. Here we remained, recuperating, until
the 15th of September. The enemy had hurriedly retreated upon our
arrival at Loudon, leaving horses, mules and beef cattle, which we duly
appropriated to our own use. A large amount of wheat and corn was found
in the possession of the farmers, which was seized by the
quartermasters. A steam flour-mill was found in good condition and was
employed in grinding up the wheat and corn. We supplemented our rations
with chicken and fresh pork while we were encamped at Loudon. We were on
the main line of railway from Virginia to the Southwestern states. In
their retreat from Loudon, the enemy had burned the bridge across the
Tennessee at that point. It was several days before we were able to
place across the river a pontoon bridge. From the south, in the
direction of Chattanooga, Gen. N. B. Forrest often threatened us. From
the north, a General Jones was daily reported to be advancing down the
valley of the Holston upon Knoxville. About the time that our battery
arrived at Loudon, Gen. Burnside made a public entry into Knoxville.
General Burnside was not a little disappointed in not having with him
the Ninth Army Corps as early as he expected. The corps had been
transported from Vicksburg (after having done excellent service before
that city and also at Jackson) to Cincinnati, Ohio. In consequence of
the great heat at Vicksburg and of the arduous service required of the
corps, nearly 50 per cent of the men were sick with dysentery and ague.
They were sent into Kentucky as soon as possible to find a healthy camp
for a few weeks. Crab Orchard was the place selected for the camp on
account of its medicinal springs and salubrious surroundings.

On Sept. 25th, 1863, the first division of the Ninth Army Corps arrived
at Knoxville, after being subjected to long, fatiguing marches over bad
roads by way of Cumberland Gap and Morristown. Our repose at Loudon was
broken by orders to place knapsacks and the ammunition chests of the
caissons upon flat cars in order to expedite a contemplated forced
march. The railroad from Loudon was in operation to a point up the
Holston valley beyond Knoxville. The order to move was received upon the
15th inst. We made camp on the night of the 15th near Knoxville, about
thirty miles from Loudon. On the 16th we advanced to Strawberry Plains,
and on the 17th to New Market. We remained in New Market two days, and
then received orders to countermarch to Loudon. We had bee