next morning (the 2nd) we went back 12 miles to Chickamauga and camped until 9th when we took carrs for Knoxville at which place we arrived same day. We remained here until the 12th we started early in the morning in the direction of Big Creek Gap in the Cumberland mountains. We marched 10 miles and camped. Next morning we started again, marched 13 miles arriving at the Clinch River where we camped for the night. Early next morning (14th) we starred again marched eleven miles camped until next morning (15th) when we again set out in westerly direction. We marched 12 miles and found ourselves at Big Creek Gap where we camped and drew rations for four days, cooked them.
Next morning we started northwest leaving our wagons. This day (18th) marched 20 miles camped. Next morning 19th started again marched 15 miles and camped until the next morning when we started very early. marched 18 miles in the mountains since we left wagons. However we stopped until next morning when we again started in the direction of Baubersville KY. Marched 12 miles passing thru the town.
It will be observed that rations were now out. We camped 1 1/2 mile from town on the Cumberland Ford Road. remained during the night without rations. Next morning (20th) we started toward the ford. Marched 9 miles and camped at Flat Lick Village. Still no rations, next morning 21st started and marched five miles stopped and remained here until next morning (22nd). Marched to Flat Lick and camped until next morning when we resumed our march. We arrived at Baubersville in the evening where we drew rations for the first time since we left Big Creek Gap."